Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
KEATON
T his arrangement is getting weirder and weirder by the second.
When we arrive in human resources, Aslan’s personal lawyer is there.
The HR director has to sign an NDA agreement.
They don’t tell me what it’s about, but John Henderson has to keep his mouth shut about something.
All Aslan disclosed is that he made it so it’ll prevent gossip.
He doesn’t care if people learn about us organically.
Once we signed the non-fraternization agreement where we stated that we were in a consensual relationship, we headed to his office—holding hands.
This is precisely where I’m at, waiting for the elevator while trying to claim my hand back, but he doesn't allow it. I’m almost praying that no one is watching us or that I’ve finally developed invisibility powers. It’s not like I’m ashamed of being seen with him or that I hate his touch.
I just don’t want people to get the wrong idea. Also…I’m enjoying his attention too much. What if I just pounce him and we start making out in the middle of the hall because I haven’t had sex in years.
Years.
“Are you okay?” Aslan asks as we board the elevator.
“Never been better.” I press my lips together, trying to snatch my hand from his hold—again—he still doesn't budge.
“You should add ‘not lying’ to our private contract,” he mumbles.
“That’s a strange clause since all we’ll be doing is lying to everyone.”
“Yes, but not between us.”
I glance at him and then at the floor. “Okay.”
“See, you’re doing it right now.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He scoffs. “You’re not okay.”
Who would be okay after signing a document that says I’m dating the company's CEO? Once it’s out in the open, everyone will talk about this sudden relationship.Will they diminish my success in the company by saying I slept with the boss to get ahead?
Newsflash, people, I haven’t even kissed him.
I should go back on my word, but I can’t. It’s the least I could do for Aslan. Plus, I don’t have the money to pay him back. On the bright side, I’ll be gone soon and whatever they say about me won’t affect me.
Since he’s looking at me expectantly, I change the conversation to something more pressing, “Do you need me to sign an NDA too?”
“I trust you won’t be telling everyone that my family should be committed to the looney house.” He smirks. “We still have a few things to polish before this arrangement is finalized.”
What are we finalizing? His crazy challenge that doesn’t make sense at all?
As the elevator is about to arrive on the seventeenth floor, he kisses the back of my hand. “It’s going to be okay,” he says reassuringly.
He doesn’t even know what’s making my eye twitch and my anxiety skyrocket but sure, let’s just say that everything will be fine.
“Good morning, Lulu,” I wave at her as Aslan leads me to his office.
She smiles at me and nods at Aslan. “Mr. Spearman, the breakfast you ordered is in your office. Do you need anything else?”
“No. Lysander might drop by with a change of clothes. Let him in. I’m not available for anyone else.”
“Including your family?” she asks innocently but winks at me.
I guess we’re teasing him about his family. Does she know about our relationship? I should ask her…or maybe not? This day can’t get any weirder.
“My family more than anyone,” Aslan says, closing the office door behind us.
“You’re spoiling me,” I say when I spot a platter of bagels and breakfast sandwiches on top of the coffee table. “Or are you expecting someone?”
“No. I thought it’d be a good idea to finalize our plans while having breakfast.”
What if I run away and never come back? Okay, that’s a terrible plan. “As tempting as it is to stay and eat all that food, I’m not spending my day in your office. I have things to do.”
He smirks. “Are you afraid to be in the same room with me, Keaton?”
Yes?
“Nope. I have things to do.”
“You mentioned something about signing our own contract.”
Like I’m going to agree with his new terms. I don’t plan on falling in love with him. Glancing at him, I can see how that’s going to be hard. That husky voice, his personality, and the whole package is covered by a tall, toned, attractive wrapping. Having a crush is more than enough, isn’t it?
I don’t want to go and jump off the cliff and fall for him.
Is he going to fall in love with me?
Doubtful.
Once he tells me he was wrong and couldn’t fall for me, I’ll be heartbroken.
I refuse to play with my battered heart.
As I figure out a way to get out of his ridiculous challenge, someone slams the door hard. Before either one of us can say anything, the door swings open.
It’s either Gatsby or Lysander. I can’t tell them apart, not because they’re identical but because no one has ever told me which one is which. The three look a lot alike, but there are a few things that differentiate them. I could pick Aslan from the three without having any trouble.
“Knock on the fucking door, Lysander, and wait until someone tells you that you can enter.”
“What’s the fun in that?” Lysander greets his brother, handing him a garment bag. “I included a tie in case you ruined the one you’re wearing.”
Lysander glances at me. “Morning, Sis.”
“Umm, hi?”
He cracks a smile. “You don’t have to pretend with me. I know.”
I frown, then glare at Aslan. “If your family knows, why are we doing this?”
“Only he and Gatsby know.”
“We have like triplet telepathy, or a seventh sense that tells us when one of us is being…stupid,” Lysander explains to me. “We know almost everything about each other. But don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
“Mm-kay.”
