by Tiana Cole
“Shall we go to your place, then?” Bastian asked with a sly grin. I nodded my head once, silently questioning how and why I'd suddenly become so smitten by the man I’d known as ‘The Kraken.’ He’d been an asshole of biblical proportions in the workplace, yet he seemed much softer and gentler when he was off the clock.
I picked up my purse, and Bastian grabbed the duffel bag he’d prepared for his stay at my apartment. We left his lavish penthouse and ventured back down to my car where, unlike earlier, he actually let me drive. Traffic was surprisingly light as we made our way to Midtown. By the time we got to my apartment, Bastian was checking his watch surreptitiously.
“We have reservations for nine thirty,” he reminded me, which was clearly my cue to hurry up. I rolled my eyes, and didn't bother giving him a tour of my place. I had nothing to hide, and figured he could explore it himself while I showered and changed. When he followed me into my bedroom and set his bag down on my bed, I almost felt like a teenager who had a boy in her room for the first time.
I hadn't had a man in my apartment for so long now I'd almost forgotten what it felt like. Law school had kept me too busy to date, and the job I’d landed with Bastian’s firm ate up a good deal of time as well. I’d get hit on when I went out on weekends, but I wanted to focus on my career now and worry about a relationship later.
Bastian stood in silence for a moment as he took in the various photos and knickknacks I had on display around my bedroom.
“You have a cute place here,” he commented. I murmured a thank you before scampering into the bathroom to quickly wash up. In my haste to rinse off, I'd completely forgotten to grab clean towels from the hallway closet and didn’t realize until I’d stepped out of the shower dripping wet.
I grumbled a few curse words as I quietly tiptoed over to the bathroom door, trying not to slip and fall along the way. I cracked the door and peeked out as inconspicuously as possible to see Bastian lounging on my bed and flipping through the channels on the small TV that sat on my dresser. Despite my efforts to remain unseen, his head whipped around as soon as I opened the door and he smiled as if he knew exactly what I’d forgotten.
“Need a towel?” he asked silkily.
“Yes, please,” I groaned, and rolled my eyes for what felt like the hundredth time that day. “They’re on the shelf in my hallway closet,” I said, cracking the door a bit further to point him in the right direction.
Bastian grinned and hopped off of the bed to retrieve a fluffy white towel for me. He returned seconds later and teasingly held it behind his back as he stood just outside the bathroom door.
“The only way you're getting dry is if you let me dry you off,” he said with a wicked grin, and my jaw dropped in response.
“Is this how our entire relationship is going to be, Bastian?” I growled angrily. “With you basically blackmailing me?”
“Perhaps,” his grin stretched even wider, reminding me of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. “So…are you going to stand there dripping wet and shivering, or are you going to let me in?”
I pressed my lips together tightly and flashed him my flintiest gaze, continuing to hold the door slightly ajar so he couldn't peek in.
“We don't have time for this right now,” I snarled. “If you really want to go to dinner, then I suggest you hand me the goddamn towel.” The touch of steel in my tone didn’t go unnoticed, and Bastian slowly handed me the towel.
“You know, I really like it when you get you get all stern with me, Jessica,” he chuckled. “It's quite a turn-on.”
Bastian flashed me a cheeky smile, and I snatched the towel from him before shutting the door and locking it behind me. After drying off I stepped out of the bathroom, my head held high and wearing nothing but the towel, and made my way to my bedroom closet.
I made him leave the room so I could change into a little black dress that flared out at the waist a bit, then slid into silver heels and added a few accessories that weren't too gaudy. With that finished, I ran some moisturizer through my hair so it wouldn't frizz up and be unmanageable. I pinned it over my shoulder, and allowed Bastian back into the room. His eyes hungrily traveled my body up and down several times.
“You know…I don't think I want to go to dinner tonight at all,” he muttered salaciously. I couldn't help but smile, taking his innuendo-laden comment as a compliment.
“Thank you,” I blushed. “Now let's go. I'm hungry.”
Bastian's hand went directly to the small of my back where the dress had a small diamond cutout, and the feel of his skin on mine sent tingles up and down my spine that were entirely distracting as we walked back to my car. Like he'd done earlier, he took the keys from me and held the passenger door open, politely helping me inside. I lowered myself into the car and he stood watching me for a moment longer than he needed to. He gently closed the door, then walked around to the driver's side to settle in behind the wheel. Moments later, we were on our way to Daniel.
The restaurant was beautifully picturesque, and there was a very romantic feel to the décor. After the valet took care of my car and we walked inside, Bastian gave his name and the host seated us in a relatively secluded area of the dining room. Dinner was delicious, and Bastian revealed himself to be quite the wine enthusiast, carefully selecting an incredible bottle of white wine for us. When dessert came around, he pulled out a red velvet ring box from his blazer pocket. I bit my lip and stared at it, knowing exactly what was inside the small box.
“I figured I should still ask you in a traditional manner…” Bastian began.
The tables around ours caught sight of what was happening as he moved from his chair to kneel by my side. He took my left hand in his, and looked directly into my eyes while a low murmur pervaded the room.
“Oh my God…” I gasped, my face flushing as onlookers watched the scene unfold.
