Kissing Keith: A Billionaire Younger Man Romance (Rose City Romance Book 1)

by Lucy Robin

  For a moment, I wonder whether Nonna’s Super Ears heard us from the casino thirty floors down, but I no longer feel embarrassed.

  Chapter 25

  Elena

  I’m at the reception area in one of Aria’s convention halls, where the conference takes place. It’s a weekend-long event, but we’ll only attend a couple of sessions today, including a two-hour investment forum.

  Ricky and Keith are steps away, speaking to an acquaintance. I’m still getting my name card when I hear a voice from the past. “Elena, longtime no see!”

  The moment I recognize the face, blood drains from my face. It’s Mike Brook, Keith’s dad.

  I squeeze a smile. “Hello, Mike. How have you been?”

  He puts his hands on my arm and squeezes it. “I’ve been fine. You look fantastic!”

  I detect a bit of lust in his eyes, and I blush. He hasn’t changed. Mike had the habit of touching female employees, including me, whether they liked it or not.

  I’m still thinking of a polite way of asking him to let go of me when a hand grabs me and pulls me away from him. “Hi, Dad,” Keith’s terse voice says.

  Mike Brook glances between me and Keith, a knowing smile creeps onto his face. “Long time no see. Don’t tell me you’re working for my son now?”

  I suddenly feel embarrassed. What I did with Keith last night suddenly turned sordid as I saw it through Mike’s eyes. “Actually, I am.” I blush and look away.

  “Elena had worked for Prestige for more than a year before I acquired it,” Keith adds as if to explain the coincident.

  “Interesting,” Mike says, his eyes twinkling.

  Keith’s lips press tight into a thin line, and he doesn’t respond to his father’s comment. He doesn’t look happy seeing his dad. My intuition last night was right; there was something unpleasant between the father and the son. No, unpleasant is an understatement. What I see in Keith’s eyes is pure hatred.

  I’m thinking about what to say to make the situation less awkward when I hear Tiffany’s voice. “It must be quite an experience, working under both the father and the son.”

  I feel goosebumps all over me. She sounds sarcastic. I can’t help but wonder what she’s insinuating. Is she saying I’ve seduced Mike and Keith? I’ve never even let Mike get close to me, knowing his reputation. Where did Tiffany get that idea?

  I control my urge to challenge her because we are in a professional setting. Ricky Rizzo strides across the room toward us, and Mike immediately turns his attention to him.

  Despite the unpleasant encounter, I enjoy the forum that follows. In the afternoon, Keith makes me attend a session on social media marketing strategies, which turns out to be beneficial.

  We meet Nonna and the rest of the gambling team at Catch Seafood inside Aria. Nonna is beaming, saying she won two hundred bucks. The rest of the group all lost. Giovanni wouldn’t say how much he lost, but I can guess it isn’t a small amount. He doesn’t seem to mind, though. Instead, he’s all smiling, looking dis-stressed. He sits next to me, unaware of Keith’s scowl.

  “Would you like to stay here for one more day, Elena?” he asks. “We could spend some time at the pool, or go around the Strip to sightsee. We can fly back tomorrow night.”

  I haven’t even had the time to think of an excuse when Keith speaks. “She can’t. She has to work tomorrow.”

  I look at him indignantly. “Says who?”

  “You have to work on your website,” he says a-matter-of-factly.

  It can wait. I thought, but I don’t speak. This is a perfect excuse. “That’s true,” I say and look at Giovanni apologetically. “I’m sorry.”

  “Not at all.” He shrugs. “Actually, I can’t afford to be absent from home for two days in a row, either. Mom can’t handle Tony for long.”

  Keith’s face relaxes when he hears that.

  I want to roll my eyes. What gives him the right to interfere with my personal life?

  When she isn’t speaking to others, Julia glances at me from time to time, looking curious. I know she must be wondering about my relationship with the two men. Stella has made it clear her grandson is dating me, and thus it must look strange to her that Keith and I are so close. I try to keep a distance from both men, but I guess I’m unsuccessful in my attempt, being flanked by the two.

  I’m enjoying my tuna roll when a man and a woman step into the dining room. I freeze. Mike and Tiffany again. Are they stalking us?

