Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Kinsley
I lay in bed, three orgasms later, feeling elated. It was one a.m., and when Chase went to get out of my bed, I grabbed his hand.
“Stay. It’s late,” I spoke.
“Are you sure?”
“If I weren’t, I wouldn’t have asked.”
He gave me a small smile and climbed back in, wrapping his arm around me as I lay my head on his chest. Feelings. They were developing faster than the speed of light, and I was trying hard to stop them.
“I have a question for you,” he spoke.
“What is it?”
“How could you not think we were friends? After all, I made sure you got home safely from my party, stayed the night, and made you coffee the next morning. I don’t do that for just anybody.”
“I don’t know. I just thought you did those things because you were trying to get into my pants.” I smirked as I lifted my head and smiled at him.
“True. I was.” He smiled back.
I laid my head back down and listened to the beating of his heart.
“Kinsley, I just need to make it very clear that I don’t want anything more. I like you and I love having sex with you, but that’s all I can give. Nothing more. It’s not who I am, and I think you know that by now.”
“I do know that, and I’m not looking for anything more either. I love being on my own, discovering who I am, and trying to find the best version of myself.”
“Well, if it makes you feel better, I like this version of you.” He kissed the top of my head.
We both fell fast asleep, and when I woke up, I was lying on my side with Chase’s arm wrapped tightly around me.
I liked it, maybe a little too much. He was closed off.
Sure, he opened up to me a little bit last night, but not about his mother or his childhood, and I believed that was where his relationship issues stemmed from.
He was a playboy who flirted with any and every female.
I could never trust him, even if we did get into a relationship.
So, for now, I’d take what I could get from him until I was ready to be with someone.
One Month Later
The moment I climbed out of bed, I ran to the bathroom and threw up. I had hoped it was a one-time thing, probably from the Chinese food I ate last night. But it wasn’t, and I had to call in sick to work. I felt bad because I only had two weeks left to work for Mr. Calloway.
“It’s okay, Kinsley. Don’t worry about it. The most important thing is that you get better. I’ll have Lexi fill in for you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Calloway. I’ll be there for sure tomorrow.”
“Feel better soon.”
I hung up the phone, lay on the couch, and turned on the TV. A few moments later, I received a text message from Chase.
“Dad said you called in sick. Are you okay?”
“I think that the Chinese food we ate last night didn’t agree with me.”
“I’m fine.”
“We didn’t eat the same thing.”
“Do you need anything?”
“No. I think I’m going back to sleep for a while.”
“Okay. Text or call me if you need anything.”
During the past month, Chase and I had been seeing each other a lot.
We’d have dinner and then sex. He’d go out to the clubs and party on nights he wasn't with me. I would go to my yoga class or hang out with Lexi and a few other friends I’d made.
We’d go to the bars, and I would get hit on and asked out by multiple guys, but no one I was interested in.
I felt better as the day went on, so I took a shower and cleaned my apartment. Six o’clock rolled around, and there was a knock at the door.
“It’s me, Kinsley,” I heard Chase yell.
Opening the door, I saw him standing there, holding up a brown bag.
“I brought you some soup. How are you feeling?” he asked as he stepped inside.
“Thank you. I’m actually feeling better.”
“Good.” He smiled as he took down a bowl from the cabinet and poured some soup into it. “I can’t stay. I’m having dinner with my dad and bridezilla.”
“Sounds like a fun time.” I smirked. “Is there a special occasion?”
“It’s Penelope’s birthday this weekend, and since they’re going on a trip and won’t be here, dear old Dad thought tonight would be a good night to get together for dinner.”
“Did you buy her a birthday gift?” I asked as he set the bowl of soup down in front of me.
“As much as it pains me to do it, I’m going to stop at the florist on the way and pick up some flowers.”
“I like Penelope. She’s really nice. I don’t understand what you have against her,” I spoke.
“I’m just not fond of her.” He shrugged. “I better head out. I don’t want to get yelled at for being late. You good?” He smiled.
“I’m good. Thanks again for the soup.”
“No problem. I’m glad you’re feeling better.” He kissed the top of my head and then walked out the door.
I sighed. I promised myself I wouldn’t fall for him, but I had.
I hated him going to the clubs and doing God knows what with other women.
I hated myself for feeling like that, but I couldn’t help it.
I knew damn well he wasn’t good for me. As a friend, yes.
As a sex partner, yes. As a boyfriend/lover, no.
I still needed to find out what his real issues were.
I had asked Lexi about it, but she wouldn’t say.
She told me that when Chase was ready to tell me, he would.
The next morning, I woke up with the same feeling as yesterday.
I cupped my hand over my mouth and ran into the bathroom.
What the hell was going on? I was fine last night.
I couldn’t call in again, and with any luck, I’d feel better like I did yesterday, so I did my best to put on a smile and head to work.
“Good morning, Kinsley.” Mr. Calloway smiled. “How are you feeling today?”
“I feel a lot better,” I lied.
“You look a little pale.”
“Still recovering, but I do feel better.”
“Glad to hear it. Would you mind stepping into my office for a minute? There’s something I would like to discuss with you.”
“Sure, Mr. Calloway.”
I followed him into his office and took a seat while he shut the door. My sick stomach felt even more nauseous, worrying that I had done something wrong. Shit. What if he found out that Chase and I were sleeping together?
“As you know, Audrey is supposed to be back in a couple of weeks,” he spoke.
“Yes. I know.” I nodded.
“I spoke to her yesterday, and it seems her fiancé got a once-in-a-lifetime job in New York, so they’re moving there, and she will not be coming back to Calloway Tech.”
“Oh.” My brows furrowed. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I would like to offer you the full-time position here at Calloway Tech as my personal secretary. You’d get a pay increase, full health benefits, a 401k plan, profit sharing, and a yearly bonus.”
“Mr. Calloway, I don’t know what to say,” I spoke in utter shock.
“Say yes. I’d love to keep you, Kinsley. You’re a bright woman, and you do an excellent job. Plus, you can handle my son, and I wouldn’t have to worry about his actions affecting you. You seem to be the only woman I’ve ever known who’s immune to him.” He smirked.
Shit. If he only knew.
“I would love to stay here at Calloway Tech.” I smiled. “Thank you for this opportunity, Mr. Calloway.”
“Excellent. I’ll send your paperwork to Human Resources and call the temp agency.”
I thanked him again, and Chase was walking down the hallway when I walked out of his office.
“I was looking for you. How are you feeling this morning?” he asked.
“Much better,” I lied again. “Did your dad mention anything at dinner last night about Audrey not coming back?”
“No. Why?”
“She and her fiancé are moving to New York, so she’s not coming back.”
“Oh. Then I guess Daddy will have to find a new permanent secretary.”
“He did already,” I spoke.
“Wow. That was fast. Did he tell you whom he hired?”
“Me.” I smiled. “He just offered me the full-time position.”
“I see. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. I feel a lot better now knowing I have a permanent full-time job.”