He wiggles his eyebrows. “What are you getting in return? If you want a sweeter deal, I could?—”
“Stop!” Aslan growls, putting himself between his brother and me.
He lifts his hands in surrender. “I’m not doing anything.”
“Don’t bullshit me, asshole,” Aslan growls.
“I’m doing her a service. She needs to learn to work under pressure. Mom’s going to be asking for grandchildren before she says hello to her. Does she know that?”
“Grandchildren?” I almost stutter.
“She’ll hint about a wedding. There’s a possibility that she’ll try to talk you into moving to Paradise Bay. She was born and raised there. It’ll be like a dream to see her family grow, just the way our grandparents did.”
I glance at Aslan, hoping he’ll shake his head and tell me his brother is kidding. Nope. He nods.
“She might also get the box of baby clothes out. She saved our clothes so her grandchildren can use them,” his brother continues.
That sounds sweet and horrifying. No wonder Aslan’s trying to give away his fortune.
Lysander continues his cautionary tale. “You have to warn her about us. My last girlfriend fled the country after meeting my family.”
I sigh with relief because I know that the Spearmans don’t do long-term relationships. “You don’t date, just like your brother.”
He arches an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “How do you know?”
“I know more about you than you might think. I have a Ph.D. in Spearman bullshit.”
“The girl has some fire within her. She’s going to be fine,” he says teasingly.
“Leave,” Aslan orders.
“You wanted me here.”
“I needed you to bring me a dry suit, not harass my girlfriend.”
“Aww, they have a title,” he says with a babyish voice.
“Leave now!”
He sighs and looks at me. “You should try to domesticate him. Transform him into a docile kitty.”
“Never. I like to watch people scatter after he growls,” I joke.
“Aww, they’re perfect for each other.”
“Lysander, I’m fucking serious. I need you to leave.”
“You’re no fun. I’m looking forward to seeing you in action, Keaton.” He winks at me before leaving.
“I wish I could say the same.”
“He’s nicer when he’s not bored. I’ll make sure he knows not to mess with you.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“I’ve no doubt, but he has to learn how to behave. So, what happened to our contract?”
Can we go back to discussing your brother?We can come up with a plan to avoid his mom.
“Keaton?”
I might as well deal with this now. If I could only come up with a plan to leave town until Hawaii.
“Well, we agreed on no sex, no long kisses, and no falling in love.”
“Sweetheart, we need to sell this. You can’t just say no to everything. Relationships are about compromise, aren’t they?”
I focus on the easy one. “No one has to know if we’re having sex. Therefore, it’s off the table.”
“I was thinking about the long kisses, but if you want to discuss sex first…” His dark gaze sends tremors through me.
“No sex,” I almost stutter. “I said no physical contact.”
He steps closer, so close, our feet almost touch. “But kisses…” The way his low voice trails off is so sexy, I almost combust. My eyes land on his full lips. I stare at them as if they were a delicacy I’ve never tasted, but I’m almost sure it’s addictive.
I want them.
I want his mouth.
I want his kisses.
A taste of his lips.
Of him.
His scent mixed with mine.
I have to pass if I want to adhere to the no falling in love and no sex rules. “They shouldn’t be required.”
He smirks. “Are you afraid of my mouth, Keaton?”
“N-no…I just don’t find it necessary.”
“We have to practice.” He says it almost the same way he does when he’s trying to lay on a plan to acquire a company or start a new venture. “People will notice if we don’t kiss. We don’t want our first kiss to be in front of my family. They’ll notice.”
“Kissing will be under consideration.”
He crosses his arms. “Are you serious, Keat?”
“Yes. If we need them, we’ll use them.”
He leans close, so close I can feel his soft breath against my face. “So, they’re behind a glass case that says, ‘In case of emergency.’”
I take a step back, clearing my throat. “It doesn’t make sense.”
“Not much about this deal makes sense, Keaton, but almost everything is necessary. Shall we continue?”
I swallow as he looks at me like I’m a meal he’s about to devour. I’m his prey. He’s going to pounce on me any second now, and I…
No sex. No sex. No sex.
Just a little wouldn’t hurt, would it?
He smirks and says, “Don’t forget that you have to add the part where you’re not allowed to fall in love with me.”
I snort. “You need that in writing?”
“Yes, along with the clause that I will be falling in love with you.”
“There are many flaws and plot holes already, why add this foolish challenge? We’re going to lose, and I don’t like losing.”
He puffs out his chest, almost challenging me. “Then, don’t fall in love with me.”
“This is ridiculous.”
He shakes his head. “I beg to differ. You should trust me.”
And I hate that I do trust him but yet, I’m scared. What’s going to happen if the one falling in love is me?
“No. I won’t do it,” I say firmly.