Hornet's Nest (18 page)

Lance turned away and said, “She was right.”

“Do what? Who’s right?”

“Heather.”

My blood began to boil as I glared at him. He gently grabbed my shoulders and he said, “Listen, I’m not one to spread people’s business, but Heather has been dicked around by Josh for a while.”

My eyes popped open in surprise as Lance continued, “He got her pregnant and doesn’t believe the baby is his.”

I gasped as I said, “That bastard!”

Lance nodded and continued, “Heather had said she wasn’t sure what your father did, but Josh had this plan all along of trying to use you to get to your father. But I didn’t know how big of a deal your father was.”

“So, what happened to Heather?”

“Last I heard she went back home to Virginia. I don’t think she has any intention to be in contact with Josh again.”

“I know how scary that is.” I frowned as I met his eyes. It was scary as hell, and I knew Karma had gotten in the way. We were together now, though. I could see myself having children with him. I could see a little boy, with green eyes just like Lance’s, running around and causing havoc. I would love every second of it.

He gave me a sad smile and pulled me to him. “So… CFO, huh?”

I nodded and said, “Hence the suite at the football game.”

“Does that mean…”

He turned me in his arms with big, hopeful eyes. I laughed and said, “Yes. That means football games whenever you want to.”

He wrapped me up in his arms and nuzzled my neck as he said, “I knew there was a reason to keep you around.”

“That can’t be the only reason.” I cocked my eyebrow and his eyes turned a darker shade of green.

“Most definitely not the only reason, beautiful.”

He gently brushed my lips with his as our kiss became more intense. Forget the football players that were on TV.

I had finally gotten my player.

I had won.

THE ONLY WAY Lance and I could be together was if we acted like we hated each other in public view. The week had been amazingly horrendous. I stood beside my boyfriend all week working on the stupid project for Josh, and we had to keep our distance. That was the horrendous part, but as soon as it hit five o’clock, it was amazing. There was no doubt in my mind that Lance loved me. Every. Bit. Of. Me.

I lifted a file box and placed it on the floor. Walking around Lance, I reached up for another box. Before my fingertips reached the handle, he wrapped his arm around me from behind, placing his palm flat on my stomach, and pulling me back against him. He nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck and whispered, “I can get that for you.”

I reached back, resting my hand on his hip as I tilted my head to the side for better access. His lips grazed my neck as his hand slid farther down my stomach. I clenched his pants as he nipped my ear and whispered, “Seeing you in that tight skirt all day has me begging to see that ass of yours. That skirt’s gonna get you in trouble later.”

His hand cupped me as his fingers circled, causing my knees to give. “Are you wearing a thong?”

I nodded. I couldn’t verbally answer with his hands all over me. I could barely think when his hands were all over me. He pressed himself harder against me and I gasped.

“I think I need to bend you over now,” he said.

I turned my head back and saw those lusty green eyes. “Go shut the door.”

He released his hold of me, and I heard the door clicking closed almost immediately. Barely a second passed before I felt him behind me again with his lips on my neck. My head fell back to rest against his shoulder as my breathing increased.

“We’re going to have to be quick.”

I nodded as he hiked up my skirt. His fingers slipped underneath my thong and eased one inside. I leaned forward, placing my palms down on the work table in front of me. He slid the hem of my skirt up to my waist. The zip of his pants echoed in the room. He moved his fingers and pressed inside of me. My breath hitched as he groaned. “So fucking beautiful.”

He grabbed my hips and pulled me into him. I remained anchored against the table, my hands grabbing the sides for support. I met him thrust for thrust as his hands roamed up and down my back. He hit deep over and over. The intensity surged through me as I groaned out, nearing my release. He covered my mouth with his hand and pulled me away from the table as his lips met my ear.

“Fucking come. Come now.”

I shattered on his order as he grunted behind me. I reached my arm back and around him, holding him close as he slowed his pace. He turned my head to the side and crashed his lips to mine. His hand cupped my cheek as he released my lips and pulled out. My heart pounded against my chest as he smoothed down my skirt. I rested my palms on the table while watching him buckle his belt. He grinned and pulled my face to his, kissing me like I was the only woman in the world before pulling away and brushing his thumb down my cheek.

“I’m the luckiest bastard in the world.”

I pecked his lips and said, “That was pretty hot, babe.”

He chuckled in agreement. We both froze when footsteps echoed against the tile floor.

“Stay cool,” Lance whispered, separating himself from me both physically and emotionally.  “Are you incompetent? That’s not even the right client number!”

I looked back at him as his eyes filled with sorrow. I knew he hated to do this. I hated doing this just as much, if not more. But this was the only way we could handle things for now. We could eventually go to human resources with our relationship, but I knew Josh would get in the way. In the end, Lance would probably still end up getting fired, and I couldn’t risk it even if he didn’t care.

I let out a low sigh and responded to his act. “No, idiot. It’s a related client number, which means it’s what we’ve been looking for since we started today. But you can’t even pay attention!”

A laughed bellowed behind us as we both turned our heads toward the door, watching as it creaked open. Josh propped a folded arm against the frame and smirked as he said, “So glad y’all are getting along.”

I groaned. I hated this man.

“Katherine, can I talk to you in the hall?” Josh asked. I nodded and followed without glancing back at Lance. We had to keep up with our act.

As soon as I stepped into the deserted hallway, Josh closed the door behind me, cutting Lance off from our conversation. I became instantly uneasy. Josh leaned in close as he trailed his finger down my face. I glared at him and swatted it away. “What do you want, Josh?”

He chuckled and leaned his body into mine. “God, you’re so hot when you’re mad.”

I stared at him, acting completely bored with his advances. He pushed himself off me as his eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched. “Call your parents to invite them to dinner at seven. They will be there, correct?”

