Page 55 of Mr. Billionaire's Second Chance

“Preston, I know that you’ve enjoyed your time being in charge and that may have been what your father wanted, but it’s just not working. The company isn’t going to survive any more scandals, and I’m sure you can occupy yourself with something else to enjoy your youth. Why waste it trying to play CEO.”

“You’re out of your damn mind, Bart. This is my company and I’m staying in charge. That is my right, and you can’t sit there telling me that I haven’t done wonders for this company ever since my father died.”

“Come on, Preston. He’s just trying to help,” Leighton chimed in.

“Shut the fuck up, Leighton. You shouldn’t even be here. I hate to break it to you, Bart, but my ex-girlfriend is only with you for your money and for taking a few jabs at me. She isn’t going to sleep with you tonight if that’s what you’re looking forward to,” I spat.

“That’s enough. I think it’s time we call it a night, shall we? Preston, we’ll talk tomorrow morning. It’s best you go,” said William.

William followed me out of the restaurant and we both stood there on the sidewalk while I crossed my arms, waiting for him to tell me what the fuck was going on.

“You need to pull yourself together, Preston. When you blow up like this, it only makes their decision easier for them.”

“Don’t you see what’s happening here, William? They’re trying to boot me out!”

“Look, I told you that I’m going to fix this and I will. You’re just going to have to give me some time, okay? If you want them to take you seriously, you need to stop acting like a child,” he said.

I started to calm down, knowing that it was more than just Leighton and Bart getting under my skin, it was the thought that I was on the verge of losing everything. William patted me on the shoulder, and I nodded at him, watching as he made his way back inside to diffuse the situation. It wouldn’t be the first time he had to do that. Maybe he’s right. He’s just looking out for me after all. I thought.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something I was missing. I couldn’t understand why the board was suddenly so interested in dropping me when there was a time all they did was praise my efforts to make Kingsman Enterprises the best it could be. I sighed, trusting that William would be able to handle this for me. He was a pain in the ass sometimes, but I knew he had my back. I took the town car to Katherine’s apartment, wanting nothing more than to wrap my arms around her, and forget every part of this awful night.

I walked up the steps, pressing the buzzer, and I heard her voice come over the speaker.

“Preston?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

“Come on up,” she said.

It had been a while since I’d been back to her apartment, and once I arrived at her door, taking in how beautiful she looked standing in her doorway, I knew I was falling in love. She smiled warmly at me, before her brows furrowed, like she could sense that I wasn’t having the best night.

“Preston, what’s wrong?”

“I’ve had a very interesting evening,” I said.

“Dinner with the board didn’t go well, huh?”

“I don’t think it could’ve gone worse. That doesn’t matter now anyway. I’m here with you. That’s what matters,” I told her.

She waved for me to come inside and I smiled. I could smell the incredible aroma of freshly cooked food in the air and the slight lavender scent wafting over from the lit candles on the table.

“You went to all this trouble, for me?”

“I want you to know that I care about you, Preston. I haven’t exactly been the most trusting person as of late, and I want to apologize for that. I wanted to do something to make it up to you,” she said, blushing.

“You have nothing to apologize for, Kat. I’m the reason you feel like you can’t trust me, but you need to know that I will never do anything to hurt you.”

“I know, Preston. I trust you. I really do.”

I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close to me as our lips locked. I felt the warmth emanating from her body and it lulled me, making the entire night worth it. It made me want to tell her every ridiculous thing that happened that evening, and when we finally sat down to eat, it was like she felt the same way.

“Now, I know I probably shouldn’t even be asking this considering my role in your business at the moment, but what happened tonight?” she asked, taking a sip of her wine.

“They’re trying to boot me out of the company so William can take my place. I still don’t understand why because I can’t imagine that a bunch of unproven accusations would make them come to such a decision, and I can’t help but feel like there’s more at play here. I just wish I knew what to do,” I confessed.

She looked at me sympathetically, placing her wine glass down, taking my hand.

“No one’s going to boot you out of your own company, Preston. They may try. They may make you feel like you don’t belong there, but you have some say. The Preston I know wouldn’t ever let something like this happen, and I know you’ll find a way out of it. I may have had my doubts about the kind of man you were in the beginning, but even then I knew you were always a damn good businessman,” she murmured.

“Is that so? I’m sure I’m damn good at a few other things, don’t you?”

She bit her lip in anticipation, nodding at me. I got up from my chair, undoing my tie, tossing it across the room before I took Katherine into my arms, lifting her up, so I could take her to her bedroom. She caressed my cheek, kissing me hard, making every single one of my troubles melt away. I laid her down on the bed, undoing the straps of her soft, short little dress, helping her out of it. I could see the blush of her skin, the look in her eyes that told me all I needed to know about what she wanted. It’s you, Katherine. It’s always been you.

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