Page 2 of The Interview (Executive Suite Secrets)

2

ARDEN

Kaylan was adorable.

Even more adorable than I’d been expecting from his picture. Now I was curious to see if there was a vast difference between what his boss had put in his bio and the real person walking with me to the front doors of the art museum.

Maybe I shouldn’t be too excited, though. Tim had been adorable, and that hadn’t worked out. In fact, it had been one of my more nightmarish attempts at dating.

Nope. That didn’t matter.

Not thinking about Tim. Not today.

Kaylan was getting my full attention. He deserved that. Even if he wasn’t interested in dating, he could be a fun friend to hang out with.

A friend I’d love to kiss and nuzzle and find all the spots on his body that made him squeal. Yeah, that kind of friend.

It might be better if I redirected my thoughts to things that didn’t require me to undress the man.

“So, if your boss wouldn’t be upset with you returning to work early, would you go back instead of taking the rest of the day off?” I asked.

Kaylan shrugged his narrow shoulders. “Sure. Why not?”

I stopped walking, my eyebrows leaping up my forehead. “It’s a day off. Why pass it up?”

“I like my job. Even if I’m just an assistant. Sebastian and Byron are incredibly smart, and I’m learning a lot from them. It also doesn’t hurt that I never know what to expect on any given day. Once, Sebastian stormed out of his office and declared that he was dragging me and Byron to the zoo to watch the big cats. He was trying to come up with a new type of loungewear that was good for lazing about and bursts of activity. In his opinion, no one was better at that than cats.”

“You work for a clothing designer?”

Kaylan shook his head, his dark-brown hair falling down into his eyes. “Not really. Sebastian runs a large conglomerate of companies, and one business is clothing. Marketing and logistics are the biggest divisions.” Kaylan tipped his head to the side as we walked. “What do you do for a living?”

“Freelance graphic artist. I take on a variety of clients, from cleaning products to publishing companies. Somebody always needs something interesting designed.”

Kaylan grunted. “And being a freelancer, that means you can make your own hours and take the day off whenever you want.”

I rubbed the side of my nose. “That’s the idea, but I think I’m about as good as you are when it comes to taking breaks. I like my job, and I get caught up in my work too often.”

“Oh, shit.” Kaylan stopped walking, his eyes wide.

I whipped my head around and my heart sank. The art museum was closed for renovations. “Well, damn.” There went my plans for a long, slow wander and pleasant conversation.

Kaylan made a face. “That stupid app got us here. I assumed it wanted us to go to the art museum for our date, but it’s closed.”

“Have you ever been to Krohn Conservatory?” I asked, brain scrambling for an alternative that was close. Anything that was too far might be too much effort, and Kaylan had made it clear that he didn’t want to be there. Easy was best.

Hands in his pockets, Kaylan rocked on his heels, moving his head from the left to the right so that the hair that fell in front of his eyes moved to the side. “Not since elementary school. I think we went on a field trip to see the Christmas decorations one year.”

My hand itched to reach up and brush those sleek locks from his forehead, but that seemed a little too forward for this non-date, reverse interview. It was easier to keep them balled into fists at my sides.

“Would you be interested in a stroll through the flowers with me? It’s just on the other side of the park.”

To my shock, Kaylan’s expression lit up. “Sure. I’ll follow you over in my car. I don’t get up to Eden Park too often.”

“Got it.”

With renewed energy, we walked to the parking lot in front of the art museum and climbed into our respective cars. I led the way in our two-car caravan, down the winding narrow roads past the silent mirror lake and the overlooking gazebo. During the summer, bright flowers, sunbathers, and people walking their dogs filled the park. It was a peaceful spot to relax and offered a magnificent view of downtown Cincinnati.

In winter, the place was dreary and empty. The primary draw was Krohn Conservatory, with its holiday display and live nativity scene in December. I’d never been up here for Valentine’s Day, but I was hoping they had something for the romantic holiday. If this was a bust, I’d have to take it as not meant to be.

As we zipped past the gazebo and up another winding hill on the opposite side of the park, I released a heavy sigh of relief to see bundled-up people walking toward the enormous glass-and-steel structure. Built in the early 1930s, the flower conservatory possessed elegant art deco touches that still graced the structure to this day.

Taking the drive that led to the small parking lot behind the building, I pulled into a spot that had an opening on my right so Kaylan could park his tiny silver electric BMW beside my SUV.

“Wow. I forgot how big this place was,” Kaylan announced as we met up behind our cars.

He’d barely finished speaking when another gust of icy wind swept through, causing us to huddle against it. I reached out and wrapped an arm around Kaylan’s shoulders, pulling him closer to my body so I could shield him from the cold. “Let’s hurry and get inside, where it’s warmer.”

