Killian's POV
I've never been this furious in my life before. We were already close to kissing. I was about to taste her lips the second time and then the door just opened, followed by Jamie's constant sorry's and a woman I didn't think I would be seeing anytime soon.
"Celine." I address her, hating the fact that she had to come and put a stop to whatever thing that was about to happen between me and Naomi before she showed up.
"Sir, I'm sorry. I told her you were busy, but she insisted on seeing you. I'm so sorry, sir." Jamie apologizes.
I pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration and wave Jamie out the door. Naomi looks uncomfortable as she shifts her weight from one foot to another.
"Was this bad timing?" Celine asks innocently as she smirks at Naomi.
"I'm just gonna leave," Naomi says, grabbing her bag and flinging it around her shoulders.
I open my mouth to stop her but she's already out the door.
Fuck.
"That was really bad timing, wasn't it?" Celine asks and drops her bag on my desk. She sits down and crosses her leg over the other.
"What are you doing here? You can't just barge in like that." I say to Celine as I walk to my seat.
"Oh, I know. I'm really sorry. I thought Jamie was lying. And please don't fire him, he's really sweet."
I sit down and adjust my tie as I clear my throat. I lace my fingers together and place them on top of my desk as I stare at Celine. She always looks good, classy, and gorgeous. Always trying really hard to impress the world. Of course, she's a model. What the hell am I expecting?
"So what are you doing here?"
"You won't offer me anything, Killian? Don't treat me like a stranger, sweetheart. Are you still pissed I walked right in? Is she the new girl?" She asks, smirking.
What is with women not knowing when a man isn't in the mood to chatter? I give Celine a dead stare and she picks up on the hint that I'm not in the mood to converse. The woman I want to be sitting in front of me just walked out of my office. She probably thinks Celine is my girl because of the way she barged in without at least knocking. A client or an employee won't do that.
Naomi just left my office, obviously frustrated and pissed, and I'm already missing her. I can't help but notice how different her eye color is today. I remember the time we had a proper conversation and she told me she sometimes wears contacts instead of glasses.
Wow. There's a lot this woman is doing to me and I don't even know how she's doing it. And I can't believe I proposed a relationship to her. I never for once thought I'd asked someone to date me just because I wanted a taste of them. Naomi is changing my game. She's making me question my own rules and she's making me break them. Whatever walls I pulled up to protect me from having feelings or falling for anyone, she's finally pulled them down, leaving me exposed. And now I don't just crave her body. Fuck it, right now, I'm craving more than just her body. I want her heart. I want her to look at me like I'm the only man in this world left alive. I want her to think about me and only about me. I want her to trust me, and I want her to give me a chance to show her I can be the man she wants.
I crave her every day like she's some drug that I need to live. God, I want to have her. I want her to be mine and I want no one else but her.
I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose as I stare at Celine who's staring at me.
"Before we start, if Jamie tells you that I'm busy, do me a favor and wait. Don't just barge right in. I don't appreciate that."
Her red-painted lips stretched into a smirk. "Noted. I'm sorry, Killian. I didn't mean to cockblock you. It won't happen again."
Cockblock? Unbelievable.
"So what are you doing here?"
"You don't know? I'm guessing Raymond didn't tell you. I'm supposed to model your new voice assistant for the marketing campaign. And also, I'm the new voice for the voice assistant too."
What? No shit.
"What are you talking about?"
"This is awkward. I thought you knew. You were supposed to be having a meeting with your marketing department today about the marketing campaign for the newly invented virtual assistant and the new MacBook your team made. I got here and I was informed by your marketing director, Mr. Knight, that the meeting was pushed to next week Thursday. I wasn't informed."
"Why you? You have your own clothing line to run."
"But that doesn't stop me from working with other people, right?" Celine smiles. "There were other models who interviewed for the job, it seems I was the more suitable model for it."
This must be some kind of joke. When was this happening and I wasn't aware? How can Raymond choose Celine of all models to be the voice of our new virtual assistant? A chick that I've been fucking? What was he thinking?
Modeling the product isn't that bad, but being the voice of the product is what I'm not gonna accept. Imagine calling the assistant's name and the girl that I had sex with was the voice that responded. I may not use the product, but I can't allow it.
