The CEO

by Shealy James

  I walked away from her before she could say anything else and didn’t look back. I had no interest in her words, because I was sure they would have been insulting. I was going to have to wait and see what her next move would be. For now, I was proud of myself for following Jane’s advice and standing up to the devil woman.

  The pride quickly wore off on the way home, though, and self-loathing spread like a stain on my mood. While Grant was on a business call on the drive back to my apartment, I stared out the window, lost in my depressing thoughts. I realized I was a sellout. I dressed up for that terrible woman against my better judgment, because I wanted to make up for the fact that she saw me at less than my best. It didn’t matter, though. It only gave her more ammunition, because she knew I was doing it to impress her, and for that, I hated myself just a little.

  Back in my apartment I walked quickly to my bedroom where I kicked my shoes to the back of my closet and threw my dress on the floor. I put on a pair of comfortable jeans and a plain white tank top. When I came out of my closet, Grant was sitting on my bed watching me. “You want to tell me what my mother said to you?”

  “Nope.” I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around him. With him sitting and me standing, it was the first time I’d ever had to look down to him.

  His arms automatically wrapped around me and pulled me closer to him. His worried brownish-greenish-bluish eyes met mine. “You want to tell me why you’re so upset?”

  “Nope.” I was smiling at his concern. I was done being angry with myself. Throwing my dress on the floor was just the release I needed, and now, standing in Grant’s arms, I was perfectly content.

  “How about why you kicked your shoes off and threw your dress on the floor and stomped on it?” So, maybe my closet time was a little more dramatic than I let on. Sue me.

  “I just wanted to change.” I tried to go with a simple explanation.

  “Babe, you’re doing it again.” He was running his hands up and down my waist, but the look on his face was suspicious. It must seem strange to a man to watch a women throw a silent temper tantrum and then be perfectly fine the next minute. He probably thought I was crazy, but I simply needed to let my frustration out.

  “I’m not hiding anything or running or pushing you away or whatever else you say that I do. I’m not going to get in between you and your mother. If you want to know what she said, you should ask her. I told her how I feel about you and that I wasn’t going away.”

  “Okay…” He was still suspicious.

  “Everything’s fine now. I was just mad at myself for a moment. Regular day in the neighborhood it seems.”

  Grant pulled me down on the bed and held me close to him. “Don’t say that.”

  “I’m fine. Everything’s fine. Now what do you want to do for the rest of the day?” I asked as I ran my hand down his chest and the front of his pants, deciding to give him a reward for being such a kind and caring boyfriend. Not to mention that my man was sexy as hell, and every time he wrapped me in his arms, I wanted to take his clothes off and do dirty things to him and with him. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to mind.

  After brunch on Sunday, my week took a turn for the good. I picked up my dress on Tuesday with Tara during our lunch. It fit like it was made for me, which I suppose it was after the alterations. Wednesday I went to my new lady doctor, and she gave me my birth control prescription that I could start right away. Now it was Thursday and time to celebrate Independence Day.

  Grant and I started by enjoying our independence from work and went out to breakfast. While we were out, we watched a parade and wandered around Pike’s Place Market. I figured he was trying to keep me distracted from worrying about the party at his parents’ house that evening. It was my first Iris Mitchell event, and I had to admit I was more than just a little nervous about the whole ordeal. Not only did I have to get all dressed up and go to a place where all of the women used glam teams to get ready—I told Grant absolutely not when he offered to hire one for me—but I’d also be running into many of Grant’s ex-whatevers, and quite possibly Kitty. As if Iris wasn’t enough to deal with in one night, I would likely be in the presence of the chosen one. It wasn’t like I could forget that by watching a parade of people dressed in red, white, and blue.

  It was early afternoon when Grant took me home to get ready. I made him go home to his palace so I could get ready in peace. That really meant I would be getting ready listening to my favorite “get dressed for a stupid party but at least I have good taste in music” mix of Rihanna, Eminem, and Beyonce. I didn’t want Grant to see me take way too long to get ready because I was shaking my booty all over my apartment. He wouldn’t understand.

