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It was easier to walk out knowing the biggest secret I had was hidden inside me again, even if I could feel it. I had managed this part before, and at least for a little while, I knew I could handle it again.
Thankfully, Lukas was nearby and glanced at my hands before beckoning me over to his conversation. As he introduced me to the men talking to him, he slipped his hand in mine and took the rolled-up bag without anyone noticing.
Finally, I relaxed. I had done as he asked, and he had helped me hide it. For now, that was enough.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO
Lukas
Having Kit by my side as we walked into the game box made me feel on top of the world. It had been a long time since I had been able to hold my head this high and feel as if not only was I successful in my career, but I had a well-dressed, good woman on my arm.
I couldn’t wait to introduce her properly to Daniel. She looked stunning in her dress, wearing one of the outfits I’d bought for her. Even knowing I had paid for it and she hadn’t really tried to didn’t feel too bad. It was a small price to pay to have this moment. To feel like I was the man everyone envied.
Kit was shy but in all the right ways. She didn’t make loud remarks or offer too forced or inappropriate an opinion on anything. I didn’t doubt that some of the men wished they could be taking her home at the end of the day. Even Sarai declared that she was adorable and that it was good to see her enjoy life.
Of course, Kit struggled to understand the game. If anything, that made her even more adorable to everyone. I led her to the large window where we could all stand or sit and look out over the game. The commentary was fed in as well, and we could hear the crowds roaring and cheering.
“Okay, come stand beside me, and I’ll explain it all to you,” Sarai said, taking Kit’s arm and putting a drink into her other hand.
I smiled as Kit looked back at me to check it was okay to divert away. Although I wanted to have her by my side at every moment and enjoy knowing she was obeying me and no doubt feeling the toys, I also wanted her to feel she didn’t need to be glued to my side. She was mine, and we both knew it.
The game passed quickly in a haze of food, alcohol, and people to talk to. Sarai and Richard had invited more than a few people into the box, and almost all of them had business reasons to be in the area as well as for the fun of watching the game.
With Kit in a much better dress, all the women were far more polite to her, but I kept an eye on her just the same. I had to be her safe place. Every time she looked my way, I smiled at her again, but I kept my distance. She appeared to be having fun, and I didn’t want to interrupt her chance to gain confidence among these people.
As the game got into the third quarter and the Bears were up ten points, I relaxed a little more. Daniel would be in a good mood when we caught up with him after, and the mood was getting better in the box. The first hour or so of conversation was always greetings, small talk and a little business.
After that the talk would turn to how business had been going for everyone. What we were all working on. There were only so many ways I could phrase the same few sentences to make it sound unique. Now we were getting to the reason we were all here. To talk about future business.
“Do you know what you’ll be working on after this?” Wayne asked me, one of the businessmen who had invested a small amount in Sarai’s project.
“There will always be a few minor projects that my team and I fit in, but big project-wise, I’m looking for the next one,”I replied, grateful to talk about something different. It was also the honest answer. My team handled a few other projects alongside my main one all the time, and I kept an eye on all of those, but they handled everything for those whose budget didn’t stretch to having my personal attention.
I wanted a new project, and I wanted it to be something decent. As the man nodded and launched into some sort of pitch for an idea of his I found my mind distracted, however. Whatever I did next, I knew I wanted to consider Kit in my plans. Everything had been going well with her so far. But would it stick after this project was over?
Neither Kit nor I had brought it up, and I didn’t know what she wanted to do. Would she be going back to England?
I zoned back into the conversation as he was finishing up, and I instantly felt bad.
“I’m sure we’ll get the funding in place soon and we’ll be able to get started right after that.” Wayne smiled as if this settled the matter, but it gave me a way to save myself from not taking in everything he’d said.
“Why don’t you email me all the details and when you expect to have funding in place and we’ll talk more about it. I’d need to look over the details and check that it’s going to go through before I can commit to anything.” I smiled like this was just some formality and hoped he wouldn’t feel like I’d led him on later.
Nine times out of ten, projects didn’t get their funding if they were as ambitious as Wayne often was. I didn’t think it was really going to happen, but this way I could at least be polite about it.
Wayne grinned like I had said yes. It was almost amusing, but I knew there was a chance I would burst his bubble. So far it didn’t hurt, however. If he could get the funding and I didn’twant to do it myself, I knew Henry was chomping at the bit to manage a bigger project. I wasn’t saying no exactly.
Feeling as if I wanted to escape from the business talk for a bit, I backed up and looked around for Kit. At first I didn’t see her, and I frowned as I slowly scanned the room. Everyone else I knew well was still in the room, Henry with Sarai and Richard briefly, but I couldn’t see Kit anywhere.
I considered where she might be and the circumstances. She’d already had my toy inside her longer today than she had two days ago, and I feared that she might have gone to the bathroom to take them out. If so, she wouldn’t have anywhere to put them and I knew I had pushed her hard in the first place. She’d been nervous about wearing them.
Wanting to be sure that she was okay, and taking responsibility for her wellbeing, I made my way toward the nearest door and the route to the restrooms. I still didn’t see her and it was clear that she had left the box, but I heard her voice as soon as I opened the door.
“I really appreciate that,” she said to someone. I hung back, slipping through the door but still not able to see her yet. Whom was she talking to?
“I mean it, beautiful. You’re exactly the type ofwomanI want on my project.”
I recognized the voice. It was the guy from the first night. Peter. My mood darkened. If this man was continuing to flirt with Kit, then he was walking on dangerous ground.
