Chapter 21 Tom
TOM
It’s my turn to be quiet on the ride home from Kat’s little outing with Hazel, the information Royce sent me sitting uneasily in my gut. It’s not definitive by any means but it’s still something.
“What do you think of my dress?” she asks shyly, pulling me back to the present.
“Are you fishing for compliments, Kat?” I tease, a smile curving up the corner of my lips.
She seems shocked by the playfulness and hell, I am too, but I don’t regret it especially since this might be the last good memory she has with Hazel if we confirm Hazel is one of the people trolling her online—or worse.
Still too soon.
“I might be,” she concedes, turning in her seat enough to look at me.
“I like it.”
I like you.
I grip the steering wheel harder, the leather thankfully silent as my knuckles on my left hand turn white. My voice is even, my eyes covered by the reflective lenses of my sunglasses.
Cool, calm, and collected.
But on the inside I’m having a visceral reaction to the way she was laughing as she twirled in the dark green dress with the white polka dots. It’s the color of her office, and I have a feeling that’s why she was damn near radiant.
It’s her.
“Thanks.” Blushing, she traces the lines in the denim of her jeans. “I’m sorry for this morning.”
“No apology needed.” When she tries to retort, I shake my head. “You’re allowed to be pissed and unsettled. Your feelings are valid and no, I can’t just up and leave but I can try and make sure that you’re as comfortable as possible while I’m here.”
“You’re a good man, Thomas.”
“Just Tom.”
“I kinda like Thomas.” She grins, the side of her head leaning against the headrest. She’s so beautiful I have to look away. My restraint slipping even a little won’t be good for either of us.
“I’ll go back to calling you Miss Harrington all the time.”
“Might be worth it.”
I grumble and she laughs as we turn into her driveaway. I wish we could keep this lightness going, but I have work to do once we get inside.
“Kat?”
“Hmm?”
“I think you look beautiful in the dress.”
“Oh.” Her long, slender fingers go to her mouth in surprise. “Thank you. That”—her cheeks heat and she lets her hair fall across her face as she dips her head—“that means a lot.”
I don’t respond as I exit the vehicle and make my way around to her side, opening the door before grabbing the garment bag from the back seat.
There are a million reasons I shouldn’t have given her the compliment. Royce’s little bet with Emerson ping-ponging around my brain for starters.
I will not give in.
But I also won’t feel bad or question it, not when Kat’s shoulders are back as she walks in through the garage, a confidence I haven’t seen since I met her starting to filter back into her.
It’s a reminder that she’s not like the CEOs I’ve guarded before.
She’s not weak but she is delicate, and she deserves to have that spark nurtured until it’s once again a raging inferno.
I just hope I’m around to see it when it does.
KAT
The silence is deafening as he stalks across the room toward her. She’s entranced.
Frozen.
And not even the flash of lightning outside the window can distract her from the devilish look in his eyes.
Feral.
Insatiable.
My phone vibrates on the desk next to me, my whole body jolting in my chair while my heart feels at risk of pounding out of my chest.
Dammit!
I felt like I was right there in that darkened hallway, not sitting in my office with my chandelier glowing overhead.
Smoothing down my shirt, I try to compose myself before reaching for the device.
COLT: Are you still mad at me?
Well I wasn’t, but now I’m mad at him for two things.
KAT: I’m still upset
COLT: I know
COLT: But I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if anything happened to you
KAT: I get it—and I appreciate it—BUT there is a man living in my house and he has to go EVERYWHERE WITH ME
KAT: I’ve had to wear a bra every day, Colt
KAT: Do you know how terrible that is?
COLT: I don’t but I can sympathize—and I am sorry
KAT: And you interrupted some VERY hot sex
COLT: That motherfucker better keep his hands to himself
KAT: I’ll have you know he’s very good with his hands
COLT: I’m not paying for you to get laid
COLT: Also I just threw up in my mouth typing that
COLT: Tell me you’re talking fictional sex and that I’m not paying some guy to bang my sister
KAT: You better not have hired “some guy” to be my bodyguard
COLT: ANSWER THE SEX QUESTION
KAT: It’s weird you want details…
COLT: KAT!
KAT: Stop being so dramatic. I was talking about hot FICTIONAL sex
COLT: This entire conversation was unnecessary and now I have to bleach my eyeballs
KAT: You started it and honestly, someone has to be getting laid and it certainly isn’t me
COLT: Again…I didn’t need that information
KAT: Apparently you did…
COLT: At least you’re not mad at me anymore
KAT: You sure about that?
COLT: Come on you can’t be mad at me still
COLT: (gif of cartoon dog making puppy dog eyes)
KAT: Maybe not mad but I’m still pissed
COLT: I’ll take that
KAT: You better and next time you need to loop me into your plan before an entire security team descends on my house
COLT: I promise
COLT: Love you
KAT: Yeah, yeah I love you too
I set my phone down only for it to vibrate a minute later. The groan that escapes is involuntary as I try to think about what Colt could have forgotten.
But it’s not Colt.
It’s Emerson.
EMERSON: I can’t wait for our spa day tomorrow!
KAT: Tomorrow? I have an event but that sounds so fun!
KAT: Maybe we can reschedule?
I don’t want to sound desperate, but I am desperately in need of a spa day.
EMERSON: Oakey didn’t tell you?
KAT: Tell me what…
EMERSON: Oh, this is so good. I love it.
KAT: What are you talking about?
EMERSON: Tom wanted you to have a little pampering before your signing tomorrow
EMERSON: He said you were sad about not being able to get your nails done
EMERSON: So I took the liberty of renting the salon out for hair, nails, and makeup so you will both feel and look gorgeous for all that smiling you’ll be doing
I blink and then blink again, tears clouding my vision as I push back from my desk and stand. My legs are unsteady, and I clip my thigh on the corner of the wood as I try to move toward the door.
KAT: When did he do this?
KAT: When did you do this?
EMERSON: Monday before I came over
EMERSON: Go easy on him. He’s great at his job but he’s terrible at social cues sometimes
EMERSON: OR he wanted to surprise you. Either way I’ll send you all the details for tomorrow
KAT: Thank you for doing this and being a part of it—I’m a little overwhelmed in the best way
EMERSON: Well good because I think you’re stuck with me now xoxo
KAT: Sounds perfect
Wiping my face with the sleeve of my shirt, I rush down the stairs because even though I can’t hide my smile, Thomas Oakden still has a lot of explaining to do.