Gideon's Fall Read online

  “That bas –” Gideon curbed his temper, “Harold should have –”

  “He didn’t know. I never told him Harvey was saying those things to me. I didn’t want to add to the tension between a father and his son, so I said nothing. But because I kept quiet, Harold went on to praise me to Harvey – boasting about how I’d worked my way through college. Saying that I had a baby at home which I was caring for on my own and still found time to turn the office around…”

  A wistful smile graced her lips as she remembered Harold. “He was like a grandfather to Anessa. He loved her and she loved him. I loved him. He’d let me bring her to work with me when I couldn’t really afford daycare. Then when I could, he’d watch her when I picked her up from care because I had to work late.”

  “He sounds like a great man,” Gideon replied, as he removed the whistling kettle from the burner and began to prepare Nia’s tea.

  “He was. His life was Tridal after his wife passed. He was always talking about expanding. Wanting to make Tridal something that Harvey, and any children he had, could be proud of. That’s where I came in. He’d seen what I did in my previous position. He’d come into my old office and seen how I ran their transportation department. He was impressed that I’d expanded the company’s presence in six months when it was taking them years.”

  “He pouched you?”

  “He did,” Nia laughed. “The company I came from wasn’t happy. They fired me before I could give my resignation. No insurance. No final paycheck. No nothing. I was due to receive a bonus for bringing in more business but that was cut off too,” Nia licked her lips. “Shortly after that, I found out I was pregnant. Anessa’s father bailed and I was technically without a job so I went to Harold to see if I could start working for him early. He took one look at me, bought me lunch and asked me what I needed. I bawled to him about what had happened and next thing I knew, I was placed on Tridal’s insurance, had my own office and Harold was telling me that whatever insurance didn’t cover, he would.”

  Gideon wanted to meet Harold Tridal. Thank him for taking such good care of Nia. Giving her what she needed when there no one else around. He walked around the counter and took the stool next to Nia. He pulled her stool closer to his. “I’d love to meet Harold. Thank him.”

  “You would have liked him. He saw someone in need and gave them a helping hand.” Nia ran her index finger around the rim of her teacup. “Harold died two years ago,” she said. “He was finishing up a late meeting with me and Deni when he grabbed his chest and fell to the floor. He was gone before the paramedics arrived.”

  “Baby,” Gideon wrapped her in his arms.

  “We tried to find Harvey, but he was nowhere to be found. By the time he was located, I’d made all the arrangements. Harvey was livid. Came into my office and accused me of seducing Harold. Spreading my legs to get the company.” Nia laid her head on Gideon’s chest. “I had no clue what he was talking about until he explained that Harold had left half the company and half a million to me. While Anessa was granted a trust worth two million dollars.”

  She sniffled. “Once he’d learned his father had passed, he’d gone straight to the lawyers. Not once questioning where his father’s body was or if arrangements had even been made.” Lifting her head, she looked at Gideon. “I swear I didn’t know about the money – didn’t know Harold had given it to us.”

  Gideon wiped at her tears, “He loved you and Anessa and wanted to make sure you were both all right if something happened to the company. You were the daughter he always wanted but never had.”

  “His lawyer said the same thing. Said Harold changed his will the day Anessa was born. Harold’s lawyer told me he’d hadn’t seen Harold so happy in a long time. Harold had even shown Anessa’s newborn picture to the man. And any new pictures Harold got he would email them saying isn’t my grandbaby adorable.” Nia sighed, “Tridal is a mess. For the last two years I’ve been trying to keep us afloat. Sinking half of the money Harold left me back into the company. Trying to keep Harold’s dream alive but…” she shook her head. “Between your accident invoice and no new business coming in, we’ll soon be closing our doors.”

  “That invoice was not supposed to go out,” Gideon replied, continuing to wipe at her falling tears. His head of accounting had got an earful about that invoice. “You were able to get a good portion of the shipment delivered. I thank you for that,” he said kissing her forehead.

