Burned by Passion

by Burke, Dez

  “Hey! So are you off somewhere? Lunch maybe?” Brittany said in her breathy voice, interrupting his thoughts.

  Blake sighed. This was where he’d have to wipe the smile off her pretty Barbie doll face. He’d put too much effort trying to rein in what he truly thought of her and maybe it was time he came clean so she’d know there was no chance for them. But just then from the corner of his eye Blake caught a glimpse of Kira exiting the office building. He saw her headed their way and he could tell she’d already noticed him with Brittany.

  His demeanor changed instantly. “Why yes, Brittany,” he drawled with a charming smile. “I hope I can convince you into joining me for a quick lunch? Do you know of any great restaurants in the area?”

  Brittany almost swooned as he turned on the full wattage of his grin, his hand taking her elbow gallantly. Just beyond Brittany’s shoulder he saw Kira stop short and stare at them wide-eyed. Blake swore he caught a look of dismay on her face as she viewed them.

  “I wouldn’t dream of refusing, trust me,” Brittany cooed, turning into full flirt mode. Blake nodded, grin widening in approval before he opened the front passenger seat with a flourish. Brittany slid inside elegantly and he closed the door after her. He went over into his side, slipping on his designer dark shades and sending Brittany one more flirtatious smile before switching the car into gear and zooming off smoothly.

  He wasn’t smiling though as he glanced in the side mirror and saw Kira still standing there in the middle of the sidewalk, frozen as a sculpture, her face pale and tight.

  Damn you Kira, he thought while stamping down any feeling of remorse. After the savage way she’d cut him down in the elevator, why should he care anything about her feelings?

  He may have been over the top with the scene at the car with Brittany and he must be crazy thinking it made any difference to Kira. She’d made it plain she wanted nothing more to do with him. Not only that, she had made their one time together sound so dirty it had ruined any chance of a future for them. He didn’t get why she could have such views considering this day and age, but then considering she’d been a virgin he wasn’t really surprised. She wouldn’t know how much he wished he could have made it more special for her, being her first time and it ate him up each day knowing she hated herself for losing control.

  She’d never know how much it was the same for him, how he was the last person who’d ever have acted in such a manner, turning into some kind of sex predator, seducing a young innocent woman.

  The more he thought about it, the darker his mood became. By the time they arrived at the restaurant he was a far cry from the charming Blake from earlier and Brittany was taken aback as his responses grew more monotone as their meal progressed. She tried engaging him in conversation by asking him how he liked the New York environment and the arts and social scene compared to his former life in London. It was all Blake could do not to snap at her as he inwardly brooded about his next step concerning Kira.

  He was obviously not going to get anywhere with her. For one thing she had the hang-up about their racial and social differences. And then she’d brought up the fact that he wouldn’t have rushed into sex if he’d really wanted something more worthwhile with her.

  The only option he saw was finding a way to get Kira out of his system even as he knew that would be one impossible thing to do. She was already his burning obsession.

  In the meantime, he was thinking what a grave mistake it had been on his part bringing Brittany to lunch. He questioned her motives as he wasn’t sure she had any real feelings for him, but was simply interested in what she might believe was a profitable match for them both. Blake didn’t want to judge her too harshly but she did seem the type who did things only for what she could get out of it. She also probably looked down with disdain at anyone she considered not lucky enough to be as rich as she was.

  If only he could stop thinking about Kira and her inexplicable aversion to him. He’d never had to handle rejection from a woman he desired and he hated being thwarted. One taste of Kira could never be enough but if she hated him so much then what hell of a chance did he have with her?

  Damn it to hell! He fumed as he downed his glass of wine. No woman was worth all this aggravation.

  That was what Blake was telling himself when then the object of his dark thoughts walked in – but not alone.

  Kira was in the company of the dark-skinned and tall man whom he recognized from the party. Blake’s eyes narrowed into thin slits as his mood went from bad to murderous. What were the odds that they’d be in the same restaurant at the same time? He watched in irritation as Kira smiled up at her companion.

  Blake felt irrational for thinking that she might have followed them. After all, this was a very popular cafe which was also close to the office. There was nothing to do but ignore them, he decided.

  Obviously that wasn’t going to be so easy, especially with Brittany’s next words. “Ohhh, there’s your father’s secretary. And that’s her boyfriend, Terrence.”

  “You know him?” Blake asked, despite himself.

  Brittany shrugged disinterestedly. “I’ve seen him around a few times when I came by the office to see your father. He’s a reporter for one of those gossip rags. Not a bad sort actually.”

  She smiled and then seemed to notice Blake’s deep scowl. Brittany’s mind went back to the party as she recalled seeing Terrence in attendance with Kira. She hadn’t forgotten how Kira had gone after Blake when he’d left the dining room in a huff. She’d wondered then about it, but hadn’t given it more thought. Right then however, she couldn’t help but notice the attention Blake was giving the striking African-American couple’s table. Her instincts warned her there was more to the whole matter than met the eye and she intended to keep on the watch especially where her own interests were concerned…

  ***

  Terrence picked that moment to glance around the tastefully furnished dining section and then murmured in surprise, “Well look who’s here!” he muttered theatrically. “If it isn’t the newest Mr. Eligible Bachelor with Ms. Glamour Girl!”

