Page 24 of Christian Clause

I duck my head and feign interest in my drink. “He doesn’t mess around with his workers, Laura.”

“So I heard,” Mike interjects and I let out a small sigh of relief. “Not to make you feel as if you’re not beautiful or anything, Hope, but you’re not exactly his type.”

Laura nods in concurrence. “True, though. Clause likes his women model thin with legs that go on and on. But you, my dear, will give Kim Kardashian a run for her money in the curvy department.”

Laughter erupts from my throat even though despair clings to my heart. If I’m truly not Christian’s type, then why did he come on to me at the mall? That question has tormented my peace for a while now. Why did I even allow him to buy me coffee? It brought on silly fantasies. I wish I could turn back the hands of time.

“Thanks, Laura,” I say for lack of something better to tell her. I struggle to think of something to change the topic. My night is already ruined with the presence of Katherine and Christian at the club. Talking about them continuously might make me want to get drunk. That might make me late for work the following day.

“So, tell me what’s going on with you, Laura,” I quickly insert when she continues talking about Christian.

I release a small sigh of relief when she takes the bait and starts talking about her cosmetic business. To blank out Christian, his girlfriend and the jealously I’m fighting to control, I focus on Laura and I’m soon caught up in the conversation.

Or so I think.

A movement catches the corner of my eye. Christian and Katherine have risen and are saying goodbye to the men at the table. Christian walks away from the table with his hand on the small of Katherine’s back. They look so good together, my throat constricts. Both tall and slim, they look like the perfect couple while I would look like a short fat blob beside Christian.

My heart squeezes with pain.

Christian stops to exchange greetings with the woman and her male companion. Katherine uses the opportunity to mold herself into Christian. I figure I would do the same thing since the attractive woman looks like she wants to eat Christian whole. I have never been this jealous in my life, and it’s driving me crazy. Fighting it from showing is getting tougher and tougher.

I realize I’ve lost the battle fighting off my jealousy from showing when I turn to see Laura and Mike staring at me with keen interest.

Eyeing me and curving her lips in a sweet smile, Laura says, “Are you sure Christian is just your boss?”

I groan inwardly.

Chapter Twelve

Hope

“How was your weekend?” Clara asks me as she settles down on her chair.

“It was good,” I reply with a smile on my face.

Clara returns my smile. “What did you do?”

“My sister and I went shopping, had lunch and saw a movie. I also went to a club with old friends.”

Clara beams. “Sounds like you had a pleasant time.”

I nod. “I sure did.”

There’s no need to tell her I spent the last two nights wondering about Christian’s relationship with Katherine and what they were doing while I lay awake on my bed. I told myself that I wouldn’t bother with whatever was going on between them. That’s easier said than done, though. I can’t help wondering if Christian will soon announce that he’s about to marry Katherine. Is he even the marrying type?

No. I shake my head. I will not do this. This is a new day, a new week. I can’t continue torturing myself by thinking about Christian and his women.

“So, how was your weekend?” I ask Clara just to get my mind off my handsome and sexy boss.

Clara is still telling me about her husband’s relatives who came to visit when Christian strolls into the office. Decked in a tailored pinstripe suit that makes him look every inch the successful business tycoon he is, he takes my breath away.

I greet him, but I avoid looking at him. I’m happy he has a lot of meetings today, so I won’t get to see him much and drool over him as usual. However, it might not stop me from thinking about him.

As predicted, two men enter the office and Clara informs Christian of their presence. He summons them into his office. I let out a sigh of relief.

All day, Christian holds meetings with members of his staff and visitors. He goes on a business meeting with some people who flew in from New York. I keep busy, sorting out his mail and schedule and taking his calls.

A few minutes to the close of work, Christian strides back to the office. I can see strains of fatigue on his face as he walks by. I wish I could offer him comfort, but with thoughts of Katherine ringing in my mind, I stifle the urge.

---