Page 88 of Tender Offer
KD’s sigh comes with a look that says she doesn’t give a shit regardless. Her office chair creaks when she moves from behind her desk to sit on its glass surface. She shifts her weight and crosses her legs, inching the slit of her black pencil skirt further up her thigh. Her palms rest behind her to prop herself up, and her breasts are crushed to the deep V of her silk shirt.
“I’m sorry,” she says to a spot on my tie. Chestnut eyes take a slow drag up my suit. “We’ve been at this for a week straight. Why don’t we take a break?”
Her expectant look is one I know well. Months ago, I’d have lost myself in her soft flesh. Hope sparks desire in her gaze, parting her long, toned legs.
My cue to leave.
“Where are you going?” She frowns when I pull my coat over my suit.
“Home to Madison.”
“Madison.”
“Yes, my lady,” I reiterate. The few hours I get to spend with her before I’m back out the door aren’t enough. I check my phone and curse—it’s in airplane mode again. Odd.
Thinking of you, Puff. Can’t wait to see you.
“So that’s it?” I glance up from the emails and messages flooding my screen to KD’s glower. Her arms are crossed over her chest.
“That’s what?” My brows dip at her question and the flare in her tone. “We’ve been here for hours. I’m going home.”
“Home,” she scoffs, trying on the word before she spits it back out.
“Yes, home,” I repeat.
“And our arrangement?”
“KD,” I call for my lifelong friend. “We spoke about this; we knew what it was. Casual. Nonexclusive. No feelings.”
“Except your feelingsareinvolved with someone else.” She wipes away a stray tear.
“Madison is the love of my life. I lost her once, and I’ll never put myself in a position to lose her again,” I say. “You need to respect her and our relationship.”
“You can’t trust her,” she states, matter-of-fact. “She lied to you once. She already broke your heart.”
“And that gives you the right to act like a child?”
“I was protecting my friend.”
“You were protecting dick you no longer have access to,” I say. “Don’t bullshit me with your fake concern. A friend would have spoken to me about her fears. Not do what you did.”
I didn’t want to believe that KD, of all people, would go so low as to hire Madison to play games. It’s out of character, but so is her crying. She’s never reacted this way before.
“I care for you. We’ve been like family, but I will not tolerate any disrespect to Madison. She’s not going anywhere, and if problems persist, we’ll need to discuss your time here at the Donnelley Brand.”
“Preston.” KD trembles. Her shoulders slump, and her hands fall to her lap. “How could you say that to me?”
“I’m not trying to hurt you,” I say, my tone soft. “But if you put me in a position to choose, you won’t like the outcome. It’s her, every time.”
Had I known KD would develop feelings, I would’ve cut off our casual arrangement before it started. William always joked she was in love with me. I never believed him because of our mutual aversion to romantic commitments, something we once shared.
It would sting to lose her as a friend and CFO, but I meant what I said.
“I’m heading out,” I say, two steps closer to her office door.
“Stay,” she pleads.
“I’m serious, Bellamy.” I slice open a new wound using her name. “Will this be a problem?”