  Kira smiled and looked up to see who Terrence was talking about. He was always one for dramatics. But when Kira spotted Blake and Brittany she almost choked on her salmon. Damn it! It was like everywhere she went, he showed up; first in the elevator and now here. She should never have agreed to meet with Terrence when he insisted he wanted to bring her to this pricey restaurant for lunch.

  Seeing Blake with that pompous bitch Brittany had been more hurtful than Kira would’ve expected, back there when she’d seen the blonde get into Blake’s Aston Martin. They’d seemed like the picture perfect couple and Kira remembered grinding her teeth in part fury, part despair. She could keep lying to herself that Blake didn’t matter, but she knew in her heart that something real was blossoming against her wishes and she wasn’t sure how to stop it. Now they were here together and things couldn’t be more awkward.

  Terrence was going on in his usual ironic tone, “Hmm…if they’re going to become an item it’s going to make gossip headlines. Maybe I should call a few contacts to keep me updated on who is screwing who where they’re concerned.”

  “Hush!” Kira bit out. “That’s my boss’s son you’re talking about!”

  “Hey, what?” Terrence said with a laugh. “What’s got you all fired up?”

  Well, nothing actually, she thought, nothing but that sexy bastard who tries to soften me up one minute and the next he’s got Little Ms. Perfect on his arm. Whatever regret she’d felt when he’d walked out of the elevator had dissipated seeing him looking all cozy with Brittany. The urge to kill him still raged within her and it was all she could do to breathe.

  “Look, I apologize,” she said to Terrence with a sigh. “I guess…I have been getting these funny twinges now and again. I feel a little off lately. Maybe I’m coming down with something.”

  Which was the truth, actually. She’d been feeling under the weather for a few days and nothing she was ta
king for it seemed to be working.

  “You look like you’re working yourself too hard,” Terrence said soothingly. “You’ve lost weight and your color seems a bit dull. You need a break, baby. I can’t have my girl pushing herself beyond endurance. That boss of yours is one hell of a slave-driver.”

  Kira shook her head, smiling. “The last thing I need right now is a break, trust me.” One thing she wanted to avoid was anything that could give her the chance to think about Blake. Work kept her busy and sane. And once she got home she was too tired to do anything but tumble exhausted into bed.

  “But you’re right about me taking it easy at least,” she added. “I’ll tone things down a bit at work from now on.”

  “Thank you,” Terrence said feelingly, as if she’d just bestowed him a huge favor. And then he shocked her by adding, “Because I’d like you looking your delectable best when I take you down the aisle soon.”

  “Aisle? What aisle?” Kira asked blankly, her mind refusing to understand what was being said.

  Terrence sighed dramatically, a wounded expression on his face. “Kira dear, do you not know a proposal when you hear one?” And to convince her he wasn’t playing, he actually slipped down on one knee, dipped his hand in his pocket and produced a beautiful diamond ring. Kira gasped in appreciation and shock.

  “Maybe this will clarify things.” Terrence murmured, for once looking serious. His dark brown eyes glimmered with depth as he told her softly, “I love you Kira. All these months with you have been the most special of my life. And I want to spend the rest of my lifetime with you. You’ll make me the happiest man alive if you agree to marry me.”

  Kira’s mouth had fallen open and she didn’t know what to say. She felt the eyes of everyone around now trained on her and she almost laughed out loud in surprise. Terrence, proposing? The idea was ridiculous though he looked really, really…sincere. She almost didn’t believe it and yet felt touched at the same time.

  But could she do it? Could she really go through with it?

  The more she gazed into his handsome face, the more the idea seemed like something she could warm up to. She liked him; he was nice to have around and he really cared about her. He wouldn’t have stuck around all these months if he didn’t. She was in her mid-twenties, more than ripe for marriage and it wasn’t like she had anyone else beating down her door.

  But…Terrence? She’d kept him mostly at arm’s length all this while, her heart never really sure about letting him closer. There’d been none of that raging fire in her body for him and yet now that she was wiser she knew life wasn’t all about the flames and the passion. She needed a man she could trust and who would treat her with respect. Truthfully, that’s all Terrence had ever done; respected her as a person and a woman and she was incredibly grateful for that.

  She could make this work, she thought once again. With a beaming smile, she held out her hand and said, “Yes. Yes, Terrence. I will marry you.”

  She could hear the happy hoots and applause from the other guests as Terrence proudly slipped the beautiful ring on her finger. He told her with a happy grin that it had belonged to his grandmother, who’d given it to him for his future bride.

  “I’m so honored you chose me, Terrence,” Kira said, pushing all doubt from her mind. She stared down at the ring and hoped the glitter in the diamond would put stars in her eyes. It must have, because Terrence beamed even wider and reached forward to kiss her on the lips.

