“Okay, sounds good.”Is he mad or not? Jesus, waiting for the other shoe to drop is torture. Or is that his plan? Make me feel guilty, so I don’t let him down like that again?
“I thought a video chat would be best since it will be sometime before she sees you in person again.”
Kris licked his lips. “And I’m supposed to tell her what? That I impressed you and you offered me this fabulous job?”
Ishmael inclined his head. ‘Tell her whatever version of that you think she and the rest of your family will accept the easiest. Tell her we’ve become lovers, if you think that is what they need to hear. Or that you were recommended by your boss when I announced the job opening here at the conference.”
Lovers. Christ on a cracker. I’ve only ever dated girls, and then it was so chaste it was pathetic. Okay, so maybe she would believe that I worked out that I’m gay. But am I? His touch feels good, but he scares the ever-loving fuck out of me, no pun intended. Though my cock seemed to like that. Damn it. I’m so fucking confused.
Kris sighed. “I’ll play it by ear.”
Ishmael nodded and motioned towards the sofa. He went into his study and came out with a laptop. Kris watched as he unlocked it with a fingerprint, then a password he couldn’t see as the keyboard was turned away from him. He noted that Ishmael did not store his passwords on his computer. There’d be no way to use that laptop even if he did manage to get hold of it. He let out a soft sigh. Ishmael looked at him sharply.
“Problem?”
“No,” Kris replied. “I was just thinking how much guilt she’s going to lay on me.” That was a complete lie, though the look Ishmael was giving him showed that while he accepted the excuse, he also saw right through it.
Kris’ eyes widened as Ishmael turned the screen towards him and he saw that a Skype call was going through.I don’t have Skype on my phone and I didn’t bring a laptop so how…no, never mind. I probably am better off not knowing the answer to that question.
His mother’s face filled the screen. “Hey, baby, I wasn’t expecting a call today, but I am so happy to see you! How is your trip?”
Kris licked his lips. “It’s good, Mom.”
His mother peered at the screen. “Is that your hotel room? It looks huge.”
“No, I’m…I’m at my new boss’ flat. He lives in a penthouse.”
His mother stilled. “New boss?”
“Yeah, I kinda got headhunted while here. Mr Lux noticed me and after checking me out, offered me a job. I’m not just gonna be management anymore, Mama. I’m his new personal assistant and property management liaison with Triborr.”
Her hand flew to her throat. “Oh my goodness. This is rather sudden, isn’t it? I mean, you only just started with the company, and you got moved up and now this. Are you sure it’s on the up and up?”
“Oh, most definitely, Mom. His lawyer brought me over a contract, and I’ve had to fill in official forms for my visa and everything. I was just lucky. We ran into each other, and I must have impressed him. In fact, we’ve just had dinner together, for business. He suggested I call you before we did anything else since it was weighing on me.”
“A business dinner at his house, with just the two of you?” His mother looked doubtful.
“As a personal assistant, Mom, I’ll be his shadow.”
Ishmael moved himself into view. “Hello. I want to reassure you that the job offer is indeed legitimate. I thought a private dinner where eavesdroppers wouldn’t be prying into my personal business would be best.”
“Oh! Mr Lux!” Kris’ mother looked flustered.
“I can see where he gets his common sense from,” Ishmael said. “I don’t blame you for being concerned. But truly, with his education, work ethic, and personality, he was wasted on a mere desk job.”
“He is a people person and was always so bright.” Irene Jones looked ready to burst with pride.
“He was telling me how upset he was at missing his sister’s dance recital and now with the sudden job change, well, he’s been apprehensive that the family will be angry with him.”
Irene sniffed. “Nonsense. His daddy has had to miss things, too, he knows that. We’ll be disappointed to not see him as soon as we’d like, sure, but we can Skype. I’ll be recording the recital on my phone, too.”
“Excellent,” Ishmael said. “The job requires travel from time to time, so we may end up your way sooner than his allotted paid holiday time.”
“Oh, he’ll love that. He was always gutted we were never stationed abroad.”
How did this go from me calling my mom to her and Ishmael becoming best buddies and talking about me, with me sitting right here?
“Well, he’ll definitely get the opportunity now.”
Irene Jones glanced at the side of the screen that showed her son. “Okay, I hate to dash, but I was about to leave for the Commissary, and you know what that’s like. I’m proud of you, Kris, and your father and sisters will be, too. Talk to you soon! Oh, and I’ll tag you in the video when I post it online.” She blew him a kiss. “It was great meeting you, Mr Lux. I feel so much better knowing you’ll be looking after him.”
“It was lovely meeting you as well.”
“Bye, Mom.” He blinked. She’d already disconnected. Well, that went better than expected, I guess. He had her eating out of his hand. She’s definitely on Team Lux now.
He felt relieved that she wasn’t going to endanger herself by prying, but some part of him wished she’d remained suspicious. There was now no one other Lux and the closest among his highly dedicated team of subordinates who knew the truth as to what was happening to him.
And now it’s crunch time. He’d said we’d talk and I think I know what about.