  I did take my sweet time getting ready, though. My shower was longer than usual where I spent extra time shaving everywhere. I washed and conditioned my hair twice, hoping for some extra shine. Originally, I had planned to wear my hair up because Grant likes access to my neck, but I needed the protective shield that wearing it down offered. I curled it into soft curls and inconspicuously pinned it so it would hang artfully over the shoulder that was also covered by the dress. I was pleased with the result.

  My makeup didn’t take long. I put on a little black eyeliner with light eye shadow and some extra mascara, so my eyes would really pop. My lips were really the superstars, though, with my bright red lip stain and gloss. With my dress and shoes on, I felt ready for the red carpet, and this time I was dressed for me, not some old hag with control issues.

  I turned off my music when Beyonce started singing about putting a ring on it. I didn’t want Grant getting any ideas, and I knew he would be there soon. I wanted to be ready when he arrived, but I was too late. When I stepped out into my living room, I found Grant sitting on the uncomfortable couch on his iPad. His wide eyes took in the sight of me but said nothing.

  “I didn’t know you were here.” He just kept staring. “What? Is it bad?” I glanced down at my dress. I thought I looked pretty darn good.

  “Peach.” That was it. That was all he said, but he kept his eyes on me. Finally, after spending an eternity squirming under his scrutiny, he stood up and walked over to me. He handed me a single red rose before gently kissing my neck. When he pulled away, he said, “You look stunning. I don’t even have words.”

  I felt my cheeks turn red. He liked it. “You don’t have to say anything,” I managed to say with a gravelly voice. I felt too much in that moment, so I cleared my throat and changed the subject. “How long have you been here?”

  “Long enough for Rihanna to love the way Eminem lies and Beyonce to sing about your halo and a ring.” Three songs, not long. “I didn’t want to bother you.” He went for my neck again. “I can’t kiss you right now, can I?”

  “Nope. Not yet. You don’t need to be wearing my lipstick when we see your mother.”

  “Fine,” he grumbled, “but you owe me. Let’s go. The car is waiting.”

  I set the rose on my counter and grabbed my clutch before following him out. In the elevator he pouted. “I really want to kiss you.”

  I smiled up at him. “What if I promise you limo sex on the way home? Will that make up for it?”

  “Yeah?”

  “We’re good to go.” Thank goodness! Four days without Grant was way too long.

  He pulled me against him, so I could feel how hard he was already. “Then I can’t wait for this night to be over.”

  Me either.

  ***

  I had never dreamt of showing up naked to school or a party, but I now understood what those dreams felt like. When Grant and I walked into the large tent set up on the Mitchell’s massive lawn, people stopped and stared, and then started whispering. I felt like an animal in the zoo, which then made me think about all the times I went to the zoo and stared at the poor creatures. I am sorry, zoo animals of the world. I shall not stare at you anymore, unless you are doing something entertaining like playing a guitar while walking a tightrope. I’m afraid I couldn’t look away if that
were the case.

  People looked us up and down and blatantly stared as we walked into the party. Photographers took our picture, and people continuously greeted Grant as we walked through the crowd at the entrance. Grant, of course, didn’t seem to notice all of the staring, because this was normal for him. He was busy greeting familiar faces. I, on the other hand, was having a silent mental breakdown. With the flashes going off in my face and men and women everywhere staring at us, I was tempted to run, until I saw the friendly smile on Grant’s face. These were his people.

  I decided to ignore the gawking and look for a bar and some liquid courage. Instead of a bar, I saw Tara and Nolan first. As more and more people surrounded Grant, he stopped introducing me. Thankfully, I was able to slip away and make my way over to Tara and Nolan. I guess Nolan saw me coming, because he had a glass of champagne ready for me when I arrived.

  “How’s it going, Georgia?” he asked as I downed the champagne.

