I roll my eyes. What have I gotten myself into?

∞

“You’re doing what?” Quinn’s shrill voice pierces my ears and I hold my phone a little further away.

“Quinn, don’t make a big deal about this. It’s only for a week.” “Still! You’re moving in with Kyler for a week???”

I sigh, taking a look around Kyler’s spacious loft apartment. I moved in this morning, after Kyler gave me the day off to get settled. Now I just have to survive the next few days until my new place is ready. After looking at the lease agreement, it turns out that I can afford it.

I have a suspicion that Kyler somehow made that possible, but I’m in no position to say no right now. I’m already in a corner. “I have no other option,” I reply, feeling like a child who has been caught doing something she shouldn’t.

“You could’ve stayed here?”

“No! You and Jarred have just gotten settled, and I don’t feel like crashing on a couch for a week, Quinn.”

I hear her exhale on the other side of the phone. “So how is it going to work then, Cass?”

“I’ll be here until Sunday, and then Kyler will help me move into my new place.”

“And how do you know he’s not just doing this to screw you?” “Would that be a problem?”

“Ugh,” Quinn huffs in frustration. “I hate it when you answer my questions with a question.”

“I know,” I chuckle.

“Are you sure there’s no other option?”

It’s my turn to sigh. “I wish there was - ”

“Liar,” Quinn retorts, her voice thick with amusement.

“Okay, maybe I’m a little excited, but it’s not like I’m going to do anything about it. He’s still my boss.”

“Yeah, Miss Broken Record, I heard you first hundred ties you used that excuse, but I want you to do something for me, Cass, and something for yourself too, okay?”

“What?” I ask.

Quinn hesitates for a second, and then replies, “Just let go, and give yourself the chance to have some fun. Forget about the complications, even if it’s just one night. Just make sure Kyler wraps it before he taps it, I’m too young to be a Godmother.”

“Quinn!” I admonish. “What makes you think anything will happen tonight?”

“Oh it will, and you will tell me every single orgasmic detail tomorrow at lunch.”

“You are ridiculous,” I say.

“And you my friend are finally getting laid. I’d bet my salary on it.” “Again, Quinn, you’re ridiculous, and I need to make dinner.”

She gasps. “You see, it always starts with dinner! God, I’m more excited for Kyler to clean out the cobwebs between those gorgeous legs of yours than you are. Which reminds me, I hope you waxed, no man likes bush diving in the Amazon jungle, sweetie.”

“Oh my God, you’re gross, and I’m hanging up now!”

Quinn squeals for some reason and I shake my head, even though she can’t see me. “Okay,” she chimes. “Have fun and I hope you get no sleep tonight! Love you sis! Bye!”

“Love you too. Bye!”

I put my phone down on the counter, laughing at my best friend. She’s definitely the crazier one out of the two of us. Kyler’s going to be home late - that sounds weird, he’ll be home - so I put the lasagna in the oven on a low heat, setting the timer for ninety minutes, and decide to finish unpacking my things in the guest bedroom.

I wrap the silky bathrobe Kyler bought me around my still damp body and comb out my hair. I have no idea why Kyler bought it, or the luxurious Vanilla and Jasmine bath products, but he did, and it surprised me. It made me feel…taken care of. Something I’ve never felt before. Then again, when it comes to Kyler, I’m constantly in unchartered territory. I check the clock next to the end and it reads ten thirty p.m. I’m tired, so I make my way into the kitchen for a glass of water. I stand in front of the windows that overlook the city and marvel at the lights.

When I hear the front door open, and shut, I jump a little, spinning around to find Kyler standing just inside the apartment.

The air between us shifts, and I notice the way his eyes slide down my body, watching me.

“Hey.” My voice is soft, but hoarse. I return his heated gaze and lick my suddenly parched mouth. He looks dangerously sexy in his black suit, and grey shirt that’s unbuttoned at the top, showing some of the smooth skin of his chest.

“Hi,” he replies. The sound of his shoes on the hardwood floors echo through the space, and my heart rate increases as he slowly stalks towards me. “How was your day?” I ask. I hear the tremble in my throat.

“Good. Did you get settled in okay?”

I fiddle with my fingers, my body suddenly humming with nervous energy. “Yes, thank you.”

He nods once, looking around the kitchen. “Did you make dinner?” he asks, the surprise in his voice clear.

“Yeah,” I reply. “I thought you’d be hungry when you got home, so I made lasagna.”

Kyler opens the oven and I hear him sniff audibly. “Hmmm, smells good. Did you speak to my Mom?”

“No, why?”

“Because lasagna is my favorite.”

“It is?”

He chuckles. “Yeah. My Mom made it for me all time when I was a kid. I haven’t had home made lasagna in…God I can’t even remember when.” I brush past him, and take two plates out of the cupboards for each of us. “Can I pour you some wine?” Kyler asks, taking a bottle of red wine out the fridge.

“Sure,” I reply.

I take the food out the oven and put some on a plate for Kyler, and then for myself. I set them down and take a seat at the breakfast bar. He joins me, placing my glass in front of me. He settles into his seat, and takes the first bite. I’m about to do the same when I catch a glimpse of the way his lips wrap around the fork, and slide over it as he pulls it out. His jaw works, chewing, and then his throat constricts as he swallows. His Adams apple bobs up and down, and I find myself being turned on by the simple act of Kyler eating my food. “Hmmm….”He groans.“It’s almost better than my Mom’s…Just don’t tell her I said that.”

I giggle, relaxing. “Your secret is safe with me.”

We eat in comfortable silence, and when we’re done, I clear our plates and pack the dishwasher.

Kyler’s voice breaks into the quiet. “Can I ask you something?”

“Yeah,” I reply, turning to face him.

“What’s the deal with you and my parents?”

His question takes me a little of guard, but I answer him honestly. “After my first week at Knight Media, your Dad made a joke and said I need to get more meat on my bones, and a week later your Mom invited me for Sunday lunch. I didn’t think it would happen again, since your Dad was my boss, but for some reason, your parents made it a regular thing. They’ve been stuck with me ever since.” I think back to the first time I had lunch with Richard and Estelle, and how amazing it felt to spend time with them, to feel a sense of family. “What about your parents?” Kyler asks. It’s an innocent question, and it’s normal for him to be curious. But it doesn’t make talking about my good-fornothing parents.