“How do you eat like that and look like that?” Laina asks as we walk to my car.
“Home gym,” I reply as she laughs. “I work hard when I enjoy a day like this, but it’s worth it to me. I like to enjoy life, remember?”
I press her against the car for a moment, watching her eyes widen. There were many times today I wanted to kiss Laina like we did last night. So many times. Watching the movie in the dark had been especially tempting for me, and now I couldn’t hold back.
I lean in and take her mouth in a hungry kiss, feeling her arms slide around my neck. The heat hit me like a truck, and I groan against her as our tongues dance together.
How the fuck was I supposed to take it slow when it felt like this?
We kiss there for what feels like hours, but I realize it’s been half an hour when I come up for air. Laina looks as overwhelmed as I feel, and I step back.
“I got carried away there. Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I like it.” Laina smiles and we stare at each other for a long moment. “Come over for a while and we can watch a movie or something. Maybe get takeout and eat dinner if you have room.” She suggests, and I think about what I need to do at home.
“I’d like that.”
We drive to her apartment, grabbing some tacos for dinner, and turn on a new movie as we eat on her couch. The idea of kissing her again is there, but I enjoy laughing with her as we talk, feeling the connection from when we were kids. This is such a perfect storm for me, and I feel grateful that Laina came back into my life.
There are kisses before I leave that night and a long one at the door, but I make it home without taking things further.
I still have tomorrow to deal with.
I dress immaculately as always and drive to work with a plan of being observant, for Laina’s sake. She’ll be the one that takes the brunt of this, unfortunately.
When I walk in a few minutes earlier than usual, I already feel eyes on me. I greet everyone as I normally would, still the CEO that deserves respect. It’s a big job but I’m the guy to get respect by acting kind towards people.
I see my assistant in his office as I approach, and Trey looks at me in surprise.
“You’re early,” he states as I nod.
“It’s going to be a big week around here with some new clients coming around. It’ll be good for all of us. How was your weekend?” I ask, setting my coffee down and warming up my Mac.
“It was good. There was a concert I took my girlfriend to.” Trey comes to stand in my doorway. “I saw the pictures from this weekend, Mr. Owens. People are talking.”
“Call me Kyle. I’m practically your age,” I remind him as Trey nods. “I know about them. I’m dating Laina Jameson and we’re old friends from when we were younger. I clicked with her then and I do now, but it’s not a work thing at all. I am not even a direct supervisor of hers and she’ll receive no special favors.”
“That’s accurate enough.” He concedes as I nod.
“If things get especially vicious towards Laina here, please let me know so I can address it. We have a great company here and we all work hard to keep it that way. Useless gossip won’t be tolerated under any circumstances.” I know Trey is friends with a few people and he’ll hear things. Hopefully, he trusts me enough to come to me.
“I will, Mr-Kyle,” he stammers as I smile. “She seems nice. People say good things about her.”
“She’s a different kind of person.” I agree with a smile as I walk to the window to look out over the city.
That is putting it mildly.
11
Cute Together
Laina
Isipmycoffeebefore swiping some mascara on my eyes, thinking ahead to my morning.
The event was covered in a lot of photos and while we looked great last night; I know that people in the office know about it. Kyle’s family is well-known in the city and these events are huge. I replay everything Kyle told me about why it is okay that we’re seeing each other and run a hand through my hair.
I am just his fake girlfriend.