Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
ELENA
After a quick shower to wash off Sam’s energy, I changed into my cotton shorts and a T-shirt with a riddle: I rule the night but can trespass into the day. I make anything possible, but can also fade it away. What am I?
I ambled out into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Today had been an interesting day, to say the least. I’d never experienced so many trials in one day. I’d think about them all later. Right now, I just wanted to...let go. Free my mind.
I glanced over at Orion, who was observing the dandelion plants on my display table. “Do you want some cold dandelion tea?”
“Sure. Why are you growing dandelions?”
He’d asked me this question before, and I had told him my reply depended on how my first day of work went.
As though he sensed my thoughts, he straightened and walked up to me, staring at my shirt. “What’s the answer?”
I looked down at the riddle. “A dream.”
“I like it.” His eyes beamed. “I hope I earned some dandelion wisdom from you.”
I took out two mugs and poured water in. “To be honest, the workday ended badly, but you made up for it by pretending to be my boyfriend at the auction.” I offered a mug to him. “By the way, people are starting rumors about us now. Sorry about that.”
“Don’t apologize for something I did on purpose.” He took the cup, sat down, and sipped the cold drink.
“Aren’t you worried the rumor might tarnish your reputation or piss off your girlfriend?”
Amusement flashed on his face. “I don’t have one.”
I snorted. “I don’t believe you. A man like you probably has a lot. Or do you mean you don’t have anyone serious?”
His expression turned serious. “I don’t have anyone serious or non-serious.”
“Why?”
“Busy working. What about you? Will Octavius Rollins get mad? I searched for him, but I couldn’t find anyone.”
“You looked him up?” I burst out laughing, and he looked at me like I was insane. “I was joking , Orion.” If only he knew I’d used his initials to make up some silly name.
I couldn’t believe it. Part of me felt bad that he’d wasted time doing that. But my heart leaped with joy. He was interested in me. But what was holding him back? I had to find out.
“I’ll get you back for that.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “So Octavius Rollins has my initials. Were you indirectly giving me a sign?”
I twisted my lips, not admitting or denying anything.
He smiled and knew the answer. “Since we’re both single, who cares what the media says?”
Something had been bothering me. “How do you know Chantel?”
“I don’t know her. She showed up today and sat at our table.”
“She likes you.”
“I know.” He sipped tea, but his gaze never wavered from me. “I’m sure she acts like that with every business executive.”
He was right.
“Chantel will probably ask Sabrina to write some crazy story for Hollywood Chitchat.”
Orion shrugged. “It’s what they do. If it gets out of hand, or you’re uncomfortable about it, I’ll stop it.” He placed his hand over mine. “It’s best to pretend you’re my girlfriend, so Sam—or any other men—will think twice about getting near you. Now tell me about dandelion tea. It’s growing on me.”
“Don’t you have other things to do tonight? Surely a rich guy like you has more exciting things to do than sit and drink tea with me. We can catch up tomorrow at work.”
“Stop stalling.” He intertwined his fingers with mine. “Being here with you and talking about strange things is very exciting to me. It’s different from what I’m used to.”
I didn’t know what to say. Warmth simmered in the pit of my stomach. My relationship with him had taken another wild turn. Technically, he was my boss for the duration of my contract, and now he was also my fake boyfriend. The entire situation confused and thrilled me all at once. Anything new carried a fresh and exciting energy. But after a while, that energy fizzled. That was why a lot of relationships failed.
Stop analyzing. It’s supposed to fizzle out. You’re only his fake girlfriend.
I should just enjoy this thing with him while I could.
“Being with you takes me out of my headspace. You may not believe this, but I’m more relaxed when I’m with you.”
The statement surprised me. Here was a man who had all the money in the world to escape to any retreat. He could buy an entire country, and yet he just confessed that being with me was his form of relaxation. What was the appropriate reaction to an admission like that? None of the previous men in my life had ever said anything that touching to me.
“I don’t know what to say to you. You keep surprising me.”
“Likewise, Sunshine.” He stared at me, and I could see his eyes studying my face.
No matter how much I tried to prevent myself from blushing, it happened. He noticed, smiled, and didn’t comment on it.
“You’re like the sunlight that shot through the clouds I’ve been living in. It’s refreshing.”
My heart swelled. “You’re so poetic—I’m surprised you’re not dating.”
“You bring out the poet in me.” His fingers tightened around mine.
I stared at our joined hands and tried to imagine the pressure Orion faced daily. The demanding businesses, the obscene money that required careful management, the people who needed his guidance, the projects that needed approval. I shivered as I imagined his chaotic workload. Where did he have time for himself?
