Page 68 of My Forbidden Boss

I study him, looking for tells, but there are none. Taylor is a straight shooter and my conversation with him backs up my opinion.

“If you want a quality job, they’re the lowest I could possibly go. I won’t run Blue Sky at a loss and the prices I gave are down to the bone,” I say.

Taylor frowns. “I saw that too. I don’t know how you could have gone as low as Bourke.”

I shift in my seat. Bourke’s playing a low game and his business is not looking good. He can’t afford to work at a loss. It’s one thing knowing Bourke’s business position, and another acting on it to make myself look good. I don’t play that way, but Taylor already suspects something’s not right. He’s not stupid. “I’ve worked hard on Blue Sky’s reputation. You know we’ll keep to those prices.”

I also won’t have my contractors work for nothing or employ people I have no intention of paying like others in this industry.

Taylor nods. “I know that, but one of the decision makers on this project always goes with the lowest cost, especially with public housing redevelopment. However, your idea is different enough to sway the others to decide in your favor.”

“I can resubmit to you, incorporating Adeline’s idea,” I say. Taylor is a politician down to the bone. He’s always looking for ways to make himself seem better than the rest and this will give him the leverage he’s no doubt been looking for, pricing aside.

Taylor’s brows flick up. “I’d appreciate that. Blue Sky has always been at the top of my list and your tender is well within budget. In fact, you have a couple of million to play with and I like the idea of a child care center for this community.”

I nod. Taylor’s given me information to secure the deal. I have a lot to thank him for. A debt I gladly welcome. “Can you give me a day to put it together?” I say.

“I’ll give you two. We don’t make our final decision until next week,” Taylor says. “And I give you my personal guarantee that I’ll make a good case to all council members.”

Of course he will. Like the rest of us, he wants to get ahead. He isn’t helping me from the kindness of his heart.

I turn to see how Adeline is faring because despite not knowing how Bourke matched my tender, this has played out in our favor. Her grip on her fork is white-knuckled. She stares at Taylor, her face pale. Not the reaction I thought she’d have after saving a couple of hundred people’s livelihoods and futures, not to mention a big win for Blue Sky. She should be all smiles and joy because this affects her friend, affects us, and then another thought strikes me.

She’s not surprised.

Chapter 25

Adeline

Tell him. Just fucking tell him.

But when I try, I can’t force the words past my lips. They dry up because when it comes to it, I don’t want to. I want to keep David looking at me like he does. With desire and passion. Like he wants me with the core of his being. It’s fucking selfish, but I can’t help it.

I want it all. These days. This illusion. I’ll take everything with sticky, grabby hands, Because this will come to an end. It’s inevitable.

I’m in the driver’s seat of this train wreck. There’s a brick wall at the end of the tracks and I’ve pushed the lever to full speed.

“Are you all right, love?” David says.

My heart is in shreds. I’ve taken so much from him, but I force myself to play it off. One more night. “Just tired.”

There’s one more night of the conference. One more night I can spend with David before we return to New York. He won’t let something of the magnitude of the tender mess up go. Jamie Taylor gave it all away. It’ll only be a matter of time before David works out I gave his tender plans to my sperm donor. There’s only so many people who had their hands on the tender, and I’m the loose thread. I’m sure he knows that even now.

I rub my chest where the pain of my deception slices into me as I watch David’s face for the moment he sees through me. Now. In a minute. An hour, or next week is the only thing I’m unsure about and the knowledge makes my nerves raw. I’m strung out and on edge; the best junkie in the world and all I want is my next fix of David.

As much as I can get before it all ends and I’m forced into withdrawal.

“Then I’ll take you back to your room.” He takes my hand and slides his fingers between mine. The gesture is intimate. He stops me when I try to remove my hand. Heads turn our way. They’re watching but glance away when I lift my head.

“David. Someone will see,” I say.

His gaze burns. “Let them. I’m not hiding you anymore.”

The breath stalls in my lungs. David’s grip is firm. Unrelenting. He’s not letting me go and I’m caught in a quasi-world of half wanting to go, and half needing to stay while we rage a silent war.

Jamie Taylor clears his throat and excuses himself. I’d forgotten he was at the table as he rises and leaves his half-finished plate behind.

I peer around the restaurant where the conference participants are eating, making sure Max isn’t here as I always do. It’s exhausting knowing he could turn up at any moment. It’s only that I’ve stuck like glue to David’s side the past few days that’s kept him away.

---