18. Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Eighteen
The quiet hum of the office fills the space as Evelyn studies me from across her desk.
It only breaks by the soft rustle of papers by the older woman. She folds her hands, raising a skeptical eyebrow.
“You’re sure about this?” she asks. “This isn’t an opportunity that comes around often, Matthew. And quite frankly, you’re a strong contender. As your boss, I’m obligated to tell you to think carefully about this first.”
I nod, my expression calm but resolute. “I’ve never been surer of anything before.
Hailey’s the one you’re looking for, and something tells me you already know that.
She’s got the drive, the discipline, and the fresh perspective the company needs.
She’s been pulling more than her weight, and if anyone’s proven they’re ready for this, it’s her. ”
Evelyn arches a brow, tapping a finger on the desk. “You’d willingly step aside for her? This doesn’t sound like you. What’s the angle?”
I try not to smile. “No angle. And it’s not about stepping aside―it’s about doing what’s best for the company. Hailey’s earned this opportunity, plain and simple. Her work speaks for itself, and I’d hate to see the company overlook her potential because someone else―me―has more influence.”
Evelyn leans back in her chair, her thoughtful gaze settling on me.
“I’ll admit, it’s rare to see someone advocating for a colleague this way.
It speaks to your character, Matthew. I’ll keep your recommendation.
Though I can’t help but wonder if your relationship with Hailey has something to do with this. ”
“It doesn’t,” I say. “We promised you we weren’t going to let it get in the way of our jobs, and we’ve stuck by it.”
Evelyn nods, a smile in her voice. “If you say so.”
“Thank you,” I say as I get to my feet. “One more thing. Can you do me a favor and let her know nothing of this conversation? At least not until the Legacy Sports Summit is over.”
Evelyn’s smile stretches as she briefly nods. “You have my word.”
When I return to the office, my heart feels lighter than it has been in weeks. I spot Hailey across the room, her arms full of paperwork and her face set with its usual look of determination as she dumps them on her desk.
Her desk itself is a storm of color-coded sticky notes, highlighted reports, and scribbled reminders, but she moves through the chaos with laser focus. Her sharp eyes scan them one after the other, her pen darting across the page to mark corrections.
“You’re going to burn a hold through that paper,” I say as I lean against her desk, a lopsided grin on my face. She lifts her head, finally noticing my presence in the room.
She opens her mouth to speak but stops when she notices the cup of coffee in my grasp, steam curling into the air.
A coy smile spreads on her lips as she tilts her head. “Is that for me?”
“I don’t know,” I shrug, leaning forward and caging her with my arms. “Is it?”
She juts a thumb toward the coffee maker behind her. “I mean, you did ruin our coffee machine. So, I’ll be taking this from you, thank you very much.”
I smile, watching as she takes a sip and closes her eyes with a satisfied sigh.
“Oh, that tastes good.”
“I know something that tastes better.”
Her cheeks turn red. “Shut up.”
She’s the cutest thing when she’s blushing from embarrassment. These last few hours have been nothing short of a fever dream.
I wasn’t joking when I told her I loved her last night. I meant it from the deepest part of my soul. It wasn’t planned. It just happened. It’s crazy, but I can confidently say that these last few hours I’ve lived with her being mine have been the happiest I’ve been in so long.
Right after we slept together, she traced circles on my chest as she recounted a few memories of our shared past that I had long forgotten.
I loved the way she felt against me, how her skin felt molded with mine.
I loved the feeling of my fingers in her hair, the sound of her quiet laughter against my chest, the sound of her soft, even breathing when she fell asleep.
Unlike the first time we had sex, I didn’t wake up alone. She was right there with me, snoring softly, her hair sprawled all over the pillows.
She woke up to my lips on her neck. I felt her smile against my neck, her fingers gently running through my hair as I kissed down her stomach. And then we were in the shower, kissing and lathering soap on our skin. And before I knew it, she was on her knees, sucking the life out of my dick.
Now, every time I stare at her, I’m reminded that she’s not just any ordinary woman―not that she has ever been anyway. She’s mine now. My woman.
“Don’t tell me you’re slacking, Matthew,” Hailey says, her eyes narrowing slightly. “The Summit is this weekend. That Brand Director spot isn’t going to win itself.”
I shrug nonchalantly, pleased that I’m not competing with her anymore. “Don’t worry about me. Worry about yourself,” I say, my voice dropping to a murmur as I close the gap between us, my lips brushing against hers. “I’m not planning on going easy on you.”
Despite the shivers that go through her body, her shoulders square, the challenge igniting her focus. She doesn’t pull away. Instead, she leans in, her eyes darting from my eyes to my lips.
“Is that a challenge, Matthew?”
My lips curve into a smirk as my fingers tiptoe toward her chest, tugging at the buttons of her blouse. “When has it never not been a challenge, Hailey?”