  “Well…I just met ten people, one of whom was named John. I don’t know which one, and I only remember because it is my brother-in-law’s name. People were staring at us like we were a couple of dancing elephants. Now I’m here with you and an endless supply of alcohol. So far, so good. How are you two this evening?”

  They were both laughing at my distress. “You look beautiful, though,” Tara offered.

  “Yeah, whatever. You both clean up nicely as well. We’re the very epitome of the American dream. Expensive clothes and alcohol.”

  “Oh, is that what the American dream is? I thought it was for a man and woman to marry and have 2.5 kids,” Nolan commented derisively. He was having a hard time with Maddox not coming out to his father, even though he and Nolan had been together for several months now.

  I wrinkled my nose at him. “Who would want that? It sounds like a load of shit to me.”

  “And vomit and sleepless nights. No thank you,” Tara added.

  I felt a pair of strong arms snake around my waist, and a deep voice spoke into my neck. “You left me.”

  I leaned against Grant’s hard chest. “Sorry. I needed safety and alcohol. You draw a lot of attention, sir.”

  “I don’t think that was me. You look amazing, and everyone here already noticed. Don’t walk away again, please. You’re here with me, so you stay with me.”

  I leaned over to look at his eyes. Brown. He was upset with me. “I’m sorry. That was a bit uncomfortable, but I’ll take my role as Grant’s arm candy more seriously.”

  He knew I was joking in an effort to make light of the situation, so he smiled and tapped me on the nose. “Please do. How else will I be able to get a drink in this dump?” Whew! Crisis averted.

  We continued to chat with our friends when Maddox joined us with his date. I felt Grant tense behind me when they walked up to us, and then he said, “Rachel?” Rachel was Grant’s assistant, and apparently Maddox’s date for the evening.

  “Hello, Grant,” the Pippa Middleton look alike said as she batted her eyelashes at my boyfriend.

  Maddox attempted to make introductions as we all stared at the beauty, who was still eyeing Grant, by the way. “Ah, Rachel, this is Nolan, Tara, and Grant’s better half, Eve.”

  I put on my friendliest smile. “It’s nice to meet you. How do you like working for Grant?” How do you like spending every day staring at my man, bitch? So maybe my catty side was ready to come out in preparation for Kitty, and the other hundred or so women who wanted to bed my boyfriend.

  “I love it. He’s a good guy.” She gave him a flirtatious wink. I had to bite my cheek to keep from rolling my eyes. Grant pinched my side knowingly.

  Maddox laughed. “I think you have Grant confused with someone else, Rach.”

  “Oh, stop.” She giggled and slapped Maddox’s chest. Nolan grinned when he and I glanced up with the same expression on our faces. Grant didn’t seem to notice as he took a sip of his scotch.

  Tara was a whole other can of worms. “Then the only good guy here is Nolan?” She raised her glass. “Here’s to you, Nolan, my new favorite man.”

  “What happened to Daniel?” Maddox asked then added, “I liked that guy.”

  “Nothing happened to him,” she responded with a nasty glare. I suddenly understood that her bad attitude was all about him. If my mind weren’t already too busy keeping an eye on Rachel, I would have been totally entertained by her. I was disappointed in Maddox for being so spineless. He would be seen everywhere in Seattle with Nolan, but he encouraged Nolan to bring a date, a female date, to an event that was sure to have press and his father in attendance. Nolan acted like he didn’t mind, but we knew he was hurt. The only saving grace was Tara was willing to blow off Daniel and come with him.

  I was also grateful for the benefit of having Tara there. The way Rachel was still eye-fucking Grant made me want to punch her. I needed Tara’s wrath to distract me from my own.

  “Enough about that. Where are your parents, Grant?” Nolan asked. “Is Daphne coming?”

  “I don’t know about my parents. Daphne said she and Ian were coming.”

  “How’s she doing? I hope she liked the flowers I sent,” Rachel asked.

  “Better. Much better.”

  I turned to look at him. “Was she sick?”

