Page 8 of Rescuing His Kitten
Chapter Four
WEST
I’m not a jealous guy. Hell, I wouldn’t even consider myself all that competitive. I like having goals for myself and achieving them, but it’s always a battle against me. When it comes to coveting things others have, I’d tell myself if I worked harder, did better, I could have the things I wanted. But as I stand here watching Bellarose smile at another man, I can almost taste the jealousy that rises up like bile in my throat.
“So then I told Amanda we have to go to the Hamptons next month.”
The woman talking to me touches my arm again, and I look at her, shocked she’s still standing there.
“Wouldn’t that be perfect?” She blinks at me, waiting for a response.
“What?” I blink a few times, and she shifts, blocking my view of Bellarose.
“Meeting in the Hamptons, silly.” She tries to touch me again, but I move out of her reach.
On top of not being jealous, I wouldn’t have considered myself a very touchy person before today. Yet somehow when I looked at Bellarose, I wanted her to touch me. I was clearly okay with touching her. Now this woman in front of me—Sherry, Shelly, damn it, I can’t remember—keeps putting her hands on me, and it’s annoying. It’s like she’s trying to erase Bellarose’s touch.
I’m pressing my lips together so I don’t make a scene. I’m the owner of the goddamn company. I need to keep my shit together. Shouting at an employee to stop touching me would not be a great move. Most definitely not in front of all these people.
Desperate for an excuse to walk away, I spot my assistant coming closer. He must have seen the panic in my eyes because he’s come to rescue me. Thank god.
“Hey, Shelby, have you met Simon?” I practically push my assistant in front of me to use him as a human shield.
“It’s Sheryl,” the woman corrects me.
“Yes of course,” I say as I pat Simon on the shoulder and slowly back away. “Good talking to you, Sharon. Enjoy the s’mores.”
Simon says something to her as I make my way around the bonfire, but I’ve already forgotten both of them. I’ve got my sights set on Bellarose, and nothing is going to stop me now.
“Mr. Hayes,” an older woman says as she practically jumps in front of me. I glance over at Bellarose, and she looks up at the same time. We lock eyes for just a moment as the older woman starts talking. “I’m Deidra from the West Coast branch. We’ve spoken before, but I just wanted to thank you in person for all you did for me when my husband got sick.”
I turn my attention to Deidra, and then I remember her story. Her husband got cancer last year, and she was going to quit to take care of him. I called her and told her that she would be paid for however long it would take and I would cover the medical costs. Then I told her that her job would be there if she wanted to come back, but if not, the offer still stood.
“He’s in remission now and is running a marathon next month if you can believe it.” She wipes a tear from her eye as she says this, and I smile down at her.
“Hank isn’t making you do it too, is he?”
She laughs and shakes her head. “He tried, but I told him I didn’t nurse him back to health so he could kill me.”
“How are the kids? Is your oldest daughter Maggie heading to college in the fall?”
“You know, she was hesitant until she received an anonymous scholarship last month. It was so strange. It came out of nowhere, and it covered everything.” She narrows her eyes at me ever so slightly. “We still don’t know who the silent benefactor is.”
“Well, I’m sure whoever it is knows the best investment is in people.”
Deidra’s eyes get teary, and then she surprises me by pulling me in for a hug. Her arms squeeze me tight enough that the breath leaves my lungs, and all I can do is stand there. For a small woman, she’s got the strength of a bear.
“Thank you,” she says before releasing me. Then she pats me on the cheek like a mom would and walks away.
I turn my attention back to Bellarose, who must have watched the exchange. She’s got a look of surprise that probably matches my own. I smile at her, but then the guy sitting next to her taps her leg to get her attention.
When she turns to look at him, I clench my jaw so hard it pops. I’m not trying to be an asshole. I’m also not trying to cause a scene. But if he touches her one more time, I’m going to have to do both of those things.
“Is everything okay, West?” Simon asks as he comes up behind me.
I have to take a deep breath so I don’t shout at him that clearly it’s not. Without realizing it, I’ve clenched my fists and am glowering in Bellarose’s direction like some kind of animal.
“I, um, think I just need to eat.”
