Michael.
He stood beside the car with that intense look that melted into a soft smile when he caught her eye. He handed his briefcase to a hovering servant and walked towards her in long strides that had her breath hitching for different reasons.
"Someone seems very happy to see me." He observed with a small smile of his own.
"I’m not," she said, and he looked at her with uncertainty. She quickly continued, “I am happy to see you, but I have good news that I can’t wait to share.”
"Oh nice, I have some good news as well," he murmured closely before he caught her lips in a quick kiss.
This was the first time he had kissed her so publicly, and the sudden passion between them drove the thoughts out of her head. Without controlling herself, a low moan passed from her lips.
"Beautiful," he murmured. She ducked her head quickly, but he caught her chin and lifted her face back to his. His next words held a hint of uncanny hesitation. "What’s your news, can’t wait to hear it?"
The two of them walked hand in hand to the living room where he tugged her into a loveseat, his warmth searing her shoulder blades. The man was intense even when he was not saying a word. And that turned her head and stoked certain fires.
"Come on out with it, you’re busting at the seams.”
"I got into school!" Her excitement and joy made a quick reappearance.
"Congrats, babe, you’re smart. Of course you’d get in," he said his words close to her ears.
When she turned to look at him and saw his genuine joy, it drove her smile wider. "I've always wanted to go but…”
"I know, and now you can.” He regarded her happily.
"I am just so excited. I never thought it would be possible."
"Which school did you choose?" he asked, leaning back to remove his jacket and place it on the arm of the chair.
With that one question, her joy dimmed — maybe she hadn't exactly thought this through.
"The school’s in in Seattle."
Why did she make it sound like a question? Of course, it was Seattle, and a few good miles away from Boston.
He tensed, turned to look at her for one quick second. “Seattle?"
"They offer the best educational curriculum and the campus is decent. There are good schools for Miranda and I could probably get a sitter on some nights when I need to study, and thanks to your generous marital present, I won’t have to work. This means more time to spend with Miranda, and I would be able to drop her off and pick her up from school most days since there is an elementary school near the university.”
“When do you start?”
“Next fall, which is perfect since our deal will be done by then.”
"Well, I am happy for you. You should go for it," he replied with a soft smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
"Thank you." The words seemed out of place and awkward, like she had ruined the former camaraderie between the two of them.
Should she have kept her mouth shut?
No, but why was she feeling so guilty and low?
"I’ve told you my happy news, now what’s yours?" she asked, trying to infuse a bit of cheer into the morose environment.
He smiled at her attempt, barely a curve of his lips, but it encouraged her to hold his hands. His eyes travelled down to where their two hands were joined before he looked up at her with a smile bigger than the last. She leaned closer and kissed him. He kissed her back, slowly. It lacked the explosive passion of the other kiss he had given her outside the car.
She leaned back and looked up into his unreadable eyes, wondering why the feeling of dread was blooming in her gut by the second.
"My grandfather has agreed to sign over the company to me," he informed her with a steady look.
