Part 14 (1/2)
That pulled a laugh from her. ”I was thinking that these last few weekends have been wonderful.”
”I told you we could make this work.” Before she could argue with whether make it work was the proper standard for considering marriage, his gaze softened. ”I know we're not exactly living in the real world. I can't hide under a baseball hat all the time and you can't hide our relations.h.i.+p from your coworkers, given that you live where you work. But what's important is that we make this work between us. You and me. If that happens, the rest will fall into place. I believe that with all my heart.”
With that simple word, us, he addressed one of her biggest fears. Perhaps he did want her for her, and for what the two of them could be together, rather than because she was the mother of his child.
A plaintive beep sounded from one of the kitchen stools, where she'd dropped her handbag after returning from the beach. She ignored it and smoothed her hand over the front of Stefano's s.h.i.+rt, feeling the firm muscle and strong heartbeat beneath her fingertips.
Stefano was larger than life, yet so very human. If she chose the path he offered, which part would dictate her life? The prince or the man? She leaned into him, absorbing his heat as she touched her lips to the spot her fingers explored. All she had to do was say a single word and her world would change.
Take the leap. Trust him. Trust yourself. As Stefano said, the rest would fall into place.
She smiled against Stefano's chest, remembering that those were the exact words her mother used when Megan discovered she was pregnant with Anna. She'd tearfully informed her mother that she couldn't comprehend balancing motherhood, graduate school, and a career that hadn't even started. She'd never forget her mother's straightforward response.
Love the child. The rest will fall into place. Her mother repeated that mantra several times during Anna's bouts of colic. While there'd been a tough period of adjustment, eventually, her mother had been proven right. The rest had fallen into place. Now Megan couldn't imagine what life would've been like without Anna, nor did she want to.
It could be the same with Stefano, if she let it. She couldn't imagine life without him. Not anymore.
She swallowed hard. What she said in the next breath would change her life forever.
When Megan's cell phone emitted a second beep, Stefano pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. ”I hate to say it, but should you get that in case it's Anna?”
Despite reminders, Anna probably forgot her toothbrush or pajamas. ”Wouldn't be surprised. Her timing is terrible.”
She reluctantly left his embrace to fetch her phone. She frowned at the screen, which displayed Ramon's office number. ”It's the hotel manager.”
Stefano gestured for her to take the call.
”Good afternoon, Megan,” came the familiar voice. ”I hate to interrupt your weekend, but are you on the premises?”
”Yes.” He wouldn't need her in the hotel on a Sunday unless it was urgent. Perhaps Santi's attempt to locate her earlier was related. ”Is there a problem?”
”No problem, but would you mind coming to my office? Mr. Gladwell is here from the UK and we have something important to discuss with you. Shouldn't take longer than ten or fifteen minutes.”
”Of course.” She glanced at Stefano, who had crossed the room to pull a large manila envelope from his overnight bag, which was tucked alongside the sofa. ”But I'm not dressed for-”
”You're fine as you are. We'll see you shortly.”
She clicked off the phone and set it on the countertop. So much for her conversation-and whatever else she'd been about to do-with Stefano.
”Trouble?” Stefano asked as he tapped the envelope against his palm.
”I don't think so. The hotel's owner is visiting from London.” Her heart thrummed as she began to grasp the enormity of her next sentence. ”He's in Ramon's office. They want to see me right away.”
”Jack Gladwell owns the Grandspire, doesn't he?” Stefano didn't hide his surprise at her reference to the world-famous billionaire. ”Were you expecting him?”
”Yes. And no. I mean, I've certainly never been invited to meet with him before. He usually swoops in and out without telling a soul. I'd hoped he'd attend the grand reopening, but his sister's wedding was the same weekend.” Suddenly fl.u.s.tered, she swept a hand along her casual sundress and flip flops. ”Ramon told me not to change, but I'll at least slip into slacks.”
She took a step toward her bedroom, then stopped. ”I'm sorry, Stefano. We were talking about-”
”Don't worry about it. I'll have my car service come now.” He flipped the envelope so she couldn't see what was printed on the front. ”From what I understand, Jack Gladwell isn't free with his time. We can talk next weekend.”
She wanted to finish their conversation today, wherever it led. Another week would fray her last nerve. Plus, now she was curious about the contents of Stefano's envelope. She had the feeling it was meant for her.
