An Agreement (Summer in New York Book 3) Read online

  “I already called and talked to Michelle about it.”

  “Carter, I run my own business. I can’t just not show up when I don’t feel like it,” I said.

  “Come here.” He took my hand when I sat on the edge of his bed. “You’ve been working too hard. I can see it in your eyes. You’re exhausted.” He ran the back of his knuckles down my cheek. “Is there anything so important going on at work that it can’t wait until tomorrow?”

  I thought about it and narrowed my eyes. Because he was right. I always stayed way ahead with anything deadline oriented. I’d had next season’s inventory planned for months.

  “How about you?” I pointed at him lounging in bed shirtless with the sheet pooled at his waist. “Did you call in sick, too?”

  “No, I took a personal day.”

  “So what, you want me to sit around all day and play hooky?” I asked.

  “It’s not playing hooky.” He pulled me down so I was sitting beside him. “We’ve been putting in crazy hours the past couple of weeks and you know it. It’s okay to take the day off every once and a while. Sometimes, you’ve gotta stop and smell the roses.”

  I took a breath. He was right. Again.

  The truth is, I had been running myself into the ground. That’s probably why I’d been mentally and emotionally exhausted. I’m sure it’s what contributed to the way everything had gone down last night. And he knew it.

  “Fine.” I closed my eyes and relaxed against him. “I guess I am pretty tired.”

  I knew he was smiling even though I couldn’t see him. He stroked my arm and pulled me under the covers. I snuggled closer and put my head on his stomach, happy just to be next to him.

  “Sorry I spoiled dinner last night,” I said. “What was the surprise?”

  Chapter 17

  Carter

  I stiffened at the sound of her words. Then I remembered the ring. I had to hide it from her now.

  Clearly, it wasn’t the best time to pop the question. I’d have to wait for the opportune moment. Maybe I’d been too hasty, trying to force the speed of our relationship. What if she was perfectly happy with the way things were right now? It was summer. No need to rush.

  “It was just a private dinner for us,” I said, nonchalant.

  “Baby, that’s so sweet,” she whimpered. “What’s the occasion?”

  I stared at the ceiling, remembering how I’d planned last night. Now I’d never know how it would have gone, what she would have said. I’d really been wanting it to happen, but clearly the universe was trying to tell me something. Like it was too soon.

  “I just wanted to do somethin’ special.” It wasn’t a flat out lie. Last night would have been special.

  “I’m sorry it didn’t turn out like you planned.” She rubbed her cheek against my stomach to get more comfortable. I massaged her back for a little bit and the next thing I knew, she was out.

  Not wanting to wake her, I eased out from under the covers and left her snoozing in the middle of my bed. Last night had been too much for her. She must have been working herself into a stupor because of all the negative crap going through her head. Stuff from the past that she wanted to forget. But it was so awful, etched into the deepest recesses of her memory, that it would always be there.

  You could try to block it out, minimize how often you had those thoughts.

  But they would always be there on the sidelines just waiting to remind you.

  I hid her engagement ring in the small safe built into my closet. I’d never stored anything inside it before, because I didn’t have much where valuables were concerned. But it had come with the apartment, so I saw no need to take it out. Now, I finally had a good reason to use it.

  While she slept, I whipped up a home cooked meal. Bailey loved breakfast food. So I made waffles with bacon and eggs. I put on a pot of coffee and then steeped a hot cup of green tea for her.

  For the past couple of weeks, we’d been running in different directions. It’s not like we never saw each other. We were both just so busy working. Maybe that’s the reason why I’d felt the sudden urge to ask her to marry me. Because I was scared that she might slip away, slide through my fingers like sand.

  I’d blocked out any hope of finding love for so long. Now that I’d found someone I really cared about, there was that creeping fear again. That something could happen to her. That I couldn’t keep her safe.

  I had one wife. It was my job to protect her. And I hadn’t done a very good job of that.

  If Bailey were taken away from me, I wouldn’t be able to bear it.