I half expected Kaylan to pull away, but he smirked at me and continued across the parking lot and down the sidewalk to the front of the building. As soon as we stepped into the building, we sighed happily at the welcoming heat.

Grinning, Kaylan darted ahead of me and bought two tickets. I didn’t argue. Yeah, this was a non-date, but I had a feeling guilt was nibbling at Kaylan over his boss’s weird tricks. This was his way of apologizing and I’d allow it, but this was it.

After stepping into the main entrance hall, my eyes lifted to the glass ceiling that towered at least three stories overhead. In front of us was the rainforest exhibit with its tall palm trees and lush greenery that stood in direct contrast to the brown, icy death outside. I slipped out of my coat and draped it over my arm as I dragged in a deep breath filled with warmth, humidity, and elegant floral notes. The only sounds were soft conversation and the distant sound of falling water crashing onto rocks.

“This…this is so peaceful.”

I glanced over to find Kaylan holding his coat in front of him. His eyes were closed, and a hint of a smile played on his pink lips. The wind had mussed his dark-brown hair, but that only made him more handsome in my book. Wrapped in his designer suit, his slightly messy hair made me hope this guy wasn’t all serious and business. That maybe he had some hidden depths to go with the mischievous grin I’d caught sight of here and there.

“A pleasant break from work?”

Kaylan cracked one eye open and smirked. “Possibly. I think it’s still early to call. Which way?”

I nodded to his right. “We’ll begin with the seasonal display. It leads to the desert room, orchid display, and the bonsai exhibit.”

Kaylan walked in the direction I’d indicated. “Sounds like you’ve been here a few times before.”

“I pop in several times a year. They have different seasonal exhibits, plus it’s a quiet place to think and look for inspiration.”

We stopped just past the entrance to the smaller room, taking in the explosion of tulips and red roses artfully arranged around a three-tiered fountain in the center of the room. It was as though spring had erupted inside of the giant greenhouse.

“Beautiful,” Kaylan murmured as he started forward. He dug his phone out of his pocket and snapped a handful of pictures. He looked over his shoulder and grinned. I liked that. The man seemed to smile so easily, his face always incredibly expressive. As if he couldn’t hold his emotions back. There was no hiding for Kaylan. “I think you mentioned something about detailing all the reasons we’re so very undateable.”

“I did. Do you want to start, or should I?”

“I’ll go first, but I’ll warn you; I’ve got something that could end this competition right here and now.” Kaylan shoved his phone into his pocket and continued past the fountain to the far corner.

“Go for it.” Short of being a murderer, rapist, or serial cheater, I couldn’t imagine what he could do that would be such a deal breaker.

Kaylan stopped walking and leaned toward me. Dropping his voice to a whisper, he admitted, “I hate chili.”

“What?” I demanded in a choked laugh. Not what I’d been expecting him to say. “You hate chili? Were you even born in this area?”

“Born and raised. I went away to Boston University for college and then returned. But yeah, can’t stand chili. Any and all chili. Never liked it.”

I made a show of shaking my head and clicking my tongue at him. In Cincinnati, chili was serious business. Mostly because Cincinnati had its own distinct style and way of eating chili. You couldn’t swing a dead cat and not hit a chili parlor in this town. Every person born in the tri-state area had an opinion about chili.

“So there’s no point in asking you the perennial Gold Star versus Skyline question.”

“None.”

“Or if you prefer a coney to a three-way?”

“ Ugh . Neither.”

As we reached the corner of the room and stopped under the lemon tree, I couldn’t help nudging his shoulder with mine. “Is there anything you like as a three-way?” I asked in a low voice.

Kaylan snorted. “Why do I get the impression you’re not talking spaghetti anymore?” He bumped me back. “I’m not much of a sharing person, so I can’t imagine there are any three-ways that I’d be a fan of. You?”

I shook my head as a bit of tension unwound from around my lungs. “The only three-ways I like are spaghetti, chili, and a mountain of cheddar cheese. And, for the record, I’m a Skyline fan, but I won’t turn my nose up at a Gold Star coney. Also, you not liking chili is not a deal breaker. Try again.”

My pseudo-date tipped his head up toward the tree and pointed at a lemon nearly lost among the dark-green leaves. “Stupid question: do you think that’s real?”

“Are you asking me if the flower conservatory has a fake tree in it?” I replied, trying very hard not to laugh.

Kaylan poked me in the ribs with his elbow. “Shut up. I said it was a stupid question. I was just thinking that I’ve never seen an actual lemon tree. Lots of lemons in the grocery, but never on a tree. That’s kind of cool.”

I was going to kiss him. If this man kept being so adorable, I was going to kiss him. It was taking all of my self-control not to dip my head and steal a kiss off those pink lips.

My companion narrowed his eyes at me. “What are you grinning at? I’m not always an idiot. This surprise arranged date caught me flat-footed. I’m not at my smartest right now.”

