Chapter 98
948 Words
He stood up now too. “I am absolutely certain that the donor had no such thing in mind when he – or she – authorized the transfer. I’m sure all he – or she – was thinking about was the good of the organization.”
“Yes. I’m sure too.”
They stared at each other; King furious, Naomi possibly a smidge more so.
“OK, then.” He shook his head, wondering just how the hell he’d gotten her so wrong. Normally, he read people way the f**k better than this; it was his job, after all. “I’ve got to get going.”
Naomi watched him walk towards the door, and every cell in her body was screaming at her to stop him. What the hell was wrong with her, implying that he’d handed over that much money to get her to spread her legs? She knew it wasn’t true.
She flashed back to a conversation that she and Mirrie had had many times over the months of her recovery, namely, the tendency for alcoholics to go on the offensive when they feel emotionally vulnerable or exposed. Matt Kingston had a way of making her feel off-balance and unsteady – around him, she felt almost nothing but totally vulnerable and completely exposed.
God, Naomi. Don’t dump your s**t on him… he’s done nothing to deserve it.
“Matt?”
He paused, his hand on the door handle, his broad back to her.
“Matt, can you please look at me?”
He turned his massive upper body slightly, but still didn’t say anything.
“I’m sorry. That was – that was unforgivable.”
King turned to face her now, his arms crossed loosely.
“I – I don’t know why I said that to you.” She felt tears prickle her eyes. “It was cruel and it was total bullshit.”
He saw her eyes brighten and his anger relaxed. “It’s OK.”
“It’s not OK.” Her voice was thick. “It’s most definitely not OK. It was uncalled for, and bitchy, and so, so awful.”
“Hey, don’t cry.” He crossed the office again. He didn’t touch her, but he stood close enough to inhale her perfume. She smelled of something fresh and green; something pure and bright. “All’s forgiven.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “It’s just – you really shocked me, and I’m not good when I’m taken by surprise like that.”
He dropped the game and pretense completely. “I shocked you when I sent you the money, or when I asked you to dinner?”
“Both.” The tears were spilling down her cheeks now. “I wasn’t expecting either, and I don’t always know how to handle these kinds of things. I get defensive in all the wrong ways.”
Gently, he reached out to wipe the tears with his thumb. Her skin was as soft as he’d imagined, and he tried to stay focused on the conversation. Not so easy when he was getting tempting glimpses of her breasts as he stared down at her from his towering height.
“
Hey, I’m sorry to throw you so badly,” he said. “I honestly didn’t expect anything from you in return, I swear. The money isn't some sleazy form of s****l blackmail, alright? The money is for Callie and Noah and all the others. The invitation to dinner is for me to enjoy your company.”
She averted her eyes, her skin tingling and hot under his surprisingly gentle touch. “I appreciate it, but I can’t accept.”
He dropped his hand. “The donation or the dinner?” he said, his voice now with a familiar teasing note.
She gave a small laugh. “Well, I believe you when you say that the donation was made with honest intentions. So I’ll accept it on behalf of the organization, with gratitude and the sincere promise to use it well. As for dinner… I’m not really seeing anyone right now.”
“Awesome. So you’re free to see me then, huh?”
She laughed again, a real laugh, charmed in spite of herself. “No, I’m sorry. I mean, I’m not dating anyone right now. I’m kind of on a self-imposed time-out from that whole scene.”
“Oh, yeah? How come?”
She stiffened and he saw it, clear as day. He gazed down at her face, every instinct in his body telling him that there was a story here – something to explain her unwarranted attack on him, and her choosing to stay single, and this weird tension in her whole body now.
What happened to you, baby? Someone hurt you, made you not trust men? Especially ones who come bearing gifts?
“I just – I’m just taking a break.” She was back in control now, and she moved away from him. “No big deal.”
King doubted that very much, but he wasn’t about to push. In his experience, forcing the issue with hurting women never did much good, and in fact, could do irreparable harm. So fine, if Naomi was on a break from dating, he’d just take things slow and easy with her. He’d make sure to drop by the Heart Center a few times a week, talk to her, let her get to know him a bit more. And then, maybe in a month or so, he’d ask again.
No rush, man. Get her to relax around you, trust you. Good things are worth waiting for – and this woman is one hell of a good thing.
- Writer
