Page 58

Oh, my fucking God. Really?There was nothing nonchalant in his voice. Nothing.
I sighed and rubbed my face. It was so tempting to just say no and move on to his weekend, but I was pretty sure if I shut him down right now, he would die from disappointment. That wasn’t fair to him. Kaylan had been a good work friend, and I might have even helped Sebastian meddle in his love life. It was only right that I gave him a sliver of mine.
“You can ask. I know you saw it,” I said.
Kaylan slammed his mug on the counter and stepped even closer. “Holy shit! Are you dating the boss? Was that your first date? A chance encounter? Was that your first kiss? Tell me that wasn’t your first kiss blasted all across the Internet!”
This was why I liked Kaylan. He was great at taking me out of my head. His emotions poured from him, allowing you to get lost in them for a bit.
“Yes, I’m dating the boss. No, it wasn’t our first date or a chance encounter. And no, thank God, it wasn’t our first kiss.”
While those stolen kisses on the park table had been sweet and perfect in every way, I wouldn’t have wanted my first kiss with Sebastian to be fodder for the world to both love and hate.
“That’s amazing! I bet you are the perfect person for him,” Kaylan stated. His wide smile made it easier to breathe. But that smile was wilting way too fast. “But…isn’t it against the company’s policy…”
“Yes,” I broke in when it seemed like he couldn’t finish. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. I don’t mean the dating. This was supposed to be a trial run to see if we wanted to date and be in a relationship. The plan was to have me move to another department and then we could date out in the open. I wouldn’t be his direct subordinate. But the picture…”
“Shit,” Kaylan hissed. “Do you need me to do anything? Talk to HR or maybe the chairman? That’s who Sebastian reports to, right? I can tell them that everyone acted completely professionally in the office. Sebastian wasn’t inappropriatetoward you, right?” Kaylan’s eyes darted to the open doorway and back to me, his expression growing sterner. “He wasn’t, right?”
“No, no. He was never inappropriate, never tried to make me feel like my job was on the line if I didn’t do something,” I said.
Okay, so Sebastian was flirty from time to time and maybe he touched my leg more than once, when we were alone in his office and I was standing close, but I would never complain about any of that.
“Byron! Are you here? Byron!” Sebastian’s frantic voice rang out across the floor.
My heart leaped into my throat as I ran out of the break room to find Sebastian standing by my desk. He didn’t look much better than me with his crooked tie and scowl. Relief washed over his face the moment he saw me. He grabbed my arm and pulled me in for a bone-crushing hug.
“God! I’m so sorry I didn’t call you this morning. I’ve been dealing with phone calls and chaos since I woke up. Are you all right?” Sebastian squeezed me and then pushed me away to examine me from head to toe. “You’re wearing your glasses? What’s wrong? Is it your eyes?”
“I’m okay. Just scared. My eyes are fine. My hands were shaking too badly this morning to put my contacts in without poking myself. It was easier to wear my glasses.”
Sebastian grunted before pulling me in for a second hug. He brushed a kiss to my temple and stiffened. I glanced up to find him staring behind me. I twisted around to find Kaylan watching us with his eyes wide and mouth hanging open.
“It’s okay. Kaylan saw the picture.”
“Sorry, sir,” Kaylan said, taking a step forward. “Whatever you and Byron need, I’m there for you. I’m glad you’re dating. You need someone like Byron in your life.”
I choked on a laugh and Sebastian’s arms tightened as if he were silently agreeing.
“Thanks, Kaylan. I need you to man the phones and act as a barrier. Take messages and tell people I’ll be getting to their requests in the next twenty-four hours. I don’t have time for gawkers and busybodies.”
“Got it!” Kaylan gave us a thumbs-up and hurried off to his desk.
When we were alone, Sebastian turned his attention to me and took a step away. “Everything is going to be fine. My father is coming in for a meeting. I’m sure I’ll get reamed over this, but I’ll talk him down. He’ll see reason. I will take care of everything. You’ll be fine. I’ll protect you.”
I could only nod. The growing tightness of my throat made it impossible to get any words out. I believed him. There might be some ugliness, and I was sure we’d both suffer some punishment, but he’d get this straightened out. I’d still have a job, though probably a different one and a new official boyfriend.
Sebastian stole a quick kiss and smiled, but even I could see it was tight and forced. “Try to get some more work done. I need to return phone calls and put out some fires.”
I watched him disappear into his office, shutting the doors behind him. Everything was going to be okay.
As I returned to my desk, my phone was already ringing.
“Good morning, Byron. This is Janice with HR. Could you come to my office for a meeting?”
19
BYRON GRAHAM