Page 42 of Love is Fake

“Isabella, I’m sorry. I know you’ve had a couple of drinks and I shouldn’t have-”

His words are like an ice bucket tipped on my overheated body. The only thing more embarrassing than throwing yourself at your boss, is having him think it’s because you’re drunk.

My face flames. “Let’s just pretend it didn’t happen,” I say.

Great plan, although I’m not sure how I’m ever going to forget the kiss to end all kisses, not to mention everything else. I’d suspected Lennox was well-endowed but after tonight there’s no doubt in my mind.

“Izzy, I don’t want you to feel weird about this,” Lennox starts, and it’s not lost on me that he’s used my nickname, as if we’ve crossed some invisible line and we’re now firmly on the other side of it. “It doesn’t have to be a big deal, it was just, you know – heat of the moment and all that. We work together and I don’t want to jeopardize that…I don’t want you to get caught up in something that…” He sighs as though struggling to put his best word forward. “I don’t want you to think this is something that it’s not. You’re nice to play with and this was…mmm…But honestly, Izzy - ” His voice is ice cold, a world away from the passionate man who was kissing me as if his life depended on it. And the insults, I didn’t know it was possible to pack so many into one stuttering monologue. It’s as though every negative thought he has about me is fighting for a position on his tongue.

“It’s fine,” I wave away whatever else he’s about to say because I don’t want to hear any more about how he knows itshould never have happened; how he knows it was a mistake. How I’m a good plaything or just not worth it or whatever the hell else he was going to say. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

Thank Christ tomorrow’s Sunday and my day off.

Sure, because a whole day away from him is going to magically solve this impossible situation.

I wrench the door open without another word, in a hurry to get out. He calls my name as I almost face-plant onto the driveway, but I don’t look back, moving as fast as I can away from him like my fuzzy brain is telling me to, while my body is trying to get me to stay.

It was hard enough not thinking about Lennox when I had to rely on my imagination, but now that I actually know what it’s like to kiss him, to feel him against me, now every touch is branded in my brain almost as deeply as his rejection.

Chapter

Eleven

I take one last look in the mirror, again questioning if the shirt Kiara’s picked out shows a little too much cleavage for a first date, if you could even call this a date. It’s just dinner, I tell myself, two colleagues getting to know each other.

Women pay for tits like yours, babe. Own them.

Kiara’s assertion makes me chuckle and – as she’s no doubt intended – makes me feel a little more confident. My eyes skate towards the evening dress hanging on the back of the door, knowing I’m going to have to explain to Declan how the designer dress I was only borrowing got ripped and I’m so not looking forward to that conversation.

The events of the night before start replaying in my mind; the feeling of Lennox’s hand on my lower back, the shiver of anticipation just before he kissed me and then the kiss. That kiss. My fingertips go to my lips as if I can still feel the ghost of his mouth against mine. It was a kiss I felt throughout my whole body. It’s just as well I remember it as well as I do, because it’s never going to happen again. It can’t.

I give myself a little shake – I shouldn’t be thinking about him when I’m going out with someone else. In fact, I shouldn’t be daydreaming about him at all.

If only it were that easy…

“Izzy, you are hopeless,” I sigh out loud, wondering for the hundredth time why the only guy I’ve ever felt this way about also happens to be the guy I very much can’t have.

Grabbing my purse, I search around for my phone, but it’s not in its usual place on the nightstand. After minutes of searching it’s clear it’s not anywhere in the apartment.

Dammit, where the hell is it?

I run through where I’ve been today and my stomach drops as I realize where I’ve left it. Kai and I spent most of the day watching old episodes ofBuffy the Vampire Slayerback to back while I nursed my hangover. Of course, I only agreed to hang out once Kai confirmed that Lennox was going to be out all day. In the late afternoon, when I heard his car pull up outside I rushed back to the pool-house, thankful to Kai for not commenting on my shady escape.

My eyes go to the main house, trying not to think about the person inside I’m trying desperately to avoid. I entertain the idea of just leaving my phone behind, but my responsible brain reminds me I’m about to go on a date with a guy I don’t really know.Safety first, Izzy.

But what about the danger Lennox presents? Surely that should factor into the equation.

Sighing deeply, I check the time and know it’s now or never if I don’t want to be late.

Letting myself in through the empty kitchen, I virtually tiptoe down the hall to where I last saw my phone, breathing out a sigh of relief when I see Kai is still alone in the TV room. I don’t think I could handle a run-in with Lennox right now. Scratch that, I know it for a fact.

Kai lets out a low whistle, giving me a nod of approval. “Looking good, Iz-meister. But you didn’t need to get all dressed up for me. I like you just the way you are.” He taps me on my nose like I’m a puppy and I swat his hand away, laughing.

“Good to know, Kai.”

“But seriously, where are you going all dressed up and if it’s with that hot boss of yours can I come too?” Kai waggles his eyebrows and I can’t help but laugh.

“I’m going out and, no, not with Kiara, but if you want to ask her out, it’s not like you don’t know where she works,” I point out.

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