Page 16 of Scandalous Whispers (Alpha Billionaire #28)

PARKER

I stood with keys in hand at Haley’s door, knocking.

When the car lot told me they’d be delivering the car this afternoon, and Haley requested the day off work, I decided to intercept the delivery and hand her the keys myself.

Now I waited for her to answer, eager to see the smile on her face with the delivery.

The door swung open and she grinned at me.

“Parker? You’re supposed to be at work.” She stepped aside and gestured for me to come in.

“The car lot is set to deliver the car any minute. They told me one p.m. today, but I think they’re running a bit late.

You’ll get to see it when they show up.” The way she rambled on revealed some nervous energy.

I wasn't sure if it was me or the excitement of the new car.

“Well, I’ve already seen it.” I winked at her and turned to face her as she shut the door.

“You have? Did you go to the lot?”

“I met them in the parking garage.” I held my hand out, key fob lying on my palm. “Congratulations on your new car.”

Haley squealed and clapped her hands before taking the key from my hand and wrapping her arms around my neck. “Thank you so much, Parker. You really didn’t have to do this. It is such a generous bonus.”

I hugged her and kissed her forehead. It felt right for her to be in my arms. Following the scolding Tom and David tried to give me this week, doubts had begun to spring up, but being alone with her soothed those irrational worries.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling of her body against mine until she pushed away.

The bright smile that had been on her face when I handed her the keys was gone, replaced with worry lines and concern in her eyes. “Can we talk?” Those words were never good to hear, but following such a difficult conversation in the office this week, they made the worry manifest again.

“Sure,” I said. I followed her to the dining room table where she gestured for me to sit and sat in the chair next to me. The polka dotted top she wore was flattering on her, hugging her curves in just the right way to accentuate her breasts. She caught me noticing her and cleared her throat.

“Eyes up here, please.” When I looked up at her face, she still had a solemn expression. “Listen, I’ve been thinking about a lot of things and I’m sort of still not fully?—”

“You’re still concerned that I’m manipulating you?” I wasn’t offended by her insecurity, but I was saddened to hear that she still felt that way. “What changed? I thought you believed me.”

“My dad.” Her face dropped. She held the key fob in her hand and fiddled with the large, plastic, yellow tag from the dealership that served as the identification means.

“He thinks you’re trying to use your money to ‘own’ me or make me work for you by means of guilt and peer pressure.

” She shrugged. “Parker, I’m not sure what to think when two people I trust very much are warning me. ”

There was a part of me that was hurt and maybe a bit angry that she didn’t believe me, but I could see how it might appear to outsiders who didn’t understand that I cared about her.

Still, if we didn’t have trust, we didn’t have anything.

Relationships were built around being able to believe in the person you were dating.

I didn’t know what more I could do to prove to her that I wanted her for her, not for any other reason.

“Explain to me exactly what you’re fearing.”

She fidgeted in her seat uncomfortably and instead of answering my question, she asked one of her own. “If I got a job offer somewhere else, would you be upset if I took the job?”

I was taken back by her question. The Vine would survive without her, but it wouldn’t be the same.

Haley was the star of the show, and she knew that.

We’d given her free reign to do whatever she wanted, and I’d put my neck on the line for her with Tom and David to make it happen.

“I don’t think upset would be the right word. ”

“Angry? Sad? Disappointed?” Her probing made me wonder if this supposed job offer actually already existed.

“Has someone offered you a job?” I swallowed hard, not really wanting to hear her answer.

The prospect of her leaving The Vine brought up a whole new problem for me.

Of course I’d be upset. I’d miss her at work every day.

There was no competing paper in Chicago worth transferring to, so it meant she’d likely be moving out of town.

That made me sad. And we needed her to continue bringing the strongest headlines.

“Uh, no.” She shook her head, but I could tell she was hiding something. “I have not been offered a job. I’m just asking if I have autonomy to make decisions. If this car is just a means of keeping me here with you, professionally or personally.”

I sighed. Someone had really gotten in her head.

Unfortunately, she was getting in my head now too.

One month ago, I’d have done anything humanly possible to convince her that The Vine is where she should make her home—partner with me to put the paper on the map and really start to compete globally.

Adam had been right too, though. I’d never have purchased a car for an employee before all of this.

