Page 10 of The Blowout

“So, you really knew it was me?”

“I will admit I knew Gillian had a sister, but I didn’t know much about you.” Ouch. That hurt a bit. “But as soon as you were pulled backstage, I got my security team to look into it.” He takes another tiny step forward. We’re so close now that I can feel the heat of his body, smell his intoxicating male scent. “I wanted you, Kim, from the moment we met. Didn’t you realize that I never once called you by your name?”

“You always called me ‘sunshine.’”

He nods, a tiny grin twisting his lips.

“Umm, I hate to interrupt,” Shelly’s voice cuts in from behind me, her tone filled with far too much joy. “But your twelve thirty is here.” I wave her off, telling her I understand but not wanting to break the moment with Charlie. There were still some things I needed to say.

“I’m sorry that I deceived you. But I was only trying to help my sister.”

“I know. I don’t like it, but I understand the need to protect the ones you love.” His gaze darts over my shoulder. “I’ll let you get back to work, but I’d like to take you out tonight.”

“Like a date?”

“Yes, like a date.”

Warmth blooms in my chest and it takes everything in me not to break out into dance I’m so happy. I do rock up and down on the balls of my feet. Needing the movement to get some of my energetic excitement out.

“Well, you did bid on me…so, yes. Yeah, that sounds fun. I, umm, work until three today.”

“Then I’ll be at your place at five if that works.” I nod, not able to speak around the fluttering of my heart. “I’ll see you then, sunshine,” he says, seconds before his soft lips brush my forehead. With a final ruffle of his hand down my hair, he turns to leave. I watch him go, eyeing one of my favorite parts of him before he disappears through the front door.

“Holy hell, girl. That is one fine man.” Shelly saunters up beside me. “Now, tell me everything while you do Mrs. Cartwright’s hair.”

I snort at my friend. Of course she wants the gossip. And right now, I’m in such a great mood, I’ll happily give it to her.

Chapter Six

Charles

I’m anxious.Having Kim out of my sight, even for a few short hours, is torture. I gave up pretending I was calm and cool hours ago. For the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t have a handle on my emotions. I wasn’t just thinking about me and the company anymore. How I could work harder or extend my hours late into the night. No, I was thinking about her. Wondering if she got enough sleep last night, hoping she ate something after I left.

Wanting to give her some space, I’d opted not have a member of my security team watch her for the rest of the day. Kim didn’t understand the reach of my influence in the city yet, but she would in time. I wanted her to be part of my life so I would eventually tell her everything. Just not all at once.

If I did have someone guarding her today, I would have already texted them a dozen times asking for updates. Demanding pictures so I could make sure she was okay. Get my hourly fix of her stunning smile. I thought of her that much.

I was a fool for waiting a day to find her. But when I found out why Gillian had asked her sister to step in for her and connected with my cofounder, Flynn, to make sure he had the situation handled, time had slipped away from me. I knew a text or a call wouldn’t be enough to convince her and make her understand what that night meant to me. That I knew who she was from the very beginning. I had to see her. Watch her reaction and feel her close to me. Showing up at the salon had been my only option. Neutral territory where I knew she’d feel safe. Sure, I may have made a fool of myself, showing up out of the blue and admitting how I felt, but I didn’t care. I would do anything for Kim.

When the clock on the car dashboard finally reads 5:01, I reach for the handle. I’ve been sitting here for over thirty minutes, trying to control my excitement to see her, hold her. Kiss her. Damn but I miss the feel of her lips.

I’m sure my driver thinks I’ve lost my mind. And maybe I have. I’m acting out of character but I’ve never felt better. It’s her. It’s all Kim’s doing. She makes me feel like a new man. Dashing up two flights of stairs and then speed walking down the narrow hallway, I arrive at Kim’s apartment door slightly out of breath. Fixing my tie, I take a deep breath then knock on her door.

Nothing. No sound. No movement.

I knock again. This time longer and louder than before.

Still nothing. What the hell?

“Oh my God,” a strained voice huffs from behind me. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

Kim.

I turn fully toward her, my arms opening automatically to pull her close. She hugs me back, no hesitation.

“Are you okay?” I ask, concern lacing my voice as I trail my hands down her hair to her shoulders. She’s not crying but her body is shaking with something.

“I’m fine,” she says again, pulling back. Her cheeks are flushed and her eyes are shining up at me. “I got held up at work. Since you left the salon this afternoon things took a nosedive for the worst.”

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