Maybe I sound like a dick right now, I just don't care. I can't watch Celine be the voice for my new product.
"So I'm thinking since we'll be working side by side, why don’t you treat me to dinner?" She's super chirpy and happy.
I'm quiet as I watch her. I buzz Jamie through the intercom and he enters my office a minute later.
"Get me Mr. Knight. Tell him I need him in my office immediately." I say to Jamie. He nods and turns around to leave my office.
"You don't want me here, do you?" Celine asks as she studies me.
"I do."
"You don't act like it. You're being strange because I'm here. We had sex, Killian, it's not like I'm going to ruin your relationship with your new catch. I have never crossed my boundaries since we made the arrangement of sleeping with each other."
"I'm sorry, Celine. You can model the product, it's kind of your job and I believe you have a lot of influence and that will be good for my company. But being the voice of this new product, that's what I'm concerned about."
"Why?"
I stall time by not responding to her. I sigh and pick up my phone to text Naomi if she's left. I press send and lock the screen of my phone before dropping it on my desk. Through the glass, I see Raymond approach my office.
Celine sighs.
There's a soft knock on my door before the door opens and Raymond walks in.
"You sent for me," Raymond says as he walks towards the vacant seat next to Celine's.
"Hello, Celine." Raymond greets her.
"Hey." She gives Raymond a small smile.
"I'm going to step outside and leave you two to talk." She stands up and grabs her bag as she leaves my office.
Once she's out of earshot, I turn to look at Raymond who is seated in front of me.
"Really? Making her the new voice of Goldie?"
"You said we weren't calling it Goldie. We're still thinking of a new name."
"That's not the point. The point is that you made Celine the new voice. What were you thinking?"
"She is pretty good. Her voice isn't that bad."
"Are you aware we've been fucking? Celine and I? You don't do that, Raymond. You make decisions concerning the benefits of this company and you run it by me. You can't just go ahead and make decisions on your own."
"I didn't make decisions on my own. The whole marketing department voted for her. She was pretty good when we auditioned her. Also, didn't you trust my ideas and decisions before you made me the marketing director?"
I'm quiet as I glare at him.
Raymond sighs. "I'll drop her if that's what you want."
"You should. She can model the product but she can't be the voice. Recruit more people and interview them. Let someone else be the voice."
"Okay. Yes, boss." Raymond says sarcastically.
"And, what's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing." He stands up. "And Naomi's gone by, the way, in case you're wondering where she is. And also, if you can work with Naomi, why can't you work with Celine? What's the difference? Naomi's the chick who works as a server in your club and you have a massive crush on her. And Celine is the woman you've been sleeping with for a while. You two are like friends and she's okay with whomever you sleep with. What's the big deal?"
"Celine can't be the voice. If you don't get it, forget about it."
"Right." He sighs and shakes his head before heading towards the door.
"Hey," I call him.
He stops and turns around to look at me. He looks pissed and I don’t care.
"There's this gathering at Keith's this weekend, Sunday actually, and you should come over. You know, since you're one of his groomsmen. Bring Derrick too. All the groomsmen will be there. Beer and music. And some shitty game. There will be a barbecue too."
Raymond gives me one of his disgusting looks before he nods. "I know about that. Keith told me."
"And before my meeting with marketing next Thursday, I need to know who you choose as the new voice before the meeting. Sorry if I yelled at you." I tell him plainly.
"You suck at apologies, you know that, right?"
"Yeah. I've heard that countless times."
Raymond smiles a little as he shakes his head and leaves my office.
–
"Where's Eve?" I ask my brother that Sunday as I watch him handle the barbecue.
"Went out with Mom. She said something about Mani-pedi. Whatever the hell that shit means."
I chuckle, taking a sip from my beer as I turn to look at the guys. Preston and that dipshit Andrew are playing pool on the outdoor pool table not too far from Keith's barbecue stand. Raymond's talking with his engaged boyfriend, Derrick, and they're laughing at whatever thing Raymond said.
"I still don't get why you made Andrew Dickwad your groomsman," I mutter, glaring at the back of Andrew's head.
Keith chuckles.
"Chillax, Kil. He's my friend. You two need to learn to get along."
