𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 | ✓

The next morning I was still mad at myself for what transpired with Killian last night. I was so embarrassed that I let things get that far- that I let him get that far. Did I really have no sense of self-preservation at all?

And Killian? How was I supposed to face him after he walked out on me like that?

I covered my face in my hands.

He was the one that started it though, so the attraction had to be mutual. He couldn't fake his response- I felt it. So why did he run?

He hadn't come back home last night though. When I left for work that morning, the Escalade still wasn't on the estate. I hoped he finally decided to leave for good. It would make things so much easier.

I was finally able to focus that morning and was actually being productive, when Valene knocked on my door and then popped her head in.

No such luck.

"Mr Wolfe is here to see you." Her voice betrayed her excitement. I hadn't mentioned a word of last night to her. It would only fuel her fantasies of getting Killian and I together.

My heart sank. I wasn't ready for this. Not here.

"Tell him I'm busy." I returned to the report I was reviewing, ignoring Valene's questioning look.

"I promise not to take up too much of your time."

I looked up at the sound of Killian's voice as he stood in my doorway, Valene just over his shoulder.

He had the jacked of his navy suit swung over a broad shoulder, exposing the fitted. White shirt underneath and burgundy tie. His clothes were perfect but his eyes looked tortured, as if he hadn't slept last night either.

I sighed. I guess I had no choice.

"Can you close the door behind us, Valene?"

"Have a seat." I indicated the chair in front of me as soon as the door was closed.

Killian took the chair gracefully, crossing his leg, ankle on knee. It was the I noticed the file in his hand. My file. The only way he could have gotten it was if he came back to the house.

"You took my file." My voice rose.

"I read your file." He corrected and opened the folder andtapped the spreadsheet, "I assumed it was for me. I saw my name at the top."

I shrugged trying to play it cool.

" I wanted to discuss the business with you last night." I explained, "I heard you were asking questions around the company and I wanted you to know it was in good hands."

Killian closed the file and dropped it on my desk with a resounding thud.

"I already know you're doing a great job." He said as if even he was impressed by my performance in the company, "everyone in the company has nothing but great things to say about you. Everyone, Nila. From the mail boy to the board. That says something."

I was speechless. Humbled really. My hard work didn't go unnoticed after all.

"Thank you." My voice was filled with emotion he couldn't fail to see.

He dropped his leg to lean forward on his knees.

"I wanted to apologize for the way I've been acting towards you." He began, making me sit up straighter in my chair, "I know it's unfair of me. I've just had so much anger built up for so long.." he paused and bowed his head and I saw his fists clench, "anyway, I'm sorry."

He seemed genuinely sincere and was consciously making an effort to apologize and I respected that.

"So you're done fighting me for Wolfe?" I asked, wanting to clarify.

"I'm done." He confirmed.

I waited a beat, keeping him in suspense.

"I accept your apology then." I nodded at him.

His eyes met mine again and I felt that now familiar punch to my gut.

"About last night-"

"Don't." I cut him off quickly.

I got up, unable to meet his eyes on this topic, and faced my glass wall that gave me the perfect view of the city skyline. I knew I couldn't hide the sheer embarrassment on my face.

I heard him get up and stand barely a foot behind me. Despite everything that had happened, I knew if he touched me now, I still might not be able to resist him.

"I'm sorry about leaving like that, Nila." He said, his voice full of regret, "it's just you..."

I saw his reflection in the glass as he'd thrust a hand though his hair disheveling it.

"You took me by surprise."

I swirled around to face him, jaw dropped.

"I took you by surprise?" I pointed to my chest, "you were the one that kissed me!"

He nodded his head and shoved his hands in his pockets as if they itched to touch me.

"I know." His voice went low, deep matching the heat in his eyes, "but it was the way you responded to me, love."

God, I was responding to him right now. It killed me that of all the men I'd dated in the past, none of them had ever made me respond to them the way I was responding to Killian and part of me didn't even like the guy.

I shook my head.

"Can we just forget it ever happened?" I asked in a whisper.

He took a step then closing the distance between us to take my shoulders in his hands. I had no choice but to look at him.

"I don't want to forget it, Nila." He said surprising me.

My eyes widened.

"I can't stay though." He admitted hesitantly making me frown, "I leave in a few days for my London office and don't know when I'll be back- if I'll ever be back."

I nodded and swallowed the lump in my throat. He was leaving. The one man who made me feel anything at all, I might never see again. But wasn't this what I wanted?

"Can we be friends?" He asked with a small smile, "have dinner with me tonight, tell me about your time with your dad, tell me about you."

I shook my head at him and stepped away from the temptation of his body.

"I can't tonight, I have some work I have to finish up for tomorrow." I explained.

"Tomorrow night then." He persisted.

"Please Nila." Did he just pout?

I sighed, resigned.

"Alright, tomorrow night."

He stepped towards me again, his fingers brushing my cheek, trailed over my lips as if he considered kissing me. He must have thought better of it, because he dropped his hand.

"It's a date." He confirmed, "until tomorrow love."

He turned towards the door but my voice made him pause.

"I won't see you back at the house."

The look he shot back at me made me shiver. It was filled with such heat, such longing, I felt it down to my bones.

"I think, under the circumstances, that it's best I sleep somewhere else." He said huskily and then he opened the door and walked out closing it softly behind him.

I collapsed in my chair, there was no misunderstanding the meaning behind his words. If we shared the same house, chances are, we'd probably end up sharing the same bed. So why was I so disappointed?

Valene rushed in then without knocking.

"Please tell me that man came in here to ravish you over that desk of yours."

I rolled my eyes.

If only.

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