Page 26 of The CEO

“Because you’re lying. You’re trying to make me angry, and you achieved your goal.”

Bree stiffened and her eyes narrowed. “I’m not lying and if you lay a hand on me again, you’ll be sorry. If you don’t believe me, ask Simon. See what he tells you. Or better yet, ask Janie. Do you think your little affair will be news to her? I guarantee she’s known about it since it happened.”

For the first time, Valerie’s eyes widened and she stepped back.

Bree saw it in the other woman’s face as her confidence wavered.

She wasn’t prepared to let go of her plans, maybe even dreams, that Simon would leave Janie for her.

Bree laughed. “You realize I’m right, and you don’t know what to do. You’ve hitched your wagon to Simon only to find the tires are flat. Good luck, with that and leave me alone.” She headed to the door.

“You know he’ll never love you.”

Bree turned back and faced Valerie. “What?”

“Adam. He’ll never love you. He’s not capable.”

“Maybe you were just the wrong woman and maybe that’s not what I’m looking for.” She didn’t believe her. Bree was sure that Adam had loved Valerie, but what if she was right and Bree was wrong?

Valerie laughed, the sound anything but humorous. “Oh, you’re looking for it. I see it in your eyes when you gaze at him. You’re already in love with him, or well on your way there. Don’t let him fool you. Adam Kincaid is only out for Adam Kincaid.”

“You’re entitled to your opinion, but I’ll tell you now, you’re wrong. I’m getting exactly what I need from Adam.” With those words, Bree opened the door and headed out to rejoin the others.

Was Valerie right? Would Adam never be able to love her? She was correct about one thing…Bree was in love with Adam. Now to figure out what to do about it.

CHAPTER 7

Bree rejoined Adam and the Danvers with a smile she knew didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Adam gazed over at her, his smile faltering as he lifted a brow, but didn’t say anything.

About that time, an old song began to play,. “Color My World” by Chicago.

Adam put out his arm to Bree. “Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”

“Oh…I.” She looked at Stacy and Wade. She wasn’t sure she should be that close to Adam and hoped the Danvers would save her.

“Go on, my dear,” said Stacy. “This is one of my favorite songs and if I could, I’d be out there dancing alongside of you.”

Bree smiled at the woman and then turned to Adam. “I’d love to.” She placed her hand in the crook of his left elbow.

He covered her hand with his right, and they made their way to the dance floor on the west side of the room.

Adam wrapped his arms around Bree’s waist and pulled her close.

Bree wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his chest. Being in his arms calmed her.

He leaned down and placed his cheek on the top of her head. “Do you want to tell me what happened in the bathroom? And why your left cheek is red like someone hit you?”

Bree sighed. “I ran into Valerie in the bathroom. I might have told her the truth about Simon and Janie’s marriage.”

He leaned back to meet her gaze. “The truth?”

“Yes, what you told me. That Janie owns fifty-two percent of Simon’s company, that he will never leave her, and that Janie knows about their affair and doesn’t care. She didn’t take the information well. She slapped me and called me a liar.” She felt him stiffen.

“She shouldn’t have hit you. You weren’t lying about Simon.”

They swayed to the music, and, for some reason, Bree felt mostly content. She had a handsome husband who had his arms around her. She liked the feel of his body against hers. Bree fit him in all the right places, like she’d been made just for him. She loved him, and she hoped he would someday love her. And she also had a beautiful daughter who had called hermamafor the first time that day. Remembering brought tears of joy to her eyes, but she held them back. She didn’t want to ruin this moment for anything.