“So you’re warning me that I won’t be able to keep up once you get your bearings?” I teased.

A little scoff left his throat. “Whatever. Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re trying to decide between laughing and kissing me.”

Okay, that was rather astute.

Thankfully, Kaylan didn’t give me the chance to answer. He grabbed my wrist with his free hand and pulled me toward the open doorway. “What’s over here?”

“The Desert Room,” I replied, still smiling at the back of his head.

We left spring behind in the bright-and-humid exhibit hall for a more arid room overflowing with cacti and other plants only found in the desert. Everything in the room possessed prickles, which seemed very suited to Kaylan. The man still holding my wrist as we started along the aisle was full of protective prickles, but that didn’t deter me. There would be ways past the thorns to get to the softness I knew had to reside inside of him.

“You got one of my least desirable traits. It’s your turn,” Kaylan prodded.

Chewing on my bottom lip, I lifted my gaze to a tree that had stretched across the low ceiling of the room. This was my idea. However, I was now questioning my sanity. This was supposed to be fun. Not about sending Kaylan running away from me. “Um…I guess…I have a somewhat obsessive personality. I get in moods where I obsess over a single thing.”

Kaylan released my wrist as if he suddenly remembered that he was holding it and flashed me a crooked grin. He tucked that hand with the other holding his coat. “Obsessed, huh? Give me an example. You don’t get obsessive over the person you’re dating, do you?”

“No! No! Nothing like that!” My heart leaped into my throat and refused to climb down at that question. “I obsess over things or food. For example, for two months, I had to have a bowl of cereal before going to bed or I couldn’t sleep. After I got over that, I couldn’t stand to eat cereal for months. Or I binge a particular TV show or style of books. During that period, nothing else will interest me much.” I winced. “I’ve driven a couple of exes crazy with that trait.”

Kaylan shrugged and continued to amble among the cacti. “What kind of shows? Reality TV?”

I shook my head even though he couldn’t see it. “Mostly anime and serial killer documentaries.”

The sexy man in front of me chuckled. “ Everyone is hooked on serial killer documentaries.” He paused and looked over at me. “What kind of anime?”

There was something in his voice that left me thinking that despite his attempt to sound casual and indifferent, this was a very important question for him. Could he be an anime watcher as well?

“Probably not stuff that would interest you. It’s mostly the slice of life, romantic, BL—I mean boys love—anime.”

Kaylan turned around to face me and lifted one haughty eyebrow. “You’re standing here with a gay man. Do you think I don’t know what BL is?”

That was a good point. But I hadn’t expected him to know in relation to anime. Did that mean…?

“Some of my favorites are Sekaiichi Hatsukoi, Given, and Junjo Romantica —even with its very questionable first episode,” Kaylan proclaimed as he walked toward me.

“Because you’re hooked on Usagi’s domineering, possessive nature while being insecure over Misaki’s feelings for him,” I finished.

“Yessss!” he hissed, eyes wide and teeth clenched. “And then you get to watch Misaki’s slow realization that he’s so deeply in love with Usagi and would be lost without him. That entire scene at the train station on the phone?—”

“Where he’s just wanting some little sign from Usagi that he wants Misaki to stay with him?—”

“It kills me every freaking time I watch it. I want to cry while shaking Misaki.”

And now we were finishing each other’s sentences. At least with anime, we had some overlap in our interests, and we were doing a horrible job of scaring each other away.

“Have you watched Dakaichi ?” I asked to keep from kissing him.

“That’s the one with the two actors who fall in love, right?” Kaylan tipped his head back and moaned softly as he closed his eyes. “So sexy.” His head popped up and his eyes snapped open. “And they made the older veteran actor the shou and the young guy the gong ! I love it!”

Gong? Shou? Those were not Japanese terms for top and bottom. That was Chinese!

I grinned at him. “You don’t just watch anime. You read danmei , too.”

Kaylan’s mouth fell open and his eyes unfocused for a second, as if he were rewinding what he’d said to give that away. It took only another second before he was groaning and nodding. “Yes, yes. I watch yaoi anime, and I have read an obscene amount of Chinese BL. Now that you’ve pried my dark secret out of me and you know what danmei is, I can admit that when I saw your eyes for the first time, my initial thought was that you were Hua Cheng reincarnated.”

My breath caught in my throat and my heart stopped at his words. He was comparing me to the sexiest, most dangerous, most romantic ghost king that was ever written. I stood frozen as Kaylan cocked his head to one side and lifted his hand, covering my pale right eye without touching my face. He smiled as he stared at me. “Sexy, broken Hua Cheng, who tore out his own eye in a fit of madness and heartbreak over his sweet dianxia .”

“You’ve left me with no choice,” I whispered.

Kaylan lowered his hand back to his side. “What?”

“I have to kiss you now.”