  Grant shook his head. “No. I’ll tell you later.” Hmm…that didn’t settle well in my brain. I didn’t have time to worry about it right then, though. Tara shoved another glass of champagne in my hand, just in time for Iris and Harrison to walk up.

  “Grant, darling, how are you?” She leaned over so he could kiss her cheek. Harrison greeted me first and then the rest of the circle.

  “Mother. Dad,” he greeted.

  Iris turned to me. “Eve. You look lovely tonight. Did Grant take you shopping?” Just a minor poke. Not too bad.

  Grant spoke before I could. “Actually, Nolan, Tara, and Eve went shopping while I closed the deal with the Williams Group on Saturday.”

  She smiled unconvinced and then turned to Maddox. “Maddox, you look charming as always. I see you brought our little Rachel. It is so nice to see you, dear. How’s your father doing?”

  Rachel smiled widely. “He’s doing really well, even though he’s traveling more. He just bought a new building in Paris. I can’t wait to see it.”

  “I’m sure it’s wonderful. He has the most impeccable taste. Tell him we said hello.” Apparently Rachel has the Iris Mitchell stamp of approval.

  She continued to greet the rest of our friends before grabbing Harrison’s arm and floating off. Harrison turned to me and playfully rolled his eyes before giving me a wink and following behind her.

  “Perfect timing,” a sweet voice said. It was Daphne. “We just missed the Iris greeting show.”

  It wasn’t long before the emcee made his welcoming announcement and then asked for everyone to be seated. Grant grabbed my hand and threaded it through his arm so he could lead me to the table. On the way I mentioned that Rachel seemed nice.

  He responded, “Yeah. She’s a nice girl.”

  I laughed. “I can see why she likes working for you.”

  “Why’s that?” he asked.

  “Who wouldn’t want to look at you all day? She sure likes to mentally undress you.”

  He paused and glanced down at me. “Jealous, peach?”

  “No, because I actually get to undress you,” I said playfully. Grant tensed and looked away. I stood there confused for a moment when it hit me. “She has also gotten to undress you, hasn’t she?”

  “Not here, Eve,” he warned, but it fell on deaf ears.

  “You screwed your assistant? Could you be more of a cliché?”

  He leaned down so no one would hear him. “It was a long time ago, baby. Don’t make a big deal out of it.” One out of the hundreds has a name to go with her pretty million-dollar face.

  “Oh, I won’t. I’ve seen the photos online. I knew what to expect.”

  I started walking again, but he pulled me back. “You what?”
>
  I stepped closer to him. “Holly Googled you, so I had to see. After she talked me off the roof of the building, I decided it didn’t matter as long as it was in the past. You’ve never given me any reason to doubt you, so I won’t start now. Rachel can keep her little crush on you. I understand the appeal.”

  He kissed my lips, not caring if he ended up with red lipstick on his lips. My lip stain worked perfectly now that my gloss was on the edge of a few champagne glasses. “Thank you, baby. You know I only have eyes for one girl, and she’s all mine.”

  We started walking again. “I would love to meet her. She sounds fascinating.”

  He pressed his lips to my ear, because his next words were just for me. “You have no idea. She’s remarkable, not to mention dynamite in the sack.”

  I slapped his arm just as we approached the table we were sharing with his parents, Daphne and Ian, and two other board members and their wives. I, thankfully, was seated between Daphne and Grant. Grant was next to one of the board members, Mitch I think. From the moment the first course was served, the man kept Grant’s attention, so I talked to Daphne while Ian was wrapped up in his own conversation with the other board member, whose name I didn’t remember at all.

  Dinner was a long process, and Daphne and I ran out of things to talk about because we just didn’t know each other that well. By the time the crème brûlée topped with red and blue berries was served, I was a little tipsy and a lot bored. The emcee announced dancing would ensue, and the big band started to play on the far side of the dance floor. Couples flooded the dance floor, but Grant continued to chat it up with Mitch.