39. Lorelei

39

LORELEI

" M otherfucker," I bark, my grip on my cell tightening to the point I fear the screen is going to crack.

The photo staring back at me does prove one thing, though…I did the right thing last night.

After talking to Tate, I'll admit, I did feel a little guilty for not even replying to Kian.

He didn't say why he had to cancel—for all I knew, he could have fallen ill and his message was a cry for help.

I wasn't all that concerned, though, because I managed to convince myself not to reply.

Then, when the food arrived…I really did want to message him.

But that was what he wanted, right?

Messaging him would have been playing right into his hands.

Kian is a player. He knows how to manipulate women into doing exactly what he wants them to do.

Well…I am not one of those women.

I will not fall for the fancy night out in the designer gown—nor will I fall for the pity dinner after he bailed on our date that I didn't even want.

I totally ate every mouthful of it, though.

How could I not? The second I discovered it wasn't him or Matt standing on the other side of the door and I opened it to the waft of garlic, cheese and a whole host of other flavors, there was only one thing I was doing with the contents of the tray. Devouring them.

I'd only snacked since getting back from the gym, knowing that he'd take me somewhere incredible; I was starving despite my inability to decide on my own dinner.

As I ate it, I couldn't help but try and figure out what pulled him away from me. He was more than keen for the date earlier in the day. I figured that it had to have been something important.

Well, now I have my answer.

Tia fucking Halliwell.

That's who was so important that he had to cancel on our fake date.

Much like Sasha, she's everything I'm not. Blonde, blue eyes, sculpted cheekbones that I'm convinced are fake, as are her tits. She's tall, and slim, and would grace any runway with ease and sophistication. She's also a household name since her success on a Netflix series recently.

A bitter laugh spills from my lips as I continue to stare at them.

Each photograph of the two of them together is worse. He's watching her closely with a smile playing on his lips. It's not the sneer he gave Sasha on Saturday night, either; it's different, and it cuts me right to the core.

"Fucking asshole."

It shouldn't hurt, because I shouldn't care.

I agreed to fake dating.

Fake.

Nothing about it, especially feelings, was ever going to be real.

I guess it just goes to prove that the decision I made while talking to Tate last night was the right one.

Being anything more than Kian's assistant is a mistake.

With fire burning through my veins, I grab my laptop from the coffee table and open my emails.

To: Kian Callahan

From: Lorelei Tempest

Subject: Mistakes…

Dear Mr. Callahan,

After careful thought and consideration, I am turning down the proposal you made on Friday night.

I believe that any other outcome would be unprofessional and unethical.

Good luck with your future conquests. I'm sure you're more than equipped to deal with them.

Regards,

Lorelei Tempest

Assistant—and only an assistant—to Kian Callahan, CFO of Callahan Enterprises

I slam the top of my laptop down hard enough to break the screen.

Another reason why I just did the right thing.

Fuck Kian Callahan.

Fuck him and his pretty little actress and the perfect little babies they're going to have.

Stuffing my AirPods into my ears, I shove my feet into my sneakers and take off running in the hope I can leave all this behind and never think about it again.

Ryde my dick: Hey, beautiful. Missed me?

S omething flutters in my belly at the sight of Ryder's message.

He's been away in Europe on a business trip. The time difference has made it hard to continue the sexting we'd embarked on earlier in the week. It was probably for the best while I had my momentary lapse in judgment where Kian was concerned.

But now, that is over, and I can jump back into the thrill of flirting with Ryder, knowing that I'm not putting my heart at risk.

I put off coming home for as long as I could earlier. I knew that I'd have a reply to my email, and I wasn't ready to deal with his demanding ass.

But to my surprise, when I eventually stumbled back into my apartment on jelly legs, my inbox was missing the email I was expecting.

I could only assume that he was still in bed with his hot actress, and I tried to put all thoughts of them rolling around together out of my head.

Nothing about Kian and his harem of women does anything positive for my confidence.

My inbox has been quiet since. Not that I've checked it—and my spam—every thirty minutes or so.

Maybe he just doesn't care.

Stretching my legs out on the couch, I forget the movie I was watching and dive into chatting with a man who does seem to want my time and attention.

Lori: Hey, hunk. How's it hanging?

Ryde my dick: Little to the left, more than a little hard.

Ryde my dick: How about you? Any details from your wild weekend that you need to share with me?

Lori: Nothing wild happening here.

Ryde my dick: Damn, you really do need me, huh?

Lori: I guess that depends on what you have to offer…

The photo that follows only goes to prove that he is more than a little hard and more than a little ready to play.

