The CEO

by Shealy James

  I looked up at him and noticed that his slice of pizza sat untouched on his plate. He was watching me. “I said ‘whatever is fine,’ and this is fine. I don’t mind picking it off. It’s better than ordering separately. This is your favorite restaurant, so I don’t mind sharing what you like. Besides, this has what I usually order on it.” I smirked at him in response before taking a bite of my onion and pepper-free pizza.

  Once the ice was broken, we did have an enjoyable conversation. “Tara mentioned that Daphne Pearce is your sister. I assumed she was your wife the other night.”

  “Yeah, I figured. She’s my little sister. We work together and are really close. Daphne hasn’t been lecturing the last year or so, so Wednesday was a big deal for her.” He spoke fondly of his sister, and I found it was hard to reconcile the arrogant man with the loving big brother.

  “That was nice of you to come support her. Have you always been close?”

  “Pretty much. She’s only a year younger, so when we were kids we hung out a lot. She’s the brave but fragile sibling. I was the kind of kid that liked climbing the tallest trees and swinging on the rope into the lake, and my parents didn’t mind that I did it. Daphne was another story. She and Grace were only allowed to wear dresses and weren’t really allowed to play outside. Grace didn’t care. She was into dolls and tea parties. Daphne wanted to hang out with me. She was constantly in trouble for getting mud on her dress shoes or whatever. One summer we were having a party at the house, and Daph and I snuck away to climb a tree in the neighbor’s yard. We both climbed all the way to the top and hid there until my grandfather came looking for us. Daph ripped her dress on a limb on the way down. Both Grandpa Mitchell and I tried to cover for her, but my mom saw it the second we walked up to the house. She sent Daphne to her room and wouldn’t let her come out the entire night. Grace and I wouldn’t have cared if we were sent to our rooms, but Daphne was devastated and cried the whole night.”

  I pictured a little brown-haired boy and a knobby-kneed girl playing in the yard of a beautiful mansion on the lake. Imagining him as a young carefree boy warmed my heart. “Why didn’t your mom just have her change her dress?”

  He rolled his eyes, allowing me a glimpse of the young man behind the suit. “Our outfits were coordinated. We were always the picture-perfect family, so Daphne would have looked out of place in a different outfit. Everyone would have known she wasn’t perfect,” he added with mock offense.

  I giggled at his tone. At first glance you would think he was just as pompous and arrogant as the rest of the upper elite, but from what he had just said, I wondered if maybe he felt a little out of place in those circles as well. “I always wanted a protective big brother. My sister and I weren’t close growing up, but since she became a mom, she has mellowed out big time. We fight less, but I secretly think she’s nicer to me now so I’ll buy her kids awesome presents and not drum sets or something equally as obnoxious.”

  For the first time since I met Grant, he smiled a genuinely happy smile. It wasn’t a grin or a smirk; it was a full blown all-American handsome man smile. It looked good on him. “I think you should still give her kids obnoxious toys. What’s the point of being an aunt? I gave my nephews marshmallow shooters a few years ago. This year I’m considering pellet guns for Christmas, maybe a Red Rider BB gun.”

  I smiled back at him. “Now that’s a great idea. My brother-in-law is one of the few anti-gun southerners. I think I’ll save that if I ever need to get back at him for something.”

  It was becoming harder and harder to ignore my body’s reaction to him as my heart continued to thaw. I was most definitely feeling more than lust toward him, but the last thing I needed to be doing right now was feeling anything about any man.

  We continued to talk about our families, and it didn’t escape my notice that neither of us was really talking about ourselves. I was avoiding the topic of my divorce, but I couldn’t even guess what topics he was avoiding.

  After we ate half of the giant pizza, he had the waiter box it up. When we were leaving, he carried the pizza over to a table with a lone man sitting at it. He was dirty and had two large duffle bags sitting with him. Grant set the pizza on the table with a bill tucked in the edge. “Here you go, Frank.”

  The man who had aged beyond his years looked up at Grant with bright blue eyes. “Oh! Hey there, Grant. Thank you! Deluxe?”

