5. KAYLA
5
I will never tell him, but I did not expect him to agree to that.
In fact, I was sure he was going to drive me to the nearest hotel, and tell me to come back tomorrow. But now that he agreed, I have a million questions.
Where does he live? Is it a bachelor pad, or is it cozy and warm? Is it tidy and clean? What does he drive?
Suddenly, it’s like I’m getting an exclusive peek of the man behind the body, and I’m getting more giddy about it with each step I trot behind him.
My eyes rake over his athletic physique as I follow him back to the elevator he came out of five minutes ago. His green flannel shirt shows his broad shoulders, making my thighs clench.
It’s the same flannel I’ve seen him in last summer, walking around like a sexy lumberjack. I always thought he looked amazing, but watching him saunter around this office like he owns the place turns me the fuck on.
To be fair, he does own the place, but you wouldn’t know it if you don’t know him. He’s not your typical millionaire boss dressed in a three-piece suit. He looks hot as fuck in his casual wear, even sporting a pair of sneakers.
It surprises me.
For some reason, I thought I was going to see a different Bodi while working at KPI, but if the last few minutes are any indication, he’s exactly the same as when we met.
Deliciously hot.
Irresistible as fuck.
Which is not necessarily a good thing for me, because my mind tells me to back off and treat him like the authority that he now is supposed to be to me, while my body wants to flirt him back between my legs.
He gives me a side-eye before we step into the elevator, standing side by side.
His arms are in front of his body, keeping them to himself, yet I can feel his energy overwhelming me. It’s coming in confusing waves, one second feeling that sexual tension washing over me in overload, while the other feels like he’s regretting offering me a job in the first place.
My mind goes over anything I can say as the silence fills every square inch of the elevator, but any question seems cheesy and when the doors pop open in the building’s garage, he flies out of it like his pants are on fire.
“Well, this is going great,” I mumble before I trail after him, dragging my suitcase behind me.
The chilly air of the garage creates goosebumps on my arms as I follow him toward a red Dodge Charger.
This is his car?
Appreciating the gorgeous car, I nod my head, then shoot him an approving look when he nudges his head for me to get in.
“I thought Jensen was the one appreciating American muscle?” I ask, referring to Jensen’s black Camaro. The sexy as fuck car he won’t let me drive, even though I keep begging him.
Bodi pulls a face, a frown creasing his forehead as he grabs my suitcase from my hand. His fingers brush against mine, and automatically my lip tugs between my teeth when I sense the sweet tingle of our touch.
“If Jensen didn’t know me, he would still be driving German cars.”
Fuck, the more layers I peel back from this man, the more attractive he becomes.
“So, you are actually the one who appreciates the fine American engine and bodywork?”
He licks his lips, his eyes dropping to my mouth before he moves his gaze back up. There is a craving in his eyes that makes my heart beat faster as I do my best to keep a straight face. You know, keeping it strictly professional now that he’s my boss and all.
“Not all,” he explains, and his tone sounds somewhat seductive. “But I recognize a fine American body when I see it.” The double meaning of his words flushes my neck, and I press my teeth into my lip until it hurts, trying to control the ache in my fingers.
All I want to do is run them through his hair while I cover his mouth with mine.
Rae said I’m supposed to keep this professional and now I’m seriously regretting that.
He stares into my eyes, and I hold my breath. “Don’t do that.”
“What?” I push out a breath.
“Bite your lip like that. It makes me wanna kiss you.”
I gasp at his confession, blinking, hoping he will. I want to be reminded of how good it felt. How his tongue felt dancing against mine and how his touch felt like all my nerves came to life under his palm.
At first, I think he’s going to. He will close the distance and crash his mouth against mine, giving in to the undeniable chemistry we still seem to have. God, I hope he will . My vagina is purring at the thought alone.
But then his eyes darken, a rumble erupting from his mouth, and my heart sinks to the floor.
“And our kissing days are over.” The words are firm, cold, leaving no room for discussion. Frankly, the harsh tone they are accompanied with hurts a little, tensing my spine.
Like someone just dropped me in the North Pole with my damn bikini on.
It’s a once in a lifetime experience, but not a fun one.
He turns around, putting my suitcase in the back of his car.
I missed you too, asshole.
I get that the dynamic is different than last summer. That we have to keep things clear and professional , but he doesn’t have to be so fucking rude about it.
Pissed, I fold my arms in front of my body, a scowl written on my face.
“Ouch,” I say, popping my hip, though there’s more bite to my tone than disappointment as I put on my armor.
I’ve heard enough insults for a lifetime over the past year, and I’m not going to give him the chance to make me feel like shit.
