“Oh, dear heavens.” I whispered, and I felt myself quiver at the way he said that.
“Hurry up. I’ll see you soon. I want to have my fiance’s pussy for lunch.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I mumbled and flipped my head around, scanning the room to make sure that no one else heard our conversation.
“You heard me.” He hummed a moment and said, “One day, I’ll lay you out over my desk here, have a full course meal, then fuck that beautiful ass as you moan my name for the whole building to hear.”
I took a shuddering breath and said, “I’ll hold you to that, but for now, I do have to find a way to get my wits back so I can finish this meeting. I’ll see you soon.”
His throaty chuckle came through as he said, a little too heated, “I love you.”
“Love you too, Rye.” I said, as the call disconnected. I fisted my hands and took a couple deep breaths. I knew my cheeks were more than a few too many shades of red at the moment.
I was just thinking I might have my wits about me, when Malk came over and I handed him his phone. “Please, Malk, professionalism in the future?”
“Of course, Luci. I’m sorry. You made it pretty clear that you wanted to keep your…” He looked down to the ring on my finger and said, “Association with my best friend quiet and separate.”
“As much as possible. I realize that with Rylie being the CEO of Webster Enterprises, and that his best friend is Malcom Henderson…” I looked at him evenly. “Do you have any idea how stupid I feel for not putting that together?”
“Rylie and I can just be two dudes when we go four wheeling. We ignore all the weight of the businesses and just… have fun. It’s nice to have a friend like that.”
I smiled at him. “He’s lucky to have you. After Harper…”
“It was hard on all of us when Harper died. Most of all, Rylie. I wasn’t sure how he was able to make it through, but every time he’d go to California, he’d always come back so much more grounded. More of the man I think he wanted to be.” He looked at me carefully and said, “Now, seeing that rock on your hand. I think that was because of you. I’m happy for you two. If you need anything, let me know.”
“Thanks. Now let’s go over the sketches and see where we can put yours and Rylie’s trade school.” I jerked my head toward the table.
“Professionalism, Ms. Baker.” He jokingly admonished.
Chapter thirteen
WhenIgotbackto the room, Rylie wasn’t there, but when I flopped down on the now made bed. I stretched and yawned a bit too loud, and half wanted to just nap before he got back. Just when I was thinking that would be the best option, my fingers hit paper on one of the pillows. I looked up to find a note.
I got up and looked at the Webster Enterprises stationary, with ‘Sweetheart’ written on the front of it in Rylie’s handwriting. Ripping the envelope open, I read the quick note.
I sighed, grabbed my jacket and purse, and headed downstairs. I walked out, and headed toward the river knowing the Webster Enterprises office building was only a few blocks from the hotel.
I stopped dead in my tracks though when I got a whiff of coffee from the shop on the corner. Okay, coffee first, then Rylie. Priorities had to be met. He was still finishing up, anyway.
When I walked in, I headed straight for the counter, and placed my order. I stood off to the side, and noted the scrolling social media feed on the wall.
I blinked. Over half of them were of Rylie and I arriving at the restaurant last night. The others were various angles of me on his lap and kissing him, us walking out the front doors or of my freak out heading to the car.
“Who is Rylie Allen’s woman?” One post said.
“CEO of Webster Enterprises, steps out with unknown woman for the first time.” Another scrolled by.
Even BMT had their feed saying, “Tech giant was cozy with mysterious woman last night atEmbers Incongnito.”
The news screen flashed, and the anchor said, “The news everyone is talking about this morning. Just who was that woman on the arm of Rylie Allen last night?”
I pulled my hood up over my head, and was half embarrassed and half mad at the reoccurring shot of me sitting on his lap, kissing him.
We had talked about it, joked about it even, but to see it scroll by as if it was the best story of the day… then realization hit me. For the business socialite world, itwasthe news of the day. The new CEO had never been seen with anyone. No flings. No one. We were big news. Rylie Allen, CEO of Webster Enterprises and the unnamed nobody.
I took a deep breath, and just tried to remember it would blow over soon. I looked down and saw the ring on my finger and smiled. The news would lose interest in my nobodiness by tomorrow. Deep breaths, in and out.
“Luci! Grande Espresso Macchiato.” The barista called, and I stepped forward to collect my latte, and when she handed it to me, she froze. Her eyes flicked to the screen, then to me.