When he’s with you.
I loved knowing I could offer him an escape.
Orion finished his tea, placing the cup on the table. “Thanks for the tea.”
I wrestled my fingers with his, and he responded by overcoming mine with his powerful fingers.
A finger war ensued that brought out laughter from both of us. “I’ll destroy you!” I said in my most villainous voice.
“Doesn’t look like it when your thumb is being crushed by my pinky.”
“Shut up.” I laughed.
I lifted our joined hands and secured my elbow to the table, preparing for a different battle. “Arm wrestle me.”
Amusement beamed on his face. “You’re going to lose.”
That wasn’t my goal, but he didn’t need to know that.
“We’ll see about that, Slingshot.”
The nickname suited him. He’d come into my life at the most unexpected time, saving me in more ways than one.
“One, two, three, go!” I pulled his hand down with all my might. But he resisted, and his powerful forearm dragged my arm down, down, and down. I couldn’t resist his strength, nor could I resist the charming smile of a man who had just won something extraordinary. I was finally beginning to understand this complicated man. Something in me softened for him even more.
Returning my attention back to arm wrestling, I said, “Was it fun?”
Orion considered me the way a quadrillionaire would eye a project that had taken an unexpected turn. “What’s the reason behind that arm wrestling? You do it often?”
“Nope. Just today.” I tapped his forearm gently.
“Why?” He arched an eyebrow.
“Because it took you out of your headspace. Guess I’m really good at it.” Smiling, I rose from my seat and gestured for him to follow me. “Now that your mindset is in a different space, it’s time for some dandelion wisdom.”
Pursing lips, he looked at me as though he wanted to punish but also kiss me.
“Besides dandelion and honey, there’s a special ingredient in the tea that harmonizes your body, making you more relaxed.”
He glanced at the empty cup. “No wonder my body feels fifty percent lighter. I should drink more of it. What’s the special ingredient?”
“I can’t tell you. It’s my secret recipe.”
“Okay.” He grinned. “I guess I’ll just have to come to your house whenever I want dandelion tea.”
“I’ll start charging you for it.”
“I’ll pay whatever you want.” He stood beside me.
“If you want to know the wisdom of dandelions, then you need to see it.”
With hands tucked inside his pockets, he stared at the pots of dandelions. “I’ve never met a weed collector until you.”
“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” I tilted my head. “Actually, don’t answer.” I turned to the table. “What do you see?”
Laughter gleamed in his eyes, but he didn’t show any signs that he thought my question was testing his intelligence.
“I see three pots of dandelions. This one only has leaves, the second pot has bright flowers.” He tapped it. “It reminds me of you.”
I snorted. “I’m a bright weed?”
“A wildflower with healing properties.” His lips tilted just enough that it made the muscles in my stomach slide, contort, and do all kinds of spectacular things.
I’ll show you how wild I can be , was what ran through my head. But I didn’t share that with him.
“You’re looking at the lifecycle of a dandelion. Most people would dismiss a dandelion because it’s a weed that takes over their manicured lawn. Personally, I like them scattered in my yard. Dandelions have a cosmic symbolism.” I gestured to each pot. “They represent life and how we’re connected to the sun, moon, and stars.”
“Tell me more.” Intrigue splashed onto his face.
I grabbed the pot with the dandelion puffs. “Follow me.” I opened the sliding door to the back deck and stepped out. The motion sensor lights flickered on, revealing the lawn that desperately needed maintenance.
“You need to mow your lawn,” he said.
“Been meaning to. Haven’t had time.”
“I don’t mean you literally. Do you use a lawn care service?”
“I can do it. Saves time and money. I have a mower.”
“You know how to use it?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, I do. My dad taught me, and I’m pretty good at it. Time has gotten away from me lately.”
He studied me, and I changed the subject before he asked questions that would eventually require me to share my financial predicament. I wasn’t ready for that yet.
“So the yellow dandelion represents the sun. The dandelion puff symbolizes the moon.” I plucked one stem from the pot and offered it to him.
“It’s a full moon on a stem.”
“Exactly.
“And the seeds are the stars.” I blew at the puffs in the pot, watching them fly out into the night.
He held up his puff, examining it. “After all these years of looking at the stars, I missed the most beautiful symbolism. It’s so simple.” He twirled it around. “I’ve been so focused on developing innovative software and finding new ways to expand my business that I’ve blocked out the beauty that exists in front of me. I missed out on the obvious things.” He met my eyes. “Thank you for reminding me to appreciate the simple things.” He stared at the dandelion puff for a moment. “I’ll never look at a dandelion the same way again.”