  The human heart can only take so much. And mine had already been to hell and back a long time ago.

  My phone buzzed while I was putting Bailey’s food on a plate. I popped it in the oven so it would stay warm and answered the call. It was my sister. And I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like what she had to say.

  “Hello?” I kept my voice down so I wouldn’t wake Bailey.

  “Have you been hiding under a rock?” she asked.

  “What?” I took a sip of coffee. It was too early in the morning.

  “You plan this grand proposal and don’t even tell me if she said yes?”

  I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. Then I stepped into the hall, in case Bailey might hear. “Actually, it never got that far.”

  “What?” she hissed. “Why not?”

  “Something came up. I never got the chance to ask her. Maybe it’s too soon anyway.”

  “You’re second guessing yourself,” she said. “What happened? Last night, you sounded so sure.”

  “I know, but...” I nodded to a neighbor walking by. “It’s just not the right time. It didn’t feel right.”

  “Wow, Carter, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”

  “It’s okay.” I stared at the carpet on the hallway floor. “I told her about Vanessa.”

  “How did it go?” she asked.

  “It was hard. I never thought I’d be able to talk about it. But she really gets me. You know? She understands. I love her, Beth. I’m just trying to figure out how to keep from ruining it.”

  “You’re not going to ruin it,” she said. “Why would you think that?”

  “Because I ruined it with Vanessa. I couldn’t save her.”

  “What happened that night is not your fault. Don’t you dare take the blame for it,” she said. “You and Vanessa adored each other. You don’t ever have to forget her. But you’re allowed to feel this way again. You deserve to be happy, Carter. Vanessa would have wanted that.”

  “I know.” I felt myself choking up. So I forced the lump down my throat.

  “You can love them both, you know?”

  “Yeah.” I took a deep breath. “Yeah, I know.”

  “By the way, we’re all getting together Labor Day Weekend at Mom and Dad’s. You should come.”

  I groaned on the inside, remembering the reason why I loathed national holidays.

  “I wasn’t invited.”

  “Well, I’m inviting you. Don’t you want to see Mom? I know she misses you.”

  That made me feel like crap. “I don’t know, Beth.”

  “You could bring Bailey,” she suggested. “She would love it.”

  I didn’t know about that. “Last time I checked, I wasn’t exactly welcome at the Boudreaux residence.”

  “Carter,” she scolded. “You’ve got to get past this. If you want a life with Bailey, you’ll have to do this at some point anyway. Don’t you want her to know where you came from?”

  This conversation was too intense for the a.m.

  “Beth, I don’t know. Okay?”

  “Just promise me you’ll think about it.” She waited for me to agree. “Please?” she begged.

  “All right,” I said. “I’ll think about it. Look, I’ve gotta go.”

  “I love you, Carter. Tell Bailey I said hey.”

  “I will. Love you, too.” I hung up and gritted my teeth. Was it too early for a drink?

&
nbsp; I went inside and shut the door, tossing my phone on the couch. Then I put the rest of the food in the oven. The door to my bedroom was cracked. When I pushed it open, there was an angel in my bed.

  I stood in the doorway and watched her sleep. She was on her stomach with her arms coiled around my pillow. Suddenly, she shifted and grabbed the sheet, balling it into her fist. Her eyes were closed but it sounded like she was crying. I walked into the room and my heart pounded, drawing me towards her.

  “No,” she moaned. “Please don’t. Please stop.”

  I sat down and shook her gently. I had to pull her out of her nightmare. I hated to see her in it.

  She opened her eyes and saw me, registering who I was. Then she burst into tears.

  “Hey.” I took her into my arms. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

  She burrowed her head in my chest as I stroked her hair, just wanting her to feel safe.

  Once she calmed down, I cupped her cheek in my hand. “You’re the strongest person I know.”

  “No,” she whispered, weepy eyed. “You are.”

  I put my lips on hers and ran my hands down her back. She offered her neck to me, welcome to receive my love. So I laid her down in my bed and made love to her. And it was different, better.

