[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
particles went a few feet before falling, only to be again disturbed by his next step. He
could go where the currents took him, but he had to get in the water first, and the best
way to do that was just jump in with both feet. Dear old Dad wouldn t be happy his son
was plotting his own course from now on, but still the weight of his bag was nothing
compared to the weight that had just lifted from his shoulders.
Wanting It All 41
First order of business was a visit to his mother. She deserved to know he was
about to turn her life upside down. He d saved up a tidy sum over the past few years,
and while it nowhere neared the family fortune, it was enough to set her up somewhere
far away from New York and the Hamptons. She could live a nice life free of everyone s
expectations if she wanted. And while his father could take away Clay s access to the
family wealth, the man couldn t take away Clay s degrees and the reputation he d
earned for himself as a top-rate litigator. Clay could start over. He wasn t afraid of hard
work.
He snorted. Wasn t that what he d been doing all his life anyway? Working hard
at hiding who he was. Working hard at burying himself in his career. It was time to find
balance though. That was what he wanted most. Planned to find. Would find. Clayton
Palmer was going to live life on his own terms from now on.
* * * *
Hello, Father.
Clay wasn t surprised when dear old Dad didn t even glance up from the papers
he studied. No, the man just waved a hand as if his son was some lesser being. Take a
seat.
Clay walked deeper into the office but didn t take the leather armchair opposite
the silver-haired man so many said he resembled. Instead, he strode over to the floor to
ceiling windows. He loved the view of the Chrysler Building, the Art Deco-style that
distinguished it from all the other skyscrapers and made it unique.
Maybe it was that towering individuality that had called to him when he was a
young boy and would stare for hours out the window while his father worked. Too bad
it had taken almost two decades for the building s lessons to sink in. Stand tall. He
straightened his shoulders. Embrace what makes you you. Taking a deep breath, he turned
and paced the length of the office. He was still working on the latter.
Snapping the sheaf of papers in his hand, his father blew out a heavy sigh. What
is it that has you so impatient for my attention, Clayton?
42 Emma Lai
Clay couldn t stop the snort that escaped as he faced his father. How like the man
to address him as if he were still a child of nine instead of a man of twenty-nine. Don t
worry. I won t take up much of your time. Ever again. He locked his hands behind his
back. So you purchased the Flying D.
Ugh. Is that what this is about? His father threw down the papers and yanked
off his gold-rimmed reading glasses. Pointing at Clay with the arm of the eyewear, he
said, It s high time you accept your responsibilities. You re twenty-nine, going on
thirty. You should be married and starting a family.
Clay raised his brows, biting off the retort that he had been accepting his
responsibilities and putting everyone else s happiness before his own in the process.
Shouldn t his first responsibility be to be true to himself? While his career was
everything he d always dreamed it could be and more, his personal life was
nonexistent. What would it take to make him as happy at home as at work? An image
of James s angry face popped to mind. But he d probably ruined his chances there. The
man had kicked him out of the room, and Clay had left without protest. Hell, he d left
the ranch without a word. Still& I completely agree, Father. It s well past time for me
to take charge of my life.
Surprise crossed his father s face before satisfaction settled a small smile on his
features. Good. Good. I m glad we agree. I thought you were going to pitch a fit.
Clay straightened his arms. He gave first one French cuff a tug, then the other.
No, Father, I m not a two-year-old who s been denied a treat. He met his father s gaze
and pursed his lips. I can t control your actions. If you want to purchase the ranch
the place I chose to be completely true to myself without possibility of embarrassing
you then that s your choice. However, it s my choice to decide whether or not I m
going to continue to let you dictate where or when it s acceptable for me to be me.
As he d spoken, his father s smile slowly faded. What exactly are you saying,
Clayton? A muscle ticked in the man s jaw the tell that an eruption was pending.
Wanting It All 43
In the past, Clayton would have made a strategic retreat. But that was in the past.
I m saying I m no longer placing boundaries on where I can be who I am.