He pulls the door of the driver’s side open, giving me a straight face.
“What, Kayla? You want a job. I got you a job. I’m your boss now. We had fun. But we’re nothing more than a nice memory. You know that, right?”
His painful expression makes me believe he has a harder time with his own words than I do, but fine. He wants to play it like this? He’s got it. But I’m not going to let any man treat me like dirt anymore.
My sarcastic chuckle echoes through the garage as I drag my feet to the passenger side, averting my gaze. “Yeah, I know, Mr. McKay . Doesn’t mean you have to act like a dick, though.”
***
You can imagine the drive to his house being painfully awkward as we both just sit in silence. I watch the city pass by, still feeling pissed as fuck, while he just keeps his eyes focused on the road. The tension is excruciating, thick enough to suffocate someone. I vote for him.
Part of me wants to smack him. To take back control and tell him to treat me better than that. But self doubt holds me back, feeding me the lies that have been living rent free in my brain for months if they weren’t shouted at my face by a lesser man.
‘You’re so stupid.’
‘Did you really think I wasn’t going to fuck any one else?’
‘You’re nothing without me, you ungrateful bitch.’
‘How dare you talk back to me?’
Before I know it I’m spiraling down, vigorously swallowing the lump in my throat away to hide it from the man beside me, making this the worst car ride I’ve ever experienced.
After ten minutes, he pulls his car into another underground garage.
I let out all my pent up emotions in a deep sigh, doing my best to relax my muscles when he parks the car next to the elevator.
Maybe I should just take my chances on my own and go.
As much as it feels like a dream to be working for a publishing company without any credentials, I don’t want to be a burden either. And that’s exactly how I feel, like I’m nothing more than a bug on his shoe.
It’s bad enough that Rae clearly had to beg him to give me a job, though I’m suspicious she did it as much for herself as for me. But it sucks more that the person in question doesn’t want you there. To feel unwanted. I felt like that for such a long time, I can’t take it anymore. I left Stanford for a reason. I can’t go back to that.
To that feeling.
And don’t forget that I slept with my new boss once upon a time. Imagine how the rest of the office will respond to that if they ever find out. I’m sure making friends will become a lot harder.
“Look,” he kills the engine, then turns his body toward me, giving me an apologetic look. “Maybe that was a bit harsh.”
I study his face, taking in the smooth skin on his jaw. A dusting of stubble is coming through, tempting me to run my thumb over it when his mouth relaxes to a somewhat more friendly looking position.
He’s not him .
“It was,” I confirm, holding up my chin.
I might not have the courage to stick up for myself, but I’m not going to pretend it wasn’t a dick-ish move.
“ But ,” he continues in a slight growl, “I do mean it. We have to keep this professional. I’m sure you and I are already getting some backlash for the fact that you’re not qualified. Let alone if anyone finds out we slept together. There will be no flirting. Do you understand?”
I roll my eyes, annoyed he’s talking to me like I just jumped him like a poodle in heat. If anything he’s just as guilty after the triple eye fuck he’s been giving me.
He still wants me just as much as the first time we met and it gives me just that little boost to push back.
“I might have been going after your dick last summer, but in my defense, I was going through a break-up, and you crashed Rae’s birthday.”
“Technically, she took us there.”
“Whatever.” I roll my eyes, then lock my gaze with his, giving him a serious look, my confidence somewhat resurfacing. “I’m here for the job, Bodi. Not to give you blow jobs.” I pause with a smirk, pretty content with my comeback.
He gives me a what-the-fuck-look in response, though I swear I can see a smile hiding in the corner of his kissable lips. “Unless you want me to,” I add playfully, with a shrug.
“Kayla!” he barks.
“I’m kidding!” I break out into laughter, loving how easily I can get him all riled up. My insecurity is being pushed back now that the ice is broken, replacing it with a comfortable feeling I remember all too well.
Last summer, Trent and I broke up, and when I found myself in Bodi’s arms for the night, I realized I never felt safe with Trent the way I did with a man I knew for just a couple of hours. It changed the way I looked at Trent, and quickly I came to the conclusion Trent wasn’t all that great.
Peering into his bewildered eyes as he stares back with both shock and amazement, I’m reminded once again how different Bodi is.
He exhales loudly, briefly focusing on the wheel before he slowly turns back to me, and a small smirk greets me.
“You’re gonna get me in trouble, aren’t you?”
“I sure hope so, mate ,” I say with a wink and my best Australian accent.
Because having Bodi as my boss sounds like the worst idea ever, but getting in trouble with the boss sounds like a fantasy come true.