The Chosen Heir (The Bolles Dynasty Book 3) (18 page)

Her heart went out to him. “Why do you feel the need to defend the indefensible?”

His gaze on her was cold. “He is not here to defend himself and I don’t think anyone should speak ill of the dead.” His voice rose and she worried that she had pushed him too far, but she had to shed light on the truth.

Bridget stood up as well, leaving her dinner half-eaten. “I believe that one should speak ill of the dead if it is the truth. Otherwise it is dishonest.”

His nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed. “So you would have me admit publically that my father was a disgrace?”

Her heart broke for him. “Yes. His enemies will keep pushing for the truth until it is given. By acknowledging that he made mistakes, you take the power away from those who would like to see you fail.”

He shook his head. “By acknowledging his failures, I’ll be giving them ammunition.”

“It doesn’t work that way. It takes a considerable amount of effort to defend a lie. Let go of trying to defend his reputation. He was human. You will always have your memories of him and those don’t need to be shared. Acknowledging the truth will put you in a much stronger position.”

“Is that what you do? Admit the truth about your father?”

Bridget thought about the Donne. Playing the course with William and seeing her father happy there had shifted her dislike of the place. But there were memories to contend with. The place had fallen into bankruptcy the year her mother died.

Why did he feel the need to dredge up her father’s past? But she decided to admit the truth. “For my family, the Donne was a failure. My father dragged the family through years of struggle and loss trying to make a go of that place. It led to his drinking issues.”

William crossed his arms. “Plenty of people have financial issues and don’t take up alcohol to compensate. My guess is that your father would have had an issue with drinking whether he was successful or not.”

The loss and failure was painful to think about. But William was right. Tom also drank when he was happy. Her father was in a good place and she hoped it would continue.

He ran a hand through his hair. “Maybe we should take a walk.”

They needed a break from their emotional conversation. “How about a bike ride? Mrs. Blake told me that you keep a spare bike for guests.”

He gave her a dazed look. “Typically male guests, but I have one Olivia has used. Are you an experienced cyclist?”

She crossed her arms. “I’ve ridden quite a bit, but these days do more cycling classes than actual riding outside.”

William called for Mrs. Blake and she helped Bridget find appropriate clothing while he organized the equipment.

In one of the spare bedrooms, she changed into black biking shorts and a lime green reflective shirt. The clothing fit her perfectly and she wondered if a previous girlfriend had used the outfit. He seemed to prefer a solitary life focused on work and sports.
 

She met him in the driveway and he asked her, “Do you want to ride around the city or head out to a rural area?”

“Maybe a city route?” It had been years since she had ridden in Dublin.

He had changed into grey biking shorts and T-shirt, revealing a toned and muscular body. Even though he worked insane hours, he obviously kept himself in top physical condition. She found herself slightly nervous as he guided a cycle toward her. It was a high-end frame and he had adjusted it for her.

He handed her a helmet. “Good?”

She nodded and watched him climb on his bicycle and balance for a moment before heading out. She followed him through the old streets and began to relax. She kept up with him and enjoyed the views of Dublin at night. He took her through Dubh Linn Gardens and she pushed herself to keep up with him. After thirty minutes or so, he increased the intensity and she had to concentrate to keep the cycle moving at a decent clip. Her tired muscles began to revolt as she caught sight of his house.

Following him into his uncluttered garage, she climbed off the bicycle and waited for him to place his on a stand before handing over her equipment. He lifted it up and onto hangers so it was suspended from the ceiling.

He ran his eyes over her. “You did well.”

She gave him her bicycle. “You make it sound like a test.”

He laughed. “Some people are serious about cycling and some are more tourists wanting to meander around. You were a pleasure to ride with.”

He stepped towards her and she considered his words. He was clearly interested in a physical relationship but had no interest in protecting her privacy. It would not serve either of them.

“Don’t overthink this, love.” He lifted the hair off of her shoulder and kissed her neck.

She pushed against him and enjoyed the feel of tight muscles. “I need a shower.”

“You taste amazing.” He drew her into his arms and captured her mouth, deepening the kiss, and she could feel her body flood with desire. This was not a smart move.

He traced her lips with his tongue before plunging back into her mouth, demanding a response. She clung to him and returned each kiss. After several minutes, they were both breathing hard and he said, “Come upstairs with me.”

She stepped back. “It would complicate everything and it’s not a good idea.” Moving away from him, her limbs were uncoordinated and she had to resist the temptation to throw herself into his embrace. She would tarnish her reputation and it would be hard to recover from that. The world hadn’t changed much. She would be judged and he would walk away without censure.

He brushed a stray hair from her face. “Do you ever throw caution away and enjoy the moment?” His low voice drew her in.

Taking a breath in, she said, “No. I learned a long time ago that it is not the way to a safe, productive life.”

He was standing so close she could see deeply into his eyes. “That is what motivates you? A productive life?”

She wanted to lose herself in his embrace. “If you want something to happen between us, then you need to promise me that it will stay our secret. Not even Mrs. Blake can know.”

He became still. Would he choose to indulge in a secret fling or demand that they tell the world?

