Read Online KEPT: A Second Chance Fairy Tale by A.C. Bextor - Free Book Online Page B

hands to rub my shoulders. He stops, stands close, and grins. “You’ll need it next month.”
    I am so confused.
    “Did you people not hear me?” I ask as Corbin lets me go and makes his way to Lillie.
    “Oh, we heard you, dear,” Lillie replies, smiling. “But it’s not you we’re listening to.”
    Again, “ What ?”
    Corbin looks at her before his gaze comes to mine. “With the way he just reacted, it’s certain my best friend just said a fuck of a lot more than he thought he did.”
    “Oh, my god. You’re all nuts,” I breathe out, standing alone in the middle of the office. My hand flattens against my forehead and I exhale heavily. “Nuts,” I repeat for emphasis.
    Lillie laughs, her shoulders shaking as she does. “Welcome to the family, Lucy Monroe. Now, let’s go get some coffee before we start our day, shall we?”
    Crazy !

Michael
    A FTER THE SCENE IN MY office, I decided to take the rest of the day off. It’s not often I take time for myself, since being alone affords an opportunity to remember painful memories I’m determined to forget.
    My wife.
    My son.
    Lucy…
    I was pissed and shouldn’t have reacted the way I did in front of her. She obviously heard what I said to Lillie. Even though it wasn’t in the context she may think, it pissed her off. She didn’t back down. If she’d have given me the chance, I’m still not sure I would’ve apologized.
    I’ll admit, I was impressed and a little fascinated by the way she stood up for herself. Maybe this comes with being a single mother, or maybe it stems from living the last five years as a widow. Or maybe that’s just who she really is.
    Either way, I was intrigued.
    After all these years, today was the first time I’d ever actually met Lucy. All our business that she knows nothing about has been handled by my lawyer. Seeing her today, right in front of me, humanized her in a way I hadn’t ever thought possible.
    I’ve met a lot of assholes, Mr. Holden.
    Her angry words still burn my chest. I remember the hurt in her eyes as she fearlessly engaged me. She was out of her comfort zone, starting a new job and not truly knowing anyone here. Then she stood at my office door and listened to me degrade her.
    I’m not a charity case.
    Today was the first time I can ever remember being truly thrown off-guard by a woman I just met. And, after the way I responded to her, it’s also the first time I’ve felt the need to explain myself.
    And I have to do it now.
    I’m standing at the door of my penthouse, looking down at a very pissed-off Lillie Miles. Behind her stands a just as livid Corbin Mercer.
    And here we go…
    “We’re coming in, Mike. Open the door all the way or be moved from it,” Corbin threatens when I remain motionless.
    Looking at my watch, I note the time. It’s just a little after four. The office is still open, and neither Corbin nor I are within reach, if needed.
    “What the hell are you two doing here, and who the fuck is running the office?” I abruptly question.
    “Chad’s got it,” Corbin answers casually, following Lillie in as I close the door behind them.
    “As in Chad Parker, the second-year associate?”
    “As in ‘He’ll be fine. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll call if he needs us’ Chad. Don’t be an ass.”
    “Again,” Lillie adds to his response. “Don’t be an ass again . Twice in one day can’t be good luck, especially for you.”
    I shoot her a scathing glare, which doesn’t faze her at all. It never does.
    “Got anything to drink?” Corbin inquires, looking around my place, trying to locate my stash of expensive liquor.
    “No, sorry. I don’t.” I walk over, pick up my tumbler of scotch, and down it in one gulp.
    “Nice, Mike,” he answers in return. “I see you’ve taken your ball and gone home.”
    “Easy to do when the other team cheats,” I reply, looking directly at him. “And you fucking cheated.”
    “Dear god, you two,” Lillie says with a frustrated huff.