24. Drew: His Promise

Chapter twenty-four

Drew – His Promise

Even while working on buying out her beloved hotel, I am drawn to Meg's carefree and independent nature. Her tough exterior belies that soft heart I never expected to find a week ago. I just wish that simply doing my job wasn't hurting her.

Every once in a while, I can pull her from her work, mainly after she's done walking the dogs in the morning and try to work some charm back into our relationship.

"Did you get my flowers?" I ask, as she puts away dog leashes near the storage shed by the pool.

"I did, thank you," she says plainly.

"I know they're not the big ones from the store." I explain how I picked them off the side of the road. "They just reminded me of you, as cheesy as that sounds."

She pauses for a second and I wonder if I'm tugging on her heartstrings the right way. Sunflowers are her favorite because they're perfect for every occasion. Even on the gloomiest days, sunflowers can brighten the darkest times, according to Meg. I was hoping they'd do the same for her when I picked them for her. But she hasn't said a word about them until now.

"You can't say things like that," she sighs.

"Why?"

"It makes it hard to hate you," she admits, casting her eyes on anything other than me.

I step closer to her, waiting for her to step away, but she doesn't. I take it a step further and tilt her chin up, forcing her eyes to meet mine. Oh man, those gorgeous eyes. I didn't realize how much I've missed them .

"It's okay, I kind of hate myself too," I admit. "I miss you, Meg."

I can see her breath catch in her throat when she tries to look away. Instead, I pull her closer to me, wrapping my arm around her waist as I caress her cheek, my lips hovering just a breath over hers.

I wait, hoping she'll close the gap, and just when I think she won't, she stands on her tippy toes and presses her lips to mine.

It's like taking the biggest, deepest breath of oxygen after holding my breath for days. I breathe her in like my life depends on it. I feel her arms wrap around my neck as our kiss deepens.

The soft sea breeze kicks up and I can smell the sweet aroma of coconuts from her shampoo. I feel myself getting drunk on her scent, her touch, her kiss. I didn't think I could be addicted to someone like this.

I let her pull away first, despite knowing I could easily take the kiss farther than this. We're both breathless when we part, but at least the guards are finally down on both sides once again.

"Why can't you just be a regular businessman instead?" she sighs. "Why can't you have a simple job like an accountant or something?"

"I'm beginning to ask myself the same thing," I admit. "I want to make this work."

"I do too, but…" she starts.

"Let me worry about the rest, okay?"

"What can you possibly do to change what we both know is inevitable?" she asks. "You've sided with your family. Either you win or we do. Either way, one of us hurts the other."

"Just let me see what I can do, okay?" I say, as I brush a strand of hair behind her ear. I could melt when she nestles her cheek into my hand.

"I can't let you hurt me again." She pulls away as if she's coming out of a dream.

"I won't," I promise. "I know you might not believe that, but I promise I'm going to do everything I can to make this right."

"I really hope you're telling the truth this time," she says, then looks up when someone calls her name back inside. "I have to go."

No matter how many times it happens, I can't stand watching her leave. Every time she does, I can't help but wonder if it will be the last time.

I meant what I said about making things right. I know I can, but I'm not sure how my family will react to the ideas I have brewing in my head.

I don't think they would go so far as to disown me but I can't see them passing up a deal like this simply because I have a thing for the owner's granddaughter.

But still, something Meg said has stuck with me.

Why can't you just be a regular businessman instead?

I wonder what she means by "regular" but I can guess that it means the kind of guy who isn't in charge of buyouts and conversion projects like this. I might be good at it, but it's eaten up my life.

There have been so many times when I've finally been able to slow down for a little while, only to realize I don't have anyone to come home to, no one to share my life with. Suddenly, that missing person has a face, and she's got the most gorgeous blue eyes.

The more time I spend with her, the more I begin to question my own motivations and wonder if there could be more to life than just business. Troy might think I'm crazy for thinking that, but what kind of life does he have?