I nodded as my nostrils flared.

“Afterward, we’re going out, so wear something hot.” he said as he started to walk away.

I called out to him, “You’re taking my parents to a nightclub?”

He laughed. “No, sweetheart. Just you.”

I exhaled as I pushed the door back open to the storage room. Lance stood in the middle of the room with his fists clenched. “Why can’t we just be over with this?” His words weighted down my shoulders as I listened to him go on, “I don’t care about my fucking job. I care about you, and I especially care about him taking you to a nightclub.”

I slowly walked over to him and wrapped my hands around his clenched fists. I gave them a squeeze as I searched his eyes and whispered, “It won’t last much longer, baby. My father won’t hire him. Not in a million years. He’ll have to leave us alone at that point.”

He shifted his eyes to the floor. I grabbed his face in between my hands, forcing him look me in the eyes. “It will be over soon. I will not have you lose your job over this. You’ve worked too hard for it, and I won’t allow you to give up without a fight.”

“I’ve worked so hard to get to you. I want to fight for you.”

“You already have me, Lance.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. He released a calming breath as he pulled me closer. I reached up and kissed him on his lips. He forced a smile as he held me in an embrace.

God, I hoped I was right.

• • •

I received a text from Josh telling me that he was downstairs. I sighed as I closed the door behind me. I wore a simple short black dress with a pair of booties. I was fidgeting with my handbag as I walked toward the elevator. I looked up when I neared it, and I saw Lance leaning against the wall. My God he was beautiful, but he was going to get us into trouble.

“Baby, what are you doing here? He’s right outside.”

He gently cupped my cheek and said, “I just had to see you before you left. I’m coming over afterward, so make sure to keep in touch with me.”

I shook my head. “But what if Josh sees you?”

“I have to see you. This isn’t an option.” He wrapped his arms around me, and I laid my head against his chest. He grazed my chin with his finger, tilting my face toward him as he bent down and gently kissed me. He broke free too soon, causing me to whimper.

“Be careful, okay?”

I nodded and stepped into the elevator, leaving him in the hallway. I hated doing this to him. I hated leaving him. His face saddened as I stared into his eyes. He tapped his chest as the door closed between us, separating us yet again.

I met Josh downstairs, and pretty much ignored any acknowledgement of his presence. During the ride, Josh told me that I needed to try harder with my parents. I rolled my eyes and continued staring out of the window. The rest of the ride was quiet. We arrived at the restaurant and stepped out of the car. Walking towards the place, he gripped my hand in his. My skin crawled at his touch. We walked through the doors and I saw my parents sitting at the bar. I was thankful for their presence.

“Hey y’all,” I said as I nudged my dad’s arm.

He grinned my favorite smile, and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me in for a tight hug. “Hey, little pumpkin.”

“Good evening, Mr. Klein,” Josh said.

My father gave me an odd look; one that I couldn’t place as he reached out his hand to shake Josh’s. “Good evening, Josh.”

My mother glared at me when I caught her eye. “Hey, Mom. How is everything?”

She smiled. “Actually, Katherine, could you escort me to the ladies room? I’m not sure where it’s located.”

I knew this meant I was going to be cornered, but I replied, “Sure.”

She wrapped her arm through mine as we walked to the restroom. She pushed open the door, and my mother checked every stall to see if we were alone. Once that was confirmed, she turned around, placing her fists on her hips and gave me the worst maternal death glare I had ever seen from her. It made me cringe.

“Katherine, what is the deal?”

I sighed and walked over to the sink. “Oh Jesus, Mama! Can’t you let things go?”

“Not when I know this is a really bad situation, one of which I have no clue about!”

“Fine!” I started. “He’s blackmailing Lance and me in order to score points with Dad so he can become Dad’s personal council.”

Mom let out a barking laugh as she said, “Is he that good to have you blackmailed?”

I sighed and said, “Yep.”

She stopped laughing and cleared her throat. She studied my face and then asked, “What’s the plan then?”

I shook my head. “I don’t have a good enough one yet, but since he offered dinner, let’s just buy out the whole damn menu.”

Mom shrugged her shoulders as she said, “Well, I am a tad bit on the hungry side.”

She wrapped her arm through mine as we departed the restroom and found my father and the devil sitting at a table. My father stood as my mother and I approached, being a thoughtful gentleman. Josh remained seated, too arrogant to even bother. He was doing a fine job getting into my father’s graces.

“I took the liberty of ordering a bottle of chardonnay,” Josh gloated.

I narrowed my stare at my father as he smirked in my direction. He was good. Dad knew that I love all wine
except
chardonnay. I gave him a small wink and turned to Josh. “You should know better. You know I hate chardonnay.”

He blinked as I reached for the wine menu. “I guess you’ll just have to drink that as I order my parents and me a bottle of merlot. You’re having steak, right, Daddy?”

He smiled at me, and responded, “Only the best.”

I grinned as I sat back, studying the menu. This was epic.

After dinner, I was stuffed, like sickeningly stuffed. It was an entertaining way to get Josh back. If he wanted to impress my father, money was not the way to do it. I knew the bill would easily be over eight hundred dollars, and that was just perfect.

As we left the restaurant, Josh shook my father’s hand, and said, “So, about that meeting.”

My father interrupted him and said, “I’ll look into it.”

I smiled at my dad as I gave him a hug. He whispered in my ear, “Be careful. I want full details of what’s going on and bring Lance by tomorrow for the game, okay?”

I smiled as I nodded my answer. My mother pecked me on the cheek as their car arrived.

We didn’t have to wait long for Josh’s car. As he drove toward the nightclub, Josh took off his tie and, with a heavy touch of sarcasm, said, “That was really cute how much food you ordered.”