Page 75 of Love your Billionaire Boss

Cleo sucked in a breath just thinking about Kev’s lips on hers, his hands crushing hers. It was like he had left an invisible burn on her that stung just thinking about it.

“If you don’t want to talk about it, I totally get it.”

“No, it’s okay. They kicked him off the team. No questions asked.”

Bridget smiled. “Wow! Good for the owner, and good riddance.”

Cleo gave a weak smile. She thought back to when Jonas and Mae had come to her house to check on her. They were good people. She appreciated what they had done for her. Thinking back on how she kicked them out of her house, she felt guilty. The look on Mae’s face was hard to forget. However, she had to do it. She didn’t need anyone making it harder to leave than it already was.

Which was why she never texted or called Kenny back. She had thought about it, especially after hearing what he had done for her. While she wasn’t for physical violence, that creep got what he deserved and she didn’t feel guilty for thinking so. Kenny had taken up for her at the risk of losing his job. His dream.

Still, she couldn’t bring herself to contact him to say thank you. She couldn’t risk opening that door back up again. A text message might have turned into a conversation, which might have turned into a phone call. Hearing his voice would break all her resolve. And heaven forbid if she saw him again, it would be all over. No, it was better to just leave it be.

Cleo’s thoughts must have been playing out on her face because Bridget looked at her, concerned. “You look wiped. Why don’t you head out?”

Cleo glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s not closing time yet.”

“Just about. Go. I can handle closing up.”

Cleo gave Bridget a hug, squeezing her tightly. “Thank you.”

She pulled away and glanced around the bar to be sure. It had died down a lot. There were only a handful of customers. Feeling better, she pushed through the doors to the kitchen and took her apron off, tossing it in the laundry bin. She gave a little wave to the cooks, who were playing cards and waiting for their shift to end. They gave her warm smiles and went back to their game.

The drive home went by slowly, at least it felt that way because she was so tired. It had been a whirlwind of a few weeks. Her life had completely changed since Kenny had come into it. As much as she wanted to place the blame solely on him for turning her life upside down, she knew that wasn’t fair. It was him and the people in his world. In this city. As big as Boston was, it wouldn’t be easy to avoid seeing him in a place that worshiped him.

She turned down her street just as her eyes began to droop with sleepiness. She couldn’t wait to lie down in bed and drift off into a deep sleep. She hadn’t gotten a good night’s rest in a while. Too many nightmares that were very close to her reality kept waking her with a start. She was so tired tonight, she hoped she wouldn’t dream at all.

As she pulled into her driveway, her tiredness transformed into alertness. There was a car there. She felt a slight panic. She slowly drove past the car and realized she knew the black sports car—Kenny’s car. Suddenly, she felt her face flush with heat. She felt angry. Why was no one getting the hint?

She slammed her thumb against the garage door opener and waited impatiently for it to open. As soon as she put the car in park, she grabbed the keys from the ignition and quickly got out of the car. She slammed her door harder than necessary, and probably a little more than her old car could handle. Seeing him was exactly what she didn’t want. She had to remain firm.

She stormed toward his car and peered in the window. He was asleep. She banged her fist against the glass, waking him with a start. He blinked a couple of times as if trying to process where he was. He glanced up to see her towering over him. His eyes grew wide as he fumbled with the door handle. He finally pushed open the door, stumbling out, half asleep.

Before he could get a word out or even stand up straight, Cleo jabbed a finger in his chest. “Why can’t you just leave me the hell alone?”

“Cleo, please. I just want to talk. You have to hear me out.”

“I don’t have to do anything!” Cleo’s voice rose.

“Please. Just give me a chance.” Kenny’s eyebrows furrowed and there was sadness in his eyes. He didn’t get to be sad.

Cleo looked over his shoulder to avoid eye contact, letting out a frustrated sigh. Maybe she was tired from a long night at the bar, or maybe she was just tired of pushing these people away, but she felt her resolve dissipate. Her shoulders slumped in defeat as she turned and walked toward her house, nodding for him to follow.

Inside, she sat in her armchair, giving him no chance or room to be close to her. He looked disappointed as he sat across from her on the couch. He looked at her warily, but she looked at the wall. She eyed him carefully from the side. He wore his sweats—her favorite—and his hair was all tousled from his nap in the car. Why did he always have to look so effortlessly good?

“Sorry to just show up like this.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time,” said Cleo sarcastically.

“I just had to talk to you. You weren’t answering any of my texts or calls.”

“Why do you think that is?” Cleo looked at him sharply, crossing her arms.

“Look, I know I made a mistake leaving you here that morning. I’ve regretted it every day. After the night we had…”

“You didn’t even call. You just left a note and then pretended like nothing ever happened.”

Kenny looked down at his lap and interlaced his fingers nervously. “I know. I’m sorry for that. I was just—”

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