“You’re welcome. I took you out of your headspace again.” I beamed. “You’re literally holding the moon in your hand. Blow at it and make a wish. Let the seeds take your wish into the sky and give them to the Cosmic Dandelion Goddess.”
“You just made that up.” He blew at the seeds, scattering them into the night.
Something magical occurred tonight. I felt it in the air stirring between us. It was as though the seeds that floated around us symbolized our relationship and its potential. What were we planting? How would we grow from this moment forward?
“There’s power to creating your own magic.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
I didn’t know why, but I felt the urge to share a part of my childhood with him. My previous boyfriends were never interested in my dandelion story. They thought it was too weird and hated the dandelion tea. Orion appreciated it all. For that, he deserved a reward: a sliver of me.
“When I was little, my grandmother told me the dandelion story because I enjoyed looking at the stars. It was how I started drinking dandelion tea. It made me believe I was drinking in the magic of the sun, moon, and stars.” I turned to see his gray eyes had grown darker, more intense.
In the dark night with just the lights from the deck casting a soft glow around us, his eyes looked like they belonged to a mysterious wolf, watching and waiting.
“That’s what I’ll be thinking from now on. Drinking in the cosmos.”
“My grandmother and my mom got me into eating dandelion leaves too. I’ll make some for you to try one day. Grandma was from Peru and into holistic medicine. She said plants hold the key to great health, and the cures for all diseases can be found in nature.” I placed the pot down on the wooden table. “I believe she’s right. But I think the world isn’t ready to acknowledge it yet. People are too caught up on convenience, or how to make more money.” A mosquito flew around his face, and I swatted it away.
He gripped my wrist, pulling me close. I didn’t resist him.
Couldn’t.
He brushed his lips over mine, and I surrendered to him. The kiss was slow, wet, and inviting. It wasn’t like the passionate kiss we’d shared in the Cosmic Lounge. This was gentle and special, reminding me of the natural way the dandelion seeds moved with the wind. His tongue sought mine, and I moaned against his mouth. I slid my hand up his chest, shoulders, looping my arms around his neck. Then I felt his necklace and stiffened.
He drew back. “What’s wrong?”
“I . . .”
What could I say without sounding jealous?
He held me close, and I could hear his heartbeat. My eyes landed on the gold band around his necklace. After this morning in the Cosmic Lounge, I promised myself that if a relationship were to happen between me and him, he had to be honest with me. I had to know why he was still wearing that ring. Obviously, she still mattered to him.
Who was she?
I considered myself a generous person, but I wasn’t that generous. If he wanted to be with me, he couldn’t be wearing a piece of jewelry that belonged to another woman. It was wrong and disrespectful to both parties involved.
I sighed. “It’s late. I have to get ready for bed. I have work tomorrow.”
“But I’m your boss, and you’re allowed to come in a few hours?—”
He was about to say something else but his phone rang. A crease formed on his forehead as he took the call, releasing me from him. “What is it, Ed?”
My body yearned for his touch again. I had to train my body not to get used to this. The more he gave, the more I wanted. But what if things ended as quickly as they started? I didn’t know if I had the energy to cope with another heartache.
As I brought the mugs back into the kitchen, he let out a curse. “I’ll be there tomorrow. Have the authorities been alerted?”
Inside the kitchen, I studied him as he stalked over to the railing, glancing into the darkness. His face had taken on a stern expression, a man detached from emotion and focused on a task that required his objectivity. He just did a one-eighty like it was ingrained in him. I found myself doing that often too. We all needed an outlet, a way to detach from things that bothered us.
After a few more words, he ended the call and walked back into the kitchen. “I won’t be in the office tomorrow. The elevator will recognize your facial features and allow you to the top floor. Ralph might stop by, but I’m not sure. Go into my office and look at the research board I’ve been working on. There’s a lot of information there. Text or call me if you have any issues.”
I didn’t remember seeing a board during lunch, but I hadn’t been looking. “Is everything okay?”
“There’s a dead body on my island.”
“You have an island?” I gaped at him, wondering why he had an island. But then again, why did wealthy people purchase the things they did?
I couldn’t ignore our stark differences. The gap between me and him widened every day. I wasn’t sure if I could have a relationship with him. We’d be talking about things that didn’t exist in each other’s world.
He tipped up my chin. “I’ll take you there soon. Thank you for today and this evening. See you soon.” He kissed my forehead, sending a zing of energy straight to my toes.