18
BODI
‘He’sthebest.He makes me laugh, makes me happy. He even cooks for me.’
I wasn’t supposed to hear, but I did, and when those words reached my ears, it completely washed away the worry I felt about my dad. I don’t know what it means, but I know it makes me feel good, putting a skittish smile on my face every time I replay it in my head. I stare at the gold liquid in my glass, resting my elbows on the portable bar as I glance over my shoulder through the KPI cafeteria.
She really did an amazing job. The decorations are gold with white and red stripes, and even though she pushed through on the cotton candy stall, she also arranged a rhythmic gymnast, a fake fortune teller that takes the piss at everyone, and a high striker for entertainment. There are two staffed bars that specialize in fancy cocktails, and servers who are walking around with food that’s typical for a day at the carnival. It all looks incredible.
When she said carnival, I expected bright colors, tacky shit. But she took the theme and made it something elegant, something both fun and classy.
She made it Kayla.
After she walked into the living room, wearing that shiny piece of fabric and a pair of Doc Martens, it has been hard to focus on anything else. I try to mingle and network, to show interest in my employees and the business partners she invited, but every single time, I catch myself looking for another glimpse of her. I constantly want to know where she is, who she’s talking to, and find myself looking at her in wonder.
She always looks great. She’s young and fresh and fucking beautiful in everything she wears on a daily basis, but seeing her all dressed up like she is tonight? It does stuff to me that isn’t supposed to be happening. I’ve been horny for the last three hours, doing my best effort to drink my twitching dick into a slumber, but it doesn’t help one bit. All my mind does is think about how badly I want to kiss every inch of her body. How I want to feel the warmth of her pussy over my fingers before I feel her wetness slide over my dick. How I want to breathe in her scent and hear her moan my name in a sultry tone.
Letting out a low grunt, I throw the contents of my glass down my throat and the bartender gives me a questioning look.
“Another one?”
“Please.” I offer him a tight smile and he grabs the bottle to splash two fingers into my empty glass before I pick it up to continue my attempt to drown out my forbidden cravings.
“It’s a good night, don’t you think?” With my glass hanging mid-air, I twist my head to the voice, my gaze being met by Rachel’s. Her face is caked with make-up, and her lashes are fluttering with more volume than I remember.
“It is.” I smile, taking another sip of my drink, then turn around to look around the cafeteria.
“She did a great job,” Rachel continues.
“She sure did.” I nod while my eyes search for Kayla again. Like a moth to a light, it doesn’t take long before I find her talking to Agnes with a beaming smile on her face. Agnes says something that makes her laugh loudly and, simultaneously, I feel myself smiling.
“So, how are you getting on?”
I frown at Rachel’s question, not sure what she means.
“Kayla,” she clarifies with a tone that has me wondering if there is more intent. “Is she a keeper?”
Is she a keeper?
I assume Rachel is talking on a professional level, but for some reason, my mind goes in a different direction. Thinking about what would happen if she were to continue living with me. After the last few weeks, we’ve built a routine. We have a certain pace that seems to grow on me every single day. I like the fact that I’m not alone when I’m home and even though I try to keep my distance, at least a little, I enjoy knowing she’s close and the thought of her moving out eventually makes me cranky as fuck.
“Bodi?” Rachel cocks her head, following my gaze, and I clear my throat to get her attention back to me, feeling busted as fuck.
“I think so. So far, she has been a real help, and clearly, she has the skills to organize.” I bring my hand forward to show the party. “If I would’ve done this, there would be a bar and a DJ.”
Rachel laughs while her hand lands on my arm. “Right, but you have different talents.”
I glance at her fingers, and tentatively she pulls them back.
“You don’t have any issues with her age?” she asks.
I frown at the condescending look that washes over her face. It’s one of superiority, and her tone holds a little of something I’d describe as envy.
I don’t like it.
“I don’t,” I say, feeling protective. “Do you?” I challenge her with my eyes, and I see how they slowly widen, realizing she screwed up.
“No, no, no. Not at all.” She gives me a tight smile and I take a sip of my drink. “I was just wondering because she doesn’t have a degree and she’s young and all. We’ve been questioning if she’s qualified. How did you find her, anyway?”
I rear my head back, her stance having changed to something provoking.
“She’s the cousin of my best friend.” Not a lie. “And you’re right. She’s not qualified. But I promised to give her a shot, and I think she’s doing a great job so far.” I pause, keeping my eyes focused on her with a frown. “Unless you have any complaints about her?”
“Oh, no!” She chuckles, the sound more fabricated than I think she realizes. “She’s lovely.”
“Good.” I bring my glass to my lips and Kayla’s light blue eyes find me. They act as a beacon, drawing me every single time they land on mine, and when she gives me a coy smile, my heart beat picks up with a joyful feeling. I give her a wink, and I can see how her cheeks blush from across the room. My dick twitches to life, and I clench my jaw as I take another sip. I let the sting of the whiskey sit on my tongue for a few seconds to turn my focus anywhere else, but when it doesn’t help, I once again pour all the liquid down my throat before slamming the glass on the bar.
“If you will excuse me for a moment?” I give Rachel an apologetic look, even though I’m not regretting cutting off this conversation one bit, then take a few big strides toward the hallway. My body heats up, and I loosen my tie while pushing out a frustrated breath.
I was hoping getting somewhat intoxicated would help, but so far, it only seems to make things worse. It only makes me want her more, to blur the boundaries that I should keep. Finally, I reach the solitude of my office, away from the party noises, and I close the door behind me. I move forward to stand with my hands resting on the back of my neck, my eyes closed as I focus on my breathing.
It takes me a few deep breaths before I finally feel how my body calms down a bit, until the sound of the door opening makes me turn around. The corner of my mouth lifts when I look into Kayla’s bright blue eyes. She smirks, locking the door, then presses her back against it. I bite my lip while taking in her body with enjoyment. My hands want to feel the curves hidden underneath her dress, and I’m going crazy just thinking of how her skin feels under my palm.
With a swift move, she reaches out, yanking me toward her. My dress shirt comes untucked from the sudden movement, and my hands land beside her head, doing my best to restrain myself from touching her.
“What are you doing, Kayla?” I huff, dipping my chin enough for our lips to almost touch.
I shouldn’t do that. I shouldn’t bring my mouth so close to hers. I should keep my eyes shut and close off my senses as much as I can. But instead, I peer down at her hooded eyes that are staring into mine with longing. A strand of her brown hair has dropped free from her braided hair, and the silky wisp is tempting me to touch it while the smell of her fresh fragrance makes it impossible for me to think.
“I’m seducing you,” she says, looking up at me through her lashes. “I have been seducing you for a while, but you have more restraint than I anticipated. You weren’t this difficult last time.” A charming smile takes over her pretty face.
“Last time you were still a Stanford student,” I argue out of habit, even though my mouth seems to move closer to hers with every passing second.
“I can quit if you want me to...” Our noses brush together, and it feels like I’m burning inside. My mind wants to keep telling me to walk away, to do the right thing. But every fiber in my body is drawn to her, like a magnet, unable to ignore or resist the attraction we have. “Stop.” The sound of my voice is desperate, but my body isn’t even listening anymore. It’s pulling on the last restraints of my brain, begging me to stop doing the right thing.
“Do you really want me to, baby?” The sound of baby falling off her plump lips makes my dick twitch, painfully pressing against my fly. It’s a bad idea to remind myself of what her lips taste like, but I can’t help myself. I can feel her champagne breath fan my face, and I brush my lips over hers. The warmth that radiates off of her brings shivers down my spine as if I’m physically torturing myself by holding back.