Chapter 8

 

“Hello Mae.”

I looked up from my desk, a large smile crossing my face. “Hey Russ! How are you?”

“I’m alright.”

I frowned. Russ’ normally tanned face was pale and he looked sick to his stomach. I hadn’t seen him since our trip to ‘Night Play’ last week and I wondered if he was angry with me.

“Russ? What’s wrong?”

He shook his head. “Nothing. I’m just here to pick up Mr. Knight for his business dinner tonight but he’s not in his office.”

I stood and walked towards him. “He’s not back from his meeting with Ida yet. He shouldn’t be long.”

“Okay, thanks.”

He turned to go and I reached out and snagged his arm. “Russ, please tell me what’s wrong.”

He sighed and I could hear the tears in his voice. “My cousin died yesterday. He was playing baseball and just collapsed. They said it was a heart attack but he was only twenty-nine.”

“Oh honey.” I whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

I turned him around and cupped his pale face. “I’m really sorry.”

He closed his eyes and I stood on my tiptoes and put my arms around him. He tucked his face into my neck and I rubbed his back soothingly. “I’m so sorry for your loss, honey.”

We stood in my office and I continued to hug him tightly. After a few minutes, he stepped back and sighed deeply. I wiped the tears from his face with the heel of my hand.

“Where’s Steve, honey?”

“He’s at home. He told me not to go into work tonight, but I didn’t want to just sit there and think about it you know?”

“I do.” I wiped another stray tear away with my thumb.

“The funeral is tomorrow. I’m dreading going. My entire family will be there and they don’t exactly approve of my lifestyle choice. They’re always so rude to Steve and he’s so good about putting up with it, but I told him he didn’t have to go with me. My family will just be a bunch of little bitches to him. Steve says he doesn’t care but it actually makes it worse for me, you know?”

“Yes.” I gave him a sympathetic look.

“So now I have to go to the funeral alone. My mom will use the opportunity to lecture me about not finding a nice sweet girl and giving her grandchildren. My grandmother will try and pray the gay out of me, and they won’t even care that my cousin is lying there dead.”

He drew in another deep, hitching breath and I squeezed his arms. “Honey, I’ll go to the funeral with you, if you want.”

“Really?”

“Of course I will. We’re friends aren’t we? That’s what friends do.”

“I – are you sure, Mae? It’s a lot to ask.”

“I’m positive.” I said firmly. “Let me just check with Liam that I can take the afternoon off and I’ll text you tonight okay?”

“Thanks, Mae.” He hugged me tightly, lifting me off my feet for a minute, before setting me down gently.

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.” He bent and kissed me quickly on the mouth.

“Am I interrupting something?”

We both turned at the sound of Liam’s voice, and I watched Russ wither under the fury of Liam’s gaze.

I stepped protectively in front of Russ. “No.”

Liam continued to stare at us like an angry bull, and I squeezed Russ’ hand before smiling at him. “I’ll text you tonight, okay?”

He nodded and gave Liam a faint smile. “I’ll wait in the car for you, Mr. Knight.”

“Yes, please do.” Liam said icily without looking at him.

We stared silently at each other for a few minutes before Liam said, “Do you have the file ready for my business meeting, Ms. Temple? Or were you too busy kissing my driver to finish it?”

“It’s done and on your desk.” I replied shortly.

“Excellent. Have a pleasant evening.” He turned to leave.

“Mr. Knight?”

“Yes, Ms. Temple?” He refused to turn around.

“I know this is short notice but could I have tomorrow afternoon off?”

He stiffened. “For what reason?”

“Russ’ cousin died. I’d like to go to the funeral with him.”

He looked over his shoulder, his face still angry. “That’s fine.”

I sighed as he stalked out of my office. This last week had been almost pleasant. My lie about forgetting what had happened at the bar had prevented me from being fired, and Liam had been busy and out of the office for most of the week. I had a feeling that the pleasantness was over.

* * *

 

“Ms. Temple!” Liam’s angry bark echoed through his office and I squared my shoulders before leaving my office.

“Yes, Mr. Knight?”

“Where the hell is the Wenton file? Jesus Christ, the deposition is next week and the goddamn file has gone missing!”

“It hasn’t gone missing.” I said calmly. I crossed the room, pulled open the filing cabinet behind his desk, and plucked the file out. I placed it on the desk and crossed my arms over my chest.

“Anything else?”

“No.” He snapped. He ran his hand through his hair and started flipping through the file. I eyed him carefully. He had a charity event this evening and he had already changed into his tux. He looked sinful in it. It wasn’t fair that one man could look so good in everything. Suits, jeans and a t-shirt, a tuxedo – it didn’t matter. The man really was a walking sex god.

I snorted to myself as he studied the file on his desk. It didn’t matter how good looking he was, how tasty his lips were, or how thick his cock had felt in my hand, the guy had been a complete and utter asshole to me since the day he saw Russ kissing me.

Frankly, I was surprised that he hadn’t ordered Ida to move me out of the pool and give him another PA. After the first few days of rudeness I had considered telling him that Russ was gay in hopes it might change his attitude, but it wasn’t my information to share. Besides, there was nothing going on between Liam and me. He hadn’t brought up what had happened in the club so he obviously wanted to forget it happened as well – so what the hell was his problem with Russ kissing me?

I was still standing in his office like an idiot and I turned to head back to my own office. Allie’s voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Hi, Mae.”

She stood in the doorway of Liam’s office looking stunning in a strapless red gown. Her hair and make-up was impeccable as usual, and she smiled cheerfully at me.

I cleared my throat, shooting Liam a nervous look. “Hi, Allie. Did we – did we have plans this evening and I forgot?”

