44. Kian

44

KIAN

R efusing to be blindsided again, the moment Lorelei excused herself to use the bathroom, I called the hotel and fixed our room situation.

Just like she'd taunted, she'd booked me into a basic twin room.

I'll never admit it to her face, but her audacity amuses the hell out of me. I'm not sure there's anyone else on the planet who would dare test me like that. Okay, yeah, my siblings would. They'd get a massive fucking kick out of it, too.

Conversation between us remains focused on work, despite my desire to return to our little texting session last night.

We're away for three days. Something tells me that it'll come up.

I didn't need to bring Lorelei to an airport to know that she was not a seasoned traveler. But seeing her wide-eyed expression as we walked into the lounge...I guess it's easy for this life to become normal.

Hell, it is normal for me. I don't ever remember traveling any differently.

Maybe she's right. Maybe I am nothing but a wealthy, entitled asshole.

I smile. Yeah, I'm definitely that. But there's more if you care to look a little deeper under the surface.

"Are you going to share the reason we're going to Charleston, or is it something I have to guess?" Lorelei asks when she returns to her seat.

"We're going to meet with the management team at The Regency. They've had issues with staff retention recently and their accounts are looking…interesting."

She studies me, and I wait with bated breath for her response.

"And that's a job that requires the CFO's involvement?"

I hold my head high, both annoyed and impressed that she's seen straight through me.

"Normally, no. But I haven't traveled this year like I usually would, and it's time to make my presence known, especially at some of our locations that are struggling. I believe it's important to remind the management teams that despite being miles away, we are watching."

"I see."

"If you have something to say, Lorelei. Please, just say it."

She silently fumes, her head spinning with whatever it is that's bothering her.

It would be easy to think it's the photo that's still burning up my cellphone.

Sending me a picture of her tits by accident probably is a big deal, but she's strong enough to deal with that.

"How's Tia?" she suddenly blurts.

I frown.

"Ti—oh. Tia Halliwell. She's…fine, I believe. Do you know her?"

"Nope. But it seems you know her well."

I haven't been on social media for days, but I'm not stupid. I'm more than aware that there's probably a photograph of us together on Saturday night. Tia loves the spotlight. She'll make the most of any opportunity to turn the attention on her.

It seems that little bit of attention may just have passed by Lorelei's radar.

The corner of my mouth twitches with the beginning of a smirk.

She's seen it, and she's jealous.

Holy shit.

"A few years ago, I knew her well. But we've barely spoken since she moved to Hollywood," I explain, aware that it isn't what she really wants to hear.

"You must have had a lot to catch each other up on, then."

With her eyes focused on her coffee, I'm able to take a few seconds to really study her.

She didn't have time to put much makeup on this morning—not that she needs it. Nor did she have a chance to do anything with her hair. Her curls look beautiful hanging around her shoulders, and the freckles across her nose and cheeks are endearing as hell.

Her shoulders are pulled tight with tension, and she's picking at her nail anxiously.

It's not a look I'm used to seeing on her, and I can't say I like it all that much. I prefer strong and sassy Lorelei.

"Not really. Our lives have moved in different directions. I'm pleased for her, but there isn't anything between us anymore."

Her eyes jump to mine.

"But you canceled on me for her."

Unable to stop it, a laugh tumbles free.

"Is that really what you think?" I ask calmly.

"It's what I know."

I raise my brows and sit back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest.

"You really shouldn't believe everything you see online, Lorelei."

She glares at me. She wants to believe me, but then I guess when you've been let down by men all your life, expecting the worst begins to come naturally.

"Okay. So why did you cancel Saturday night after making such a song and dance about getting me out on a date in the first place?"

"I had a family emergency."

"Bit convenient. Tate didn't say anything about an emergency."

I'm hardly surprised. King probably doesn't even know that Kenzie had surgery on her ankle.

"Well, maybe Tate doesn't know everything."

Lorelei glares daggers at me as a staff member clears our empty plates.

"So…" she starts the second we're alone again.

"One of my little sisters broke her ankle cheerleading. My stepdad was out of town on a golf trip, so my mom called me to sit with my other sister while she was looked at. Turned out that she needed surgery."

The more I talk, the more blood drains from Lorelei's face.

"Shit. Is she okay?"

Pulling my cell from my pocket, I open my camera roll and find a selfie she forced me to take in the track car last night.

Spinning it around, I let Lorelei see Kenzie's wild eyes and excited smile.

"Yeah, she's as crazy as ever."

"So if you spent the night at the hospital, how come there are photos of you and Tia Halliwell on Instagram?"

