Page 50 of Over My Dead Boss
I get the urge to punch him again, but hold back instead.
It’s fine. This was never supposed to be anything in the first place. It’s fine if he doesn’t feel the same way. We can just have a good time and find each other NIFTY.
“Yeah, Ryker explained as much. Isabella and Waylon did a good job of convincing us employees that you were the bad guy responsible for all of that.”
30
“Phoenix? You’re rich, right? I mean, I know you’re no billionaire anymore, but you’re still quite wealthy, yes?”
He nods quietly without looking up from his notebook. We have both been silently writing for hours now; him working on including the edits I did on his manuscript and me coming close to finishing the first draft of my novel.
“Good. That means you own a tuxedo. I need you to wear it tonight. I’ve got something planned.”
“Oh…livia, I didn’t know you were into 007 role play. Sure, I can do that.”
“It’s not like that…” I begin to explain. “Actually, now that I think about it, it can be a little like that if you want.” I lean over and use my arms to press my boobs together, then give him my best attempt at a wink.
“That’s terrifying. It’s like you are having a seizure. Should I take you to the ER?” Phoenix chuckles when he sees my expression turn into an angry stare. “What do you have planned? Tell me all about it.”
“It’s not that important. Just a little surprise and something we need to talk about.” I go back to writing, giving him a bit of his own medicine by ignoring his question. I can feel his gaze rest on me, not letting up.
“You know you can’t say stuff like that and then expect me to wait a couple of hours to find out. I’m pretty sure that’s against the Paris Conventions.”
“The what now? Are you thinking of the Geneva Conventions?”
“Yeah, but instead of war they’re about…” he stops for a second, obviously thinking about what to say next. “The rules of human relationships.”
“Why Paris?”
“Because Paris is the city of… human relationships.”
I give him another botched wink that makes him laugh out loud and me blush. I love to see him like this, unburdened and carefree, and I wish this could last. It would benifty,to say the least, which is why I am planning on bringing it up with him tonight. Until then, I only inform him that it isn’t anything bad, which I hope it isn’t.
When dawn comes around, Phoenix and Dog go for a walk, giving me time to prepare everything for our evening. With all my might, I push the heavy couch and table to the side, creating some space in the living room, before I hide my surprise nestled between some pillows and blankets. Then I try to prepare one of my favorite comfort foods, ramen, for dinner, which luckily means that I only have to put some water into a pot. Before I turn it on, I write a note for him to find when he gets back:Put on tuxedo. Dinner will be ready when you are.
Then I retreat to my room to get ready myself. I choose my best, and never worn, lingerie and slip into the black dress that he told me to wear just for him. While I spend too much time doing my hair and make-up, I hear Phoenix and Dog return. His curious grumbling and the audible steps up the stairs let me know he has found my note, which means I have about ten more minutes before he will return. I rush to the kitchen and turn on the burner to bring the water to a boil, put the noodles in, some bowls and silverware on the table and finally slip my high heels on. Food is served by the time he comes back. I lean against the edge of the table as he walks down the stairs. As expected, Phoenix makes any James Bond actor pale in comparison. His hair is unusually neat, his stubble daring, and his tuxedo makes him look like a billion dollars.
When he reaches me, he wraps one hand around my waist, the other around my neck, tilting me over like they do in the old movies. He looks into my eyes and leans in. “I wish I had thought of something to say. Something sexy and much cooler than ‘I wish I had thought of something to say.’”
“It’s the thought that counts,” I whisper as my lips part automatically at the close presence of his mouth. “And I want you to keep that in mind because, I think, I might have ruined the easiest dish one could ever cook. The noodles might have been in the water a little too long and also it might be too much water.”
His eyes grow in excitement. “You made ramen for us? I love ramen!”
“I know. I had my people look into you.” I smile. “Also, I still had some packed in my bag so…”
“I’m sure they’re perfect.” He kisses me and tilts me back, then turns me around to get a better view. “And you’re wearing the black dress from the other night. You look… just as I thought you would.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, somewhat insecure.
“That means payback for not telling me what you wanted to talk about earlier.” His eyes narrow playfully as he ladles the soggy ramen into our bowls. “So?”
I slurp up some noodles, inevitably splattering some of the red liquid on my dress, which, luckily, is barely visible. “Well,” I sigh and fidget with the spoon in my hand, “I have to go back soon. Isabella wants me to return to the office. She has somehow found new investors, which means there is a lot to do and she needs my help.” I clear my throat and say what’s been on my mind for far too long now. “And I’d like to apologize. I shouldn’t have tried to force you to give me your manuscript. It’s yours and if you don’t want to give it to Isabella, that should be your choice, contract or not. So, I’m sorry.” My dress feels overly tight now and an uncomfortable feeling slowly sinks in. “I also won’t tell her anything about you. I’ll make something up and tell her I couldn’t get the manuscript after all. It will be fine.”
“When?” Phoenix asks with no emotion in his dark voice, loosening his bow tie a little.
“I have to be back by Monday, so I guess Sunday.”
He remains silent and I would kill to know what he is thinking. If he wants to be with me as much as I want to be with him, but even if that was the case, then what?