”They said it'd only take ten or fifteen minutes, so figure thirty at the most. You're welcome to wait here.” It was all she could do not to add a begging please to the end of the sentence. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. She'd be d.a.m.ned if she let a random cameraman or even a billionaire stop her from telling Stefano what she felt. She was ready to take the leap.
He turned to sit on the sofa, sliding the envelope back into his bag as he did so. ”In that case, I'll see you in a half hour.”
On first glance, few people would recognize Jack Gladwell as one of the richest, most business-savvy men in the world. With ruffled blond hair worn in a style slightly longer than was fas.h.i.+onable, tanned skin, and windburned cheeks, he looked as if he'd just stepped off a boat. A light coating of freckles dusted arms sufficiently muscular to haul crates or fis.h.i.+ng lines with ease, and his casually untucked gray b.u.t.ton-down s.h.i.+rt, jeans, and well-worn loafers added to his relaxed appearance.
However, on second glance, Jack Gladwell left no doubts about his abilities. His wide stance and straight spine betrayed the type of inner confidence a man gained only through experience and repeated, hard-won success. Despite his crooked smile, a sharp intelligence filled his gaze. He appeared able to size up a person in a few seconds and use that information to his advantage. As Megan entered Ramon's s.p.a.cious office, Jack Gladwell stood near the panoramic window, seemingly oblivious to the stunning view behind him as he turned that a.s.sessing gaze toward Megan.
”Thanks for coming down on a Sunday, Megan,” Ramon said, striding across his office to close the door behind her. ”I'd like you to meet Jack Gladwell.”
The British billionaire's light blue eyes danced with amus.e.m.e.nt as he approached her. He clasped Megan's hand in both of his and raised one eyebrow. ”You changed clothes, didn't you?”
”I did,” she admitted. ”I couldn't bring myself to enter Ramon's office in an old sundress and flip flops. I hope you weren't waiting long.”
”Not at all.” He released her hand and gestured for her to take one of the two empty seats in front of Ramon's desk. Once she did, he took the other and turned it to face her. ”I'll get right to the point, Megan. I have both good news and bad news to share with you.”
Megan glanced at Ramon, who'd moved to stand behind Jack Gladwell, but he didn't appear concerned. In fact, he seemed to be holding back a smile.
”First, I'm afraid that Ramon will be leaving his position as manager of the Grandspire at the end of the summer,” Jack said. ”He's done excellent work here and I like to reward those who look after my financial interests. Therefore, I've asked him to join me in London, where he'll oversee my entire hotel business.”
”That's terrific, though he'll be greatly missed here,” she said. Ramon had worked hard with little credit to rebuild the Grandspire. The promotion was well-earned. ”Having worked with him here the last few years, I can a.s.sure you that you'll be thrilled with your decision.”
”I already am,” Jack replied. ”It's an entirely new position, created to ensure a consistently high level of quality across all twelve of my worldwide hotel properties. If anyone can keep a tight rein on such diverse locations, I believe it's Ramon.”
She agreed. So why had she been called down?
Then the realization hit her: Jack Gladwell was restructuring his entire hotel division. She was going to be let go before she had the opportunity to leave on her own. She glanced to Ramon, then back to Jack once more, hoping her face didn't betray her emotions. ”If that's the good news, what's the bad news?”
”That is the bad news, as it means I no longer have a manager at what has become my premier hotel property. Given the success of the Grandspire's revitalization, I'm quite particular about who will take Ramon's place. It's money in my pocket if I choose the right person and a great loss if I don't. Besides, it'd be a d.a.m.ned shame to see all Ramon's hard work go to waste. Don't you agree?”
”Of course.” She smiled at Ramon. ”We've learned a lot from him here.”
”That's what I thought.” He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees to look her in the eye. ”Which is why I want you to take over the Grandspire, Megan. Are you up to the challenge?”
Megan's jaw felt as if it'd frozen shut. Jack Gladwell, one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the world, had traveled to Spain to personally offer her a job running his highest-profile hotel? He hardly knew her.
He must have known what was going through her mind because he explained, ”I realize that this comes from out of the blue, but Ramon has kept me apprised of your work here the last few years. I've looked over your reports as well as your conference bookings. You're astute when it comes to bringing in business and antic.i.p.ating customer needs, and your staff adores you despite the fact you drive them hard. Ramon is confident you're the best choice for the position, as am I.”
His praise made it difficult to find her voice. ”I'm honored.”
”So you'll take the job?”
No wonder Jack Gladwell was a billionaire. He spoke with the confidence of a man who always got what he wanted. ”Do you need a decision today?”