Page 45 of Vows In Corruption

“Right. A simple mistake that never happened.” The words sounds wrong but they are the only right words that can be said at the moment. “I’m still sorry for kissing you. I don’t know what came over me.”

Something that looks a lot like sympathy crosses Bennett’s face. Great, he pities me.

“Like I said. It’s okay. We both got caught up in the moment.”

Both of us? Does that mean that he didn’t want to pull away either.

No. He probably doesn’t want me to feel guilty about it, so he is taking some of the blame.

A small smile forms on my lips. “Right. Caught up.”

He gives me a small smile back. One that I’ve come accustomed to seeing since I started. Bennett doesn’t smile much, but I enjoy seeing it nonetheless.

We stand there, six feet apart just looking at each other. Neither one of us moving an inch to head back to our desk to get to work. We just stand in out respected spots, with a lot of awkward tension between us.

Apparently both of us are so damn lost in the way that we are looking at each other that neither of us notice that someone has come into the office until there is a knock against the door.

The second I’m out of the Bennett Lane cloud I was in and turn to see who has walking into the office space, I feel a lot more embarrassed than when I kissed Bennett.

Why?

Well, having the CEO of the company walk in while you are having a weird tension filled stare down with your boss will do that.

How long has he been standing there? Did he see the kiss and he is just now interrupting?

All I can think of doing is stare at Mr. Goldman as his eyes move between me and Bennett for a few seconds.

Thankfully, my boss is composed enough to fill the silence that is flowing though the air. I’m sure that silence was only for a few seconds, but it felt like a damn eternity.

“Gerald, what can I do for you this morning?”

The man in question, throws a smile in my direction and I try my hards to send one back, but I’m sure it looks strained.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything, but I wanted to come and inform you of the news.”

“Oh, yeah? And what news would that be?”

Again Gerald smiles, but this time it’s bigger, like he is a kid on Christmas morning about to open all the gifts in the world.

“I’m calling a board meeting. I’m announcing my retirement and calling for a vote.”

My eyes move from Mr. Goldman to Bennett for some clarification, but Bennett looks a little too stunned to speak. So I insert myself.

“I’m sorry, but calling a vote? What for that mean?”

Gerald smiles and doesn’t take his eyes off of the man I just kissed.

“It means that everything goes how I think it will, come next week, the new CEO of Lane Enterprises will be Bennett Lane.”

12

BENNETT

Iwalk down the long hallway to my parents room and when I reach it, I stand in the open doorway and watch them as they move through the room, getting ready.

My dad is the one to notice me first.

He gives me a smile that slows the rolling in my stomach but doesn’t stop it.

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