She giggled. “No, silly. I’m Liam’s date tonight.”

My mouth dropped open and I turned to stare at Liam. He was putting the Wenton file back in the drawer, and he locked it and dropped the key into the top drawer of his desk before smiling at Allie.

“Good evening, Allie.”

“Hello, Liam.” Allie crossed the room and rested her hand on Liam’s arm. “You’re looking very handsome tonight.”

He smiled at her and I think I actually saw Allie’s thighs loosen. “You’re looking lovely as well.”

She licked her lips and thrust her chest out just the tiniest bit. “Thank you.”

I bit my lip as jealousy shot through me. I pasted a smile on to my face just as Liam turned towards me. “Make sure you finish the Harrison file before you leave, Ms. Temple.” Liam said coldly.

“Of course, Mr. Knight. Have a nice evening.”

“Oh, we will.” Allie winked at me before sliding her hand into the crook of Liam’s arm. As he led her towards the door, she turned her head and gave me a wide-eyed look of pure delight.

I forced myself to smile and give her the thumbs up as they disappeared into the hallway.

* * *

 

“What’s wrong, Mae?” Russ gave me a curious look as I sipped my glass of wine. We were sitting in their small back yard and I shook my head.

“Nothing.” I muttered.

Steve sat down beside me on the swing and started it rocking. “You’re lying. Tell us what’s wrong.”

I sighed and stared up at the stars. “I’m sorry. You guys were kind enough to invite me over on the one weekend Steve gets off a month, and I’m being a total downer.”

“We don’t mind.” Steve said cheerfully before patting my knee. “Just tell us what’s wrong.”

“Mr. Knight’s been a real dick at work lately, and then tonight he took Allie to the goddamn charity event and I’m green with jealousy. Which is incredibly stupid because what the hell do I care if Allie is banging my boss?”

Russ gave Steve an ‘I told you so’ look. “It’s because you like him, Mae.”

“No, I don’t.” I said grumpily.

“Yes you do, and he likes you too.”

“No, he definitely does not.” I glared at him. “Did you forget the part where I mentioned he’s been a complete dick all week?”

Russ shrugged. “He’s being a dick because he saw me kissing you in your office.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Steve held up his hand. “What’s this about kissing?”

Russ grinned at him. “It was completely innocent, baby. You know you’re the only one for me.”

I took another sip of wine as Russ said, “Just tell him I’m gay for Christ’s sake, Mae. I guarantee you he’ll stop being a dick once you do.”

“Your sexual preference is none of his business, Russ.” I replied. “Besides, it doesn’t matter now. I love Allie but she’s kind of a tart. I guarantee you she’ll be flat on her back in Mr. Knight’s king-sized bed with her legs up in the air, by the end of the night.”

Russ snorted. “I doubt it. I’ve been Mr. Knight’s driver for two years, and I can count on one hand the amount of times he hasn’t just dropped one of his dates off at her door at the end of the night. And he’s never once taken a woman to his house.”

I frowned. “You’re joking right?”

“I’m not.” Russ said solemnly before taking a sip of his water.

“Forget about that.” Steve said suddenly. “I want to know how you know that your hot boss has a king-sized bed.”

I turned red as Russ grinned delightedly at me. “Hell yeah. How do you know that, Mae?”

“Uh…” My cheeks flushed even brighter as Steve squeezed my leg.

“Spill your guts, honey.”

“That night at the club when I drank too much, which I’m blaming entirely on the two of you by the way, Mr. Knight drove me back to his house after I passed out.”

“Holy shit! He did not!” Russ breathed.

“He did. In the morning he made me an omelette.” I added stupidly.

Russ laughed. “I told you, Mae.”

“It doesn’t mean anything.” I protested. “He was worried that his car would be stolen if he drove it to my place.”

Russ laughed again. “Whatever, girl. That man has it bad for you. We all saw the way he carried you out of the club like a white knight.”

He snorted and glanced at Steve. “See what I did there, baby?”

“I saw.” Steve tipped his beer to him.

“How come you’ve never carried me out of the club all romantic like? I’ve been drunk plenty of times.” Russ pointed out.

Steve rolled his eyes. “You weigh 210 pounds.”

“Yeah, 210 pounds of pure muscle.” Russ lifted his shirt and rubbed his admittedly impressive six pack.

I snickered as Russ’ cell phone rang. He glanced at the number and grinned at me. “Speak of the devil.”

“Hello sir.” He paused. “Yes sir, I’m on my way.”

He winked at me and I gave him a questioning look as he said, “Mr. Knight, I wanted to ask you if I could have the weekend of the 23^rd off? My boyfriend Steve has the entire weekend off for a change, and we were thinking of getting out of the city.”

I slapped my forehead as Russ grinned like a lunatic at me. “Yes sir, that’s right. My boyfriend, Steve.”

Steve snorted laughter and took a drink of beer as Russ grinned again. “I can? Thank you, sir. I appreciate that. See you soon.”

He hung up the phone and I threw the pillow from the swing at him. “Russ! What the hell?”

“Shall we make a bet, Mae? I’ll bet you a dinner at that swanky restaurant, Darnell’s, that our Mr. Knight is much more pleasant to you this week.”

I shook my head. “Nope.”

“Chicken.” Russ replied.

“No, I’m not. Knowing my luck, Mr. Knight will get lucky with Allie tonight and actually be a pleasant human being at work. I can’t afford to buy you dinner at Darnell’s.”

Russ laughed and stood up, holding his hand out to me. “Come on, Mae. I’ll drop you off at home before I pick up Mr. Knight.”