Chapter 9
KIMBERLY
I loved running in the morning, even in the freezing Chicago winter.
I didn't really know how I picked up the habit, since I didn't run when I was in Paris.
But after I moved here, as I worked out at the gym one morning, I glanced out the window and thought, I should try this outside.
The next day, I put on my sneakers and hit the ground running—literally.
It was an entirely different feeling to run outside rather than on a treadmill.
So I worked out a schedule where I could incorporate running without it eating into my day—I sprinted on the way to work for thirty minutes at high intensity.
I was a total sweaty mess by the time I reached the hotel.
This wouldn't be possible had I worked anywhere else, but here we had showers in the hotel's gym, and I kept clean clothes at the office.
I always brought a stack of them at the beginning of the week to change into later.
Today, it was particularly freezing, and the tips of my ears felt like they were about to fall off.
I had to upgrade to a beanie, even though I hated feeling wool on my hair.
But my headband wasn't enough, and it kept sliding off while I ran, and even though I repositioned it a couple of times, it still didn't cover the tips of my ears.
I was massaging them vigorously as I came in through the staff entrance in the back.
I went straight up the staircase, liking that I didn't even pass any of the staff offices with this route, as I tried to avoid being seen. It didn’t look terribly professional of me if I arrived all sweaty and out of breath. Luckily, I never ran into anyone.
I stopped in the entryway of the staircase, catching my breath and taking a long swig of water. That's when I realized there were steps echoing behind me.
"Drake."
"Kimberly? I see you like taking the stairs too." He took in my appearance.
I nodded, even more out of breath than before, though for a completely different reason.
It had nothing to do with the cold or my sprint and everything to do with the fact that Drake was tugging at the top button of his shirt.
His coat was on his arm, and he had another wool scarf around his neck. Damn, it looked so, so hot on him.
"You run in the morning?" he asked.
I nodded. "Yes, I sprint from home."
"And you have a change of clothes with you?"
"I've got them in my office. I shower here too."
He looked down my body and then back up slowly. There was no mistaking the heat in his eyes.
"Usually, I don't bump into anyone here. No one likes the stairs."
"Lucky me," he said.
"Oh yeah. You're so lucky to get to see me dripping with sweat and having runner's hair and a case of severely frozen cheeks."
"You look fucking sexy." His voice was almost a growl.
With a shock, I realized he was serious.
My body perked up. My nipples were already peeking through my Spandex shirt and had turned to hard nubs.
Heat gathered between my thighs, and I fought the urge to cross my legs, but my perky nipples were right in his face; he couldn't ignore them.
He swallowed hard, looking at them. A feeling of intense need gathered low in my belly.
"You tempt me, Kimberly. Every second of every day."
"What are you talking about? You barely look at me."
"Because you tempt me so damn much." He stepped closer, taking in a breath.
"To what? What do I tempt you to do?"
"To want you. I need to kiss that sexy mouth, that sweaty skin. To peel off those clothes and explore every part of you. You know what you do to me?"
"No," I whispered.
"You kill me, Kimberly. You test my self-restraint, my honor, my resolutions, every rule I set for myself."
"Good," I murmured, proud that some of my sass was still in my voice. I hadn't turned to mush after all. Yet. "I have no clue what rules you've got for yourself, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like them."
"Kimberly." Another growl. He leaned even closer, putting his left hand over my right shoulder and the right palm over my left shoulder, pressing me against the wall.
"Drake," I replied.
"I don't do this," he said. "Ever."
"What?"
"Give in to my instincts. Follow them."
He threw his coat on the stairs and kissed me the next second. I knew instantly that this kiss was different from any I'd had in my whole life. It was deep and hard and desperate. He explored my mouth as if he needed me right now more than anything else in this world.
And I kissed him right back with the same fervor.
Unable to keep my hands to myself, I reached for him, touching his torso over his shirt.
A jolt shook me while my fingertips explored his muscles; even covered by his shirt, they were impressive.
I moved my hands upward on his chest until I reached the wool scarf.
He hadn't shaved this morning, and his three-day beard felt absolutely delicious against my lips, my chin, and my cheeks.
I moaned against his mouth, and that seemed to snap him out of it.
He pulled back just a fraction of an inch; I could still feel his breath on my cheek.
Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw that his palms were pressing against the wall, his fingers bunched as if he was trying to dig them into concrete.
He was fighting to maintain his control.
I got so aroused at the realization that I didn't know what to do with myself.
"Drake," I whispered.
"You go up first," he said. "I need a few minutes to get my composure."
I nodded. "That sounds smart."
The second he stepped back, it was as if I’d woken up from a dream.
What was I thinking, mauling him like that in the stairwell at work?
He was the general manager who Travis and I had worked very hard to bring into the company.
I knew better than to shit where I ate. Why did I never learn from my mistakes?
He watched me intently. I needed him to break eye contact or I couldn't even move. All I wanted was for him to come close again and kiss me like that once more.