“You’re not being very professional right now,” she murmurs, interlacing her fingers with mine on her chest, trailing slowly until they cup the swell of her breast.
I squeeze gently, dragging my thumb across her clothed peaked nipple, and she moans softly. “Neither are you.”
Hailey pulls the collar of my shirt, yanking me forward as she kisses me. Our lips move slowly, deliberately, with a familiar rhythm. She hums against my mouth, the tip of her tongue teasing mine with quick licks.
“Mm,” she sighs, her fingers fumbling with the buttons of my shirt. “Is the door locked?”
But I don’t get to answer that question because a knock resounds in the office. Hailey jerks away from me, our lips separating with a wet smack.
“Oh my god,” she gasps, her lips swollen and red. “I can’t believe I got carried away.” Then she turns to me, cheeks burning and eyes ablaze. “You did this.”
I laugh, blinking in astonishment. “Me?”
The knock comes again, louder this time. Hailey stands to her feet and heads for the door. But then she glances at me, the heat in her cheeks rising as she pushes me to the bathroom.
“What are you doing? Is this some kind of role play?”
“You have a freaking hard-on,” she whispers through gritted teeth as she unlocks the bathroom door and pushes me in.
I grin from ear to ear. “You see what you do to me, baby?”
She slams the door in my face.
***
The cheerful sound of Leo’s favorite cartoon drifts in from Hailey’s living room, starkly contrasting the quiet tension simmering at the dining table.
Jas, Hailey, and I are seated together, eating dinner courtesy of Hailey’s impressive cooking skills. It’s like she’s finding new ways for me to fall deeper for her.
The table is alive with laughter and conversation, but there’s an undercurrent that Jasmine, with her ever-watchful gaze, seems intent on catching.
“We used to call you guys the Fluxxies,” Hailey laughs as she twirls her pasta with a fork. She lifts it, pointing at me. “The beef was intense. When we first heard of the merger, we refused to believe it.”
I snort. “The Fluxxies? That’s a bit disappointing.”
Hailey shrugs, slotting the fork into her mouth. “Not as disappointing as finding out you were the ‘genius’ the rumors were referring to that was competing with me for Brand Director.”
I smile. “Hey. You can’t deny the fact that I am a genius.”
Hailey scoffs, pointing her fork at me again. “Genius is a bit far-fetched. You’re a bit decent. Sometimes.”
My sister chews slowly, her sharp eyes darting between us, suspicion etched in her expression. She must sense something, though she says nothing, letting her gaze do all the questioning.
Hailey, seated beside me, seems blissfully unaware of the silent scrutiny. She smiles at something else I say―laughs in fact, so hard that she covers her mouth. It’s a genuine melody, adding fuel to my resolve.
Underneath the table, my fingers slide stealthily along her thigh, the soft fabric of her dress doing little to hide the warmth of her skin. She stiffens slightly at first, her fork pausing mid-air, but she recovers quickly, keeping her expression neutral as she stabs at another bite of food.
Jasmine’s gaze narrows as she studies her best friend, then me. “You two seem…comfortable,” she remarks, her tone casual but her words loaded with intent.
“Why wouldn’t we be?” I reply smoothly, feigning innocence. “Hailey’s been a part of the family for years now.”
“Right. Part of the family,” Jas says, leaning back in her chair, her suspicion undeterred. “Like she wasn’t a part of the family while you two bickered like cat and mouse.”
Hailey swallows hard, her smile forced as her cheeks flushed. My fingers scrape along her inner thighs, grazing the edge of her panties and she crosses her legs, crushing my hand between her thighs.
I fight back a smirk, enjoying her struggle to keep up appearances.
“We’re not kids anymore, Jas,” I say. “We have every reason to be comfortable around each other now. We’re co-workers and neighbors. We’re even pretending to be engaged.”
“Yeah, I see that,” she says. “Hailey’s wearing the ring even though it’s just us.”
Hailey blushes, glancing at the emerald jewel glinting on her finger. “It’s a force of habit now,” she explains. “Besides, it’s pretty. Doesn’t matter if I wear it when we’re public or private.”
Hailey shifts slightly, her knee brushing against mine as if warning me to stop, but I don’t. Instead, my hand lingers a moment longer before retreating, leaving her breathless and flustered.
“It’s just weird, that’s all,” Jas says.
“You’re overthinking it,” I say confidently. She narrows her eyes at me but decides to let it go for now.
She turns to Hailey with a smile. “So, the Summit’s this weekend, isn’t it? How have preparations been so far?”
That’s enough to pique Hailey’s interest. She leans forward and fills her in.
As the conversation continues, Jasmine’s gaze occasionally flicker from Hailey to me, unwavering. But my confidence stays the same. Let her wonder. Some secrets, after all, are meant to be kept―for now.