  “Your favorite! Enjoy your night.” After saying goodbye to the man, Grant grabbed my hand and led me back out to the car. He let me climb in and buckle my own seatbelt this time before he closed the door and walked around to the other side of the car. Once he was in the car I shifted so I could watch him. “That wasn’t your favorite kind of pizza either, was it?”

  He shrugged. “I like it just fine.”

  “Do you eat there often?” I asked.

  He started the car and turned to avoid my eyes. “Every Friday.” I took my seatbelt off and shifted closer to him. “What are you doing?”

  In a bold move that was unlike me, I put my hands on either side of his face. “Either that was a stunt to impress me, which I guess I could take as a compliment, or that was a really nice and unexpected thing you did. It turns out you may have some qualities I like after all.” I leaned forward and kissed his lips gently before pulling away. I didn’t miss the feeling that spread throughout my body when our lips touched. I couldn’t miss it. My body reacted to his when we weren’t touching, but every time our skin made contact I felt it everywhere. When our lips touched for just that moment though…

  He must have felt it too, because the next thing I knew his seatbelt was off and he was pulling me onto his lap, pressing his lips to mine again as he cradled the back of my head. He opened his mouth, and our tongues met in a passionate dance. It was like we couldn’t get close enough to each other, like we were trying to climb inside of each other. We were all hands everywhere, and the kissing…oh, the kissing. It was divine. I wasn’t sure how much time passed before we pulled away, both breathing heavily.

  He ran his thumb across my lower lip. “From the second I saw these red lips, I wanted them on me. I never imagined it would be like that. Please tell me I can take you home with me tonight.”

  I felt my body tense and start to panic. I’m not ready for this. “Oh. I…um…I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I climbed off his lap, and buckled my seatbelt again. This time I buckled it to keep me from climbing back on his lap rather than keep me safe in case of an accident. “I’m sorry, but could you just take me home? I live in Capitol Hill near I-5.”

  He reached over and grabbed my hand. “Hey. Look at me.”

  I took a deep breath before turning to him.

  “What just happened?” he asked with worry written all over his face.

  “Nothing. I just need to get home. Thank you for dinner.” I tried to smile, but even I could feel how forced it was.

  “Eve, I’ll take you home, but I need you to tell me what is going on in that gorgeous head of yours. You knew I wanted to sleep with you, and you were here anyway, so what just happened?”

  “It isn’t that. I just shouldn’t…can’t. Sorry.” I was starting to get emotional, and that was not all right with me. I needed to get out of there. Either he was going to start driving, or I was getting out of the car and finding another way home.

  “I think you may be the most frustrating woman I have ever met.” He started the car and started backing out.

  Anger flared inside of me. Yes, anger was good. I wouldn’t cry if I could stay angry. “Because I won’t sleep with you? Wow.” I crossed my arms and looked out the window.

  He slammed on the brakes and looked at me. “While yes, I want nothing more than to have you every way I can possibly have you, I also want to get to know you. Five seconds ago I felt certain you wanted the same thing, but for whatever reason, you’re dead set on making getting to know you as difficult as possible. I can’t figure you out.” He was on the brink of shouting at me, and I didn’t lik
e that the pleasantness of our dinner had evaporated because I wasn’t ready for this.

  “I’m married,” I blurted out, and his head whipped around to face me. “Well, not really. I’m in the process of getting a divorce, and my ex is fighting me on it, so it isn’t final. I know it’s crazy, but this is all overwhelming. You’re overwhelming.”

  “So, you’re getting a divorce? That’s why you moved here?” He started driving again. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”

  “Because it is none of your business quite frankly,” I snapped.

  He stopped at a red light and glared at me. “It is my business when something I want belongs to someone else.”

  “There are so many things wrong with what you just said that I don’t know where to begin. I’m not a thing, and I don’t belong to anyone. My divorce is most certainly not your business. I don’t usually share my personal business with acquaintances or one-night stands or whatever this is.” He pulled in front of my building. “How did you know where I live? Sabrina didn’t know that.”

