“So, Jax, what do you do? Did I hear you’re Kai’s personal assistant?”
I turn to Jax slightly, watching him chew on that damn lip again before I interject.
“He was, but we mutually decided that wasn’t going to work anymore.”
“Oh? And why not?” Another man asks.
“Well, because he’s my boyfriend.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
JAX
Did—didhe just say what I think he said? My gaze hasn’t left this side of his face, those perfect fucking teeth flashing every time one of those panty dropping smiles spreads wide.
I have to be delusional; there’s not fucking way the same guy who fired me seven hours earlier just declared to the board of this company that I’m his boyfriend.
Boyfriend.
That title sits weirdly in my brain, and I feel a little light-headed, reeling with questions clearly unanswered. Did we discuss this? Did I completely miss a conversation? Did I agree to this?
“Well, congratulations to you two. We’ll let you go.”
My head snaps back to the conversation as Kai says thank you, and I throw two fingers up, because words are really fucking hard right now. I’m just being led in some direction, faces passing me by as I just go where I’m told.
Suddenly, it’s dark before an overhead light is switched on, and I take in my surroundings. It’s a janitorial closet of some sort, chemicals on shelves and a mop in the corner. Totally not creepy at all.
“Hey.” His big hands wipes a stray hair out of my face before his finger is under my chin, forcing my head up to meet his eyes. Mine bounce back and forth between his brown ones, trying to understand. “Are you okay?”
“Ha!” I bark. “Honestly, I feel drunk as fuck. Or high. Did you spike my drink?”
“No, I didn’t spike your drink, you brat.” He takes my drink with his spare hand and puts it next to the glass cleaner.I guess I’m done with that.“Are. You. Okay.” Each word is pronounced with clarity.
“Uh, well, I guess I just have some questions.”
I reach into the pocket of my coat to pull out a piece of candy and pop it into my mouth before I continue. “Okay, first off, um—what did you call me back there?”
“My boyfriend.”
“Right, right. Um—did I miss a convo here? Normally, someone is asked about that? Or did I agree to something without realizing? Because the last thing I remember between us is you firing me, saying I’m not cut out for that position or some shit. No recollection of boyfriend or will you or any of those typical words.”
My arms cross in front of my chest, the jacket I’m wearing pulling tight against my back, but I feel like I need to curl up, and the tiny bit of compression is nice.
“You’re right. I said you weren’t cut out forthatposition withmebecause I’d rather you inthisposition. The position of my boyfriend. Clearly, we’ve both been toeing this line of boss and employee, trying not to get caught and shit, and frankly, I was over it Jax. I didn’t want to keep seeing you in the shadows. I want to love you in the open. You’re too much of a light to be kept in the dark.”
Fucking emotions, clogging up my throat and shit.
I cough to keep them at bay, but when his lips press gently to mine, I feel the first one fall.
“Oh no, sweet boy, what’s wrong?”
“Why couldn’t you just say all this earlier?”
“Honestly? I was afraid if I asked right then and there, it’d be too much. You’d be dealing with the emotions of losing your job and then, all of a sudden, I’m asking you out. It just was a lot.”
“So you decided to do it here?”
“Well, I figured if I did it in front of a group of people, especially like the board, it’d be really hard for you to deny me. I was sure you’d have questions later, but I knew I could answer those. But if you want me to ask—Jax, will you be my boyfriend? Although you already basically have been since October? Will you make it official? And I also want you to move in, because I want to keep you warm in December, and I don’t want another moment without you, and?—”
