AllFreeNovel
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It’s not a lie. People are dancing and mingling and having a good time. It’s on the loud side, especially when Amber grabs a glass of champagne and hollers for her new husband to come dance with her. But I barely notice my ex.
“It is, but I admire your dedication to getting this deal done. To be honest, my hesitation two years ago was your suddenly quitting on Amber. I worried that said something about your commitment to the job.”
“Not at all. Amber and I just weren’t suited for each other. But when it comes to business, I’ll do everything—”
Chris is leading Kiera out the door. He’s taking her toward the parking lot and into the night. To find a bed? I break out in a cold sweat.
She turns one last gaze on me. Her face looks so fucking sad.
My heart stops. In that moment, the last of my self-control evaporates. All I can think about is chasing her, telling her she’s making a big mistake, confessing everything that’s been pressing on me for over a month. Admitting to her that I’m in love with her.
“Everything…what? Are you okay?” Maya’s question brings me back to the opportunity in front of me.
The woman just admitted that she bailed on our deal two years ago because she didn’t think I could commit properly. I didn’t even get a chance to finish assuring her that I will give her one-hundred percent of my effort if she signs with KH Industries. If I get up out of this chair to chase Kiera—even to tell her she’s making a mistake—Maya Thompson will probably never even negotiate with me, much less sign on the dotted line.
“Um…” I swallow, but I don’t dare blink. I can’t dare look away from Kiera.
What should I do?
You know what’s more important.
I do, but at what cost? Do I choose the company or my heart? My livelihood or my sanity? Everything I’ve spent years building or the woman who has brought me back to life? Either way, I’m giving up something.
Finally, after what feels like long moments of staring at each other, Kiera drops her gaze, turns away, and disappears.
That’s it.
I leap to my feet. “I’m sorry, Ms. Thompson. I have to leave. I genuinely want to continue this discussion on Monday. You have no idea how much. I’m going to reach out to you first thing and hope that you still want to finish this conversation because I think our businesses could be great for each other. But the truth is, if I don’t go now…I could lose far more than my professional future. I can’t take that risk.”
I don’t even wait for a response. I turn and run from the reception.
I can’t let Kiera go. I can’t let her be the one who got away. Can’t let her choose jaded, meaningless sex and ruin her life because of my selfishness.
Dashing across the parking lot, I look for her everywhere. Where the fuck has she gone? Don’t tell me she’s already left.
I turn and turn until I see pale purple in my peripheral vision standing beside the open passenger’s door of Chris’s car, exchanging murmured words with the asswipe as he hovers, pinning her in.
I run toward her. “Kiera!”
She jerks around in shock. “Jonathan? What are you doing? Is Maya still inside?”
“Yes. I don’t care. You can’t go through with this.”
“What do you mean? This is what we agreed on.”
“Why are you up in our business?” Chris approaches, blocking her from my view. “Go away, loser. She picked me.”
“Get the fuck away from my woman.”
“You don’t own her, man. You had your chance. Now she’s choosing a real man.” Chris rears back his fist and rams it at me like he thinks he’s going to shove the grill of a big rig down my throat. But he’s had too much booze, and he seems to move in slow motion.
I duck out of the way, making him miss. And I smile. Does he realize that he just gave me the perfect opportunity to “defend” myself? Seconds later, I haul back and ram my knuckles into this asshole’s face, relishing the sound of fist meeting bone. My fingers will hurt like a bitch later, but god, that feels good.
Chris falls to the ground, grunting in pain and holding his nose in his hands, whining. “You asshole!”
“Stay away from Kiera. Don’t ever call her, talk to her, or text her. Hell, don’t even think about her. She’s way too good for a piece of shit like you.”
“Jonathan.” Kiera gasps. “What are you doing?”
