Daddy's Virgin (A CEO Boss Romance Novel)

She waited until we were shrouded behind the curtain again and snatched her hand back as if I'd burned her. "What were you thinking? Are you trying to cause a scandal?"

"We presented a united front," I said. "In fact, we should probably stick together for a few more minutes. People might want to talk to both of us about the community garden and the campaign."

Tasha slapped back my offered hand. "I'm not going to play the 'other woman' in your social media fairytale. We just work together, and that's it."

"What are you worried people are going to think?" I took a step closer.

Tasha backed up until she brushed against the curtain. "Holding hands is not something co-workers do. People are going to think we're intimate."

"Holding hands is nothing. You know what feels intimate?" I asked. I leaned forward. "This feels intimate. We're hidden from sight back here. Just you and me."

For a split second, Tasha softened. Even in the dim light backstage, I could see her cheeks warming. I lifted one hand to feel the heat of her blush, and Tasha leaned her soft cheek into my caress. My other hand found her waist, pulled her forward just an inch. Our lips were a breath apart.

"No." Tasha pushed me back. "You're with Ellison, and I don't care if it's just for tonight or not. I'm not going to be part of this merry-go-round of women you've got."

I clutched the velvet curtain in a fisted hand. "Stop trying to jam me into some little box," I said. "I'm no more the incurable playboy than you are the ice queen. I know it's easier for you to dismiss me if I'm defined, but I'm sick of it. Tasha, please, please see that I'm more than that."

"What? Am I supposed to believe you're a changed man?" Tasha asked. "Do you have any idea how cliched that is? I won't fall for it. So, what in the hell do you think you're doing?"

"I'm trying to talk to you!" I let go of the curtain and let both hands curl into fists.

Tasha arched an eyebrow. "Fine. Talk. Tell me what you really want. What do you want from me, Rainer?"

Those words coupled with her challenging look stopped me. Tasha had finally caught me without a speech prepared. The truth was I didn't know exactly what I wanted from her. And she deserved a man who knew exactly how far he was willing to go for her. I didn't deserve another chance with Tasha. I didn't even deserve to hold her hand.

"Nothing to say?" Tasha asked. "Then how about you let me talk for a minute?"

"Fine, but I'm not done," I said.

Tasha tossed her hands in the air. "But that's wh

at we really should be talking about. It's over."

I could have hit myself in the head for not noticing it before. I'd been so distracted that I hadn't thought through why Stan wanted us to make a quick speech at the gala.

"The community garden project is done?" I asked.

"Don't feel bad, Rainer," Tasha said. She chucked me on the shoulder. "You got what you wanted out of it. You're a billionaire, and everyone loved our outreach campaign. Now, you can celebrate with a wild spending spree or a trip around the world, or whatever you want."

"Did Stan say it was over or did he cut the funding?" I asked.

Tasha's sudden frown belied her calm voice. "The funding is done, and our presence is expected back at the office. 100%."

She fled before I could ask her how she felt. All I could do was stand there in the dark behind the heavy curtain and wonder what I was going to do next.

Chapter Thirteen

Tasha

"I'm not saying your dress isn't perfect," Ivy said. "Just let me know next time, and we'll get you something truly haute couture."

I thanked our waiter as he laid down the gold-embossed menus. Since Ivy was intent on studying all the charity gala photographs online, I left my menu unopened. "I was assured that I could never go wrong with vintage Valentino. Plus, it's just a black dress."

"A drop-dead gorgeous dress." Ivy gasped again. "Wow. That is a low back."

I laughed and tried to snatch her phone away, but my friend was too fast. "Ivy, stop. Please!"

"Oh, no, definitely not. Now I know why there's a buzz going around. It seems Ms. Ellison Ramsey has been knocked off her society pages throne. There's half a dozen photographs of you, plus more with you prominently in the background." Ivy looked at each one. "And a lot of you with Rainer Maxwell."