Page 61 of Irresistible Temptation
“If all goes to hell…” I started, not wanting to finish the sentence.
“I’ll take the reins,” said Will with a nod.
“But your music…”
“It can wait,” he said with a shrug.
Guilt creeped its way into my bones, thinking about how I had royally fucked everything up because I couldn’t keep it in my pants. I was being blackmailed, probably on the verge of losing my company, Juliet had to hate me, and Will was giving up his dream to fix the dumpster fire I started.
“Thanks,” I said. “I’m going to try to fix this, Will. Really.”
“I know.”
The town car pulled into the airport and slowly made its way to the tarmac where my private jet was waiting. Thankfully, my pilot was able to get us out early morning. I would be back in New York in five hours, giving me the evening to sort through everything before meeting this person who was determined to ruin me.
The driver of the town car parked and got out of the car to talk to the flight crew who was busying themselves around and on the plane. We were a few minutes early, so Will and I sat in the back waiting for my signal to board.
“What do I do?” I asked, feeling like a child asking for help.
“You need to face it head-on,” said Will.
I nodded.
“The blackmailer…and Juliet.”
Her face popped in my head, her icy blue eyes and her full-lipped smile. I missed her. I really missed her.
“I don’t want to break her heart…” I said, nearly a whisper.
Will looked taken aback, but didn’t say anything as he watched me carefully.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but…” I hesitated, struggling to get the words out. Words I had never said before. Neverfeltbefore. “I’ve fallen for her. I can’t get her out of my mind. She is all I think about. It’s driving me crazy.”
I leaned forward, putting my head in my hands, thinking about what I just said. I was finally being honest with myself about this thing with Juliet. I didn’t want it to be over. I never had. I just thought that was how it was supposed to end for us. I thought I was protecting her from whoever sent the email and the photo. Selfishly, I was protecting myself and the empire I had built.
Will patted my back and chuckled beside me. I peered up at him, wondering what the hell could be so funny at a time like this.
“What?” I asked gruffly.
“I just never thought I would see the day,” he said with a grin. “Chester Brandfield in love?”
“Shut up,” I muttered, putting my face back in my hands.
The worldloveechoed in my head. It wasn’t a concept I was used to. The feeling foreign, but now… Now it didn’t seem so far off.
“I might not have a lot of experience, but I think I know love when it’s described. At least, I hope I do. I write enough love songs,” said Will with an easy smile.
“This isn’t a love song…it’s my life,” I reminded him. “My business. My livelihood.Yourlivelihood.”
Will waved me off. “Fuck the money.”
I looked at him in surprise. As my silent partner in business, that was the last thing I expected him to say.
“I mean it. What doyouwant, Chester?” he asked, his gaze intent. “You need to sit your ass down and think about what is really important to you.”
I had never really heard Will talk like this. Maybe once in college when we were both high as kites, sitting on the rooftop of our dorm and looking up at the stars. He had gone all philosophicalthen. It felt like I was having déjà vu, except it was twenty years later.
“Oh, come on, Will.” I rolled my eyes.
