Page 52 of Naughty Heart

My brows pulled together. “What did you mean?”

He didn’t immediately answer me. For a long time, he studied me, his eyes searching my face. I started to squirm in my seat at the intensity of his stare, but he left me feeling stunned and speechless when he shared, “It’s easy to sit and say I’m a young guy who was just living his life and trying to enjoy myself. I was bitter about the ultimatum I received, and my only concern was making sure my parents knew that leading this company was all I’ve ever wanted in my professional life. So, I took steps to make that happen when I hired you. I told myself it would be easy to ignore your physical beauty, that you were a means to an end.”

I winced.

Malcolm noticed and continued, “It’s awful. I know it is. Especially because after just a few days, I realized you weren’t just a pretty face. God, Evelyn, you’ve changed my perspective on so many things. You’re so smart, and you have excellent ideas. Plus, you’ve got an understanding about the lives of the people who work at Westwood’s that I don’t have. I never expected you to have so much insight to offer.”

He paused again, and I could easily see there was something big he was preparing himself to share. I couldn’t imagine what it could be. I didn’t know if I could handle more than he’d already said.

I was struggling as it was, feeling like I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

The logical part of my brain recognized this conversation was necessary to get us back to a place where we’d be able to work together without the animosity lingering between us. Malcolm was saying all the things I needed to hear to be able to make that happen.

But my aching heart couldn’t ignore the way it felt to hear him not only say I was pretty, but also that he was intrigued by my mind, that he valued what I had to say.

I longed for us to get back to where we were, at the same time I feel the overwhelming urge to remain cautious.

“I thought I was living the life before my parents gave me that ultimatum, but I was wrong. Nothing has made me feel more alive than being able to have conversations with you. And it doesn’t matter if we’re discussing something about work or if you’re telling me something about your personal life. I want to hear what you have to say. It’s important to me. Fuck, Evelyn, I know I probably shouldn’t say this, butyou’reimportant to me.”

My lips parted slightly as I tried to allow his words to sink in.

It wasn’t easy.

“I… I don’t know what to say.”

“I’d love nothing more than for you to tell me I haven’t screwed this up completely,” he revealed.

God, he sounded tortured.

But was that because he was worried I could screw everything up for him?

Shaking my head, I insisted, “You haven’t. I’m still working for you. And I already told you I’d stick it out through the party. This is a mutually beneficial agreement. I need a job and an income, and you need to secure your future within the company. I believe Westwood’s is important to you, so I don’t feel bad about doing what I can to help you accomplish that.”

Malcolm tipped his head to the side. “You don’t get it.”

“Don’t get what?”

“I’m not worried about the company. I’m worried that I’ve screwed things up with you.”

My belly clenched, and I shook my head. “Malcolm, no. I don’t think you mean that.”

“I do. And I know you know what I’m talking about. I know you felt what was there between us.” He was practically pleading with me.

A feeling of relief swept through me, but I was consumed by sadness. I was relieved to know what I’d been feeling wasn’t one-sided, that I hadn’t made it all up in my head. It broke my heart to think how it had been tarnished by the choice he’d made to do this the way he had.

“Yeah, I did. But then I realized I couldn’t trust that it was real. I’m sorry, Malcolm. I think it’s wise for us to be here to clear the air, so we can have a better working relationship with one another, but I need to be honest. I don’t trust you.”

It was at that moment when our waitress returned with our lunches, pulling my attention away from Malcolm.

After I thanked her for everything and she walked away, I returned my attention to Malcolm. He hadn’t taken his eyes off me.

“I’m going to make this right, Evelyn. There’s no other option. You don’t trust me, and I understand why that is. I’m just going to have to prove to you that you can. But I’ll warn you now, I’m a man who’s accustomed to getting what he wants. And I want you more than I want to assume my father’s role at The Westwood Company.”

Once he’d delivered that bit of information, Malcolm dropped his gaze to his food and lifted his sandwich to his mouth.

I couldn’t move for several long seconds. Shock and surprise took over. As wonderful as it felt to see Malcolm’s confidence return, I wondered if I could trust the words he was saying.

Was he being serious? Did he really mean that?