Embrace Me (9 page)

“
Shannon, what do you want from me?” he asked while I was deep in thought.

“
I want you,” I replied, confused. “I will always want you.”

“
Then why don’t you want to marry me?”

“
Charlie, this isn’t about not wanting to marry you…it’s about the timing,” I smiled, taking his hand in mine. “I do want to marry you. You are all I will
ever
want. I just need to get this year out of the way first. I mean, do we really need to rush everything?”

“
I just don’t want to lose you.” Charlie pulled me close and held me in his arms. “I could never cope with that pain again.”

“
Why do you keep saying that?” I muttered into his chest. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“
What if I get lost while you’re trying to adjust to being known as Jennet’s daughter? It’s going to get so bumpy for us, Shan.”

I had to look up at him and smile. Was that what all of this was about? He was scared I would leave him behind. How ridiculous could he be?

“
Charlie, you would never get lost,” I smiled, kissing his lips. “I want you there every step of the way.”

“
We both know it’s going to be difficult once everything becomes public. Plus, I will be going back and forth to Canada, so we will be spending a lot of time apart.”

“
Why does it sound like you’re giving up?” I whispered. I didn’t like his words.

“
I’m not. I’m trying to make you understand why I want to commit to you. I’m yours forever if you want me.”

“
You really have no idea, do you?” I raised my eyebrow at him as he looked at me puzzled. His beautiful blue-green eyes were searching deep into mine. “I want to be selfish when I marry you. I don’t want other things to get in the way. I want to enjoy every second we spend planning our wedding. I don’t want to rush it so I can savour every moment.  Do you understand just what you mean to me?” As I spoke, I watched his eyes become soft as he took in what I was saying. “Charlie, you really are my world. You alone saved me on the beach that day. Okay, so you found my mother and got her to help, but
you
were all I prayed for.” His lips crashed against mine as I was pushed against the kitchen worktop. I ran my hands into his hair, taking him in as he devoured me. I could tell by the urgency of his kiss he understood what I was saying.

“
Sorry for being an idiot,” he muttered against my lips.

“
You’re forgiven,” I smiled, taking our kiss deeper as I ran my nails over his chest. Charlie shuddered, grabbing me by the hips as he lifted me up on the kitchen worktop. “Is this hygienic?” I chuckled.

“
I don’t care. I have no time to carry you into our bedroom. I need you now.” Charlie’s voice was rough as his hands glided over my body. I knew just what he meant. The bedroom was too far away for me, as well. I sighed as I became lost in him and his tender touches.

It’s strange getting over a fight. Charlie and I had never really argued before, but it did leave a little dent in my heart. I had always thought he realised what he meant to me. How could he have doubted that?

Did he really think I would change that much once I became a joint owner of Downing international? No matter how crazy the publicity got, I would always want him. In six months, I had the feeling I would need him more than ever. I had no idea what to expect, but I was terrified just at the thought.

How would I cope with being the centre of attention? I liked fading into the background, but that would be impossible once everyone knew I was Jennet’s lost daughter. It made me shudder to think about the endless interviews with the media, all the security, and everyone’s eyes on me. I was short of breath just thinking about it.

“
Earth to Shannon,” Lorna called. I hadn’t even noticed her walk into my office.

“
Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

“
Harry Mac is in the boardroom to see you.” Lorna blushed a little. “I never realised he was that young and hot. Now I wish I had arranged more than telephone meetings with him last month.”

“
Lorna!” I laughed. “You are such a tart.”

“
What? I can look and not touch.” She winked before she skipped off.

I was still chuckling as I walked into the boardroom. Lorna really had no idea how funny she could be at times. Mac was stood looking out the window in a fitted black suit as I walked into the meeting room.

“
Hello, Mac,” I greeted, calling his attention to me. “It’s good to see you.”

“
You, too, Shannon. You are looking very well,” Mac smirked, holding the chair out for me.

“
How can I help you?” I asked, sitting down.

“
I thought you and your mother would want to know that Field Organisation has approached me again.”

I rolled my eyes. “I am sorry about this. You must hate being right in the middle.”

“
No, it’s fine. I have never felt more sure about our merger.”

“
The profits are looking strong. Did you get the figures I sent you?”

“
Yes, and I have to say I am very impressed. You have quite a sales head on you, Shannon Downing.” I winced a little. “I see you’re not quite used to that name yet,” Mac laughed.

“
How could you tell?” I smiled.

“
Are you angry that your mother told me?”

“
No, I am just trying to get my head around everything.”

“
I meant what I said in LA. If you need someone to talk to…I mean, we do have a lot in common.”

“
Thanks, Mac.”

“
Tim Scott said to send his regards, by the way. I saw him and Megan last week.”

“
They are still together then?” I asked in surprise.

“
If you can call it that. I swear Tim knows she is just using him, but the poor guy is so besotted with her.”

“
Megan has always had that effect on men.”

“
I don’t really see the draw,” Mac mused. “She is beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but there is nothing else there.”

“
Don’t get me started on Megan Field, Mac. We will be here all day,” I laughed.