  “The day you wanted to come to my rescue, Harvey laid into me about that invoice. Usually, I’m so strong and so capable but this …”

  “It’s the legacy of a man you love. You want to save it. Leave it for Anessa. I get it. But Harold would not want you to kill yourself trying to save something that can’t be saved. And we both know it can’t be.”

  “I know,” she said. She knew she had to let Tridal go even if it broke her heart.

  “How about we head to the concert that’s happening tonight?” Gideon suggested. “You need a night out and I want to take you.”

  “What about the girls?” Nia asked as she leaned into him.

  “Uncle Sax can watch them.”

  “I heard that!” Sax called out from the back porch. “And I am not agreeing”

  “See, sitter all taken care of.” Gideon ignored his brother. Sax would sit it would just cost Gideon something. But he’d pay. He’d pay anything to spend some time with Nia. “What do you say?” He leaned closer to her. He knew she wouldn’t pull away if he placed her lips on his

  “Momma!”

  Both pulled back quickly as Anessa and Esme came running into the kitchen.

  “Can we go to the movie they’re showing tonight?” Anessa asked eagerly.

  “Gideon there you are,” Sookie said walking into the kitchen. “They need help setting up the stage. And the bonfire. Can you and Sax head down?”

  “Seems our concert date has been postponed,” Nia said as she slid from her stool.

  “Only for the moment,” Gideon replied, watching her walk away with the girls in tow.

  .

  How was this her last day in this beautiful place? Nia smiled into her cup of spiked cider. In the days since she’d arrived, she’d been to almost every vendor on the festival grounds. She’d picked up little trinkets for the ladies in the office and some specialty items she knew Deni would love. She’d even found a vendor who made key chains and she’d ordered several for the drivers Tridal still had. Gideon had by her side, holding her hand the whole time. Once, he’d even wrapped a possessive arm around her waist when a roving musician had spent too much time talking to her. She’d simply chuckled, slipped a finger into his belt and pulled him down the festival lane.

  It had all been so wonderful. They’d watched the girls play dress up at the ‘Become A Princess’ tent, eating candied apples until they were sticky everywhere. Happy to be together. Nia was happy about it too. Anessa had talked about Esme constantly since the little girl had come into her, Anessa’s, class. Anessa had wanted to have Esme over for a sleepover for weeks but with everything that had been happening at Tridal she, Nia, hadn’t had the time to have a sleepover with two five-year-olds. Now here they were, sleeping in her room after playing with their ribbons until it was time for bed.

  Snuggling deeper into the blanket she’d found on the porch bench, Nia brought her cup of cider to her lips. While the girls were enjoying their sleepover, she was lying in bed staring at the ceiling, wanting to go to Gideon.

  She wanted to be in his arms. Have his body pressed against hers. Have him kiss her. Since the interruption in the kitchen on her first night here, they hadn’t had time to themselves. The Peony was busy and Sookie needed her son’s help with one thing or another. The girls needed to be taken care of and Gideon still had a company to run even if he was on a break.

  Lifting her hand to her lips she could still feel Gideon’s breath on hers as his lips hovered just inches from hers. If she could have just closed the distance, she could have –

>   “I never thought I’d be jealous of a blanket.”

  Nia smiled at the sound of Gideon’s voice. Lowering her hand, she looked over her shoulder, “Don’t be jealous. Just come join me,” she replied with a little nod of her head.

  Walking over to the two-seater chaise Nia was sitting in, Gideon slid into the chair and under the blanket she held open. Once in position, he wrapped his arms around Nia.

  “You feel warm,” he said kissing the crown of her head.

  “Spiked cider helps some,” she said, lifting her mug.

  Gideon grasped the mug and brought it to his lips, downing the rest before placing it on the table beside the chaise.

  “I was drinking that to stay warm,” Nia complained, playfully.

  “I’m here now. I’ll keep you warm,” he told her.

  Nia snuggled into his chest. That sounded quite wonderful.

  “Our girls have moved from your room to mine. Deciding they’re going to sleep in there tonight,” Gideon told her, wrapping the blanket around them more securely.