  Being the largest group in the dining area, they spot us right away.

  “Hi again, Ricky!” Mike says with a fawning smile.

  Ricky generously invites the two to join us, and we move our chairs to make room for them.

  Tiffany sits right next to Paola and across the table to me. She acknowledges me with an expression hard to read. She’s trying to smile, perhaps, but to me, it looks more like a sneer. Thank God she soon turns her attention to Paola and strikes a conversation with her.

  Mike and Keith sit on either side of Ricky, and the three speak about potential investment opportunities in Vegas. While Mike suggests Ricky invest in hotels and casinos, Keith believes a better choice would be developing golf course communities. “Vegas attracts wealthy people, and they love homes adjacent to a golf course.”

  Mike scoffs. “Don’t you see the place is saturated with golf course homes?”

  “It’s precisely because they’re in demand,” Keith argues.

  “I agree.” Ricky nods his approval. “It’s actually something on my mind.”

  As he pauses, Paola suddenly chimes in. “The two of you are father and son?”

  The question takes both of them by surprise, and they look at each other and nod. “Yes, we are, indeed.”

  “Mike owns Brook, and Keith owns Kelly,” Ricky explains to his mom.

  Paola’s mouth falls open, obviously has some knowledge about the two firms. “Mike, your son is going to outperform you soon if you aren’t careful.”

  Mike chuckles. “He might. After all, he’s my son and inherited my business talents.”

  What a smug remark. A better father would take the opportunity to praise his son. I glance at Keith, but he only smiles good-naturedly.

  “That’s true.” Paola smiles, unaware of the strained relationship between the father and the son.

  “But he does have something I lack,” Mike goes on. “He knows what he wants. Not only in doing business but also when it comes to women. Keith and Elena were first together when he was only seventeen.”

  My folk drops from my trembling hand, and Keith nearly chokes on his drink. What the hell is wrong with the old jerk? How could he mention that incident on such an occasion, and in front of his son’s potential business partner? What’s his motive?

  I glance around. Nonna is busy talking to Susan and Stella. She didn’t hear what Mike said, otherwise she would throw a knife at him. Giovanni arches an eyebrow, finally realizing there’s something between Keith and me for the first time. Ricky and Paola look amused, but neither expresses any interest or curiosity. Mike goes on as if he hasn’t said anything indiscrete at all, “In case you don’t know, Ricky, Elena used to work for me. She was my star producer before she quit and moved to northern California.”

  I see Tiffany doing a subtle eye roll as Paola looks my way again.

  Ricky lifts an eyebrow. “Really? That’s interesting.”

  Paola stands up to use the restroom, and Tiffany joins her. I take the opportunity to sit next to Nonna and ask about her day.

  On our returning flight, I again sit next to Keith, thanks to Nonna’s clever arrangement. Everyone except the pilot and the attendant is nodding their heads as soon as the jet takes off. I soon feel drowsy, too. Keith reaches to hold my hand, and I don’t resist. He rubs little circles in my palm, and soon I fall asleep. When I wake, it’s night, and we’re already landing.

  Keith leans over and quickly dabs a kiss on my cheek before unbuckling his seatbelt.

  We say goodbye to Paola and Rick
y, who would ride with Keith. I’ll join Nonna’s group and ride with Giovanni. We exchange cheek-kisses with each other before getting into our separate cars. When it comes to Paola, I hug her and thank her again for referring me to Ricky.

  “No problem, Elena,” she says. “But really all I did was lip-service. I can’t guarantee what Ricky decides. It’s his business, you know?”

  I’m taken aback because, as far as I understand, the deal has been more or less sealed. Ricky told us to sign agreements on Monday. But then she’s probably modest. So I say, “No problem. Still, I need to thank you!”

  She smiles again, but I can’t help but feel that it’s a bit forced.

  I sense something is wrong, and during our ride home, I keep thinking maybe I did something wrong.

  Did Paola see Keith and me making out in the back of the jet? Or did she simply disapprove of our close relationship because he’s my boss? Maybe she thinks I’m a slut, playing with two men? But there isn’t anything between Giovanni and me. Finally, I let it go. And thanks to the congested traffic, I again feel drowsy and nap the rest of my way home.

