Chapter 15: Chapter 15

“It’s alright, baby,” he said, with a quick peck to her lips as he tucked himself back into his pants and straightened his clothing. “I’m just going to head to the bathroom to get us some paper towels.”

“Ok,” she mumbled, surprised she could even form a word. When the door closed behind him, she managed to find the strength to hop down from his desk but her wobbly legs didn’t seem to want to cooperate and she grasped the edge of his desk, sending papers and objects flying as she struggled to gain her footing.

“You’re too old to be fucking on a desk,” she said, with a low chuckle as she righted herself. When she felt steady on her feet, she stooped down to the floor to retrieve the objects she’d sent careening down there.

Most of the objects she’d scattered were papers, but she’d also toppled a few CDs. Clutching them in her hand, she shuffled through them to make sure she hadn’t broken one. She was almost done when her gaze landed on one CD in particular that made everything inside her turn cold.

“Lana’s Auckland Account,” she read the words scribbled across the disc in Matthew’s bold handwriting.

She sat down in his chair and popped the CD into the computer, but before the spreadsheets could even come up, she already knew what she would find there. As she clicked through the files she saw every single folder from the account she’d spent three months working on.

Anger the likes of which she’d never experienced bubbled up inside her. She could almost hear her heart shattering into tiny pieces at the thought that he’d lied to her just so that he could get into her pants while they worked long hours on an account that was already done, and like a fool, she’d fallen for his charming words.

“You’re an idiot,” she muttered, shaking her head.

The sound of the door opening drew her gaze, and as soon as he stepped inside, she pinned Matthew with a hard glare as she stood to her feet. He glanced between her and the computer screen, before returning his gaze to her, his eyes filled with remorse. He better have felt some

remorse, because he certainly had a lot to be remorseful for.

“I was going to tell you—”

“When? After you got your fill of me and cast me aside.”

His eyes widened as he crossed the room to stand before her, setting the paper towels he’d brought from the bathroom aside. He reached for her, but she shrinked away, the thought of him touching her was so upsetting that it nearly made her ill.

“That’s not what this was about at all. I wasn’t using you Lana—”

She stared at him in disbelief. “You lied to me Matthew, so that you could use the time we spent together to seduce me—”

“I did,” he said taking a half step closer to her, forcing her back against his desk. “I won’t lie about that. It was wrong, I know this, and I’m sorry for lying to you. You were leaving and I didn’t know how to keep you in my life, so I did something desperate—,”

“Desperate? This was beyond desperate. If you wanted me in your life, why didn’t you simply ask me out like a normal person?”

Something about her words seemed to set him off, because storm clouds gathered in his blue eyes and he grabbed her by her arms to drag her closer to him.

“I did ask you out. Several times, and several different ways, but

you always just brushed me off. For two years, I did this. I even bought you gifts on Christmas and your birthday. Last year I even bought you a Valentine’s Day gift. Most people would see those gestures as interest,

but not you. You thanked me politely, but then you did what you always

do. You ignored me.”

He let go of one arm to shove his hand through the tousled locks of his dark hair, as he released a long, ragged sigh. “I apologized for my actions, they were wrong and deceitful, but you can’t blame a guy for being desperate with you. It’s been virtually impossible to get past the wall you put up.”

She stared up at him, openmouthed, as small incidents from the past two years flashed through her head. She’d always thought he was just being polite, sucking up even. She’d never considered a man like him

would even be remotely interested in her, so she’d ignored his subtle flirting and veiled compliments.

“Matthew. I—I,”

“You’re sorry? I know that’s what you were about to say and you should be,” he said, as he dragged her into his arms. “For two years I bided my time, nursing this insane crush. But it’s not a crush,” he whispered, tunneling his hand into her hair, sending her hairpins crashing to the floor. “After last night, I realized that there was something more here, and I think you realized it too.”

She held his gaze, as a myriad of emotions crossed his face, and she knew she probably wore the same expression. Was it possible to fall for someone you barely knew? If it was, then she and Matthew were certainly doing it.

“Matthew, we’re moving so fast. I want us to get to know each other better.” Had she said that? Was she seriously considering dating him?

He tightened his arms around her, holding her closer, his face lighting up as he beamed down at her. “That’s all I ever wanted—a chance to get to know you. I won’t lie and say that I’ll take it much slower, because to be honest I know I’m already half in love with you—,” He grinned when she gasped in shock, her eyes wide. She was still reeling from his revelation, but he didn’t miss a beat. “—but I want to give you time to fall for me too. I already know what I want, but when

you commit to me, I want you to feel as certain of your decision, as I am of

mine.”

She arched a single brow. “Commitment? You’re so sure of yourself now aren’t you?” She said, her lips curling into a teasing smile.

“I knew from the moment I met you that we would end up here. I didn’t know how, but I was determined. Now it’s time for you to realize what I’ve known all along.”

“Really? And what’s that?”

“That despite our differences and all the obstacles we have before us, there couldn’t be two people in the world more perfect for each other.”