  We were exposed. Vulnerable. I knew her dark secrets. She knew mine.

  It was a mating of souls. I was bonded to Bailey. In a way I’d never been to anyone else.

  She stroked my jawline, running her fingertips over every coarse hair. I looked into her eyes. They were gorgeous. From the moment we met, I’d been lost in them. Whether I was willing to admit it or not.

  She kissed her way down my torso and then pressed her lips to my chest. My hands moved over her back, memorizing every dip and shallow, the gracefulness of her spine, even the slightest curve. She nuzzled my neck and I leaned her head back, cradling her beautiful face in my hands.

  “What?” she grinned, staring at me innocently.

  “When I’m with you, I feel like I can breathe again.”

  She lay against me, smoothing her fingertips across my shoulder blades. I loved everything about her. I felt lucky as hell that I’d even been able to meet her, have her come into my restaurant that night. Even then, I’d known she was different. There was something special about her. The way she presented herself at my table, so innocent and open. She deserved the whole world. I wanted to give it to her.

  “You’re the reason why I know I’m going to be okay,” she whispered.

  We lay there for minutes, hours. I’m not sure how long. Eventually, we were so hungry that the choices were to either eat or stay in bed all day and starve. If it had just been me, I would’ve forgone my hunger. Gladly.

  But Bailey was starting to look famished. So I went in the kitchen and reheated the food I’d made for breakfast. She snuck up behind me and put her hands on my chest. I turned around and smiled.

  She was wearing my shirt. She looked sleepy and her hair was a mess. Still sexy though. Still gorgeous.

  We sat down to eat, inhaling everything I’d made. She took a breath when she was finished and leaned back in her chair. I drank another cup of coffee and reached for her hand across the table.

  “Sweetheart, I want to ask you something.” I caressed her knuckles with my thumb.

  She looked surprised, flawless. Sometimes, I was afraid to blink. I didn’t want to miss one second with her.

  “Where do you see this relationship going?” I said.

  She flushed cherry red and furrowed her brow. When she tried to pull her hand away, I wouldn’t let her.

  “No.” I folded my fingers through hers. “It’s not what you think. Just be honest with me. How do you feel?” I cupped her cheek in my other hand, feeling her soft skin. There were tears in her eyes.

  “I can’t really picture my future without you in it.”

  I grinned and pulled her into my lap, kissing her gently. “Then we’re finally on the same page.”

  She rubbed her nose against mine and smiled. Then she put her head on my shoulder and sighed. I held her in my arms, running my hand down the curves of her figure. She was so adorable, so delectable.

  And she was all mine.

  “How ‘bout a bath?” I asked.

  “Mmm.” She kissed my cheek. “Sounds heavenly.”

  I went into my bathroom and ran warm water in the tub, pouring in the lavender bath salts she loved. Then I lit candles and dimmed the lights, trying to revive the surprise that had been squandered last night. When she came in, I made her turn around and cover her eyes. While she was waiting, I scattered rose petals on the tile and in the bath tub. She opened her eyes and whimpered in delight.

  “Baby,” she purred. “What is all this?”

  “A way to make up for last night. And the way I’d hoped it would make you feel.”

  She smiled and kissed me, curling her arms around my neck. “I love you so much.”

  I helped her out of my shirt and held her hand as she sat down in the tub. She pulled her hair up and leaned the back of her neck against the rim of the tub, basking in the warm water. I sat on the edge and watched her, realizing that she was the only woman I’d ever brought to my apartment besides my sister.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, taking my hand.

  “Nothin’,” I said. “I’m fine.”

  “Aren’t you going to join me?” She dangled her arms over the edge, batting her lashes at me.

  “Yeah.” I stood up. “I’ll be right back.”

  She looked a little disappointed as I left, shutting the door behind me. But I would be back.

  I put some music on so she wouldn’t get suspicious. Then I stepped into the hall and called her father.