  Chapter 26

  Keith

  I arrive at work early Monday morning. Diana is off, and the office is still empty. I make coffee and wait impatiently for Elena to arrive. I haven’t seen her for only a day, but it feels like it’s been months. I miss her even though I’ve been texting her every minute. I reach for my phone but restrain my urge to text her, knowing she’s driving. I’m behaving like a teenager in love. This is insane.

  I hear the double-door of the building open and heels click. The footsteps head straight to my office. A minute later, Elena shows up in my doorway. “Good morning, Keith,” she says with a smile. Thank God. From the sparkles in her eyes, I know she misses me as much as I miss her.

  “Good morning, Elena,” I say, drinking in the sight of her.

  She’s wearing a silver suit dress over a black silk shirt. Goddamn. She’s the sexiest businesswoman I know. I stand up and walk to her, pulling her to me for a kiss. She tenses and struggles, but I don’t let go. “It’s okay,” I say. “No one else is around.”

  She relaxes and falls into my arms complaisantly, letting me suck on her soft, plump lips. My cock jolts in my pants, remembering her and missing her. I slip my hand under her skirt to stroke her ass cheek.

  It’s bare. Holy fuck. “You’re not wearing panties?” I ask as my hand continues to palm her.

  She giggles. “You wish!”

  By then, I’ve found the string. “You’re wearing G-string for me?” I pull away and gaze at her.

  Her cheeks are flaming. “I… went shopping yesterday.”

  “You bought it for me?”

  She rolls her eyes. “No. I’m wearing it for my strip show.”

  “Strip show? Where is it at?” I ask, my thumb making its way into the tiny strip of her thong.

  She swats my arm playfully. “Stop it. It’s time to go to Ricky’s office.”

  As she speaks, my phone on the desk rings. I glance at it. It’s Ricky’s number. “I’d better answer it. He’s probably calling to check.”

  As I reach for the phone, Elena slips out of my office.

  “Good morning, Ricky,” I say after taking a deep breath. “Elena and I are on our way.”

  “Good morning,” Ricky answers, and then sighs. “Listen, Keith. I’m sorry. I’m afraid we won’t be signing a contract today.”

  “What?” My heart sinks, but I refuse to believe the worst. “When do you want to do it, then?”

  He pauses. “Well. Actually, let me just be honest. After much consideration, I’ve decided to give the deal to your dad.”

  “You must be kidding!” I blurt. “How could you change your mind just like that? What happened?”

  He sighs again, and then he stutters. “Keith. I, uh, apologize. Please understand my predicament. The truth is that my mother, you see, she has a share in my company, and her opinions matter a lot to me.”

  I frown, trying to make sense of what he says. “I still don’t understand. Are you saying Paola wants you to give the deal to my dad? Why?”

  “Okay,” Ricky exhales loudly on the other end of the line. “Your dad spoke to her yesterday and told her about what happened between you and Elena twelve years ago.”

  Holy fuck! That asshole! How the hell did he get her number? I don’t remember seeing him talk to Paula in private at all the other night. I clench my fist, but I’m unable to utter a word.

  “Are you listening, Keith?” Ricky asks.

  “Yes, I am,” I say, taking deep breaths to calm down. “But it was a long time ago. Why does it matter?”

  Ricky clears his throat. “Because my mother feels strongly against child abuse.”

  “Wait a minute!” I interrupt him. “There wasn’t abuse and I wasn’t a child. I was seventeen.”

  “Not much difference to her,” he says calmly.

  I want to argue, but I know it’ll be pointless. I know I’m fucked up. “Please, Ricky,” I say, disgusted with my begging tone. “I respect Paola’s moral values, but it was really a mistake I made twelve years ago. Elena and I have both put it behind us. Can’t you give us a chance? Please. Don’t let my blunder prevent us from being business partners.”

  After a long pause, Ricky says, “I’m sorry, Keith. I spoke to Paola all afternoon yesterday. But she isn’t going to change her mind. I apologize.”

  After Ricky hangs up, I plop into my chair and rub my temples. I don’t believe what’s just happened. It must be a bad dream.

  I look up when I hear a knock on my door. Elena looks at me apprehensively. “Is everything okay? Are you ready?”