  “Ah my bed to myself. What shall I do?” Nia chuckled.

  “Invite me into it.”

  Nia looked at him. “Gideon …” she moaned. She would love nothing more than to invite Gideon into her bed but …

  “When you’re ready,” he added, bending his head and taking her lips with his. Gideon knew she would turn him down. Despite the fact they’d been talking the last six weeks they hadn’t met in person until two days ago. It was too soon and they both knew it. Though he would love to have Nia under him moaning his name as he brought her to the height of pleasure.

  “Mmmm,” Nia moaned into his mouth. This man was so very addictive. Pulling back, she placed a hand on Gideon’s cheek. “You know I can’t –”

  “I know. That’s why I’m sleeping in Sax’s room tonight.” His brother wasn’t happy about the arrangement, but he couldn’t stay in his room with Anessa.

  Nia kissed him, “Thank you. If Esme needs you in the night I’ll come and get you,”

  He knew Esme wouldn’t need him. His daughter was enamored with Nia. Followed her around like Anessa followed her around. His daughter was starved for a mother’s affection. It made him curse Valencia more for not giving his child what she needed when she needed it.

  Laying her head back on Gideon’s chest, Nia placed her hand on his stomach. “I’m not ready to leave.”

  “I know,” Gideon replied, covering her hand with his. “But think of it this way. We can come back in a few months. Sookie loves when we visit.”

  Nia was sure she did. Sookie doted on her boys and they ate it up. “Think she’d want to see me even if I’m not seeing her son?” she joked. Though Gideon hadn’t asked for her number or where she lived, she would have to work all that in so he would have the opportunity to see her again. Because she definitely wanted to see him again.

  “Not seeing her son?” Gideon scoffed. “That won’t be happening.” He gave her a little squeeze, “Not now that I’ve tasted you and had you in my arms. There’s no way I’m letting you walk away.” Gideon laid his head on hers. “I’ll walk you to your room tonight and in the morning, I’ll load you and Nessa in your car. Then I’ll get my goodbye kiss and your number ‘cause you, Ms. Collins, are no longer single.”

  Nia smiled, kissing his chest. She liked the sound of that.

  Chapter Six

  ‘We are having dinner tonight.’

  Gideon texted Nia – he could have called but he refrained. He didn’t know if her calls were still being monitored by Harvey and he didn’t want to find out. The man was an ass and, in the last month, he’d kept Nia at the office later than normal for no reason whatsoever.

  ‘We have dinner together almost every night.’

  Nia texted back, with a smile on her face. Not only had they had dinner almost every night since they’d gotten back from the Peony. They’d also had movie night, game night and gone Trick or Treating with the girls dressed as little monkeys. They were so adorable, she’d posted a picture to her social media account just to show her friends and family. Gideon had even made the picture the screen saver on his phone.

  ‘No, doll. We, as in you and me, are having dinner.’

  While he loved his girls and their laughter, he wanted Nia to himself. A night with Nia at one of the nicest restaurants in the city. Afterward, they’d take a walk through Centennial Park and ride the Ferris Wheel. He had it all planned. And his plans were not going to be deterred by Nia’s motherly worrying.

  ‘When did you get a sitter…lol.’

  She’d spoken to Gideon this morning when he’d picked Anessa up for school and nothing had seemed amiss. Gideon had kissed her hello, tasting of coffee and Danish, and handed her a travel mug of her favorite morning tea and a cream Danish, leaving very soon after all were buckled in and another goodbye kiss was shared. So when had he had time to plan a date night for the two of them?

  ‘Uncle Sax has kindly volunteered to sit.’

  Gideon had had to promise to sit in on the next three sales meetings and entertain another co-sponsorship with Sabine in order to get Sax to sit. He wasn’t happy about sponsoring anything with Sabine, especially not after the last time, but her events were some of the best in Atlanta. Plus, he enjoyed seeing her green with envy when she came into the office and saw Nia with the girls. He’d given Nia a kiss no one would ever forget right in front of the woman. He had wanted to make it clear he was truly off the market.

