Chapter 13 #2
“Fine,” Cora says. “Everyone have a seat. I’m going to pass out the files equally so we can go through them and make notes.”
“Sounds good to me.” My phone beeps, and I see I have a text message from Jack.
I look at it, and all I can do is smile.
It had been fun pretending to be Jack’s girlfriend, but I’m trying to put the memory behind me.
I knew it the evening had just been an act, and while it had been fun, it wasn’t like our relationship was going anywhere.
He was still my enemy, and I was going to keep it that way. My phone beeps again.
Come to my office.
I stare at the screen in surprise. I have no idea what he wants.
“Hey, guys, Mr. Heathcliff wants to see me,” I say nervously. “You guys didn’t do anything again, did you?”
“No,” Cora says. “I swear I didn’t send any more emails. I went home, told my husband I wasn’t touching the computer or my phone. We got burgers, then went to the movies, and we—”
“It’s okay, Cora,” I say. “I don’t need a rundown of everything you did. I just want to make sure Jack’s not going to be asking me any questions I don’t know anything about.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Marina says. “All I’ve been doing is practicing for my role.” She sings loudly. “Petrolia, the new bed is ready to be—”
Xander rolls his eyes. “And it wasn’t me,” Xander says. “I had a hot-ass date this weekend. And when I say hot, I mean hot. The hottest man you have ever seen in your life. Take the hottest man you’ve ever seen and multiply it by two.”
“Wow. How did it go?” Marina asks as she stops singing.
“Not well. Apparently he didn’t like the fact that I used AI to make my photograph a little bit better.
” Xander tilts his head. “I mean, I posted a topless photo, and in it I had a six-pack. And yes, it’s true, I don’t have a six-pack yet, but that doesn’t mean I never will.
I told him everyone uses AI, and he was like, ‘I don’t use AI.
’ I was like, ‘But how was I supposed to know that?’ Anyway, the date didn’t go so well, so I took myself to Atlantic City and did a little gambling. ”
“So you had a hot date, or you didn’t have a hot date?” I ask, confused.
“I mean, it was a hot date. It just didn’t last very long.”
“Right.” Sometimes I wonder if my workmates are real people or part of a simulation trying to drive me crazy.
“Anyway, I was crying over the fact that I let this man slip out of my fingers. So, I certainly wasn’t sending anything to Jack Heathcliff.”
“Okay, good. I’ll be back, guys.”
“Good luck. I really, really hope he’s not going to ask you about the PowerPoint again,” Cora sounds nervous.
“Don’t worry. I’ve taken care of that already.
” I hurry out of the office before: Marina starts singing again, Xander starts talking about his date again, or Cora starts moaning about the PowerPoint.
I head toward the elevator, my heart racing.
I wonder what he wants. I wonder if he’s going to ask me to be his fake girlfriend again.
I know if he does, I’ll say yes—even though I should say no.
I get off on his floor and head to his office.
His secretary isn’t there, so I walk inside.
“Hi,” I say. “You messaged me.” I hold my phone up, and he ushers me inside. I try not to gawk at how hot he looks.
“Hey,” he grins as he stands. “Close the door behind you.”
I raise a single eyebrow as I do what he asks. What is going on? My heart races as he steps toward me. He’s so tall, so dark, so handsome. I can see the tattoos on his wrist. He’s such a bad boy, and I hate and love him for it.
“What’s going on?”
“I just wanted to see how things were going.”
“Things are going fine. I just got to the office.”
“Did you see I got you a hotel project?”
“Yeah. That was your doing, huh?”
He grins. “You came to work for me so you could learn more about hotels. There are a number of different hotels we’ve got our eye on, and I’m interested in seeing your feedback.”
“My feedback as well as Cora, Marina, and Xanders.”
“Honestly, I couldn’t care less what they think,” he says. “I want your feedback. Look through the folders. Tell me your recommendations. Tell me which one you would invest in.”
“Okay, I can do that.”
“I will say there’s one that I already have my eye on.”
“Are you going to tell me which one, or is it a secret?”
“It’s a hotel in Coconut Beach. Have you heard of it?”
“Coconut Beach? No. Where’s that?”