"Kimberly." His voice sounded dangerous, like an animal on the prowl.
"I'm going." I sprinted up the stairs. My palms were burning, as were my lips.
I was breathing hard by the time I reached the showers.
Stepping inside to clean off the sweat, I soaped up, drinking in the smell of mint.
It calmed my senses, which had been on hyperalert.
My entire body was still vibrating, and I knew I wouldn't forget that kiss or all the things he said to me.
But I had to pull myself together. Travis had asked for a general meeting, and I didn't want to be out of sorts.
Damn it, Kimberly, this is exactly what you swore to yourself you wouldn't do again. The workplace is not the place for romance, no matter what your novels might tell you.
I'd made a mess of things last time, and I didn't want to repeat my mistake. This was my family's business, and I didn't want to let anyone down. I wanted to be as professional as could be.
After the shower, I changed into one of the dresses I had and quickly blow-dried my hair. On the way to my office, I couldn't help but keep an eye out for Drake. This was why I didn't want to get involved with someone at work—I didn't want to feel like I was doing something wrong all the time.
I didn't bother taking my laptop, only grabbed a notepad. During meetings, I preferred to take notes by hand. I didn't like having my laptop in front of me.
I was the last one to arrive except for Travis, who came in right after me. I sat down next to Drake, since the only other free seat was the one Travis usually took.
"Okay, everyone, good morning. Thanks for coming in so early. I want us to go over our goals for this quarter," Travis began.
I was acutely aware of Drake sitting next to me. I smelled his aftershave, and I still remembered how his lips felt on mine. I had trouble focusing as Travis led us through the agenda.
Oh, come on, Kimberly. You can do better than this. You have to.
To no avail. One hour later, I only had a few notes.
Reese looked at me from across the table with a stunned expression. I didn't blame her. I usually had pages of notes.
Luckily, I knew Travis had automated software recording and transcribing the meetings, so I could look over that later. I remembered actively contributing to this meeting, but for the life of me, I couldn't recall what I’d said.
As everyone filtered out of the room, I hurried to my office.
"Kimberly," Drake called from behind me. Taking a deep breath, I turned around. We were alone in the corridor.
"Hmm?" I asked noncommittally.
"What did you think about the meeting?" he asked.
"The… oh, right."
"Had trouble focusing?" The corner of his mouth lifted up.
I put my hands on my hips. "Drake!"
"I wasn't about to mock you. I wanted to confess that I had even more trouble than you.”
"Oh."
"Drake," Travis said, coming up to us. I took a step back, smoothing my hands on my dress. "I forgot to ask you something about Aspen. Do you have a few minutes?"
"Sure," he replied, still looking at me. "I was going to my office. Not going to keep you any longer, Kimberly." In a lower voice, he added, "Good luck with your focus for the rest of the day. I know mine is shot to hell."
For the next few days, Drake and I tiptoed around each other.
I was running into him everywhere: in the corridors, the staircase, the elevator, and the meeting room.
I had second thoughts about going to Aspen with him.
But then again, I suspected that the only way to go back to how things were was to get out of my comfort zone and actually work with him, not just spend my day trying to avoid him.
On Friday afternoon, Reese and I were in the coffee corner, enjoying decaf espressos. Sometime after hitting thirty, I realized that drinking regular coffee in the afternoon meant I wouldn't be able to sleep, so my afternoon treat had to be free of most caffeine.
"Looking forward to the trip?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows. I’d told her about the kiss, but assured her nothing else would happen.
"Yes, but I still have to pack. Want to come to my place, help me brainstorm?" I asked.
She nodded eagerly. We loved doing that. Neither of us needed help, but it was as good an excuse as any to get together.
“Pity you can’t get a date for Valentine's,” Reese said just as Drake stepped into the coffee corner. "But maybe you'll get lucky on your dating app once you're back."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Drake stiffen as he pressed the button for a coffee.
"Okay, see you later. I’ve got to finish some things," Reese said, leaving with quick steps.
I was about to follow her when Drake stepped in front of me. "What was that about the app?" he asked.
I cleared my throat, but I wasn't able to meet his eye. "Nothing. She mentioned that I could try it again once I'm back from Aspen.”
"No." He said the word almost in a whisper but sounded determined. Powerful.
"What?"
"No. You won't go on dates with anyone."
I swallowed hard. "Drake!"
“Kimberly!” He pinned me with his gaze, and I lost all my wits when I should have told him to mind his own business. That he didn't own me. But what I wanted was to take him to a dark room and tear off his clothes.
My sister came back. "Hey, I changed my mind. I need you to finalize a proposal for our spring events and things in my office." She laced an arm around mine. "See you later, Drake," she said.
"When's your plane leaving tomorrow?" Reese asked me as we headed out of the room.
"Eight o'clock in the morning."
When I glanced in Drake's direction, he was still fixated on me with those gorgeous green eyes.
God help me.