How did I botch this up so badly?I wonder if she would have run from me no matter what I’d said this morning.If I truly freaked her out by telling her she needed to call her parents, too bad.And I mean that.I won’t sneak around, lying to them.If it’s going to be a problem, we need to know that now.Not later.
They live halfway across the country.It’s not like we’re going to run into them at the local coffee shop, and neither of us has a strong social media presence.We’re not going to start posting pictures of us making out in the park.But I won’t hide my feelings.Not from her.Not from her parents.Not from Myles and Madison.Not from the office.
Boy, she’s going to lose her mind when I tell her we need to talk to HR and nip any gossip in the bud.Beckett and I own the company.We have never instated any rules that suggest people cannot date within our ranks.I’m not breaking any code of ethics by entering into a relationship with Kelsey.Being open about it is the best way to quell any potential for whispering.But I won’t do it behind her back.
I close the door and turn to face the pile of clothes we tore off last night in our haste to have sex on the stairs.Ignoring my own clothes, I pick up her dress, bring it to my nose, and inhale her scent.I’m really whipped.What a sap.
Slowly, I make my way back up to my bedroom.This entire situation is a mess.She can’t stay gone forever.She left a lot of things here.Makeup bag.This dress.Heels… Who am I kidding?She could abandon all of them if she really doesn’t want to see me again.
I head for the shower and turn it on.I’m numb.My house is suddenly too quiet.When steam begins to rise out of the enclosure, I enter and stand with my hands against the tile, letting the hot water run down my back.It won’t loosen my tight muscles, but at least it’ll take the edge off my frustration.
Kelsey is mine.I know it deep in my soul.She’s scared.I get that.But I won’t sit back and let her sabotage what we have.I’ll give her today.That’s it.When she comes to work tomorrow, I’ll be laying everything on the table.
Chapter10
Kelsey
I’m exhausted as I make my way into the office on Monday morning.I wasn’t lying when I told Hendrix—Mr.Kennedy—that I had shit to do yesterday.What I needed to accomplish did not happen, however, and now I’m even more stressed.
I haven’t slept.I tossed and turned all night, and I have to face my boss.I take deep breaths in the elevator and square my shoulders when it comes to a stop, grateful that my trip up was alone.I’ve intentionally arrived early so I won’t have to make small talk with anyone in the elevator.In addition, I will arrive before Mr.Kennedy, giving me time to get to my desk, inhale some coffee, and hopefully have my shit together and be deeply involved in work before he arrives.
That’s the plan.
However, when I step out of the elevator, I know immediately that man is already in his office.The door is partially open, and the lights are on.Fuck.
More deep breaths.Head high.
I bypass his office and head straight for mine, knowing there’s no way he hasn’t heard the click of my heels on the tile.When I enter my space, I gasp, startled to find Mr.Kennedy sitting at my desk.
He’s leaning back in my chair, legs stretched out, fingers threaded together on his thighs.So casual.He’s put together like always in a perfectly pressed suit and tie, his hair combed back, but he doesn’t look well-rested.
Suddenly, it occurs to me that he’s going to fire me on the spot.I swallow hard.It was inevitable.How could I possibly continue to work for a man who fucked me in a number of positions on Saturday night?He’s come to his senses and knows he has to let me go.
I won’t let him see me sweat.I refuse to react.I’m a grown woman with a strong resume.Hopefully, he’ll be willing to allow my coworkers from this summer to provide me with good references.If not… Well, I’ll start from scratch.
“You’re here early,” I say softly as I remind myself to keep my head high.My hands are trembling.There’s no way to stop them.
“So are you, Kels.”
I purse my lips.Kels…It sounds so intimate when he says my name like that.His voice is sultry.Isn’t it?
He sits upright and plants his feet on the floor.“Come here, baby.”
My breath hitches as I set my purse on the desk, staying on the opposite side.Is he going to be sweet to me while he fires me?“No, thank you, Sir.I’m fine here.”
“Kelsey Stevens, come here.”He adjusts his jacket.
My heart feels like it will beat out of my chest.I plant my hands on my desk to steady myself.“If you’re going to fire me, just do it.I’ll get my things and go.I would appreciate it if you allowed my coworkers from downstairs to provide me with references, though.”I won’t cower.I’m not mousy.
“Kelsey…” he groans.“I’m not going to fire you.Why would I do that?You’re the best assistant I’ve ever had.”
I don’t even know if that information relaxes me.How the hell am I going to continue working for him?
“Woman, you are so stubborn.”
“I’ve heard worse.”
He chuckles, but the tone isn’t filled with humor.“Did you do any thinking yesterday, Kels?”