“It’s a private island off the coast of Florida. It’s a very exclusive resort, and they need a buyer soon. I’m about to make an offer, so if you can get me your feedback promptly”
“Just on Coconut Beach, or on all of them?”
“On all of them,” he grins. “I want to know your thoughts on all of the projects.”
“Okay. Sounds good. Was there anything else?” I stare into his blue eyes, my stomach flipping at the way he’s staring at my lips.
He licks his lips teasingly. “I just wanted to thank you again for this weekend.”
“No need. It was my pleasure… ish. Have you heard from Raquel since that night?”
“We both know I’m never going to hear from her again.”
“And that’s what you wanted, right?”
“That’s what I wanted.” He takes a step forward. “I mean, among other things.”
“Oh yeah? Like what?”
“Perhaps there’s someone I do want.”
“Well… do I know this person?”
“I think you know her very well.”
“Cool. Brielle?”
He bursts out laughing. “No and not Willow either. What would Sebastian say?” He steps closer, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me in.
I gasp as his lips press gently against mine.
“What are you doing?” I was startled, but excited.
“Giving you a kiss.”
“I know, but why?”
“Because from the moment you walked into this office, I wanted to feel your lips.”
“Well, maybe I don’t want you to feel my lips.”
“That’s not the feeling I’m getting.”
“Oh yeah? What’s the feeling you’re getting?”
“That you want to feel my lips on your lips and in many other places.”
“Really?”
“I guess you can’t trust your feelings then...Zac.” I step back from him.
“What did you just say to me?” He drops his hand and steps back, fury crossing his face.
“Oh my gosh, I’m sorry. I meant Jack,” I say, giggling.
His eyes narrow. “Are you trying to stir the pot?”
“Stir the pot? No.” I’m confused.
“Have you been in contact with my brother, perchance?”
“Why would I be in contact with Zac? I can’t stand him just as much as I can’t stand you.”
“I think you like me a little bit more than you like him.”
“Then I think you’re wrong. This is a job to me, Jack.”
“Sure it is. You’re that good of an actress. So do you want to go to dinner tonight?”
I stare at him like he’s crazy. “Why would I want to go to dinner with you?”
“Maybe because you like to eat, and I like to eat, and maybe we could enjoy eating together.”
“No thanks,” I say, glancing at my watch. “Was that all?”
He lets out a low growl. “That’s all.”
“Great. I’m going to get to work and do some research on these hotels.”
I turn to the door, unlock it, and open it. “Have a good day, Jack and enjoy your dinner, wherever you go.”
“I will.”
I look back and I see that he’s glaring at me.
I offer him my brightest, widest smile and give a little wave.
“Toodleloo,” I say, laughing. He growls in response, which makes me laugh even louder.
I hurry away before he can grab me and pull me back into the office because if he lifts me up or kisses me, I don’t know what I’m going to do.
I would never tell him the truth, but I want him badly.
My face is hot as I step into the elevator. I rub my forehead.
I’d been so tempted to accept his offer. So tempted to kiss him. I was still madly attracted to him, but there was no point in allowing myself to succumb to that attraction.
Where was it going to take me?
Nowhere.
Nowhere but the gates of hell—because Jack Heathcliff was bad news.
And the more I reminded myself of that, the better off I was going to be.
My phone beeps as I step into the elevator. It’s Jack.
Jack: Liar.
Katherine: What am I lying about?
Jack: You know?
Katherine: I really don’t.
Jack: Uh huh.
Katherine: Is this about the kiss?
Jack: :)
Katherine: Jack, really?
Jack: You tell me.
Katherine: I’m guessing so.
Jack: So you’re saying you feel nothing when you’re around me?
Katherine: I feel cold.
Jack: I can make you warm. Or hot. Or wet.
Katherine: No thanks!
Jack: Honestly?
Katherine: Okay, you’ve made me wet once.
Jack: Aha! Just once?
Katherine: Yes.
Jack: Wetter than Niagara falls.
Katherine: Really?
Jack: I like both of your lips.
Katherine: No comment.
Jack: I like kissing you.
Katherine: Maybe one day you’ll be lucky enough to get another kiss.
Jack: Is that a promise?
Katherine: :)
Jack: You little tease.
I stare at the texts and groan. I’m playing with fire. I know it. He knows it. And yet, I don’t think I can stop.