Page 53 of Charm (Billionaire Buck Boys #7)

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

Greer

That kiss was just what I needed.

I left a meeting that didn’t go as planned right before I walked into this coffee shop around the corner from Holden’s office. I saw it as an opportunity to steal a few minutes alone with him. Fortunately, he viewed it through the same lens when I texted to ask him to meet me.

I breathe in a mouthful of air as he watches me intently. “What’s going on, Greer?”

“You’re the best kisser I’ve ever known.”

A smile parts his lips. “I’ll own that title with pride. I’m working toward being the best of everything in your life.”

He already is. He’s proven he respects me in a way my ex-husband never did. Holden gracefully bowed out when I told him I wouldn’t approve a sale between Krista and Carden. He honored my decision.

I chew on the corner of my bottom lip. “You are already the best at a lot of things.”

“That involve my mouth?” he whispers. “If there weren’t so many people here, I’d go down on you.”

Laughing, I slap the center of his chest playfully. “That only works with kissing, not with oral.”

“Stop by my apartment later and I’ll satisfy both of our cravings.”

Considering it, I sigh. “It would need to be after Olive goes to bed. Bruce and Martha love reading her bedtime stories, but I prefer to do it.”

He nods. “Of course. Are Bruce and Martha your nannies?”

I shake my head. “They’re my ex’s parents.”

I’m not surprised when he steps back an inch or two. “Oh.”

It’s the reaction I was anticipating. I want to explain more, but dumping my sordid past on him while we stand in line waiting to order coffee isn’t how I saw this unfolding.

“I want to share more about all of that,” I tell him while gazing into his eyes.

He adjusts his glasses slightly. “I really want to know more about that.”

I tug on his tie to straighten it. “Tonight? We can talk about it a bit when I come to your apartment. I don’t have to rush home, so if you want to take your time kissing me goodnight after we talk, I’m all for that.”

It’s a roundabout way of expressing my hope that after I tell him about my ex and what happened between us, he won’t want to end things.

“I’m all for that, too.” He lightly brushes his lips over my jaw for a kiss. “Come by whenever you’re ready, Greer. I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Hey, Holden!” A man’s voice calls over the noise in the coffee shop. “There you are!”

We both turn in unison to see Jameson approaching us. As soon as he spots me, he taps his palm against his forehead. “Shit. I’m sorry, Greer. I didn’t see you there.”

“It’s fine,” I say as I notice him silently mouthing the words “ I’m sorry ” to his brother. “How are you?”

“I’m great, thanks. You?”

I turn my attention back to Holden. “I’m the best I’ve ever been.”

A soft smile coasts over his lips as he stares into my eyes. “Me too.”

Jameson clears his throat, luring his brother’s attention toward him. He shoots him a frustrated look, but he doesn’t say a thing.

“We need your signature on some documents, Holden,” he explains. “I wouldn’t have tracked you down if this wasn’t urgent. It’s regarding the fire.”

“What fire?” I blurt out, my gaze volleying between Holden and Jameson.

Holden reaches for my elbow, grazing a finger over it. “One of our locations in Washington State caught fire. Everyone on site is fine.”

“I’m glad everyone is okay,” I say. “I’m sorry about the fire.”

“Me too,” Jameson adds his voice to the mix. “I’m also sorry I have to drag my brother away.”

“Duty calls.” I smile at Jameson. “I’ll grab my coffee to go.”

“Put it on Carden’s tab.” Jameson gestures to the barista counter. “Feel free to do that anytime you’re in the neighborhood.”

“That’s very generous of you. Thank you.”

He nods at me. “It’s the least I can do. You’ve put a smile on that guy’s face lately. That means something to me.”

I look at Holden to find him grinning at his brother as he playfully admonishes him, “James, enough.”

“He means something to me,” I admit. “I hope the fire recovery goes smoothly.”

“Thanks,” Jameson tugs on the sleeve of Holden’s suit jacket. “Let’s go.”

Holden gifts me with one last kiss. This one is in the center of my forehead. “I’ll see you tonight, Greer.”

“Tonight,” I whisper. “I can’t wait.”

Martha stands in the open doorway of my bedroom with her arms crossed over her chest. The jean jumpsuit she’s wearing has a multitude of pockets.

From where I’m standing, I can see the head of one of Olive’s favorite small stuffed animals poking out from one.

Another is barely hanging onto the corner of a dishtowel.

Martha is beautiful in a simply elegant way. She has exquisite bone structure and long hair that was once light brown but has now become soft waves of gray. She’s always garnering second glances from the people we pass on the sidewalk.

Her heart is just as beautiful as her face. I love my mom, but Martha has filled a spot in my life I didn’t know was empty.

“You’re thinking about something,” I say with a teasing glance. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”

“Slip some clean undies and a fresh T-shirt in that tote you’re taking.” She points at the weathered brown leather tote I’ve been carting around all day.

I chose it this morning because I wanted to take my laptop with me so I’d have Sweet Indulgence’s sales data at the ready if a potential buyer asked to see it.

The meeting I had right before I met up with Holden at the café didn’t get past the initial handshake stage. As soon as I mentioned how small of an operation Sweet Indulgence is, I was shown the door.

I’m not deterred, though. There are still plenty of fish in the financial sea of Manhattan. With Krista and I both on the hunt for someone to take over her shares in the company, we can’t fail.

“Excuse me?” I laugh. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

Martha steps closer to me, lowering her voice even though Olive is fast asleep in her bedroom at the far end of the hallway. “A sleepover isn’t the worst idea, Greer.”

Shaking my head, I scoop up the handles of the tote to place it over my shoulder. “I’m not sleeping over at Holden’s apartment.”

“Bruce and I are here for our girl,” she reminds me. “You can get home before she wakes up if that’s your concern.”

I sigh. “I’m not sure what my concern is.”

“Then maybe there isn’t one.” She moves to within a few inches of me, so she can tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear. “I’ve never known anyone more worthy of happiness than you. You sacrificed everything, Greer. It’s time for you to start thinking about you again.”

I place a hand on her shoulder and squeeze. “None of it was a sacrifice. I’m so lucky.”

“Then go get lucky.” She winks. “Have fun tonight. If you happen to fall asleep, I’ll call at six-thirty to wake you up. Will that give you enough time to get back here before she wakes up?”

I nod. “Okay. If I do happen to drift off, I’d appreciate that call.”

“Or if you happen to not fall asleep at all?” she asks with amusement in her tone.

I move in for a hug. “You’re the best, Martha.”

Her hand lightly strokes the back of my head. “So are you, my darling dear.”