  “You’re not an acquaintance or a one-night stand. I certainly wouldn’t have bothered with dinner if I only wanted you for one night.”

  “Then give up. Go find someone else.” The moment I said it, I wished I hadn’t. I didn’t like the idea of Grant pursuing someone else after spending a little time with him. It made no sense considering we had been arguing most of the time we had been around each other, but I already had dangerously strong feelings for this man.

  He ran his hands through his perfectly styled hair, causing it to stick out in all directions. “I don’t want someone else! How can I be any clearer? I want you, Eve.”

  I felt very shy all of the sudden, and the question slipped out of my mouth unintentionally. “Why?” It came out as barely a whisper. My eyes remained trained on my hands, tightly gripping my clutch.

  He let out a deep breath. “Why? Because you’re beautiful and elegant. You didn’t start mindlessly flirting with me the moment you saw me. Your confidence didn’t waver until just now. You thought I was there to murder you, not seduce you, which I found charming. You frustrate the hell out of me because I’ve never met anyone like you. Tonight you made me laugh and made me want to get to know you, and then you kissed me.” His eyes softened, and a gentle smile appeared when he touched his thumb to my bottom lip once more. “From the second your lips touched mine, I wanted to consume you.”

  I was flattered and embarrassed. I didn’t think anyone had ever made me feel so appealing and special. His words were like getting exactly what you wanted on Christmas morning. Of course I had to ruin it with my awkwardness. “Jeez. You could have just said that you like me.”

  He growled again and climbed out of the car. I was beginning to like that growl. The passenger door swung open, and he held out his hand to me. Once out of the car, he pulled me close to him and held my face in his hands. “I like you. Is that better?”

  I smiled up at him. “I think I like you too.”

  “You think?” He smirked.

  “We’ll see,” I said, still smiling.

  “Yes, we will. Soon.”

  What? “Soon?” I asked, knowing that was as much as he was going to tell me. He certainly wasn’t going to ask if I had plans or ask me out. He was just going to take it upon himself to make it happen. While that may work well in the business world, I wasn’t sure it was going to fly with me.

  Oh, who was I kidding? Of course it would. Damn him again.

  “Yes. I’ll see you soon. Sweet dreams, you frustrating little vixen.” He pressed his lips to mine before gently kissing each cheek.

  “Good night, you crazy, crazy man,” I said as I walked out of his arms and into my building.

  That night, I hardly slept in anticipation for what the weekend would bring.

  Chapter 6

  The buzzing of my phone woke me up from a dreamless sleep. I grabbed the phone off my nightstand and didn’t bother opening my eyes before answering. “Mom, did you forget the three hour time difference again?”

  “No, my pleasant little peanut. It’s eight in the morning where you are. I figured you would be awake. How are things? Your dad and I haven’t heard from you since Tuesday.”

  I peeled my eyes open to find a dreary day outside my windows, perfect weather for sleeping. “Everything’s fine. Martin called yesterday. Mark is trying to get more money. It looks like we may have to go to mediation or court if he won’t give up. I had an event on Wednesday and last night. Both went well. How are things at home?” That was a reasonable mom-worthy summary of the week’s events.

  “Good. Your sister and John are bringing the kids by for a barbecue today. Suzanne at work was telling me that her daughter is going through fertility treatments, you know? Well, she’s going ahead with IVF. Can you believe it? I told her everything you went through, not to mention insurance doesn’t cover anything. Oh! Your dad bought a new blower at the Home Depot. He wears it like a backpack. It looks ridiculous.” I could hear my dad yelling in the background, and then my mother said, “Yes, it does, Bill. Anyway, Evie, how’s Tara? Is she going to come back for homecoming? We already received an invitation to brunch at the sorority house. Your sister and I plan to go shopping next weekend for pink and green dresses while your dad and John keep the kids.”

