“The party’s for me.”
She waved that off. “That twerp sang to you. You cut the cake. Everyone’s said a few words to you, and your bartending buddy is getting everyone drunk. If you left, I don’t think anyone would notice.”
I started to smile at her. I really missed being her roommate.
Erica finished her drink as she looked to the side. “I’m feeling a little frisky myself.”
“Frisky?” I turned.
She was looking right at Wanker, who was gazing down into his drink, as Jake and Tara were talking to him.
“Yeah, so…” Erica gave Kian a pointed look. “Nothing against everyone here, but I don’t trust anyone besides myself or Kian at your side, and”—her eyes cut back to Wanker—“I’m thinking I’m long overdue for making a move myself, so please, go and make your move. Take your still-mysterious-hot-guy to some empty office here and make love.” She muttered under her breath, “I know I’m about to.”
I didn’t say a word. I wouldn’t dare. If I did, I was afraid she’d change her mind, and this whole thing with her and Wanker, it was how she said it. Long overdue. I’d contain my excitement for them until the next day, but when she stayed rooted in front of me, I pushed her toward Wanker. One firm nudge. That was it.
She let out a breath. “Oh, boy.” She handed me her empty glass. Tugging her shirt down, she smoothed her hands down her front before starting for him. “Okay. Here I go.”
She cast me one last look over her shoulder.
I was still too scared to jinx it, so I gave her two thumbs up. She laughed, but rolled her eyes. I held my breath until she stepped next to Jake and Tara. I migrated toward Kian then, but waited to see what would happen.
Kian watched with me as Erica took Wanker’s hand, gave his drink to a Tara. She didn’t say anything. He started to reach for his glasses, but she grabbed that hand too and holding both of them behind her back, she dragged him from the room.
Kian murmured near my ear, “It’s about time, right?”
I nodded. He had no idea how true his statement was. “Thank you for this.”
“Happy birthday.” His eyes darted to my lips and stayed there for a moment before jumping back to my eyes.
I smiled. He knew what I wanted.
He wanted the same thing, but he said, “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” I took his hand.
Paul was still standing there. Whatever conversation he’d been having with himself slid away. He was looking at us with confusion.
I said to him, “Thank you for letting us have a party here.”
His eyes skirted to Kian’s.
I ignored the look. “And please make Henry feel secure. My former nemesis said he’s worried he’ll be let go. Who knew he was annoying because of his insecurities?”
“Nemesis?” Paul was still staring at Kian before he cleared his throat. He chugged the rest of his drink and gestured to the bar. “Okay. Yes. Well. Happy birthday, Jo…rdan. And I’ve no doubt you’ll be fine from now on, and remember, give me a call whenever you want your old job back.” He tried to hide a grin.
It was silly, wanting to return to my hostessing job, but hearing those words made me feel good. Maybe someday I could be a normal girl again.
“Thank you, Paul.”
He tugged at his shirt collar. “On that note, I need another drink. I’m off the clock tonight. Might as well make the most of it.”
I waited until he was gone and signaled for one of the guards. He dispatched from the wall immediately and came to our side, turning so that he was blocking everyone from coming over. Kian watched me, knowing there was something on my mind.
I shifted closer to him. “You own this place?”
Kian stilled, holding my hand. “Who told you?”
I gave him a look. “If you were to guess?”
“Snark.” His eyes rolled upward. “He really is your father figure.”
“What do you mean?”
“He confronted me about it a while ago. I asked him to keep quiet. I was going to tell you, but I wanted the right time.”
“Why?” I leaned in close.
I could almost feel everyone’s eyes on us, but I was getting used to it. Even in this room, I knew these people, but the sight of Kian and me being together still drew attention. It was one of those things that I didn’t think would change anytime soon.
Kian looked down into my eyes, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. His hand lingered there for a moment before going to touch my lip for a split second. He lifted a shoulder. “I didn’t want to scare you.”
“Being my real boss would’ve scared me?” But I thought about it. It would’ve made me wary, if I hadn’t known his feelings.
He nodded. “I bought it for two reasons. The first was to piss off my dad.”
His father had been approving of me more lately, but Kian told me that he hadn’t been in the beginning. He still didn’t want his father anywhere near me.
“Did it?”
“Yeah.” His hand rested on my hip, pulling me a little closer to him. “My dad didn’t understand why I wanted to see you or why I wanted your help with the building. He just listened to his advisors, and at that time, his advisors weren’t pro-Jordan. They wanted me to have nothing to do with you.”
I knew all of this.
The advisors changed their minds when Kian stated he wouldn’t leave me. They either accepted him with me or he’d leave the company. He had a similar showdown with his parents, and it was enough to change their minds. His parents reluctantly became pro-Jordan.
“And the other reason?”
His hand tightened on my hip, his fingers sinking into my skin. His eyes darkened with lust. “Because I wanted to make sure you always had a job, if you wanted it.”
A lump was on the bottom of my throat. “I wasn’t working here when you were released. I started a few days later.”
“Cal told me you worked here every summer. If you came back, there’d always be a spot.” A quiet laugh left him. “I wasn’t looking for you that first day, when we ran into each other outside of here.”
I tilted my head up to him. “You weren’t?”
“I didn’t even know you started working here. I was coming to look over the place.” His eyes switched, trailing over my shoulders. He nodded toward where Paul was at the bar, talking with the bartenders. “I had a middleman between your boss and me, so even he didn’t know about me, not until your real identity came out. The next day, he found out who I was. I’m glad I bought it. It’s a good investment, no matter what, and you can always work here.”
“As a hostess?” I teased.
“No.” He grew solemn again, glancing back to my lips. He moved closer, his face only a few inches from mine. “You can manage it with him, if you want to. I don’t care. I just wanted you not to have to worry about one more thing. That’s all. I wanted to take care of you.”
“Thank you.” Suddenly, I didn’t want to be there. I didn’t want to be in a room full of people, even if they were people I knew. I wanted to be with him and only him. I lifted my lips and grinned up at him. “Can we leave?”
Kian’s eyes darkened, and he grinned. He murmured right before touching his lips to mine, “I thought you’d never ask.”
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I have an entire team to thank for helping me with this book! Jovana, Debra Anastasia, Amanda, Pam, Paige, Kerri, Cami, Eileen, Celeste, Heather, Chris, and Kimberly! Thank you guys! You all read Kian and gave me so much feedback.
I also want to thank all the ladies in the Tijanette group! To the Tijanettes, your excitement and continued support in the group seriously help me! I don’t think you guys will ever know how much. Thank you! Last, I want to thank Elaine with Allusion Graphics. No matter what my question is, you seem to have the answer and are always there for me. I appreciate it so much!