His father s eyes widened. You will not disgrace the family name by acting like a
damn queer in public. Unlike most people, when Clayton s father got mad, his voice
became whisper quiet. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl chiara76.opx.pl
particles went a few feet before falling, only to be again disturbed by his next step. He
could go where the currents took him, but he had to get in the water first, and the best
way to do that was just jump in with both feet. Dear old Dad wouldn t be happy his son
was plotting his own course from now on, but still the weight of his bag was nothing
compared to the weight that had just lifted from his shoulders.
Wanting It All 41
First order of business was a visit to his mother. She deserved to know he was
about to turn her life upside down. He d saved up a tidy sum over the past few years,
and while it nowhere neared the family fortune, it was enough to set her up somewhere
far away from New York and the Hamptons. She could live a nice life free of everyone s
expectations if she wanted. And while his father could take away Clay s access to the
family wealth, the man couldn t take away Clay s degrees and the reputation he d
earned for himself as a top-rate litigator. Clay could start over. He wasn t afraid of hard
work.
He snorted. Wasn t that what he d been doing all his life anyway? Working hard
at hiding who he was. Working hard at burying himself in his career. It was time to find
balance though. That was what he wanted most. Planned to find. Would find. Clayton
Palmer was going to live life on his own terms from now on.
* * * *
Hello, Father.
Clay wasn t surprised when dear old Dad didn t even glance up from the papers
he studied. No, the man just waved a hand as if his son was some lesser being. Take a
seat.
Clay walked deeper into the office but didn t take the leather armchair opposite
the silver-haired man so many said he resembled. Instead, he strode over to the floor to
ceiling windows. He loved the view of the Chrysler Building, the Art Deco-style that
distinguished it from all the other skyscrapers and made it unique.
Maybe it was that towering individuality that had called to him when he was a
young boy and would stare for hours out the window while his father worked. Too bad
it had taken almost two decades for the building s lessons to sink in. Stand tall. He
straightened his shoulders. Embrace what makes you you. Taking a deep breath, he turned
and paced the length of the office. He was still working on the latter.
Snapping the sheaf of papers in his hand, his father blew out a heavy sigh. What
is it that has you so impatient for my attention, Clayton?
42 Emma Lai
Clay couldn t stop the snort that escaped as he faced his father. How like the man
to address him as if he were still a child of nine instead of a man of twenty-nine. Don t
worry. I won t take up much of your time. Ever again. He locked his hands behind his
back. So you purchased the Flying D.
Ugh. Is that what this is about? His father threw down the papers and yanked
off his gold-rimmed reading glasses. Pointing at Clay with the arm of the eyewear, he
said, It s high time you accept your responsibilities. You re twenty-nine, going on
thirty. You should be married and starting a family.
Clay raised his brows, biting off the retort that he had been accepting his
responsibilities and putting everyone else s happiness before his own in the process.
Shouldn t his first responsibility be to be true to himself? While his career was
everything he d always dreamed it could be and more, his personal life was
nonexistent. What would it take to make him as happy at home as at work? An image
of James s angry face popped to mind. But he d probably ruined his chances there. The
man had kicked him out of the room, and Clay had left without protest. Hell, he d left
the ranch without a word. Still& I completely agree, Father. It s well past time for me
to take charge of my life.
Surprise crossed his father s face before satisfaction settled a small smile on his
features. Good. Good. I m glad we agree. I thought you were going to pitch a fit.
Clay straightened his arms. He gave first one French cuff a tug, then the other.
No, Father, I m not a two-year-old who s been denied a treat. He met his father s gaze
and pursed his lips. I can t control your actions. If you want to purchase the ranch
the place I chose to be completely true to myself without possibility of embarrassing
you then that s your choice. However, it s my choice to decide whether or not I m
going to continue to let you dictate where or when it s acceptable for me to be me.
As he d spoken, his father s smile slowly faded. What exactly are you saying,
Clayton? A muscle ticked in the man s jaw the tell that an eruption was pending.
Wanting It All 43
In the past, Clayton would have made a strategic retreat. But that was in the past.
I m saying I m no longer placing boundaries on where I can be who I am.
His father s eyes widened. You will not disgrace the family name by acting like a
damn queer in public. Unlike most people, when Clayton s father got mad, his voice
became whisper quiet. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]