"You know, you don't have to say her whole name every time."

"Shut up," she hisses.

"I went for a drink after I left the hospital, and she happened to be there. It was nothing more than a coincidence."

"How lucky after such a long and stressful night. What?" she snaps when I laugh at her comment.

"Nothing. You're jealous because you think I fucked her."

Lorelei sits up so fast, it's a miracle she doesn't break something.

"I am not jealous. I don't care who you spend time with," she argues.

"Is that right?" I mutter under my breath.

"It's just rude to be canceled on for a celebrity."

"Well, I can assure you that that didn't happen. I canceled because of my little sister."

She slumps back in her seat with her arms crossed under her breasts. With her blouse unbuttoned the way it is, I get a great shot of her cleavage. And with the image that's saved secretly on my cell, I can conjure up a very pretty picture of what she might look like if her blouse and bra were to magically disappear.

"You could have just said that."

She's right, I could. "I'm not used to considering other people's feelings in the way I live my life. I should have been more considerate to my…girlfriend."

"I'm not your girlfriend."

Reaching for my coffee, I take a sip, keeping my eyes on her the whole time.

"I've got to tell you, I'm concerned," I say cryptically.

"That I have the audacity to turn you down?"

"Well, yes, obviously. But I'm more concerned that my girlfriend is sending other men photographs of her boobs."

"Fuck off, Kian."

I smirk at her, loving the way she glares at me.

"They've just put our gate up. We should make a move."

Draining what's left of my coffee, I push to my feet.

Lorelei stares up at me with a small frown between her brows.

"What's wrong?"

"I should run in the opposite direction and never look back, shouldn't I?"

My heart slams against my ribs at the thought of her doing just that.

"Probably," I force out. I'm not going to fucking let you, though.

The air between us continues to crackle, ensuring my body temperature simmers just beneath boiling.

Holding my hand out, I wait for her to make a decision.

It takes a couple of seconds. While I'm confident that she's not going to run, I'm not sure if she's going to jump into this with as much excitement as I'd like her to.

Eventually, though, she makes the right choice and slips her small, warm hand into mine.

It might be the most innocent of touches, but fuck if my dick doesn't jerk like she reached for that instead.

The second she's on her feet, I tug her closer.

She squeaks quietly in surprise, but she doesn't immediately pull away.

Ducking my head, I let my lips brush her ear. "I can't believe you thought I was taking this trip without you. I thought you were smarter than that, Temptress."

"I was—I mean, I am—mad at you." She tries to sound stern, but she fails miserably.

"No, you're not. You're too busy wishing that I replied with a photograph of my own."

All the air rushes from her lungs, but I don't hang around long enough for her to reply. Instead, I reach for my bag with my free hand and throw it over my shoulder before leading her out of the lounge.

" W ow," Lorelei breathes once we're settled in our first-class seats.

It's a quick flight. We're not surrounded by the kind of luxury I'd expect from a long-haul flight, but it's still a hell of a lot better than the fucking economy seat she booked for me.

"You don't ever need to worry about me treating you right, Temptress."

"Your money doesn't impress me, Callahan."

"You sounded pretty impressed just then."

"Doesn't mean that I wouldn't be equally as happy back there."

I smirk, watching the flight attendant walking up the aisle with mimosas.

"You were saying?" I ask once she's offered Lorelei a glass. A glass that she eagerly accepts.

"It's the least I deserve for having to put up with you for the next three days."

The flight attendant flinches at Lorelei's harsh words.

"I'm sure you felt the same on your honeymoon," I deadpan, making her balk.

"He's joking. There isn't enough money in the world to make me stoop that low."

Unsure of what to make of us, the attendant hurries down the aisle, serving other passengers.

"You're wrong," I state confidently.

"I highly doubt that."

"One day, you'll beg me to put a ring on it."

"Have you heard yourself? Firstly, don't forget that I refused your proposal. Secondly, never going to happen."

"What makes you say that?" I ask, genuinely interested in her reasoning.

She's an intelligent, beautiful woman who somehow manages to challenge me like no other. I'm struggling to see why she's so adamant it won't happen.

She shakes her head before lifting her half-empty glass to gesture to our surroundings. "All this. Your life. It's not who I am.I'm your assistant, Kian. I know my place in this world, and while I might have considered faking it with you for a few moronic moments, I am happy with my life and where I'm at."

"Your place is beside me," I say simply before turning my attention to the screen in front of me that's showing our flight time.

Her eyes burn into the side of my face, and I sense that she has a million and one things to say, but none of them make it past her lips.