  “Lewis Enterprises. This is Ginny speaking.”

  “Hi, Ginny. Is Mr. Lewis in today?” I asked.

  “Yes. May I ask who is calling?”

  “Carter Boudreaux.”

  “Just a moment.” She put me on hold while I paced out in the hall.

  The next thing I knew, Ben was on the line.

  “Carter?” he asked.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Hey, how are you doing? It’s nice to hear from you.” He was friendly.

  “Good, sir.”

  “Are you taking care of my little girl?” he asked.

  “Yes, I’m doin’ my best.”

  “That’s what I like to hear. Listen, I’m sorry about what happened at the Hamptons. Parker has been going through some things this summer. But that’s no excuse. I hope he apologized to you.”

  “He did, sir,” I said with clammy hands. “It’s fine. Really.”

  “Well, good. Listen Carter, I’ve got a meeting in ten minutes. Is there anything I can help you with?”

  Just say it. Just do it. What are you waiting for?

  “I was hoping I could talk to you sometime, sir. It’s about Bailey.”

  “Oh.” His tone changed immediately. “Is she all right?”

  “Yes. Everything is fine,” I said with a smile. “I think she’s doing really well.”

  “That’s good to hear. Why don’t you come by the office in the morning around ten?”

  “Okay. I mean, yes sir.” I was sweating and shaking a little, afraid of saying the wrong thing.

  He chuckled. “Please, call me Ben. I’ll look for you tomorrow morning, Carter.”

  “Thank you, sir. I mean, Ben.” He had to think I was a fool. “I’ll see you then.”

  “Take care.” He hung up and I’d never felt so high.

  Maybe she was ready. Maybe she could give me what I really wanted.

  Her.

  All of her.

  I ARRIVED THIRTY MINUTES early and waited in the lobby. Ginny brought me a cup of coffee while I flipped through a copy of Forbes on a leather couch. The building was beautiful. I remembered seeing it for the first time when I moved here, craning my neck to view its full stature. Never in a million years would I have seen myself waiting here, anxious to
ask Benjamin Lewis for permission to marry his daughter.

  There was a painting on the wall behind me of a little blonde girl on her bicycle. It reminded me of Savannah at the beach. She’d been so rambunctious and independent, full of energy. I wondered if Bailey had been like that as a child. Then I wondered how many kids she wanted to have. I was so out of my mind crazy for Bailey that, truth be told, I’d knock her up as many times as she’d let me.

  “Carter.” Ben appeared with his hand out. “Have any trouble finding the place?”

  “No, sir.” I shook his hand with an ear-splitting grin.

  “Did Ginny get you everything you need?”

  “Yes.” I nodded to her at reception. “Thanks so much.”

  “Would you like anything else before we head back to my office? More coffee? Something to eat?”

  “I’m fine, really. Thanks.” My heart was pounding. I hoped it wasn’t too soon to ask.

  “Well, come on back.” Ben led me down the long hall as I admired plaques hanging on the walls. He’d accomplished so much at a young age. When it came to business, he was really someone worth looking up to. I’d thought that even before I realized that Bailey was his daughter.

  He opened the door to his office and let me inside.

  “Thank you,” I said, taking a look around. There were more plaques in here. But the bulk of his desk was dedicated to family. He had framed pictures by his computer. I saw Bailey in a few.

  “Have a seat.” He walked around his desk and sat down. “You have my undivided attention.”

  “Thank you.” I got distracted looking at photos, especially the ones of Bailey.

  Ben turned his head and made the connection. Then he picked up a frame and smiled. “Bailey was about six here. Claire wanted to put a bow in her hair every day.” He handed the picture over and let me look at it. “Bailey hated it. But when it was time to have her picture made, she had no choice.”

  In the photo, she was wearing a yellow dress with green trim. There was a yellow bow in her hair. It was so big and bright as a lemon. But she was adorable. I hoped our children inherited her dimples.

  “Here is one of her at her high school graduation.” He picked up another one. “And college.”