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“What was wrong with Chris’s shoes? I always thought he looked nice,” a petite brunette says as she sidles up to me for a hug.
Erik pulls her out of my arms and slings an arm around her shoulder. “Lisa, this is my wife, Sarah.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Lisa extends her hand, and if she has any feelings about Sarah trying to play matchmaker for me, they aren’t evident in the genuine smile she offers.
“Nice to meet you, too.” Sarah takes it. “I was so thrilled to hear Chris has a girlfriend. I’m always the third wheel whenever we all go out, so now I’ll have company.”
I put my arm around Lisa and tug her to my side. “No, I was always the third wheel.”
“Whatever,” Sarah dismisses. “When you two talk about work stuff, it’s like you’re speaking another language I don’t know.”
“That can’t possibly be as bad as watching you two make out,” I retort, and Sarah blushes.
“Anyhow, it’ll be nice to have company,” Sarah says.
We join Erik and Sarah at the table where the girls listen to us reminisce about our childhood adventures, and as much fun as I have recounting those memories, I have more fun watching Lisa hear them. I always thought she had the most beautiful smile, but I love her laugh and the sparkle in her eye when she’s having fun. I want to experience that every day for the rest of my life. And tonight, I’ll tell her.
Chapter 24
Lisa
After Chris said he needed to talk to me later, he visibly relaxed, and we had a pleasant time the rest of the evening. I did a good job of putting all worry aside in front of the group at Charlie’s, but as we drive to my house, my stomach is in knots wondering what Chris could possibly have to tell me.
I saw the guilty look flash across his face when he was talking to Jason. I know it has something to do with Engage, which in effect means something to do with me. What has he done that he’s bearing guilt about, and will that change things between us? In just a few short months, Chris has become an integral part of my life, a part I’m afraid I can’t live without, and while I don’t have any reason to think Chris feels differently, I have no confirmation that he feels the same, either. That, coupled with the pained look on his face when he said we needed to talk, and I’m afraid my life is about to be upended.
When we reach my house, Chris follows me inside and pulls me to the couch, dragging me onto his lap. He traces the line of my jaw with his finger and puts his hand behind my neck, bringing my lips to his. He makes no move to deepen our kiss or claim my mouth with his own; he just holds me to him and grazes his lips over mine. It’s the most tender of kisses yet more erotic than any I’ve ever received. It makes promises I’ve yet to hear him speak, but which I now understand to be true.
With a shuddering breath, Chris pulls away. “I love you,” he says softly, his gaze locked on mine, my neck still cradled in his hands as he strokes my face. “More and more each day from the first time I saw you. I don’t know how that’s possible, but it’s true. I am madly, hopelessly, in love with you.”
My heart threatens to beat out of my chest. Those are the words I felt in his kiss, the words I’ve been hoping he’d one day say. But hearing them on his lips? I didn’t know it was possible to feel like you were falling and flying at the same time, but that’s exactly what Chris does to me, body and soul. “I love you, too.” I cup his face in my hands.
He kisses me then, his mouth covering mine possessively, his fingers threading in my hair. I clutch him back and open my mouth to him, letting him claim me as his.
“I was hoping you’d say that,” Chris breathes against my lips. “You have no idea how much I wanted you to say that.”
“Is that what you wanted to tell me?” I exhale breathlessly.
Chris untangles his fingers from my hair and cups my face, leaning his forehead against mine. “Yes. Part of it.”
“There’s more?” I pull back.
“Yeah, there’s more.” He sighs deeply.
“It has to do with Engage, doesn’t it?”
Chris nods. He kisses me softly and takes a deep breath. “I haven’t been completely honest about my involvement with Engage. I’m not just the landlord.”
“What are you?” I eye him carefully.
“The lead investor.”
“I don’t understand. Aren’t there lots of investors?”
“There are a lot of small investors. I’m the largest investor, the lead investor, and I set the terms for future investors like the ones we’re targeting now. We’re doing a Series A round now, and later we’ll probably do a Series B, but as the lead investor I own a significant amount of the company.” He watches me warily, waiting for my response.
“So…you’re my boss?”
Chris exhales deeply, “Not directly, no.”
