Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Kinsley
Everything was happening so fast that I didn’t have time to think about anything else, and for that, I was grateful.
Excitement overtook me because I had an appointment after work to look at a furnished apartment that was for rent in Santa Monica, right across from the water.
The monthly rent wasn’t listed, and from what I could tell by the pictures online, it looked nice.
When I asked Mrs. Graham how much she was charging, she told me to come and look at the apartment first, and then we’d discuss the rent, which I found a little odd.
I prayed that I liked it as much in person and that it was in my price range because all I wanted was a permanent place to call home.
I was sitting at my desk when Chase walked over.
“Hello there, Kinsley.” He grinned as he planted himself on the edge of the desk.
“Hi. Can I help you with something?”
“Oh, darling, you can help me with a lot of things.” His grin widened. “But, anyway, is he in there?” he asked as he pointed to the office door.
“No. He’s in a meeting right now.”
“Hmm. Okay. I’ll have to catch him later. I wanted to ask you if you would like to have dinner with me tonight. I want to welcome you to Calloway Tech personally.”
My brow arched as I stared into his blue eyes.
“No, thank you. I have plans.” I lightly smiled.
Chase cleared his throat as he stood up.
“Oh. Of course, you do. A beautiful woman like yourself wouldn’t be sitting home alone.” I caught him looking at my left hand. “I’m sure you and your boyfriend already have dinner plans.”
I knew exactly what he was trying to find out, and if I didn’t let him know that I was onto him, he’d probably think I was stupid.
“No.” I shook my head.
“No what?”
“My boyfriend and I don’t have dinner plans.”
“Well, then, you must have other plans with him.”
“No.” I smirked.
“No, you don’t have any plans with him?”
“No. I have plans with myself. I don’t have a boyfriend, Mr. Calloway.”
“I see. Well, I can honestly say that I’m shocked. You’re too beautiful not to be seeing someone.”
“Thank you for the compliment. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.” The corners of his mouth curved up into a smile. “By the way, call me Chase. Mr. Calloway reminds me too much of my father.” He sighed.
Just as Chase was about to say another word, his father walked up behind him and placed his hand on his shoulder.
“What are you doing, Chase?”
“Actually, Dad, I was looking for you.”
“I’m here, so come into my office,” he spoke.
“We’ll talk soon.” Chase winked as he followed his father inside his office and shut the door.
I let out a breath. He definitely was the sexiest man I’d ever laid eyes on.
But, despite his six-foot-two stature, obviously fit body, short hair that sported a messy textured top like a piece of art, electrifying blue eyes, chiseled cheekbones, and a strong masculine jawline that held the perfect amount of stubble across it, I wasn’t interested.
And even though he looked like he just stepped right out of a GQ magazine, I couldn’t be interested.
Okay, I lied. I could be if I let myself.
He was a freaking Adonis and incredibly sexy.
Still, I hated men at the moment, and I didn’t need any distractions in my life, especially when I was starting over and reinventing myself.
Plus, he was a playboy, a charmer, a seducer, and a one-night-stand kind of man who left a path of shattered hearts and souls wherever he went. That much, I could tell.
Chase opened the door and walked out of his father’s office, giving me a wink and a smile as he passed by my desk.
“Kinsley, can you come in here and shut the door?” Mr. Calloway asked.
“Yes, Mr. Calloway?”
“Have a seat, please.” He motioned for me to sit down. “I know my son can come on pretty strong.”
“It’s fine, Mr. Calloway. I’m not bothered by it.”
“Listen. You seem like a really sweet girl, and I don’t want to see you get hurt. So, it would be in your best interest not to entertain Chase.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t go out with him, and for God's sakes, don’t sleep with him.”
I couldn’t help but let out a light laugh.
“I’m assuming he does this thing quite often.”
“More than you want to know.”
“Thank you for the warning, Mr. Calloway, but you don’t have to worry. I’m so anti-men, I didn’t even give your son a second look.”
“Oh. So, you’re a lesbian?”
“No. I’m not a lesbian.” I smiled. “Let’s just say I moved here to reinvent myself and start my life over. I’m not going to let any man distract me from that. I already made that mistake once, and it will be a cold day in hell before I let it happen again.”
The corners of his mouth curved up in a cunning smile.
“I get the impression you’re a very independent and strong woman. Good for you. May I ask why you’re working for a temp agency?”
“I just moved here three days ago from Indiana. It was a spur-of-the-moment move, and the agency called me quickly, so I had to take it for now.”
“Well, you have a good head on your shoulders, and I’m lucky the agency sent you over to Calloway Tech.”
“Thank you, Mr. Calloway.”
“You’re welcome, Kinsley. Can you please call the florist and send my fiancée, Penelope, a dozen red roses? We had a little argument this morning.” He smirked.
“Of course. I’ll do it now.” I smiled as I left his office.