"Well, I think Killian is the reason why we aren't getting along," Andrew says, smirking at me.
Oh, God. I hate this son of a bitch. He's too full of himself and this twat sees me as a competition. I knew the guy two years ago through Keith. He's my brother's close friend and unfortunately, I kind of fucked his precious girlfriend who told me she was single and I didn't know he was dating her at that time. I don't even remember her name. Well, since then, this asshole just hates me and I hate him more. He disgusts me and he annoys the shit out of me. He got married last year, so I heard through Keith, and he's a chronic cheat. I wonder how Keith and this bitch-face are still friends. This guy is thirty-three and he acts like he's still a teenager and a high school dork.
"Go fuck yourself, Andrew." I glare at him.
"Oh, no, I don't have to do that anymore. I've got a wife now. My old lady. And you, my man, are still lonely and spouseless."
Spouseless? Is that supposed to hurt my feelings? God, he's such a child. How the fuck did this idiot graduate from Harvard?
"Andrew, you can't say that to him," Preston says.
"What? Isn't it funny that with all the billions in his account, he can't even score a real woman?" Andrew says with a smirk as he turns to look at me. "You know why, princess? It's because nobody wants to tolerate your dumb ass, you chicken shit." He spits.
I clench my jaw, swallowing the beer down my throat.
Deep breath, Killian. Deep breath. This asshole isn't worth your time.
I don't wanna be responsible for this idiot's death. I'm too grown up for exchanging words with this man-child.
"Andy, stop. Cut it out." Keith says.
"Yeah, man, chill out. We're out here to have fun, not say shitty words to one another." Raymond says.
"Yeah, well, whatever, man." He scoffs and continues to play pool.
The guys turn to look at me. Why are they trying to make me snap?
"What?" I ask them.
"Nothing." They go back to whatever thing they were doing.
I turn to look at Keith who's frowning at what he's looking at on his phone.
"Are you okay?"
"This whole wedding stuff is stressing the shit out of me. In less than four weeks I'll be officially married."
"Three weeks, Keith. In three weeks you'll be officially married." Andrew says.
Such a lady.
"Why the long face? Aren't you happy?" I ask.
"I am. It's just…" Keith sighs and pockets his phone. "Eve wants a wedding in Miami. A beach house kinda wedding."
"You mean she wants to wed in a beach house?" Preston asks.
"Something like that."
"And what's the problem?" I ask.
"How the fuck am I going to afford a beach house wedding, Kil?"
"First thing's first, you sound weird when you swear." I point out. He rolls his eyes, and the others laugh. "And also, I've got this beach house resort in Miami. We can use that. It's big enough to accommodate the bride and groom, including the bridesmaids and the groomsmen. Mom, too."
Andrew fakes a cough. "Show off." He says, coughing.
I shake my head at his childish antics.
"And why would you purchase something as big as that?" Preston asks.
"For weddings. Anniversaries. Parties. People pay thousands of dollars for a night and millions for a week." I say.
Andrew scoffs and rolls his eyes.
"And what if someone already booked the entire week?" Raymond asks.
"Then I'm sending them home. Don't worry about it, Keith. I can call the manager later when I get home that the weekend is ours and they shouldn't let anyone book it. You're giving Eve the wedding she deserves." I pat my brother on his back.
"Thanks, Kil." Keith smiles.
"It's nothing," I say.
Keith probably finds it weird. The day I bought him his house, he actually almost rejected the offer and I told him if he did we were never gonna speak to each other again. Business and I are one reason my brother and I aren't that close. I'm a workaholic and I'd choose my company over a lot of people any other day.
I pull out my phone to check if Naomi has responded to my text that I sent her on Friday when she left my office. Nothing. She even opened the message and read it but refused to reply to my text.
Shit.
How the hell am I gonna fix this?
"What's up with Naomi?" Keith whispers, trying not to let Andrew hear our conversation.
"She's great."
"Need help with that?" Raymond joins us, while Derrick joins Preston and Andrew.
"Yeah. Thanks, man." Keith shifts so Raymond can flip the meat on the barbecue.
"Just great? Any progress with you two?" Keith asks, opening the cooler and collecting one beer for himself.