I kept tight purse strings, and bonuses weren’t that large.

Things had been blurred in my mind, though I hadn’t seen it until now.

I wasn’t ever trying to manipulate her, but I fully understood how her father would think that.

“Yes, I’d be upset. But I’d be upset on two different levels.

I know your talent, and the paper can use that right now.

We can’t afford to lose you. But I’d never be angry with you because you took a position that was better for your career.

That’s part of knowing your employee’s worth.

And the reason I gave you that promotion and raise. ”

“And personally?”

“I’d make it work, Haley. Relationships aren’t built on common working situations.

They’re built on mutual trust and affection.

I’d be sad because we wouldn’t see each other every day, but even if you moved to New York and worked at The Examiner , I’d make it work.

I’d just buy a private jet and fly there every weekend.

” I leaned forward and took her hand. “We would make it work.”

Her eyes softened and she relaxed. “I just need to know that you respect me, as an employee and as a woman. I need that, Parker.”

“Of course I respect you. You have my utmost respect, and I want what’s best for you, even if it’s not The Vine .” I swallowed hard and had to force myself to continue, but I said, “Even if it’s not me.”

Surprise graced her features. “But I think it is you.” She laced her fingers through mine and locked eyes with me.

“I am falling in love with you, Haley, a kind of love that I’ve never experienced before.

I want the best for you. I want to make you happy, to see every dream you have manifest. That’s the only thing that’s important to me.

I thought maybe you’d partner with The Vine to help both of our future goals come true, but if you chose another place, I wouldn’t love you any less. ”

Her eyes brimmed with tears. “You love me?”

“Yeah, I think I do.” I meant it too. The realization was only just dawning on me as I sat there staring into her eyes, but it was true. I didn’t want anyone else in the world but her, and I wanted to make her the happiest woman alive.

Haley rose from her chair and sat on my lap, draping her arms around my shoulders.

She kissed me softly at first, then more eagerly as she ran her hands through my hair.

Her advances were most welcome, though I knew I couldn’t stay.

I had meetings this afternoon that I couldn’t skip, and Gordon was double parked.

Though I did return her kisses, copping a feel of her breasts through her shirt too.

“I think maybe we should go to the bedroom.” She pulled away and stood, taking my hand.

At the same moment I stood, my phone chirped, a message notification.

I pulled it from my pocket to see that Gordon had sent a message saying he had to move or risk a ticket.

“I can’t stay, baby. I have to get back to work.

I have a meeting with Clark Gentry from The Blade .

They’re in a hole and we’re talking about buying them out.

” I kissed her forehead and saw the disappointment in her eyes.

“It’s okay.” She dropped my hand and laid the key fob on the table. “Thank you for stopping by to bring this over. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful for the gift—or bonus. Whatever.” She shrugged and bit her lower lip.

“I didn’t think for a second that you were being ungrateful. I can see how things have been confusing. I just want you to know I really do care about you and your heart. I don’t ever want you to think I’m trying to use my power, money, or influence to manipulate you.”

“I believe you now.” Her soft kiss on my cheek was reassuring.

“I love you, Haley. I’ll call you later this evening. Let’s have dinner tomorrow or Friday, okay? We can just relax and enjoy each other’s company without the stress of all of this.”

I tried to step away, but she clung to my hand. “What about Jack? He sounded pretty serious about that lawsuit. I don’t think he likes me very much.”

Jack Williams was the bane of my existence.

“Well, I’m sure he’s going to continue to spread rumors and say hurtful things, but you let me worry about him.

Okay?” I kissed her fingers and said, “If they file the suit, I’ll settle out of court and fire him for insubordination.

There’s enough evidence to prove he is on a witch hunt.

Besides, I told you. It’s my company. I’ll do what—and who—I want.

” I winked at her and kissed her goodbye before letting myself out.

I wasn’t happy about the way it went down, but Haley’s concerns had shed new light on my motives.

I had to admit to myself that I might have been a bit overzealous about keeping her around the company, but when emotions got involved, I had crossed a line.

A line that I knew I’d likely cross again, especially if she really did get a different job offer.

I needed her in my life, and I’d stop at nothing to keep her here.

I just didn’t want to disrespect her or push her boundaries to do it.

I had to learn to assert myself with her directly and be honest about how I was feeling. That was the only way.