“You're the only one for me, and I'm more convinced of it every day, Jessica,” Bastian continued romantically, the room falling silent in anticipation. “I don't want to take this step with anyone else but you, and I hope you feel the same way.” After a brief pause to open the ring box, revealing the gorgeous diamond ring inside, he finally asked, “Will you marry me?”
Bastian presented his proposal perfectly. It wasn't fake in the slightest, and he was telling the truth…technically. I smiled, knowing only Bastian Kosta could possibly pull something like this off.
“Of course I'll marry you, Bastian,” I answered softly, and the room exploded in applause and cheers. Bastian glowed with a breathtaking smile that would light up even the darkest of hearts. He slid the ring we'd picked out together onto my finger, then pulled me into a hug before his lips slid over mine in a passionate kiss that truly did steal my breath.
He pulled back a fraction, and I tried to regain my composure, blinking several times as I slowly became aware of the clapping that had erupted around us. The restaurant came into focus and I blushed, feeling a little embarrassed by our very public display of affection. Bastian had practically shoved his tongue in my mouth, and a whole dining room of people had witnessed it.
A handful of patrons offered their congratulations, and we thanked them before returning to our seats. Champagne was served to everyone in the restaurant in response to our engagement, and I wondered if Bastian had paid for it. He seemed just as pleasantly surprised as I did, however, when we received our flutes of bubbly. By the time we got back to my apartment, I'd begun to come down from the euphoric daze of the night's events.
I couldn't stop looking at the sparkling ring on my finger: It was a beautiful Leo Diamond with curves of smaller round diamonds surrounding it on a white gold band. It was a bit flashy, that much was true, but gorgeous nonetheless. People would definitely notice the new addition to my finger.
“You should call your brother and let him know about the engagement,” Bastian suggested as he shut my apartment door behind us. “The news is bound to be out by tomorrow morning, if not tonight.”
; “Oh, shit…this is really happening,” I breathed. Bastian cozied up behind me, his arms encircled my waist, and he nuzzled a kiss just behind my ear that sent shivers throughout my entire body.
“It is happening, Jessica,” he replied. “You might as well resign yourself to it now to save yourself the stress.” He kissed me lower on my neck and I swayed back against him. He was simply intoxicating and maddening all in one. “You have to get some sleep, so how about we change and head to bed?” he asked, and I nodded weakly. I needed to regain some of my balance and tolerance against this man who was somehow winning me over.
* * *
The following morning I found myself filled with dread at the thought of arriving at work with Bastian. Not only would I be with him, but I'd also have his ring on my finger. I couldn't sit still while we ate breakfast, but he simply ignored me as he read the paper while enjoying the omelet I'd made him.
“Before we go downstairs, you have to relax,” he casually stated as he continued reading the paper’s business section. “It's supposed to look like we've been secretly dating for a long time and I've finally decided to make you my wife,” he reminded me. “You're in love with me, and I'm in love with you…that's it. Don't worry what others will think. Screw ‘em. It's just about us, Jessica, okay?”
Bastian gave me another small pep talk before we left the apartment, and I simply nodded while nervously avoiding his eyes. He proceeded to pull me against him, his soft, plush lips crashing down over mine. He held me flush against his strong body, and I felt the hard muscles under the suit he wore.
My hands gripped his arms as he held me firmly against him, his tongue pushing into my mouth and dancing with mine feverishly. My body temperature rose as lust snaked through my veins. The sensitive muscles deep in my belly contracted, and I released a soft moan from the intensity of my desire for him. Bastian let me go abruptly, grabbed his briefcase from the couch, and made for the door.
I could have sworn I heard him mutter something about wanting to do that all morning as he passed by me.
“Come on, my car is waiting downstairs,” he said gruffly, and I followed behind him in a bit of a daze. So much for regaining my equilibrium around him, I mused to myself. It was only getting more and more difficult.
Chapter 4
Bastian
Work was full of distractions for me, mostly because it was full of Jessica. I was more aware of her than ever, and in some sense she was like a strange extension of me. She wasn't my employee anymore, she was my fiancée, and would soon to be a Senior Partner in the firm. Because of this, I felt I was supposed to be a bit more attentive to her than normal.
When I was younger and living in Greece, I recalled, it seemed as though my father always knew exactly what my mother needed. It was as if he had some sixth sense when it came to her, and she was the same way with him. Their love was rare, and when my father died my mother had changed completely. The void in her heart had left her bitter and cold, and I felt myself heading down the same path.
My awareness of that is why I’d jumped at the chance to get away from anything that reminded me of my father and of the happy life we’d once lived, and had taken Nick up on his offer to join him in the States.
As the day progressed, I realized I wanted the type of love my parents had shared. I wanted to love Jessica deeply, and know her as if she were an extension of myself. I knew, however, that true love didn't come from bribery and a folder full of inane personal facts.
“Bastian, what's up with you today?” Nick asked as he breezed into my office with a thick case file in his hand. “Your head's totally in the clouds or something.”
He closed the door behind him, and I almost resented him for obscuring my view of Jessica. We were supposed to announce our engagement to the office before lunchtime rolled around.