  ‘Be ready at eight. I’m getting the girls from school and they’re staying at my house tonight. I have an extra bed in Esme’s room for Anessa.’

  He’d had Anessa’s bed delivered early this morning before going to Nia’s to retrieve Anessa for school. He’d been amazed but glad had only Nia lived a few blocks from his home in an older part of the affluent suburb that he and Esme resided in. He hadn’t wanted her to be too far from him and she wasn’t. Though she wasn’t quite as close as he wanted her to be.

  “Are you talking to that fine ass man of yours?”

  Nia looked up from her phone. Deni had been on vacation the last week dealing with the fallout of his long-term relationship ending.

  “Well hello, stranger!” Deni hadn’t returned any of her calls while he was out. Nia didn’t mind she knew he was dealing with a lot but she wanted to let him know she was there for him.

  “Deflection is not becoming Ms. Collins,” Deni replied, walking into her office and sitting himself down on the chair in front of her desk. “Happiness looks good on you,” Deni told her. He hadn’t seen the glow Nia was sporting in the four years he’d known the woman and he knew it was because of that man of hers.

  “Thank you, Deni,” Nia replied. She didn’t want to flaunt her happiness in front of Deni when his partner of the last ten years had just cleaned out their condo, half their bank account and disappeared. Deni had tried to find him but there wasn’t a trace of the man Deni had loved.

  “Don’t hold your happiness. I’m doing better. Now tell me how is that virile hunk of a man of yours?!”

  Nia chuckled. Deni had been in the parking lot smoking one afternoon when Gideon had pulled in for their lunch date. She’d never seen Deni speechless, but that day he hadn’t uttered a word. Not until Nia was back in the office. She hadn’t even sat down before Deni was bombarding her with questions about Gideon Price.

  “I’m not sure I should tell you,” Nia replied

  “Typical,” Deni sighed. “You get a virile specimen like that and won’t talk about it,” he pouted. “Come on Nia. I’m not getting any!”

  Neither was she, Nia wanted to say. She’d fallen asleep so many times in Gideon’s arms without him trying anything that she might have thought he wasn’t attracted to her – if she didn’t feel his bulge pressing into her thigh. She licked her lips. She couldn’t wait to feel that monster in her.

  “Oh, I know that look,” Deni chuckled.

  “Why are you in my office?” she asked, changing the subjec
t.

  “You, Nia are a prude. But I’m willing to change the subject since you won’t help me out here,” Deni said.

  “Like you need my help!”

  Deni was a good-looking man. Before he’d come to work for Tridal he’d been modeling since he was a teenager. His auburn skin was flawless and his eyes had this almost translucent look about them. Add in his six-foot-four stature and slight but athletic build and the man was a walking advertisement for anything you wanted.

  “Well, I need your help now. Gideon has to have a brother. Cousin? Close friend, who is just as good? God, where did you find a man like that lying around?!”

  “He has a brother – but he’s straight. No close friends besides said brother. And no cousins,” Nia shrugged. “Sorry.”

  “Well damn. I was looking for a little,” Deni shrugged.

  “Fun or relationship?” Nia queried.

  “Fun,” Deni gave a stiff nod. “A relationship may come at some point but right now I’m looking for fun. So if you know of anyone, send them my way.”

  “Will do,” Nia gave Deni a little salute.

  “There you are.”

  They turned towards the office door. Harvey stood in the entrance with a pissed off look on his face.

  “You would think for someone who has as much money as he does, he would look a little bit happier,” Deni commented, low enough for just Nia to hear.

  You would, wouldn’t you, Nia thought before commenting “Harvey, how can we help you?”

  “I’m supposed to be meeting with Deni in his office, but instead I find him here with you!” Harvey replied, pointing at Nia.

  “I tried your office Harvey,” Deni said standing. “But the door was locked and when I knocked, no one answered,” he finished. He didn’t add that he’d also heard screams of ecstasy coming from the other side of the office door.