Page 30 of Objection

“Well, when you find a building and come on freelance, you’ll be able to. Or, I can still go to HR now. That’s still on the table.”

Serenity sighed as she considered the options. “I appreciate you wanting to go to HR for me, but I don’t want to feel like we’re breaking or bending rules that were put in place for a reason just to benefit us.”

Chuckling, I grabbed her hand and lifted her from her seat. “Aight, that settles it.”

“Settles what?”

“I think sometimes you forget who I am.”

“How?” Not bothering to respond, I led her over to the elevator. We rode it down to the first floor in silence. When we stepped off, she tried to release my hand, but I held it tighter. “Kaos,” she whispered, tugging my hand. “Ah!” she shrieked when we made it in front of the head of HR’s office. “Oh shit.”

Chuckling, I knocked on Dupree’s door. When he granted us entrance, I pulled Serenity inside.

“Mr. Montgomery, what can I do for you?”

“Serenity and I are in a relationship. I know that goes against the nonfraternization policy, but I need you to find a way around that.”

Sitting back in his seat, he touched the pads of his fingers together as he looked from her to me.

“Yes, sir. There’s an amendment in the clause for partners that says as long as the relationship isn’t forced, an abuse of power, or a stain on the company’s image, managing partners do have permission to date an employee.” He turned his chair and grabbed a blue binder. “However, there were some stipulations put in place by the board. One personal relationship per partner, so as not to encourage incessant dating and relationships within the firm. The staff must be notified. And there are to be no public displays of affection. If at any point the relationship begins to affect the firm negatively, the board has permission to request itbe ended. If it isn’t, both parties will face performative reviews that could lead to termination of employment.” Dupree pulled out two pieces of paper. “All of that is outlined here. You’ll need to look it over and sign within seventy-two hours.”

“Thanks, Dupree. The no public displays of affection won’t work for us, but everything else will be fine.”

He nodded as he smiled.

After grabbing the papers, I handed one to Serenity, then we left. She was quiet as she looked over the contract while we headed back up to our floor.

“After you sign it, I’ll take it back down to Dupree,” I told her. “Then, I can kiss you and hold you whenever we want.”

Her eyes rolled playfully as she smiled. “I actually love the sound of that. You almost gave me a heart attack, but that was far easier than I thought it would be.”

“I told you I got us. Do you believe me now?”

“Yes,” she purred. “Thank you, baby.” After giving me a kiss, she wiped her lipstick off my lips then signed the contract.

“Now you know you’re not supposed to sign anything without looking it over thoroughly and having a lawyer look it over for you too.”

Serenity giggled as she handed the paper to me. “I trust you. If you’re going to sign yours, I have no reason not to sign mine too.”

“Let me sign it now so I can take you in the bathroom and show you how much hearing you say you trust me turns me on.”

She laughed, but I was dead fucking serious. I went in my office and looked that shit over expeditiously before signing and telling her to meet me in my private bathroom.

Serenity

Sunday

When I first met Claudia Montgomery, I had no idea she’d be the mother of my favorite man. She’d always been kind and warm to me, but this evening, she took it to the next level. Dinner was delicious, and I loved getting to know her and Adam on an intimate level. They shared stories with me of Kaos’s childhood—some he hated to have shared—and I’d been enjoying every second of our time together.

While we sipped wine in the sitting room, Kaos’s hand rested comfortably on my thigh. I found myself naturally leaning against him without even noticing. My body felt so safe with him, it always gravitated toward him.

“So how did your relationship shift from professional to personal?” Claudia asked.

Kaos chuckled. “There was always attraction there,” he started, and when he looked at me, I nodded my agreement, “but things shifted when we went to Greece back in June. Truth is . . .I knew there was something special in her for me when we met. I’ve just been waiting for her to catch up.”

“I have,” I admitted as I blushed and put my hand on his knee. “I guess I should say I knew it too. I was just less willing to acknowledge it.”

“Will you two working together be an issue for the firm?” Adam asked.

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