Page 45 of Ask for Moore

“Not only is that asshole turning a profit on this deal, but since it’s my uncle who made the offer, he’s going to walk away from this thinking he’s right,” he growled, scrubbing his hands down his face. “That I pulled strings to make this happen because of my involvement with you, even though it’s the furthest thing from the truth. I have no clue why Uncle Franklin is willing to pay so much for this land, but it sure as hell isn’t because I asked him to step in. Or out of concern for my happiness.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell him that was exactly what Mr. Burkhart thought. “And now I’m going to be stuck with him as a client forever.”

“What do you mean?”

I walked over and wrapped my arms around his waist, dropping my forehead against his chest. “Mr. Burkhart let me know he’s going to call my boss and request that I handle all of his business going forward. It’s exactly the outcome Mr. Arnoult sent me down here for, and the only reason he assigned me the case. Because I’m also licensed in Wisconsin and Indiana, and the firm has never gotten anything other than his Illinois business.”

When Ryland didn’t respond, I tilted my head back to look up at him. His nostrils were flaring, and his normally warm brown eyes were flinty. “Your boss is an ass.”

“Speak of the devil,” I muttered as my phone rang. When I glanced down at the screen, my suspicion was confirmed. “That’s him now, calling to share the good news, I’m sure.”

Ryland brushed his lips against my cheek. “I’ll step away so you have some privacy.”

“Thanks,” I whispered, that sick feeling returning to my stomach as I watched him walk away. It only strengthened when I accepted the call. “Waverly Duncan speaking.”

“Miss Duncan, I have Mr. Arnoult on the line for you. Please hold.”

A wry laugh slipped past my lips as I waited for the named partner to come on the line. I understood why he’d had Judy call me to his office back in Chicago, but it was ridiculous that he had her dial my cell instead of just doing it himself. I hadn’t realized how unbearably pompous the man was until he became my point of contact at the firm for this client.

“Miss Duncan, I just got off the phone with Roger Burkhart and wanted to be the first to congratulate you on a job well done. Securing a buyer willing to pay a premium for the property was a stroke of genius since his claim against the commission was flimsy at best.”

I wasn’t in the mood to explain that the deal had fallen into my lap. Not after how badly our last conversation had gone. Or what he’d implied he would be fine with me doing if that was what it took to get the rest of Mr. Burkhart’s business. “Thank you, sir.”

“Take a few days to celebrate making partnership track,” he offered. “We’ll need you ready to hit the ground running when you’re in your new office. Judy is already working on getting your things moved, and it will be ready for you on Monday.”

It was too bad that I wasn’t there to see Jack’s reaction. With his big ego, he probably assumed I had been fired before he realized that I was being promoted ahead of him. But I was stunned to discover that was the only joy I took from my long-awaited success.

I was trying to come to terms with my lack of reaction as I went in search of Ryland. The smile I aimed his way when I found him with his glasses on as he read over some documents at the kitchen table was what I should have had on my face when I talked to Mr. Arnoult.

“How did it go?”

“Great.” I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “My partnership track is clinched, and he expects me back in the office on Monday.”

Ryland’s eyes squeezed shut. “Damn, I was afraid you were going to say something like that.”

“Yeah.”

He opened his eyes with a sigh, flashing me an apologetic smile. “That didn’t come out the way I meant. You more than deserve this, Waverly. I know how difficult it is to be chosen as a partner at a big firm, and no matter how badly I wish your job wasn’t in Chicago, you have to know that I’m so fucking proud of you.”

I was proud of myself, too, but the sense of accomplishment was overshadowed by doubt. After spending time in Mooreville—and with Ryland—I wasn’t sure that I was ready to return to the take no prisoners mentality at Arnoult, Bamford, and Ford. Even as a partner, let alone just the promise of maybe being one within a year.

23

Ryland

“Idon’t want to go back to Chicago.” Waverly’s eyes went wide, and she clapped her hand over her mouth as though maybe she hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Her admission floored me, but I was thrilled that she’d made it because this was the first indication she’d given me that she was thinking about a possible future with me.

Pulling her close, I tickled the end of her nose with the tip of mine. “Then stay here in Mooreville. With me.”

My heart pounded against my rib cage as though it was trying to escape. All I could do was watch her, holding my breath as I waited to see what she'd say.

With how she was chewing on her bottom lip and staring up at me through the fringe of her eyelashes, I could tell she was giving what I suggested some serious consideration, even if she wasn’t willing to admit as much to herself just yet.

Instead of answering, she went up on her tiptoes and kissed me. The press of her lips against mine was soft and slow. Almost tentative, and maybe a little more reserved than her other kisses had been. Her hesitancy scared the hell out of me.

Not knowing what else to do, I twined my fingers with hers and guided her to my bedroom, determined to give her every reason in the world to say yes and stay here with me.

“I think I like where this is going.” Waverly’s quip was light, her tone carefully neutral, but the warmth in her eyes told me she wanted what I had to offer at this moment, even if she hadn’t made up her mind about staying or not yet.

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