  Kira sighed, inwardly crossing her fingers as she hoped she was doing the right thing. She thought about her guilty little secret and pushed it to the back burner. That was in the past now. Maybe she’d needed that one shake-up to show her what was really important. And this time, she was going to stay true to herself and her man. She would never betray him again.

  She chose that moment to steal a glance at Blake’s table, wondering how he’d reacted to this unmistakable scene. And then she felt completely deflated to find that Blake and Brittany were gone; and had probably missed the whole proposal episode.

  It didn’t matter. He’d find out soon enough, she told herself with a steadying sigh. At least now they were even. Nothing he would do could hurt her now.

  Chapter Ten

  This can’t possibly be happening to me, Kira thought to herself. She was barely two months into her engagement when it finally dawned on her that her consecutively missed periods weren’t due to stress. She had to be pregnant.

  But how could that be? She’d been on the Pill for several months and took it the same time each morning. Or had she? She thought back to the morning after the party when she’d been so upset and frazzled by the events of the night before. Was it possible she had forgotten to take her pill before her morning run that day? She remembered changing into her jogging suit and running twice as long as she usually did in hopes of sweating Blake Carter out of her system. In her haste, had she forgotten to take her pill the one fucking time when she should’ve remembered?

  It took five minutes and one pregnancy test kit later to confirm her suspicions. The first thing she did was sit down and try to catch her breath as a feeling of light-headedness overtook her.

  Just one time.

  Just one time in her life had she been so overcome by lust and passion that she’d completely thrown away all reasonable thought.

  The single mistake of her adult life was simply not going to go away. It had come back to bite her in the ass, big time, just like she’d known it would. She’d screwed up royally and now she was going to have a baby.

  Or wasn’t she?

  Not that she was considering any other options. Even with the circumstances; even with everything that had happened she knew getting rid of it was out of the question. No, she’d go to the hospital, confirm her suspicions and then she’d take it from there. No matter what happened she was going to keep the little life growing inside her. She knew deep down that she would be a good mother, a great mother in fact.

  And that was why she was going to have to break it off with Terrence. There was no way she could marry him now, not with this. It was bad enough having to keep the whole truth from him hoping to protect him. Marrying him had been a selfish, easy way out and she’d been sick with herself for so long.

  She frowned, thinking about all the wedding plans they’d been making lately. He’d wanted it to happen as soon as possible, before she could change her mind he’d teased. Well, none of this could be helped.

  But how on earth was she going to bring herself to give him the news that she could no longer go through it – and consequently end her very convenient engagement?

  Very convenient in the sense that apparently once Blake got wind of the news that she was getting married, he’d stayed well clear. And yes, he had promised her as much back then in the elevator. But she hadn’t really believed it. Until the one incident that finally convinced her that he’d meant every word.

  It was barely a week after the day they’d ended up alone in the same elevator. This time, they collided with each other just outside the door leading to his father’s inner offices. Blake had immediately righted her with impersonal hands on her shoulders. With a curt worded apology he’d released her almost instantly and then walked away without a backwards glance. No sign of recognition; not even a word. It had been impersonal to the extreme and Kira had felt half relieved, half sad. The dark warmth in his beautiful grey eyes had been replaced with ice-capped shields she could never hope to break through. And she’d told herself she was fine with that.

  Over the past weeks things had improved to perhaps a few cool glances and ever fewer, more frigid curt words whenever he had to come up to see his father about something. She knew he’d long moved out of the Carter villa and into his own house across the city. Kira also kept wondering if he’d also moved on in his ‘relationship’ with Brittany if it could be called that. But then she called herself a fool for giving either of them a thought. As far as she was concerned they deserved each other.

  And t
hen the enormity of her situation suddenly really struck her and Kira’s heart went cold. Could she ever bring herself to tell Blake the truth? She wasn’t ready to think about what his reaction would be. She’d convinced herself that all he must have wanted was a fling; how would he feel about Kira now carrying his baby?

  Getting pregnant by her boss’s son had definitely not been in her job description, Kira thought with a wry sigh. But she was adult enough to face the outcome of her own foolishness. She had no one to blame but herself and it wasn’t as if Blake had forced her. She’d succumbed willingly and now she wasn’t about to expect pity or handouts from anyone. She’d been burned by passion and now she was going to have a baby soon to show for it.

  Once she’d taken more time to think, Kira realized exactly what she should do. A fresh start; that was what was needed in the situation. She’d begin a new life somewhere and build back her life again. She felt sorry about the way she was going to disappoint Mr. Carter, her boss. He’d given her an opportunity not many people would have. She remembered being fresh out of secretarial school and had shown up for the interview with other, more experienced applicants. Some had looked far more suited to the esteemed role of secretary to Bretton Carter. But in the end he’d picked her, out of all the others and she’d never forget how wonderful that had felt. She would be eternally grateful to him for that.

  Now she was going to leave it all behind. She would have to think up a good excuse for her boss why she was leaving and she hoped his normally astute mind wouldn’t guess at the truth. It had been hard enough having to face him every day knowing her ‘crime’, cringing when she wondered what he’d think or say if he ever found out. Thankfully, now she’d never know.