Page 74 of Accidental Theirs
“Liv.” I approach her, kneeling in front of her desk chair. “Let me help.”
She takes a shuddering breath, searching my face. “You didn’t know about this? You promise?”
“I didn’t. Not really. I just knew about the rumors. I had no way of knowing they were true.”
Her eyes go to the big window. “Someone spilled company secrets. Someone here doesn’t want to be here, wants me to fail.”
I take both of her hands in mine. “Don’t jump to conclusions, honey.”
The pet name slips out before I can stop it, but at least it makes Olivia look at me again.
She looks shell-shocked, her eyes wide, pupils dilated.
I squeeze her hands. “It’s going to be okay.”
“How?” Her voice trembles. “How is it going to be okay? They’re going to take everything from me.”
“I won’t let that happen.” This is my promise to her.
I pull her into my arms.
She stiffens only for a split second and then melts into me, pressing her face against my neck. She smells like lavender and fresh soap, and I breathe deep, my heart aching.
God, I’ve missed her so much.
“What are we going to do?” She pulls away.
I keep my arms loosely around her.
I look at her for a moment, unsure what to say. “We find out who is spreading the rumors. See if there’s a leak. And we talk to Damien.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t want you talking to Damien.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Why not?”
Olivia huffs out a breath. “Because I know you’ll get hot-headed about it. I can be calm about this.”
“Can you?”
She lets out a long breath. “I hope so.”
“What do you need from me, Liv? Anything.”
She runs a hand through her dark hair. “Find out what you can at Titan, and I’ll work on looking for the leak. Stall them if you have to, tell them that you need to review the accounts more or something. I can’t let this merger happen if Carter Holdings will go under.”
I nod. “Of course.”
“Thank you.” Her voice is soft and low, and she leans toward me, and I can’t help myself.
I lean forward and kiss her, gently, no hunger to it. I just want her to know I’m here for her. I want her to know how much I love her, that I’d do anything to keep her happy.
She kisses me back, her tongue sliding into my mouth, and my heart skips half a dozen beats.
I want to draw her closer, deepen the kiss, maybe take her right here on her desk, but this isn’t the right time.
She’s vulnerable right now, and I won’t take advantage of that. No matter how much I want her.
I pull away first, and Olivia gives me a small smile.
