Uncontrollable Bachelor (Bachelor Tower Series), стр. 4

“I’m not sure, I’ve lost track. Shannon works as a pediatrician volunteering her time in some of the poorest countries. I mean, she’s like a walking angel,” Betsy said with a giggle. “Not your type at all, but I know for a fact she’s free for dinner tonight.”

It figured that Shannon would do something amazing with her life. She was a loving, giving person even when we were teenagers. That’s why I had fallen in love with her. And that is the same reason I shouldn’t do this.

“How do you know she’s free?” I asked, trying to talk myself out of it, but failing miserably.

“I know she’s free because she’s having dinner with me. But I’m willing to let you stand in for me. I mean, since you’re such a wonderful boss and all,” Betsy said with a grin.

I ignored Betsy’s comment. She wasn’t going to provoke me again. Right now, I only wanted to think about Shannon. Dinner? It could work. We could spend an hour or two and catch up on what has been going on for the last twelve years. The tricky part would be asking her about her father. She must have known how much I despised that man.

As far as I could see, I probably wouldn’t gain any insight to the towers from the Hamel family. But it was one dinner and if nothing else, at least I’d get to see Shannon again.

“Where were you meeting her?” I asked.

“Lobster Hut at eight,” Betsy said with an infuriating twinkle in her eye. “And don’t be late. Shannon hates to be kept waiting. Oh, she’s also about my height, but blonde with blue eyes. I’ll email you a picture so you know what she looks like.”

Lobster Hut wasn’t a place I’d take the only woman I’d ever truly loved out on a date, but this wasn’t really a date. I also wasn’t out to impress her. If I did want to impress, I know where I’d bring her. Shannon loved the mountains, or at least she used to. I can’t stand them any longer. All they are to me now is a location with poor cell service.

“Will you tell her you’re not going?” If they were actually friends, I can’t believe Shannon would accept Betsy’s change of plans without warning. At least not the Shannon I used to know.

“Nope. No need. Besides, I’ll be seeing her tomorrow. We’re going to the theatre.” Betsy gave me a wink and added, “Unless you decide you want to go with her to that, too.”

I growled, “Why do I keep you?”

Betsy laughed. “Because everyone else quits within a week.”

That was true, but it was because they couldn’t deliver what I asked. Betsy, on the other hand, can usually anticipate my requests. A dinner with Shannon sure in hell wasn’t one of them, but after the day I’d had, I had to admit it was nice to have something to look forward to.

When she left my office, I opened my drawer and pulled out another cigar. Smoking wasn’t allowed in the building and I sure in hell wouldn’t tolerate any of my employee’s doing it. But I own the place and I’m the only one allowed to break them. As I spun around to look out the window again, thoughts of Shannon flooded my mind. Everything about her, from her toes to her lips, haunted my dreams for years. I knew there never would be anyone like her again. The feel of her, the scent and the taste of her, were all fucking embedded deep within me. We had been each other’s first lover, and I had thought she’d be my only. Not a day had gone by that I hadn’t thought about being buried myself deep inside her, telling her how much I loved her and promising to give her the world someday. It felt like ages ago, and still, just hearing her name, made my cock ache for her.

Damn it!

That was all in the past. When it ended, I thought my life was over. Thankfully over the years I stopped wanting her, stopped dreaming of the family we could’ve had, even if she never completely left my mind I was happy being a bachelor, and once I got into the towers, I’d enjoy it even more. Someone like Shannon didn’t fit into the equation.

I heard the chime on my laptop and I knew it was Betsy emailing the photo. I didn’t even bother reading her message. It wouldn’t matter how many years passed, I’d know Shannon anywhere. I hit delete and turned back towards the window.

If only everything could be erased as easily.

I needed to stay focused. This wasn’t about catching up or rekindling an old flame. I wanted information about the Bachelor Towers. Now all I needed to do was convince my cock of that.

Fuck. This is going to be a long-ass day.