Yeah, I think I can do this.
Chapter 22
Ainsley
My heart is beating out of my chest.
I don’t think I realized just how much I’m invested in this. Not just the presentation, but Ledger’s company.
When he looks at me after a small stumble in his introduction, I do the first thing I can think of and give him a huge smile with a thumbs-up. I’m sure I’ll overthink the fuck out of that later, but right now, I’m desperate for this to go well. He knows I’ll step in whenever he needs me, but I know he can do this. I understand him more now. I understand his anxiety and how it pops up at the most inopportune moments.
He makes a joke, and that out-of-control heartbeat turns into a flutter and draws my mind to what happened last night.
It was ridiculous to think I could attempt to get off in the same damn room as Ledger, only separated by a few feet. What I wasn’t expecting was the mutual show we put on together. It’s by far one of the hottest sexual experiences I’ve ever had, and we didn’t even actually have sex. I think that says a lot about my sex life, honestly.
My mind pings between last night and the phenomenal presentation this surprising man is putting on. Looking around the audience, Ledger enraptures everyone. Turning my attention back to him, his strong and confident voice permeates the surrounding air, making my breath catch in my throat.
The overwhelming feeling of being utterly proud of this man makes pressure pop up behind my eyes. I won’t cry, but this entire morning made me realize how much I like my job, and like working for Ledger. And that’s a scary thought because is this really how I envision my future?
I quickly realize this is something I need to spend some real time thinking about. Which means I need to talk to Larkin sooner rather than later. If anyone can help me gain some clarity, it’s her.
I hear deafening applause and look back up at Ledger, who locks eyes with me. The smile on his face is stunning and infectious as I match it. The sound in the room fades away as we stare at each other. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but all I can think about is how much I really dolikehim. And how much I don’t want to go slow, even if it’s a smart move. Even if it’s what we should be doing.
People start standing and making their way up to the podium to talk to Ledger, and I move off to the side of the room, taking it all in.
I feel proud to be a part of this. To say I contributed to such an overwhelmingly positive response is unlike anything I’ve ever been involved with professionally. The realization is jarring. I knew my finance career wasn’t a feel-good job, but I was good at it. But this? Changing the way people think about landscaping and sustainability, of all things, makes me recognize I don’t want to go back to the stiff, unfeeling job I used to have.
The room eventually clears out, and Ledger slowly makes his way to me on the edge of the room.
“Your presentation was fucking amazing, Ains.” He leans his shoulder on the wall next to me, hands in his pockets.
“Technically, it’s your presentation.” I smirk, deflecting because of the sheer number of emotions running through me.
“Okay, stubborn. It’s our presentation. How about that?” he asks with an easy smile on his face. He looks gorgeous like this—at ease and so comfortable with himself.
“I guess I have to agree, huh, boss?” I tilt my head.
“And now you have to agree to dinner with me tonight.” His tone changes. He sounds slightly unsure of himself, and I both love and hate it. I love that he’s still his shy self, but I want him to feel more comfortable around me. If we are going to make a go of this thing between us, I want to know I’m the one who makes him relaxed, that he doesn’t need to shut any part of himself away.
“I think I can manage dinner.”
“Did you pack anything fancy outside of business clothes?” he asks.
I lift an eyebrow at his question.
“A fancy dinner?”
“We don’t have to if you’d rather do something different,” he says quickly.
“Ledger… I have a dress that I can wear, and I would love to go out for a fancy dinner with you.”
His shoulder sag with relief, and I act on impulse.
Gripping his cheeks in my hands, I whisper against his lips, “You were incredible up there. You completely blew me away.” Then I press my lips against his.
He barely hesitates before I feel his hand gently fall on my hip and take control of the kiss.
In a matter of seconds, the kiss deepens into something highly inappropriate for a landscaping conference. His tongue parts my lips, barely teasing the tip of mine, drawing a moan out of me.
