Page 67 of Perfect Order

FEBRUARY

Kane

Poll: How many of you dress for yourself and not to impress for someone else? In the comments below, tell me your go to outfit if you knew no one was watching.

— Eva Henn, Fashion Blogger

“Lookin’ good, Kane. Big date?” Mitch stops me as I head out of my room and make my way past him and the other members of the day team.

I glance down at the shirt and slacks I’ve donned. “Just have to do some work at the office.”

He smirks. “Right. If that’s what you want to call it. I take it you’re not eating with us—again.”

I roll my eyes and reach for my wallet. Tossing some money on the counter, I declare, “Pizza on me. I’ll see you guys later.”

Just as I reach the front door of the condo, Mitch pitches his voice into a falsetto. “Oh, isn’t Kane so sweet. He bought dinner and everything.”

“Assholes,” I clearly call over my shoulder as I snag my leather jacket off the tree before I disappear amid the team’s laughter into the hallway. It’s only then I glance down at my freshly showered body and realize,Crap. I did dress up for Leanne.I debate for about a half a second over ducking back inside to change before I realize if I do, I’ll have to put up with a dumpster full of shit from the team.

After all, there’s no harm in looking professional when I’m meeting with her anyway.

An hour later, I realize I’ve been lying to myself. I no longer see Leanne Miles as a client. As she reaches over and grabs the box of Chinese without breaking eye contact from the contract she’s reviewing, I realize I have a major problem. It isn’t the work I’m focusing on.

I can’t drag my eyes away from her.

Her eyes dart back and forth as she reads the screen, her lowered brows causing the skin between them to pucker slightly. She lifts the chopsticks she’s using to her lips, and I catch a glimpse of her pink tongue as it darts out for a bite of shrimp. “Yes…yes. Right.” And she laughs softly.

I groan aloud.Fucking hell. If she says “right there,” I’m storming out of this office and heading to her place. Screw whatever security protocols she’s been warned about.

“Is something wrong, Kane?” She’s just lifted another bite of food to her mouth, but it’s suspended in midair.

I grab my own box and shovel in a bite of General Tso’s. “No, I’m fine. Just hungry.”

“Have you found out anything?”

Just that my mind can’t focus anymore.Then I decide, to hell with it. “What were you laughing about just then?”

Her lips form the first full-fledged smile I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing since I almost barreled her over. She drops her chopsticks back in the box and waves at her screen before chortling again. “This contract. It reminded me of Lee.”

“Why’s that?” I ask, anxious to keep that look of happiness on her face.

She crosses her legs and then tucks them beneath her. When that happens, it pulls at her oversized sweater, yanking it to the side and exposing one creamy shoulder. I swallow hard, trying to give her my full attention, not just the attention of certain parts of my anatomy. “When I first bought the building that Castor is located in, I had a certain budget. And—as I’m certain you’re aware—we had to meet the security protocols for everything from the ceiling tiles to the flooring. Lee was less than impressed when I began running out of money and bought this ugly-ass carpet tile.”

“You were walking on it, not decorating your home with it.” I understand her logic completely.

“Exactly! You get it.”

“Totally.” I shove another bite in my mouth and chew.

“But to Lee, this carpet was unacceptable. After all, I was presenting an image.” Leanne strikes a pose of such hauteur, I crack up.

“Was it really that bad?”

“Oh, worse. It was so atrocious, she’d lift a tile in my office and write her opinion on the back of it.”

My shoulders shake. “That is pretty funny. What made you think of it just now?”

She jerks her chin at the screen. “Because I had all the carpet replaced after this contract. After this software launch, every square inch of Castor was recarpeted. Then I threw a massive party for our clients. Even Lee came up from the city for it because she didn’t believe me.”