Page 43 of His Temptation
She nods her head in understanding, but it still feels like we’re both ignoring something that’s burning under the surface. Something that, if we’re not careful, will set our entire worlds ablaze.
17
KYLIE
It’s been a week since we touched each other. Neither one of us has made the first move to continue what started between us.
He’s all I can think about. It’s like my brain has been hijacked by thoughts of him. When I’m reading a book, he’s the hero I picture. When I work, the knowledge of him only being a couple of feet away from me is always at the forefront of my brain. When I’m at home, I think about when I’ll see him next.
I feel like I’ve landed back to being my sixteen-year-old self who had a stupid crush on a boy in my class. I’m sure it’s only because I know what his hands and mouth are capable of. If it wasn’t for that, I bet I would be cursing his name for his demands.
Although he’s been easier to work with lately. He is more polite, even sayingpleaseorthank you.
Ugh, I need to stop it. All this going back and forth in my head is driving me insane.
Okay, I just need to focus on his calendar for this week. He has constant meetings with Roy to go over all the final projections pertaining to the buyout he is considering. He also has a dinner with the board, which he wants to go well, to convince them this buyout is a good idea.
I notice the note I made for myself weeks ago. The board members are bringing their spouses or dates, so I’m supposed to set him up with a date.
The weight in my chest feels suffocating. My hands grip the edge of the desk as I realize what I have to do. It makes my stomach queasy, but I’m not going to let what happened between the two of us stop me from doing my job.
Screw him for having this stupid rule that he needs to bring a date to one of these damn dinners. It’s like we’re inPretty Woman, where all the rich assholes need to have a beautiful woman on their arm as an ego boost. You’d think the zeros in their bank accounts were enough of a boost.
I knock lightly on his door, hoping he’s busy, but unfortunately, he waves me right in.
“Kylie,” he says as his eyes linger on my body for a second too long. “What can I do for you?”
“I just need to know who you want me to invite to be your date for your dinner with the board on Wednesday.”
I stand tall and proud, so he knows I’m not bothered at all about this.
Nope! Not at all. I, Kylie Ricci, couldn’t care less if he goes on a date. I don’t care if he takes the skank home and has dirty, filthy sex with her. I don’t care if he?—
“Why don’t you come with me?” he says as he leans back in his chair with a weird look on his face.
“I’m sorry? Did you just ask me to be your date?” I reply.
He tilts his head slightly to the side, as if debating whether or not my question is rhetorical. “I did.” He stands up and walks toward me casually, all while my heart begins to race. “Do you have a problem with that? Or would you prefer I bring a date?”
I watch him as he takes the last step into my space. I try to look into his eyes, but the intensity of the contact forces me to look down at the ground.
His finger rests under my chin and tugs my head up. “Well?”
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly feeling dry. “What would we say to the board? Are you worried about bringing your assistant as a date?”
He smiles his maddening, knowing smile. “I won’t announce you as an actual date. I will introduce you as my assistant. But it would be a good opportunity for you to see how these negotiations work.”
“Um, I could do that,” I reply as I pull on my skirt.
He studies me. “You don’t want to accompany me?”
“No, I don’t mean it like that. I guess … I’m just nervous. What if they don’t like me? What if their dates think I’m using you?”
His face is unreadable. I don’t know what he’s thinking right now.
“It was just an idea. If you want me to bring a date, I could?—”
“No!” I straighten my back, trying to compose myself even though he’s smirking at me right now. “I mean, no, I can do it. It was just a surprise—that’s all.”
