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Dare to Forgive(12)

By:Dixie Lynn Dwyer


“Figures. This place was on the market for quite some time but it fit my budget when I first got here. I can always get someone to come back and fix the sheetrock. I probably could do it myself.”

“You? Not happening. I’ll do it or even Leo. He’s great at spackling and taping, too. He’ll make it look like nothing ever happened.”

She heard her phone ringing.

“Go answer that. I’ll be a bit trying to get this sucker down.”

She walked out of the room and answered the phone.

“When I tell you to call me you’d better do it. Now enough is enough, Adel. We need to talk.”

“No, we don’t. I’ve got nothing to say to you. What don’t you understand about that?” she asked, raising her voice.

“You’re awfully mouthy. You don’t want to piss me off, Adel.”

“Or what? You’ll hit me? I’m not afraid of you. Just leave me alone and stop calling me.”

“Never, Adel. I’ll make your life a living hell. I want you back.”

“Never happening. Leave me alone.” She disconnected the call and threw her phone onto the couch. She covered her face with her hands.

“Adel.” She heard Will’s voice and gasped, instantly feeling embarrassed. He must have heard her phone call. Oh God what he must be thinking.

She turned toward him and wiped her eyes before the tears fell and forced a smile.

“Were you able to get it? Do you need help?” she asked and went to walk by him but Will grabbed her arm to stop her. He stared down into her eyes, his expression of concern and sympathy.

“Who was that? Is someone bothering you? A man?”

“Please don’t ask me any questions. I’m fine. I’ve got this.”

She attempted to pull free slightly, but he held firm.

“Talk to me. I can help you if you confide in me.”

She shook her head.

“I can’t.”

“You can’t, or you won’t?” he pushed.

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re a man. Because you’re not even a friend. You’re my boss.”

He shook his head and pulled her close.

“I don’t just want to be your boss or your friend. I want more than that.”

Her eyes widened and she went to pull back but he drew her in closer.

“What are you talking about? Stop fooling around, Will.” She chuckled softly but it was lame. His comment affected her and had her wondering why he said that.

“Adel, look at me. You can’t be so oblivious to the way I feel about you. Come on, even Leo was making certain that Steve wouldn’t get a chance to be alone with you.”

He reached out and cupped her cheek, then ran his thumb along her chin.

“I made certain it would be me here today changing this fan and being the only man in your bedroom.”

“But you’re my boss. Why would you and Leo do that? What kind of game are you playing, Will? I don’t play games.”

He wrapped his arm around her waist and cupped her hair and neck with his other hand and held her gaze. His eyes roamed over her lips and the cleavage of the tank top she wore. “You sure aren’t. You’re special. You’re everything my brothers and I need in our lives and have searched for.”

“Don’t say such things. Quit it, Will.” She tried to push him away but his expression firmed as his eyebrows burrowed.

“You don’t think I’m serious? You haven’t noticed the way Leo looks at you or how jealous Hank gets when Steve or any other male employee talks to you?”

“Your brothers aren’t interested in me, and certainly not Hank. He hardly even speaks to me.”

He chuckled low. “Hank is so into you he doesn’t even want to admit it out loud. He’ll come around. He has trust issues.” He leaned down as if he might kiss her.

“Don’t, Will. This will make matters worse for me right now.”

“Worse for you how? Is someone bothering you? Threatening you? An ex? Who is he?”

“Please, Will, don’t ask me questions. I’m not going to tell you anything. It’s none of your business. You’re my boss.”

“But I want to be more than that.”

“Why are you doing this? Why me? You can have your choice of any woman you want and so can your brothers. Hell, Will, I’ve cancelled dates for you. I’ve made excuses over the phone for you and your brothers so you could avoid seeing a woman you slept with ever again. How can you expect me to take you serious?”

“That was months ago, besides, we all have different ways of trying to get you out of our heads. Maybe mine was stupid, and I realize that now because no woman, no other person compares to you. What will it take to prove that we’re serious about getting to know you and taking this to the next level?”