Page 55 of Boss On Notice
“Umm-hmm,” I say, my head feeling buoyant as I nod. “Date me.”
“That should be fun,” he says to my surprise.
“I think so.”
His lips have moved closer. “But can I kiss you first?”
I nod.
Not a second passes before Orion’s mouth has swept mine up and against his. My body feels like the consistency of jelly as he holds me tightly. My fingers entertain the back of his head. One of his hands slips up my thigh, squeezes my ass, and draws me against his magnificent boner. It’s mind-boggling to know that Orion Lord wants me that much.
“You’re so fucking soft,” he whispers thickly. “But…” His lips abandon mine. His hands release my body. I’m standing here, aching for him, shivering with need. “We’re dating, not fucking.”
CHAPTER19
The Billionaire and Me
DELILAH O’SHAY
It has been two and a half weeks since we revised the nature of our deal. Initially I was to see less of Orion over the weekends but now I’m spending more time with him than ever, to Xena’s disappointment.
“He’s going to end up hurting you,” she said once, and then promised she’ll never say it again. Then my cousin took me by the face. “But never fear, I love you unconditionally. I’ll be here to help you pick up the pieces of your heart that he’s going to shatter and spread over the Hudson where all the other bodies are buried.”
“Eek,” I said, frowning.
“Yeah…eek,” my cousin replied.
So far, Orion has shown no signs that he’s even close to obliterating my heart. At the office, we mostly work on the AI software. When he’s close to me, my skin feels tickles of lust, especially when he leans over my shoulder to look at the computer screen. He knows what his nearness does to me and, knowing him, he gets a charge out of making me horny. Orion is waiting for me to break. But I won’t break. I like our dates too much. I’m afraid of what will happen to us if I start changing the nature of our relationship. But I don’t think I can resist him for long. Also, the fact that I’ve been keeping the matter of waking up wearing a ring after our wild night out together is still vexing me. I should just tell him. I don’t know what’s keeping me from doing it.
“Hey!” Orion says as he bolts into the office.
He’s been out all morning in his secret basement lab.
Hand on my heart, I’m settling down from being startled. “Hi.”
“I’m sorry for startling you, but we have to get going.”
“Get going?”
Orion quirks an eyebrow and smirks slightly. “I’ve been taking every date up a notch, haven’t I?”
Hehastaken every date up a notch. On the night we decided to start this adventure, his driver took us to his penthouse apartment on Billionaires’ Row. It was the first time I’ve ever stepped foot in such a posh living space. Everything was fresh and new. The white ultra-modern decor blew my mind. His place is definitely an extreme bachelor’s pad. I recall thinking that he lived like a man who has no intentions on ever getting married. But Orion had made me filet mignon with mashed potatoes that he peeled, baked, and smashed himself. For dessert we shared a small carton of vanilla ice cream. We talked until the sun came up. I learned more about his relationship with his father. Once a year he takes a trip to spend a week with Christopher Lord. He said his parents divorced at the end of twenty-five years. His parents are distant cousins who married each other to benefit from the Lord family trust. They liked each other, but never loved each other. His father, Chris, wants nothing to do with the money and being forced to marry Marigold has scarred him for life.
I couldn’t believe he shared that with me. I wish I had something on a similar scale to share with him, but I didn’t. The more Orion confessed his regrets and fears, the more normal my existence and family felt.
“That’s why the love of money is indeed the root to all evil,” he had said.
“The love of it,” I replied.
“Yes. To love it.”
We kissed until we were on his floor, rolling around on top of a white faux fur rug. It would’ve been so easy to go all the way. Even after he touched me, got me off, and made me so wet and ready for him, Orion did not cross the line.
We’ve gone to see three Broadway shows. He even introduced me to Lonnie Blaine, the most successful Broadway producer alive. He’s won twenty-one Tony awards in various categories. The man is a star and he also makes stars.
“She’s a great dancer,” Orion said.
I could tell that Blaine didn’t quite take him seriously until Orion revealed that I had to quit my dreams of performing for someone like him to take care of my father. He’s been a demanding boss. I saved his hide on several occasions. If it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t know what to do. After hearing all of that, Lonnie became more interested in me as a person and a performer. He gave me his card and told me to call his number and his assistant will add me to the auditions mailing list.