"Nope."
"She now works for us." Raymond chimes in.
I glare at him but he pretends not to acknowledge it.
"Yeah, talk about work. Naomi dropped by yesterday at the club. She was telling the others how she's got a job and she won't be working at the club again." Preston joins in on our conversation, halting his pool with the others.
I sigh and drink my beer in one gulp. I can't even remember the last time I drank beer. This shit is disgusting.
Keith turns to look at me, smirking, with his eyebrows nearly touching his hairline.
"Naomi works for you now?" Keith asks.
"She has always worked for me. Should I remind you guys who own Club K?"
"It's different." Preston points out. "What does she do? Marketing?"
"Something like that."
"You truly like her, don't you?" Keith asks. "You won't do that for any random woman." He smiles.
"Killian is in love?" Andrew dick-face asks.
"Maybe," Raymond says.
"Is it just me or Killian having feelings is kind of weird?" Preston says. They laugh.
"Why? I believe everyone is entitled to have feelings now or later." Derrick says, for the first time since we got here.
"It's different. This is Killian that we are talking about." Preston says.
"Why are y'all acting as if I'm not in the room?" I ask, dropping the empty beer bottle on the ground.
"Have you even told her how you feel?" Keith asks.
I sigh and run my fingers through my hair.
"Of course, he hasn't. Pussy." Andrew says.
"I'm really at this point of tossing my beer bottle at you, Andrew. Stay the fuck out of my shit, yeah?" I glare at him.
He chuckles and smirks.
That piece of shit.
"Andrew," Keith calls his friend. "Please."
Andrew rolls his eyes and drops his cue stick before leaving. We watch him enter Keith's house.
"I can't work with this guy," I say, referring to Andrew and the fact that he's my brother's groomsman.
"You can and you will," Keith says with his big brother voice. "And what exactly is taking you so long to tell her how you feel?"
"Oh, you think I haven't?" I scoff.
"Did you tell her you liked her or you wanted to fuck her? You obviously won't use 'fuck', so I'm thinking you said 'taste.'" Preston says. The guys chuckle.
"Fuck you guys. I told her I wanted to try this whole dating thing with her."
"No shit." Preston and Raymond say. Keith is as shocked as the others. Derrick just smiles.
"You told her you want to date her?" Keith asks.
"What did she say?"
"Nothing. Except she wants me to give her space while she thinks about my offer. I think she hates the idea of working for me and fuckin' me." I say.
"God, that's hot. Sex and work. Good kind of pleasure." Preston says.
"I'm still surprised how you aren't cheating on Esther." Keith says.
"You know I can't. Esther will kill me." Preston says.
"Have you thought about asking her on a date?" Derrick speaks up.
He's so different from Raymond. They're two opposites. Derrick is quiet, sometimes shy, I think. Doesn't talk much. He barely even looks anyone in the eye. He's pretty collected and he's nice. I wonder how these two managed to date and fall in love to even planning on getting married. Well, I shouldn't be surprised. Naomi's nothing like me. She's calm, sometimes shy. She's committed to work, family, and even relationships. She's nice, she's also collected and brave. She works hard for what she owns and she lives her life like every day's important. She's kind of a nerd, probably doesn't even know how to party, a complete lightweight, and I'm thinking if she's the type who moans during sex or screams.
I'm fucked up. Agreed.
"Date?" I ask.
"Yeah. I think women like that. You should take her out on a date. Have a conversation with her, maybe propose this whole dating thing. A date is the first step in chasing anyone. It shows you're willing to try something with them." Derrick says.
I bite my lip and stare at the four guys in front of me.
"I think he's right."
"I don't think she'll say yes." I say.
"Well, you don't have to tell her it's a date. It can just be a friendly dinner." Keith suggests.
"Or a friendly hang out." Derrick says.
"And what if she says no?"
"I can't believe he's doubtful about asking a woman out on a date. What has happened to you, Killian?" Andrew says suddenly.
I turn my head to look at him and he's smirking at me. He can be an idiot when he wants to, but he's right about me being doubtful about asking a woman out on a date. I can't believe I'm scared of being rejected by Naomi for the fourth time since we started talking.
Fuck, what is she doing to me?