Page 19 of Resisting the CEO (Dirty Hot Resistance 2)

The project we’re working on is another acquisition, and Kendall is starting to become invaluable to me. I never thought I would appreciate having a PA, but she’s all over the place, gathering information I didn’t think I’d need, doing research, preparing reports, analyzing finance reports. She does set up appointments for me and still brings me coffee, but her role has altered quite significantly in this month.

“Take tomorrow—Shit!” The bowl in my hand slips and dumps hot pasta all over my shirt.

“Caleb!” Kendall is rushing to her feet.

I raise a hand as I immediately strip off my shirt. “Bring the shirt from my other suit,” I say but she’s already handing it to me.

So busy with changing shirts that I nearly miss the faint blush on her cheeks as she looks away from where I’m now buttoning up my shirt. She hadn’t looked like this when the delivery guy had been talking to her.

Smugness and satisfaction are a heady combination.

As we finish the meal, I notice the quick glances she throws my way when she thinks I’m not looking.

This gives me something to think about!

“You don’t have to drop me home,” Kendall protests. “I could have taken a cab.”

Considering we’re halfway to her place, I consider her argument moot. “It’s two in the morning.” I give her a look that signals that this discussion is over.

A redness settles on her cheeks as she looks away.

A small smirk lingers on my lips on seeing this evidence of attraction that she’s busy trying to stomp out.

Parking in front of her building, I say, “Go on. Text me when you’re inside and then I’ll leave.”

She looks horrified. “I’ll be fine. Just go.”

I give her a mild look. “I’m not moving ‘til I know you’re inside your apartment.”

The disbelief on her face wars with the urge to shake me for being so stubborn but I’m her boss so she steps away reluctantly.

I watch her retreat into the building. It’s only when I get a blunt text ‘in’ that I leave.

As I’m driving away, I see a man watching me from the shadows of the building and then he glances up at where the lights in Kendall’s apartment have flickered on.

I feel unease in the pit of my stomach.

Duke is lounging in the living room watching a game when I walk in.

Tossing my coat over the sofa in the living room, I frown. “Don’t you have a TV in your own apartment?”

A bag of chips in his lap, Duke stuffs his mouth full of them before saying, “Yours has better surround sound.” He looks away from the game long enough to tell me, “There’s pizza in the fridge.”

I loosen my tie and walk over to the large kitchen that has been updated with the latest equipment and take out a large box of pizza from the fridge. Opening it, I frown. “Why the fuck does it have pineapples?”

“I like pineapples,” Duke replies simply, his eyes following the players on the screen.

“And you even ate all the pepperoni.” I make a disgusted sound. “Are you an animal?”

“I’ve been told that by my occasional lady friend.” Duke the looks over his shoulder, leering. “That means I’m good in bed.”

“I know what that means.” I deadpan and carefully take the pineapples off a slice before shoving it into my mouth.

“How’s the little lady? Did you tell her yet?” The game seems to be wrapping up and my oldest friend slides over the couch to position himself in a way so he has me in his line of sight.

“Kendall is…” I chew around the pizza. “She’s more relaxed around me. I don’t want to tell her yet, not until she’s so completely wrapped around that disentangling herself seems next to impossible.”

That gets Duke’s attention. “You want her to fall in love with you?”

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