Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Avril
My body still tingled from being entirely his, and when I smelled myself, I had a little of his cologne mixed in with my vanilla lotion.
The truth was, I wanted that scent to stay with me forever as a perfect memory.
It was sexier than the most expensive perfume.
I quickly washed off, but I wished there was a way to not to lose his scent on me.
He took a fast shower as I selected my clothes. When he came out, I sighed. His nearness made my skin all jumpy with excitement. I finished tugging on a simple pink dress that clung to my curves. We’d agreed to tell people we’d left so we could change and freshen up.
He picked a lighter gray suit and offered my hand. Then he kissed my cheek. Goose bumps grew all over me. I was happy and wished we could stay alone. When we left, he held my arm like he was truly mine.
As we returned to the wedding, it seemed most people had finished their dinner. We circled to our seats, and Kelly called out, “There you are.”
Three of my friends were walking toward us. I squeezed Kir’s arm. “Kir, I’ll join you in a few moments.”
“I’ll order our plates.” He kissed my cheek.
I did the same, stepped back, and said, “Perfect.” He backed away just as my friends came at me from the other side. I turned toward Isabel and Kelly. “So, what’s going on?”
Kelly gazed over my shoulder, clearly waiting till Kir was out of earshot, then asked, “What’s going on with you?”
I raised my eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
“You’re relaxed and happy, but Miley mentioned we were all getting dragged through the mud.”
I took a deep breath, and my shoulders slumped. “Oh, the blog thing. Are you worried about it?”
Isabel said, “I don’t know why you aren’t.”
This conversation felt strange when my heart was so full. “I… why would I be? Kir’s brothers are buying my employer. They’re not going to fire me, but I’m working on trying to help brainstorm who’s writing that stuff about all of us.”
Kelly said, “It’s all fine if you’re sure your relationship with Kir is real. I’m a teacher, and I can’t have those rich parents complaining about my boozing trips, though. My principal already hates me.”
I held out my arms to hug her. “Kelly, relax, okay?”
She hugged me back. “Okay.”
Isabel said, “You have unions and stuff, Kelly. As a personal art curator, I’m stressed that no one’s going to trust the barfly to care for and receive historical items.”
They both wanted to make the articles disappear. Britney probably hated the news, too, just like the last time. I needed to be more aware that everything wasn’t just about me.
I said, “You’re seriously mixing with trillionaires. I’d be more shocked if people don’t come flocking to you like you have some inside track to unlimited treasures.”
Isabel’s lips brightened into her almost smile. She always tried not to show her emotions. “Reasonable. Britney’s usually the one who advises us all, and Hope looks so ridiculously happy with that ring on her finger.”
Now, that sounded more like her. I took their hands. “Everything is going to go fine. How are Xerses and Roman?” I probably should have been more interested in getting to know Kir’s brothers, but I was focused only on Kir.
Kelly said, “I’m looking forward to next week’s beach trip.”
Isabel nodded.
I let out a sigh. Everything was good. I pressed my hands to my heart. “Me too, and I’m glad Britney’s coming, but I should get back to Kir.”
They both nodded and headed to speak to the two men who might become my bosses. The second I returned, Kir asked, “What was going on with your friends?”
I took my seat and placed my napkin on the table. I wasn’t sure how the lamb was cooked, but it smelled great. “They’re stressed about the blog and their futures.”
He waited for me to pick up my silverware and then said, “I understand. If anyone suffers any setbacks because of the rumors concerning us, please let me know immediately.”
My heart beat fast. “Why?”
He shrugged and cut his food. “I’ll help. I know people in almost every industry.”
That was it. He was wonderful. He took care of everyone in my life without being asked. But I wanted to test him a bit. “Even Kelly? She’s a teacher.”
He laughed. “I’ll buy a school if I have to.”
I believed him. I placed my hand on his thigh. “Kir, most people don’t care what happens beyond the bedroom.”
He pressed his hand to mine, and a warmth rushed through me as he said, “I’m not everyone. But you should eat. I’ve worked you pretty hard.”
I winked at him. “I’ll eat so we have energy for later.”
“I like the way you think.” He smiled, and his happiness made my skin feel alive and warm.
“I’m pretty easygoing at weddings.”
Then we both ate a bit. I wasn’t that hungry, but the lamb and rice and sides were all melting in my mouth. I wanted only to spend the day with Kir, so I put my fork down and wiped my lips, noticing that he’d eaten more than I had.
His older brother Arman tapped him on the back. “There you two are. We need you.”
Kir put his napkin down, and we stood. I asked, “For what?”
Arman waved for us to join the bride and groom. “Family photo.”
I froze in place and said, “Go.”
As the family gathered at the lake, Kir’s mother moved beside me and latched onto my arm. “You too. You’re Kir’s girlfriend, and I have a good feeling about you.”
I wasn’t that presumptuous. We’d made no real promises or changes to our status. “I don’t think…”
“Come.” Kir offered his hand.
No one needed to know we’d come here to lie to everyone or that now I wished I was his girlfriend for real. I clutched my elbow and said, “Okay.”
We went to the edge, and I saw his family all standing around and laughing with each other. I gazed at his profile and whispered, “Everyone believes us.”
He held my waist, and we took our spots as he quietly said in my ear, “Why not? This week has been one of the best in my life.”
I stared at his profile. He had everything he would ever need. “Don’t you get to… I don’t know—fly to Bora Bora at a moment’s notice?”
The photographer moved us closer to Jeff, who was standing with Miley.
Kir asked, “Want to move the trip next weekend to Bora Bora? It’s more hours to get there, but if you have the time?—“
I hugged his arms. “Stop. Mexico is fine. It’s a weekend trip, and I have work on Monday.”
We smiled for the photographer, though I was sure no one would ever see us as the pictures were centered on the bride, groom, and their son. Kir asked, “Are you still worried about getting the promotion?”
I paused, tense. I needed to tell the absolute truth. “Kind of. I want to earn my way. I never wanted to be the girl who sleeps her way to the top.”
He pressed his cheek to mine, and we continued to stare at the camera as he said, “Technically, you’re sleeping with me, and I’m not buying the company.”
“Let’s not talk.” I smiled. My arms grew goose bumps at his description of us.
He probably didn’t have the same feelings I did, and what happened next mattered because it truly could affect my job. My heart thundered. We finished with the photographer. As we walked back to the small party, the music caught my ear.
I tugged Kir’s hand. “Let’s dance.”
“Of course.”
As we stepped back out on the dance floor, and I wrapped my arms around him. “And after… we’ll go back to the room just as we planned.”
“We could?—“
I stopped him and shook my head. “I need to figure out my life and talk to my sister when we get back home.”
He pressed his hand to my waist. “I won’t pressure you for anything ever, Avril.”
I followed his lead. “Because you’re sweet. That’s why I’m here with you.”
“It’s a start.”
That wasn’t quite true. It was all we’d ever be. I knew it, and soon, he would agree that it was all we had. I doubted I’d ever be able to replace him in my life.