“Memo,” the control pad said.
Elayna tried to push the back button, but Kayson’s voice began to play.
“No, wait,” She pushed more buttons before stopping when she heard her name.
“… Elayna’s proposals. Post photos to imply roguish behavior. Elayna, Jasmine, Paris, Laurin. Keep them guessing and keep the focus off work. Whatever can be done to distract until you find a way to elevate your status. Be a hero. Public opinion is everything to them.”
“What?” Elayna tried replaying the memo, but it disappeared into some inner storage folder. Her skin felt hot as she repeated the words in her head. Be a hero? Roguish behavior? She was sure it had been his voice, but the message was shocking.
So then, just who was Kayson Blake? Did she even know the real him? Or was he merely a play-the-field dirtbag who used others to build up his image? She struggled with herself, not able to accept this new information. Like an ill-timed swallow, it wouldn’t go down. But if it was true, he would have to be frighteningly smooth to pull off plans like that. Buttered toffee smooth…or demented.
It made her sick. Suddenly all she wanted was to be far away from him.
She walked over to the dogs, finding them both asleep and breathing loudly. The water dish next to them was empty, so she took it into the kitchen. Her stomach felt tight and uncomfortable from the double-dose of dinner, and her eyes were heavy enough to attest she’d nearly reached the early morning hours.
After setting the bowl down next to the dogs, she sunk into the couch. Just for a moment. Just until her head stopped swimming in confusion, and her stomach relaxed for the night. Then she’d drive home.
But the couch…it was heaven. Soft, like pillows and smooth as velvet. There was nothing she didn’t like about it. Too bad the owner was possibly two-faced. And yet, his eyes alone would be enough for her to take a second glance. Or a third. Was it just a pretty picture hiding the deceit inside?
Her eyes drifted shut.
The sound of the garage door closing didn’t register at first, not until her brain suddenly jolted awake from a deep sleep. She’d dreamed of a massive herd of llamas. They’d growled and spit and kept kicking her stomach.
She burped.
The sky outside was beginning to lighten—how long had she been asleep? Easing down, she hoped to sneak out the front door. She heard Kayson set his keys down somewhere and sigh, and she bit her lip, tip-toeing quickly to the door and turning the handle.
“Elayna?”
She twisted on her toes, facing him.
He stood with his suit shirt unbuttoned and his tie still in one hand as if he’d just loosened it. He looked like a freaking model, but all Elayna had to do to cure her shock was to remind herself of the memo.
“Hi,” she said bluntly, staying firmly aside the door.
“Were you here all night?” he asked, his voice raw with sleep, genuine and concerned.
“I—uh, fell asleep,” Elayna explained. His tired smile was something she felt she’d dreamed before. She had to get out. “I’d better be going—”
“No, wait,”
He moved quickly, eliminating the space between them. Elayna caught sight of his contracted middle and wished he would just sit and eat a bucket of fried chicken or something. He was entirely too gorgeous.
“Wait, I…” He hovered in front of her like he wanted to reach out. But he stayed put, eventually brushing his hair out of his face and stepping back. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something.”
She didn’t answer, feeling desperate to open the door behind her if only to let in a cool breeze. Her senses were sleepy with the warmth around them.
He sunk his hands into his pockets, “Tonight I realized some things, Elayna.” His eyes lifted to hers before dropping to the floor again. “I didn’t grow up in all this.” He waved his hand across the room and lifted his tie in a shrug. “You remind me of something I lost. More than numbers and prestige, it’s more than that…”
He took a breath, and Elayna worked hard to keep her eyes from dropping to his expanded chest.
“I’m inspired by you.”
He grinned and Elayna could feel herself smile slightly. She cursed her lips.
“The way you navigate the world around you—the way you care for it. There’s something so genuine about you that makes me want to be more. I love being around you. Everything about you.” He paused to take a shaky breath. “I just wanted to tell you now instead of pretending I didn’t feel anything…because I do.” His gaze was tentative, vulnerable, and so unusually insecure. He’d said the perfect words, all smothered in simmering glances like butter.
Elayna felt pure shock coursing through her and forced herself to think of his memo and what might be his true character. She had no idea where he’d been all night, and the way he’d tip-toed around the subject had her sure he didn’t want her to find out. Whatever he was playing at by confessing his so-called feelings, it wasn’t real.
She pushed that thought into her brain until it hurt. With her teeth clenched together, she fought the urge to believe him while her heart throbbed with an equal mixture of desire and disgust. It was so confusing. What did he mean by playing the perfect man? But whatever his game was, she refused to fall for it.
“I’m sorry,” she answered forcefully, “but I don’t feel the same way. I hoped our relationship could be firmly business, and I never meant to lead you into believing something else.”
She could see the hurt in his eyes as she spoke, and it crushed her. Was he that good?
“I have to go.” She reached for the doorknob again.
“Hold on,” Kayson stepped closer, lifting his arm beside her and resting it on the wall.
She felt wrapped up in him and had to lock her eyes on his to keep them from straying.
“I’m sorry about what Mr. Conner said at dinner tonight,” he whispered as the quiet around them closed in. “I hope that’s not what this is about.”
Elayna looked into his eyes, amazed at whatever gift he had. This calm and tenderness he showed. It was infuriating. She tried to keep the irritation off her face, but it surfaced anyway. “So then, I guess I should say you’re my hero?” she asked pointedly, searching his eyes for any recognition of his own words. And it came fast.
His face hardened, and he pushed off his hand, stepping back with his arms crossed in front of him. If he was handsome before, now it radiated from him. The intensity in his eyes and the set of his jaw created a powerful, impressive balance.
“You’re mocking me?” he finally asked, his face glowing with color. “Can I ask why?”
“I’m not mocking you.” Elayna sighed. “I just don’t have anything more to say, I’m sorry. I’ll attend whatever meetings you have lined up, but I think that should be it.”
Kayson shifted his weight from one foot to the other, studying her face with his eyes narrowed. “I see.” His voice was a shadow of what it had been. “Well, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. It’s likely just my lack of sleep talking. It’s been too long since I’ve had the chance to socialize with my regular crowd, and things just got turned around or mixed up or…something. I apologize.”