  I shake my head. “Come in, please. And close the door.”

  She sits down across the desk to me as I tell her what Ricky’s phone call was about.

  Her face turns pale, and she starts to shake. “I can’t believe it… Oh, God!”

  I reach to hold her, but she pushes me away. “She thinks I’m a debauched woman.”

  “Don’t worry,” I say, trying to comfort her. “I’ll speak to Ricky. I’m going to his office. I’ll try to explain. I’ll say it was a misunderstanding, that I… I seduced you.”

  “You did seduce me,” she suddenly becomes agitated. “Keith. It’s your fault. If only you had controlled your teenage hormone twelve years ago…. If only you kept your hands off me during the conference, then maybe your dad wouldn’t launch such a dirty attack!”

  The mention of the conference and the image of my dad’s hand on her arm enrage me. “Wait a minute,” I blurt. “You can’t blame everything on me! It’s not all my fault. You were responsible, too. If you hadn’t fucked my dad, I wouldn’t have done it to you in the first place.”

  Her eyes widen and her mouth hangs open. “What are you talking about? Fuck your dad? I’ve never done it!”

  “No need to deny it. I saw it with my own eyes that night.”

  “When and where?”

  “You, the night I kissed you… you were with him … in the library at his house,” I speak with incoherence words.

  She blinks, trying to recall the events of the night. “It wasn’t me. Are you talking about the room at the end of the hallway?”

  “Yes.”

  “I was there, but I was not with your dad. I saw him with someone, too. It wasn’t me!”

  For a moment, I’m confused. Could I have made a mistake? “But I remember distinctly—your pink high-heels.”

  “Pink heels? Jeez, I don’t remember what shoes I was wearing, but I never owned any pink shoes. I don’t particularly like pink. The dress was an exception.” She frowns and pauses. “Wait a minute. Are you saying that you fucked me because you thought I fucked your dad? You did it out of revenge?”

  My head buzzes. Those weren’t her shoes? Then who was that? How could I have been so wrong? I’m not sure about what happened anymore. “Yes,” I say without thinking. I’m still trying to figure out whether she was speaking
the truth. If it wasn’t Elena, who was it?

  Before I know it, I feel a slap across my face. And then she storms out of my office.

  “Elena!” I cried out. Please don’t leave me again.

  Chapter 27

  Elena

  I cry my way home. The asshole! I thought he did it to me because he couldn’t control his teenage hormones, and I kind of forgave him. But revenge? This is so much worse! I hate myself for succumbing to his charm again and again.

  I run myself a bath, hoping to relax and forget what’s happened, but as soon as I soak into the water, I remember the night in his sky suite in Vegas. Details of him making love to me fill my head. I can see his smoldering eyes gazing at me, feel his fingers caressing me, and hear him murmuring passionate words into my ear. God! How could I miss the jerk with what I know about him!

  After I calm down, I force myself to remember the night twelve years ago. What the hell was I wearing on my feet? I remember buying the shoes at Nordstrom, too. I was trying on many different pairs in many different colors. And at the end, I settled on a pair of white, not pink pumps. How could I forget them? They were my only pair of Jimmy Choo, and the most expensive shoes I ever owned. Sadly, I only wore them once. And after that night, I was so mad at myself that I never even packed them and the dress I wore at the party when I moved to the Bay Area. They might still be in a box of my belongings in Nonna’s attic, among her other junk.

  But then, I also remember a pair of pink shoes —someone was wearing pink high-heels that night, and she was saying we should swap shoes because she was wearing a white dress. Who the hell was that? Her shoes were covered by her long maxi dress, and she gathered it up to show them to me. Suddenly I remember. She was Tiffany. Oh, God. What does it mean?

  It means Keith was mistaken. He saw his dad fucking a woman wearing pink high-heels, and he thought it was me. But it was Tiffany, the daughter of their family friend. How disgusting. I shiver at the realization. The two are probably still together. They kept a distance between them while in Vegas, but I recall seeing them embrace at Mike’s office the other day. What’s Tiffany up to? Keith told me there wasn’t anything between him and Tiffany, but the way she glared at me when she saw Keith and me together told otherwise. From a woman’s instinct, I know she’s jealous of me.