Page 71 of Sexting Mr. CEO

She leans over, kissing me on the cheek.

“People are wondering who the woman you were referring to is.”

“Then we should tell them.”

“Would you tell the world you’re with me?” She asks hesitantly.

“Of course I would. I’m proud to call you my woman, Sera. You’re beautiful, talented, kind, andtough. That’s what’s impressed me most about all this. You’re so tough.”

“I’ve cried a lot for somebody so tough.”

“You’re still human,” I tell her. “That doesn’t change how impressive you are. I’d happily take you on a thousand dates, let the paparazzi take our pictures, let them see the love in my eyes.”

She gasps, squeezing me tighter.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“Yeah… fine. Are you?”

“I’m great,” I say fiercely. “I’m with you. When we’re together, Sera, everything else is a bonus. Just being with you is enough to make life worth living.”

“We should probably wait until we tell the world who I am.”

“Why? Do you still think there’s a chance you’ll go back to Florida?”

When she doesn’t answer the question, I do my best to hide the pain. Now that I’ve tasted what life with her would be like, waking next to her, and falling asleep with her at my side, I can’t imagine going back to how things were before. We barely survived a few days attempting a long distance relationship.

Soon enough, we’re in the parking garage. She takes my hands, looking up at me. So much has happened that could shake her, but her perfect pale green eyes still shine with hope and affection.

“I just want you to know what you said in the car. I feel it too. With every fiber of my being, Luke. I feel it. I feel us. I want this to work. I need it to work.”

I wrap my arms around her, pulling her in for a hug.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Sera

As I make us some hot cocoa, I think about what he said in the car. First, amazingly enough, he seemed open to the idea of sharing our relationship with the world. I’m not sure why – maybe it’s some old self-esteem issues – but I didn’t think he’d bethatkeen to do it.

He was more than keen. To let the paparazzi see the love in his eyes, he said he would be happy to. His words came out so naturally, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. After yet another bat-shit day, it was like a balm on my soul. I wish I could tell him I’m ready to stay here, ready to begin our lives together, but I can’t shake the feeling I’m being a fool.

We sit together on the couch, in front of his laptop. It’s time for the call with Graham and Ellie.

Both of them have red rimmed eyes, but they’re not crying when they answer the call. Ellie looks despondent with her hands wrapped across her middle as though protectively.

“Thank you for doing this,” Ellie murmurs. “Both of you.”

“Yes,” Graham mutters. “Thank you, Sera. Mr. Cross.”

“So you can sabotage his company, but you can’t call himLuke.” The vitriol explodes out of me. I almost apologize when Graham flinches, but then his eyes turn calculating, and that causes my rage to return. “Graham, if you think we’re recording this, that we’re trying to trap you, then we should just end this here. If we can’t be honest and open, there’s no point to this.”

“Sera is right,” Luke says, taking my hand. “We’ve already proven that the code came from TechGuard. There would be no reason to entrap you.”

“Perhaps the code malfunction was an error, not sabotage.”

“Graham,” Ellie says, glaring at him.

Graham sighs. “I’m sorry. You’re right, Sera. I fucked up. I ruined what we had. Worse, I ruined what you and Ellie had. Mr… Luke, I sabotaged your product. I sabotaged your keynote speech. If you are recording this, send it to the authorities. It’s what I deserve.”

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