Page 40 of Kyle
It had taken years for her not to care about her appearance or come to accept that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Besides which, Romano's carried a plus-sized wardrobe that was second to none. Clothes designed to flatter her curves.
She knew she looked damn good. But Kyle McCreary was mouthwateringly handsome and downright sexy. And he had previously been involved with a stunning actress. No matter how confident she had become, there was still a twinge. And now her damn heart was involved.
She was also aware that they shared something. It was not just her. He could not fake what he was feeling. He had been as affected as she was. Did he still love the actress? Could he still be in love with another woman after what they shared?
She had no idea. All she knew was that she was bloody prepared to fight for her man. He was her husband, and she was keeping him.
The meeting was being held in her very spacious office. She had a small space for her rich mahogany desk, several filing cabinets, a refreshment table, two chairs and a conversation area, with the rest dedicated to her marketing and design area. Here she had spared no expense.
The table was long, facing the window, where the city's buildings speared up towards a leaden November sky. The table was strewn with designs, catalogs, marketing tools and files.
She had a very capable and efficient assistant who anticipated her every need and was now pissed that she had not been invited to the wedding.
"I thought we were more than employer and employee." Mel sniffed, her tight black curls bouncing as she threw back her head. She had brought over coffee and a plate of croissants from the kitchen.
"Take it up with my grandfather." Picking up her cup, she eyed the woman who was two years her senior. "He was calling the shots along with Kyle's grandfather."
"So it's true then?" Mel was a little mollified at the answer. "It's an arrangement?"
"Not anymore." Ingrid's smile was smug. "And that's all I'm prepared to say on the topic. We have work to do."
"That's not fair. I..."
"We have work to do and since we've been out of office for the past four days and yes, I'm counting Saturday and Sunday as well, we have a lot of catching up to do." She lifted her hand and glanced at the expensive time piece on her wrist, unwittingly catching sight of her diamond wedding ring. "In about twominutes, the team will be coming through those doors. Finish setting up the refreshments and if we need anything else..." She glanced over at the table where there were coffee pots, OJ, lemonade and tiny sandwiches and morsels of pastries and shook her head. "Send word to the kitchen. These people eat like they haven't been fed in days. Okay, let's get moving. I have a lot to cover in a short amount of time."
As she took a steadying breath, Ingrid smoothed the front of her blazer and reminded herself that she was in control here. This was her domain, no matter how much her personal life had turned upside down. There was comfort in the familiar rhythm of work, and she clung to it as the sound of footsteps approached from the hallway.
It shook her when she was in the middle of a discourse, and he walked in. She was not the only one affected. Her entire team turned to stare as he made his way into the room and over to where she was standing with Brad, going over the finances for the project.
"Carry on, please. I'm only here as an observer. My wife..." The emphasis on the word had Brad moving a few steps back. "She's still in charge."
Giving him a look that clearly said they were going to have words after the meeting, she picked up the thread and continued. The meeting ran over and with the team wandering over to the tableto grab food, it was further delayed. By the time the last person had left the room, she was pressed for time.
"I need a minute." He snagged her arm and gestured with a nod of his head for Mel to leave and close the door.
"You have thirty seconds."
"I can work with that." Pulling her into his arms, he cupped her face and closed his mouth over hers. "I love seeing you in charge. It sets me off."
"Apparently, anything does." She pressed a hand on his chest, her senses swimming. "Dammit, McCreary, I have a meeting with the contractors and need a clear head."
His smile was smug. "I have a board meeting, and this will keep me going through the boring process."
Her gaze sharpened. "A board meeting? I was not informed."
He flicked a finger down her nose. "It has to do with the shipping side of things, of which you have no part of."
She sniffed. "Don't think we're not going to talk about you walking in and calling me your wife in front of my employees."
"You are my wife." He grinned. "I give you permission to invade my meeting and call me husband."
"Don't think I won't. I have to go."
"Let's go out later. There's a musicale happening at the theater later on. Let's have a real date."
Her heart skipped several beats. "What time does it start?"
"Around eight."