He lightly touched her jaw. “I don’t like secrets. They are poison.”

She ran her hands over his chest and enjoyed the feel of the tight muscles. “Neither one of us is in a relationship. I’m not suggesting that we lie to anyone.” She waited for him to decide.

William touched her neck and drew her into a slow, sensual kiss. Her body heated and she clutched at his shirt.

“Come.”

He led her through the back part of the house. Opening a wooden door, he guided her into a dark room and said, “I’ll handle Mrs. Blake. You can turn the shower on if you like.”

He disappeared and she clicked the door shut and turned on a lamp. The room had a masculine feel and she realized it was William’s bedroom and not a guest suite. There was an artistic rendering of a bicycle on the far wall and an elaborate walk–in closet that held suits and cycling apparel.
 

The bathroom was through another door and she turned the shower on. She was making a mistake. What if others found out that she had an affair with her boss? They were both single and unattached, but it didn’t change the fact that she worked for him. She could quit and beg Olivia to take her back.

She heard him come in. “I said goodnight to Mrs. Blake and she is going to bed. I’ll be able to sneak you out later.”

Why did she have such an issue with the concept of sneaking around? She was the one who wanted to keep their fling a secret. But if she was proud of her choice then she wouldn’t want to hide it.

“Why haven’t you gotten in the shower?” William took off his shirt and she stared at him. He began to remove his biking shorts and she turned away.

“Why don’t you go first?”

He laughed. “Spoilsport.”

Leaving the bathroom, she went in search of a bathrobe. She located a terrycloth robe in his closet and stripped down, putting her borrowed clothes in the hamper. She would need William to find her clothing.

He emerged from the shower, drying off and then securing the towel around his hips.

She walked by him and he reached out and tugged her close. “I was hoping that you would join me.”

“It felt too intimate to take my clothes off in front of you and get in the shower.”

He touched her chin and tilted her head up. “Are you having second thoughts? I can take you home if you are not sure about this.”

She looked into his eyes and her heart accelerated. “I’m sure. I just need a moment to shower.”

Pulling out of his embrace, she walked into the marble bathroom and closed the door. He had left the shower running for her. Hanging the robe on the back of the door, she climbed into the warm spray and soaped her entire body. Rinsing the lather off, she turned off the shower and stepped out. There was a stack of white towels on a bench near the shower and she dried off.

She was having second thoughts. It wasn’t smart to leap into an affair with him. But she wanted to lose herself in his embrace. He was compelling and maddening in equal measure. Her body was drawn to him and her instincts told her that he would be hot and intoxicating. Her limited experience hadn’t been earth shattering, but after their encounter in the car, it was obvious they had incredible chemistry. She had fantasized about him each waking moment.

She ventured out of the bathroom and discovered that he was gone. Standing in the middle of the room in a towel, she wondered if he had second thoughts. The door opened and he came in wearing jeans and carried her clothing, folded in a neat pile.

Why was this so awkward? “Have you changed your mind?”

“I thought you might have so I fetched your clothing.”

“I haven’t.”

He placed her clothing on a nearby chair.

“I know you have concerns about getting involved with me because of our professional relationship.”

“I want to pretend that doesn’t exist tonight.”

“We can’t do that. If you want to take our relationship further then you need to acknowledge the truth.”

He head jerked back. Was he throwing her earlier words back at her?

“I’m not trying to score points. But I want you to be sure about this and not just allow yourself to get lost in the moment.”

He was right. If she was going to do this, she had to be honest about it.

“I want you. It doesn’t matter to me that we work together or even that it might be discovered. I’m willing to acknowledge it.”

He opened his arms and she threw herself into his embrace. He captured her mouth in a slow, sensual kiss. Her heart accelerated and she held onto his shoulders to steady herself.

William moved a hand down and tugged her towel off. She gasped at the sudden exposure to the air.

“You are beautiful.” He glided his hands down her back and pulled her bottom closer to him. She could feel his hardness through his jeans and her insides melted.

He left her mouth and placed delicate kisses along her jaw and then her neck. She unbuttoned his jeans and he drew in a deep breath.

“I’m losing my mind.” He picked her up and placed her on the bed before disappearing for a moment into the bathroom. He came back with a few foil packets.

“You remind me of a warrior. Your muscles are sleek and defined.”
 

He laughed and removed his jeans, leaving them on the floor but putting the protection on the bed. His body was masculine and hard edged. He had no excess weight.
 

“Slow can be good in this case.” He captured her restless hands and pinned them above her head. He took his time tasting each of her breasts and coaxing each nipple into unbearable tightness. She moved her body and he released her hands and held her hips in place as he slowly kissed each inch of skin between her breasts and feminine core.

She ran her hands through his hair and tried to distract him from his path, but he wouldn’t give in. It was too much. Her body was on fire and she twisted in his embrace. He parted her legs and insisted on tasting her there.

“Please. I can’t wait.”

“You can, love.” His tongue found her most sensitive spot and she would have leapt off the bed if he wasn’t anchoring her. He used his skill and sensual demands to drive her to new levels of excitement and when she tightened her grip on his hair he increased the pressure and she exploded into a powerful climax.