“I'm just focused on getting these cases taken care of,” I lied, and changed the subject by adding, “What's that?” I pointed to the file he was holding, and he strolled over to take a seat in front of my desk with a curious, perhaps even slightly troubled, expression on his face.
“This is the case you and Jessica have been working on,” he began slowly. “I'm debating taking over for you since…the two of you are engaged?” he asked with a hint of disbelief while watching for my every micro-expression.
“How did you…” I began, stunned that he’d somehow heard the news already.
“A client of mine was at Daniel last night and recognized you,” he explained. “Texted me to tell you congratulations on the engagement.”
“Yes, I've asked her to marry me,” I sighed. “We're going to announce it to the rest of the office today. Furthermore, there's no need for you to take over our case. We've got it handled,” I assured him. “When we're at work, we're at work and there's nothing more.”
Nick continued to scrutinize me for a short while until he seemed satisfied by what he saw.
“Alright, then. So can I ask how the fuck my best friend and business partner managed to hide an office relationship from me for…how long now?”
I pursed my lips and schooled my expression. I didn't want to lie to Nick, but it had to be done for his own good. If he didn’t know the truth, he couldn’t perjure himself should he be questioned.
“Just about two months,” I lied. “I knew she was the one when she put me in my place a few days ago. I need somebody who's not afraid to keep me in check. A woman who can do that is definitely marriage material,” I said with as much sincerity as I could muster. Nick knew me well, and he knew how to tell when I was bullshitting.
“You have real feelings for her…” he nodded, his face suddenly serious. “I had no idea. That's probably because I've never seen you head over heels for a woman before,” he chuckled, then stood up and threw the case file down on my desk. “Well congratulations, then!” he beamed. “It's about time you settled down anyway.”
He flashed me a smile and walked out of my office, seeming to believe every word I'd said. It also helped that he had no idea about my legal status in the country. If he knew my green card was expiring, he'd definitely have been more suspicious.
A minute later I saw Jessica rise from her desk with her tablet in hand, her eyebrows furrowed, and her bottom lip captured between her teeth. She sauntered into my office and scrolled to the top of whatever page she was reading.
“I think we have a problem,” she began flatly. “Ross Club dropped the suit against Landon Corporation and Wealth Magazine.”
She handed me the tablet, and I read the notice sent from Ross Club's attorneys. I hadn't checked my e-mail in over an hour thanks to my focus being directed mostly on her.
“Wonderful,” I groaned. “Something must have leaked in our case building. They must have gotten wind of what we were up to regarding their health code violations. They definitely don't want that getting out, which it would in a courtroom.” I stopped to think for a moment, irritated by the news I'd just been delivered. “No, we're still bringing them to court, even if it’s a frivolous litigation suit,” I scowled in frustration. “Look into what avenues we can take to ensure Ross Club's dirty secrets are unearthed.”
As I handed her back the tablet, I noticed she wasn't wearing her ring and I grabbed her left hand. A look of guilt flashed across her face and she looked away, refusing to meet my icy stare.
“I was, uh, waiting to put it back on when we made the announcement,” she said sheepishly.
Without comment, I walked her back to her workstation and cleared my throat loudly to grab the attention of the surrounding employees. The room fell silent as they glanced up, and I gestured towards Jessica's desk.
“Put it on,” I silently mouthed to her. She sighed, fished the ring from her drawer, and slid it onto her trembling finger. I leaned down to press a light kiss to her lips, and heard a collective gasp from the office.
“Since you're all here, Jessica and I have an announcement to make.” I raised my voice so everyone could hear, and Nick was
quick to poke his head out of his office. “Last night, I had the honor of Jessica agreeing to take me as her husband,” I boasted loudly. “We're getting married.”
There was a long moment of awkward silence throughout the office. It was uncomfortably tense, all eyes locked on me and my new fiancé with a look of confusion and incredulity.
“Well, congratulations!” Nick blurted, breaking the silence and spurring everyone into vague well wishes and congratulations. I could tell the entire moment was painful for Jessica, though she did a decent job of appearing happy.
I kissed her temple before heading back into my office, and she settled into her desk once again looking slightly embarrassed. As hard as that had been, the most difficult part of the ruse was still ahead of us. We needed to tell our families about the engagement, and soon.
When it came time to go over our strategy for the Landon Corporation case, Jessica left my office door open instead of closing it behind her. There was more foot traffic outside my private lair than usual as people cast curious and perplexed glances inside.
“Before we get started, can I ask you something?” I asked her warily.
“Sure,” she nodded, and looked up from her notepad.
I leaned forward in my seat, resting my hands in my desk, and lowered my voice considerably to avoid being overheard.
“I imagine that I wasn't your favorite boss, and I'm sure you didn't exactly hide that fact from the other employees…did you?” I questioned.
“You're right,” she admitted quietly. “But don't worry. I'm telling everyone all my shit-talk was just an act so they wouldn't know we had a thing,” she reassured me in a hushed tone. “I'm telling them I only said those horrible things so they wouldn't accuse you of favoritism. You know, so they wouldn’t say you treat me differently, since I'm still somewhat new here.”