“They didn’t mean to be offensive or mocking. It’s alright.”
“It’s not alright,” he counters, not any calmer.
“They all know you get some action. It isn’t some big secret.”
“I don’t give a shit if they know when and where I fuck someone.”
Offended by his crudeness, I pull away from him. “Then what’s the big deal?”
“What’s the big deal? The big deal is it wasyou. They heardyou. They know whatyousound like whenyoucome. They heardyourcries and moans,” he explains, his eyes dark with irritation. I blush crimson at his words and look around to ensure no one’s listening. “I had no clue this hotel had walls so fucking thin, or I would have gagged you,” he bitterly adds.
The thought of him doing that to me has all sorts of shivers running through my body. I press my knees together to muffle the sensations awakening in my core.Shit, we’ll have to try that at some point.
I then curse my gutter-minded brain. There’s a delicate situation that demands my full attention.
“Let it go, Lex. They have no idea it was me,” I insist, bending forward again to rest a hand over his clenched fist. “They think it was some stunning woman worthy of sharing your bed. I’m miles and miles away from their suspicions.”
“It was still you, whether they know it or not.” Although there’s still some annoyance in his tone, he sounds less irritated.
“It was so muffled they could barely hear anything,” I pretend. The guys won’t speak about the matter again, and if a tiny lie can help save the day, I’m willing to do it. “Seriously, you’re the only one who knows the sounds I make when I come.”
It gets his attention, and the last remaining traces of anger disappear from his handsome face. “What about your exes?”
“Now you’re fishing for compliments, and I won’t feed that colossal ego of yours,” I respond, getting up. “I need to go get a few things from my room. Meet you in the hall?” I offer. He nods, pensive. “Also, you’re the boss, and it’s your call, but maybe have a talk with Brian. This trip is too important to let something like this ruin it for everyone.”
He nods again, and I can tell he’s genuinely considering it. Maybe he can be saved after all.
Who knows? With time, his heart might even grow three sizes.
Chapter 24
Despite a rocky start, the day unfolds splendidly. Lex follows my advice and talks with Brian to appease the tension that accumulated during breakfast. We get to enjoy more conferences, discover more companies, and then return to the hotel for the evening.
It’s apparently tradition to participate in the nerdy trivia held in the hotel’s bar, and for the first time ever, there’s an all-Kelex team.
“Oh, wow. You look like a woman,” Brian says when I arrive in the lobby, ready for the evening.
“Sheisa woman, you moron,” Mace defends me with a confused expression.
“I know, but she looks like one right now.”
I get what he means, so I’m not offended. My black dress has a scoop neck and tight sleeves to my elbows. The skirt’s hem goes mid-thigh but is loose enough to not look too audacious. I tried wearing the heels I brought but ended up in my black Chucks. My hair is up with loads of pins, and adding to my winged eyeliner, I have bold red lips.
I feel like a woman. A desirable one, I hope, knowing Lex is joining us for trivia.
“Gentlemen.”Speak of the devil…Startled, I spin toward him. His smoldering eyes scan me from head to toe, which means I succeeded. He quickly regains control of himself and bows his head slightly. “Andrea.”
I nod back, sure my voice will fail me if I talk. Fuck me dead and bury me pregnant. The man is temptation incarnate.
If there’s one thing I like more than Lex wearing a suit, it’s Lex doing itcasually. He’s still wearing his charcoal pants and black shirt, but he ditched the jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and opened another button,revealing a triangle of chest hair. Also, his glasses are poking out of his chest pocket, and if he whips those out during the evening, I’ll lose it.
Before I can get too much into my lust-filled thoughts, the others arrive. Upon seeing me, Oli gives me an appreciative grin. Not wanting to encourage him or let him think this is for him, I give him the slightest smile and focus back on the others.
I’m the first to enter our designated booth to the right. Lex enters via the left, and it’s only when we’re both seated that I realize we’ll be this close the whole evening.
I flash him an alarmed glance, unsure this is a good idea. Either he doesn’t notice, or he doesn’t care because he does nothing about it. Alright, I’ll just have to focus on the questions, the people around us, and my very near colleagues. Anything but Lex.
The trivia organizers hand every team a tablet. Steven takes charge of it, and the evening of fun starts. Our ultimate goal is to beat the Avoss team—the usual winners. Sipping on my beer, I lean back in my seat, amused by how determined to win everyone is. Shortly after, Lex does the same thing and nonchalantly spreads his knees, as if he’s relaxing. It results in our legs touching, which sends a shiver up my body. When I send him a disapproving look, his knowing expression makes it clear it’s on purpose.