It's the prefect distraction from real life and the fact that Monday morning is going to roll around all too soon.

I stand in front of the elevator in the Callahan Enterprises building with butterflies erupting in my stomach.

I don't want to get inside there. But also, I don't want to climb the stairs to the top of this high-rise building. To be honest, I don't want to be here at all, let alone in the management offices where a certain CFO resides.

But as much as I want to turn around and run as fast as I can, I can't.

I would be stupid to do something to ruin this opportunity. The paycheck is enough to change not only my life, but also my brothers'. And they're more important to me than anything else in the world. Being able to help them live out their dreams will mean everything to me.

Sucking in a deep breath, I watch the small screen as the floors count down to ground level.

You can do this, Lorelei.

It's just an elevator.

You're safe here. Even if the worst happens, no one will hurt you.

The elevator dings a beat before the doors slide open.

Two people I don't recognize spill out—neither of them pays me any mind, their attention focused on leaving the building. Seems a bit premature, seeing as the day has barely started, but whatever.

I take a hesitant step forward, still trying to convince myself that everything is going to be okay, when suddenly, a large, warm hand presses against the small of my back, guiding me forward.

I want to snap at him, to tell him to get off me, but as I step into the enclosed space, all the words dry up as the doors close us in.

Kian's hand never leaves my back, nor does his overpowering presence behind me.

His breath tickles over my ear and down my neck.

I fight like hell to stop my body from reacting, but it's pointless. All I can think about is him pressing me up against the bar and kissing me senseless on Saturday.

Closing my eyes, I focus on my breathing. But I quickly realize my mistake when I discover each breath is laced with his scent.

"Breathe, Lorelei," he rasps behind me. "I won't let anything happen to you."

Tipping my head to the ceiling, I begin counting seconds. I've no idea if it's to make the time in this enclosed space feel like it goes faster, or my time around him. Honestly, it could be either.

He ditched you for a model-worthy actress on Saturday night.

He isn't worthy of your time or your thoughts.

He never replied to my email either, and I find it really hard to believe that it's because he hasn't read it.

My heart continues to pound as we climb higher and higher.

He doesn't say another word. Or at least, not until we get to the very top, a beat before the doors open and I'm granted freedom.

His hand slips from my back and around my hip, allowing him to pull me back, pinning me against his hard body.

"Ten minutes, my office. I think we need to have a little chat, don't we, Lorelei?"

No sooner have the doors parted than Kian strides out of the elevator as if he didn't just knock my world off kilter.

"Good morning, Melissa," he sings as if everything is perfect. But then, if he spent all Saturday night and yesterday banging Tia Halliwell, I guess he does have something to be spritely about.

Rolling my shoulders back, I hold my head high and walk out of the elevator just as Kian is disappearing into his office.

"Morning, Lori. Did you have a good weekend?" Melissa asks politely.

"Hmm, yeah."

"You looked gorgeous Friday night. It must have been an experience for Kian to have a date with some level of intelligence."

I snort a laugh; I can't help myself.

"And to end the night unsatisfied." She covers her mouth in a useless attempt to hide her laughter.

"Would you like a coffee?" I ask as I abandon my things under my desk and make a beeline for our kitchen.

"No, thank you. I'm sure Kian wouldn't say no, though."

Well, he's going to be disappointed.

With my fresh mug of coffee and another new notebook in my hand, I nervously make my way to his office.

My heart is in my throat as I knock, and it doesn't get any better when he calls out to invite me in.

I take a second to compose myself before throwing the door open and marching in as if I own the place.

Fake it until you make it, Lorelei.

Placing both my coffee and my notebook on his desk, I take my seat. Not once do I look up, but it's impossible to miss the fact I have his whole attention.

Well, that and my notebook which reads "List of people I want to punch in the face…my boss."

Once I'm settled, I finally look up.

My eyes instantly connect with his dark, angry ones and my heart does a little flip.

"You wanted to see me, sir," I say sweetly, aware that it's going to do fuck all to help this situation.

He leans forward and rests his exposed forearms on his desk.

"That email you sent…" My pulse races and my temperature spikes. "I suggest you forget you ever typed it, because it's not accepted."

"W-what?" I stutter.

He shakes his head as if he's disappointed in me. "Never go back on your word, Lorelei. It makes you look weak and indecisive."

"I-I?—"

"We need to discuss my schedule. Some unforeseen things have arisen that need my attention."

My teeth clench. "I see."

"It's going to involve some last-minute travel plans."

"Just tell me what you need and I'll get onto it," I force out as my world continues to spin out of control.