  My mother kept going on and on and on, and I gave her the obligatory, “Uh-huh,” “Yeah,” “Oh, good,” and “Wow,” when they seemed to fit in. I stayed in bed with my eyes closed the entire time she was talking until she said, “Oh, and did I tell you that Kathy saw Mark out with that Christina girl that you guys went to high school with? Kathy said she was in a trashy dress and drinking beer with Mark. They weren’t acting like strangers either if you know what I mean.” Of course I knew what she meant, but it made me wonder why he was fighting our divorce tooth and nail if he was dating. What I didn’t wonder was why I didn’t care that he was dating anyone. It didn’t bother me at all, which made me think back to what Tara said about me fighting for things I cared about. Suddenly I realized Mark just wasn’t important anymore.

  “Are you listening to me, Evie?”

  “Yes, you’re making a lasagna in the crockpot for book club? That sounds delicious.” Another half-hour later I was able to get off the phone with her. By then there was no going back to sleep, so I climbed out of bet and decided to go workout. After throwing on a pair of yoga pants and a hot-pink workout top, I took the elevator down to the building’s gym. There was one other girl in the gym. She was probably in her early twenties and had perfect hair and a kickin’ body. She was on the elliptical and not even breaking a sweat on her made-up face. I wanted to punch the pretty girl in the face to even the playing field.

  Apparently I was a little grumpy. I didn’t usually notice other people at the gym, and that morning I was mentally threatening bodily harm. In an effort to elevate my mood, I climbed on the treadmill and started running. I lost myself in the David Guetta mix on my iPod. Next thing I knew, an hour had passed, and my legs felt like jelly, one of my favorite post-workout feelings ever.

  With my bad mood forgotten, I hummed quietly to myself as I stepped out into the lobby where I immediately stopped short. Grant was walking in the doors of the building as someone else was walking out. He was dressed in dark jeans and a plain white V-neck t-shirt and looked good—really good. When our eyes locked and his mouth lifted on one side in a sly grin, it occurred to me how disgusting I looked…again.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked, not getting any closer. I was certain I didn’t smell pleasant, and maybe if I stood far enough away he wouldn’t notice my bright red cheeks and sweaty forehead. Standing in place I looked him up and down. Needless to say, I noticed everything about him. Every muscle as it moved while he stepped closer, the shift of his eyes, his long fingers as they reached for me. I noticed it all. I also noticed a shift in my breathing, and my sudden desire for the man in front of me to be the man inside of me. Oh my. When did I get so crude
?

  “I said I’d see you soon. Soon is now,” he said as he ran his hands down my arms and wrapped them around my body. I guess he was ignoring that whole “going through a divorce” thing I told him the night before, not to mention the sweat pouring from my skin.

  I tried to squirm out of his reach, away from the burn I felt throughout my body when he touched me. He kept me close and bent down to kiss my lips, sending my body into hyper drive. “I’m all sweaty,” I whispered.

  “You taste good,” he said before he kissed my neck, and I let him, because for the first time I was willing to admit that I wanted this man to give me orgasms. Hundreds of them, like Tara said. He slowly pulled away from my neck. “You need to go get ready because you are making me want you right here in the lobby…unless you’re into that sort of thing, then I’ll be happy to accommodate.”

  I stepped away from him to find some breathing room. “What am I getting ready for?” I asked as I walked over to the elevator. I didn’t ask him to come up, but it was no surprise that he would invite himself. This time I didn’t mind. After last night I was already learning to pick my battles.

  “Brunch,” he said simply.

  The elevator felt thick with tension once the doors were closed, but it only took the slight movement of the small box rising to motivate Grant to put his hands on me. As soon as the elevator was in motion, his hands were palming my ass and crushing my sweaty body against his solid, flawlessly dressed one. His lips came crashing against mine for a quick but passionate kiss, and I found myself pulling him closer. The dinging of the bell told us we had reached my floor.

  He pulled away and grabbed my hand, leading me out onto my floor. I felt like I had just ridden a roller coaster. However, a perfectly unruffled Grant led me straight to my door without asking which apartment was mine, or even what direction off the elevator it was. “Should I even bother to ask how you know which apartment is mine?”