Chapter 17 An Uninvited Guest
SCARLETT
It's been three days since what happened in the Maybach.
Lawrence hasn't set foot in the office since then.
It's not like I'm counting or watching the elevator every morning, my heart racing every time the doors slide open, only to feel it drop when it's someone else.
No. I'm perfectly fine after having pulled my head out of his ass, as Beverly so elegantly put it, when I finally told her everything.
The car was a mistake. He made that abundantly clear with his emotionless "Miss Thorn", his "you should go inside", and his utter silence since.
So if he wants to hide in whatever penthouse cave he's crawled into, fine.
He's free to.
I have work to do, a life to live and absolutely no interest in a man who can kiss me one minute and then freeze me out the next.
I'm deep in the weekly budget reports when a familiar voice draws my attention.
"Scarlett."
Glancing up, I see Kieran Black coming towards me, looking devastatingly yummy in a dark blue suit.
"Mr Black?" The surprise in my voice is evident. We'd had a nice time at the gala before Lawrence's interruption.
He promised to find me after, but I left without informing him.
"What are you doing here?"
Kieran smiles down at me, stopping at my table. "I told you I'd find you. I'm a man of my word."
Blushing, I quickly glance around the office, to see some of my work buddies staring at us.
Looking back at him, I rise to my feet, remembering Lawrence's words about him being a villain.
"During our conversation at the gala, you conveniently left out the part that you once stole a client from my boss," I say, crossing my arms.
He lets out an unbothered chuckle. "That was years ago."
Keiran has such a laid-back, but charming energy. Plus, he's handsome, equally wealthy and not my boss.
"Why are you here, Mr Black?" I ask again.
"Isn't it obvious?" He tilts his head. "To see you."
"Well, you can't. I'm working."
"When's your lunch break?"
"Why?"
"I'll wait."
I fall silent briefly.
"You're a busy man, Mr Black."
"I can make time for people I like."
A deep blush crawls up my cheeks despite every effort to stop it. The way he said it so easily, confidently, gets under my skin.
I glance at my monitor—11:40 a.m.
"You shouldn't even be here. Mr Moore hates you."
He laughs. "It's not that serious, Scarlett."
Keiran glances towards Lawrence's office. "And your boss doesn't 'hate' me. We understand each other."
"Whatever." I hear myself say. "I have my lunch break by 12."
"Perfect." He straightens. "Now, show me to the lounge? You do have a reception area for unwanted guests, I assume."
"Yes. Right this way."
I lead him down the hallway, trying to ignore the scent of his citrus cologne, which smells nothing like Lawrence's darker, warmer scent.
We're almost to the glass-walled guest lounge when the elevator doors slide open, and Lawrence steps out.
I freeze.
He freezes, too.
This man spent three days away from the office, and suddenly chooses to show up when I'm with Kieran? Really?
Lawrence's gaze hardens into something cold and murderous when he sees Kieran beside me. "Black," he acknowledges, his voice flat as steel.
"Moore," Kieran's tone is light and cheerful.
"What are you doing here?"
"He's here for me," I reply on Keiran's behalf, and Lawrence's cold eyes slide back to me.
Lifting my chin, I continue. "I was just showing him to the guest lounge. When I'm on my lunch break, I'll attend to him."
Silence crashes down between us.
A scoff leaves Lawrence's throat.
"Lunch break." He repeats, looking from me to Kieran and back again.
His jaw flexes hard. "Surely you have a lot of things to do today, Black."
Kieran smiles. "Like I told Miss Thorn earlier, I can wait. I always make time for people I like."
Lawrence's gaze flicks to me coldly.
"Enjoy your lunch, Miss Thorn," he says. "Don't be late coming back."
He strides past us without another word, heading for his office.
Kieran leans in, his voice low enough that only I can hear. "Well," he murmurs. "That was interesting."
I don't answer because deep down, I'm agitated all over again.
Screw Lawrence.
"Right this way," I say, leading him into the lounge.
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"I love the food here," Kieran says, wiping his hands on a napkin with a satisfied groan.
He just finished wolfing down two large cheeseburgers like a man who hasn't eaten in weeks.
"You're welcome," I chuckle.
We're at the bistro not far from the office.
"I have to admit," I say, pulling myself back to the present. "I actually thought a man like you would turn his nose up at little bistros like this."
"Please." Kieran waves a hand. "I'm all about good food. Classic restaurants are fine, but give me a perfectly greasy burger, and I'm a happy man."
He grins, leaning back in his seat.
His suit jacket hangs over the back of his chair, leaving him in just his shirt, which stretches across his shoulders and chest.
Clearly, he spends time in a gym.
I should feel attraction or interest like any normal single woman.
But I feel nothing... just the memory of green eyes behind black frames.
"Now this is much better than the gala," I say, gesturing to the burger wrappers, empty baskets, and cups of chocolate shakes.
Kieran smiles. "You know what would be better?
I raise a brow.
"An actual date like I suggested at Tom's gala," he finishes.
"One that's planned, with candles and good wine. Where there are no interruptions from angry bosses."
I laugh softly.
"What's your schedule like this week?"
"Booked all through." I sigh. "I only have weekends."
"I can work with that." He pulls out his phone, already typing.
"I'm afraid I have plans for this Saturday and Sunday."
"How about next week, then? Next week Sunday?" He doesn't give up. "There's this little Italian restaurant. They make the best carbonara you'll ever have."
"Kieran..." I sigh again, but I'm fighting a smile.
He looks up and shrugs. "What? I like you. I want to take you out."
Leaning back in his chair, he studies me with those warm eyes. "I think you're beautiful. I think you're smart enough to keep up with Moore's bullshit and still smile at the end of the day."
Emphasis on the last sentence.
"You should even out the equation by being with someone ready to appreciate you for all of that."
The words are soft and sweet.
"You met me three days ago," I point out. "You don't know me enough to know what I deserve."
Kieran's smile doesn't falter. "Well, we have time, don't we?" He spreads his arms. "That's what dates are for. Learning."
I laugh, shaking my head. "You're persistent. I'll give you that."
"Persistence is my best quality." He flags down the waiter for the check. "Well, that and my devastating good looks."
He winks.
The waiter brings the check, and Kieran grabs it before I can even reach for my purse.
"Hey..."
"My treat. Consider it the first of many."
"How presumptuous." I chuckle, starting to enjoy him.
I watch him pull out a black card when the door chimes. Glancing up automatically out of old habit, I stiffen when I see Lawrence holding the door open for a woman.