“
You don’t have to answer, but what
did
happened with you and William Field?” Mac suddenly asked with sincerity.

“
I fell in love with Charlie Collins. I couldn’t lie to my heart anymore.”

“
Did you know about your mother then?”

“
No,” I whispered.

“
You would pick love over money?” Mac seemed shocked by that.

“
Every time,” I smiled.

“
You are pretty mysterious, Shannon. Charlie Collins is a lucky man.”

“
How long are you in New York for?” I asked, changing the subject. I was getting used to Mac’s flirtatious ways.

“
I’m just passing through, really.”

“
Well, if you are still in town tonight, Charlie and I will be at the opening of La Bistro. It’s a new restaurant opening up downtown.”

“
I will bear that in mind,” he smiled, getting up. “I think I’ve taken enough of your time.”

“
So I might see you later tonight?”

“
You might just tempt me to stay in New York one more night. I’m pretty intrigued to meet Charlie. He must be quite a guy to have won your heart.”

I nodded, smiling at him as I left the boardroom.

Lorna was sat at my desk waiting for me, making me jump as she spun round to face me.

“
Jesus, Lorna, are you trying to give me a heart attack?” I laughed, catching my breath.

“
I have always wanted to do that,” she giggled, standing up. “Good meeting? What did the lovely Harry Mac have to say for himself?”

“
Field Organisation is trying to buy back the contract.”

“
Jennet is going to flip,” she laughed.

“
Yeah,” I nodded. I couldn’t understand why the Fields kept doing this to themselves. My mother would always get the upper hand. Lorna was right: my mother wasn’t going to take this news lightly.

Chapter Seven

“
Why do I need a PA?” I asked my mother over the telephone.

“
Shannon, in less than three months, everything goes public. You need someone you can trust.”

“
I have Lorna,” I complained. I knew I sounded like an ungrateful teenager, but I didn’t really care at the moment.

“
Grace will be good for you. I think the two of you will get on like a house on fire.”

“
Why can’t I pick my own PA?”

“
Stop complaining, Lizzie. Grace will be with you in the afternoon. It’s already been arranged.” With that, my mother hung up.

It wasn’t that I was against having a personal assistant; I just wanted to have some input. At the end of the day, this person was going to be spending almost every waking minute with me, and I doubted I would ever be lucky enough to find someone as good as my mother’s PA, Rachel. I wasn’t biased because she was Charlie’s mother, either. Rachel and my mother had this amazing bond. Watching them work together was inspirational.

“
What time is your slave getting here?” Lorna sniggered as she walked past my office.

“
Please don’t,” I moaned.

“
You know you need a PA. I think you’re getting grey hairs,” she teased as she walked over to me and started stroking my hair.

“
Bitch,” I glared, smirking.

“
You can’t take over half of this business on your own.”

“
I just wish I knew who she was. I have never even met this person before.” Suddenly a knock came from my door.

“
Um…excuse me. I’m Grace Perkins, your new PA,” a petite blond girl called as she stood in my doorway.

“
Welcome, Grace,” Lorna smiled. “I’ll leave you two alone.” She turned to wink at me, and I finally stopped glaring at her long enough to welcome Grace into my office.

“
How was your flight?” I asked her as she took her coat off and sat down opposite me.

“
Good, thank you. I have settled into my apartment, as well. It really is quite breathtaking.”

“
When did you arrive in New York?”

“
Two days ago. I have to say, New York is very magical.”

“
I know what you mean. I was like that when I first arrived here.”

“
You started off as a work placement, didn’t you?”

“
Yes, I did.” I was impressed; Grace had done her homework on me, but she didn’t know the half of it.

Grace and I talked for a few hours, going over exactly what I expected from her. Within the first sixty minutes, I could see why my mother had picked her. I had no doubt we would work well together. I just felt bad that Grace had no idea about the media circus she was about to get involved in, though.

Grace settled in quickly, and I had to admit it was good to have a PA. I had so much more time to spend on my major contracts while she took care of the smaller—but in a lot of ways just as important—contracts.

“
Do you need me to cancel the meeting with Vision Direct tomorrow?” Grace asked as she placed a cup of coffee on my desk.

“
Do you feel confident enough to go alone? I really don’t want to cancel the meeting, but I don’t have the time tomorrow,” I explained as I tried to wrap my head around this week’s figures.

“
Really? Do you think I’m ready?” Grace beamed.

“
More than ready, but you can take Lorna if you want some support.”

“
That would be great. Thank you, Miss Davis.”

“
Grace, how many times have I told you to call me Shannon?” She nodded a little sheepishly. “Are you coming out for a drink with Lorna and me tonight?”

“
Yeah, I can’t wait!” Grace’s light blue eyes were almost sparkling with excitement.

“
Lorna will have you in fits. She is so comical when she’s drunk,” I giggled.

“
I’ve heard you are pretty funny, too.”

“
I do have my moments,” I admitted. “I was worse when I was younger.” I had to smile, thinking about the first time I had met Charlie and how I threw up while we were waiting for the car. It wasn’t my finest moment, really, but I had still managed to win his heart.