One Midnight Kiss: A Billionaire Fake Fiancée Holiday Romance
One Midnight Kiss: Chapter 16

I had only been back at work for a couple of hours, and I was already buried under emails. My head still felt foggy from being sick, but I pushed through, determined not to give anyone a reason to think I couldn’t handle my job. Not after all the whispers that had started when I took a couple of sick days. It was a rare occurrence. Apparently, that was enough to start rumors.

Penelope had said people were gossiping but I honestly didn’t care. I had way too much work to do to worry what people thought about me.

I took a sip of my third cup of coffee for the morning and stared at my screen, scrolling through my inbox. Among the usual barrage of client requests and internal updates, a new email pinged in from an address I recognized immediately.

Fox.

I clicked on it, half expecting another snarky comment about his campaign. The man had a lot of opinions. No matter how many times I told him to talk to Aaron, he always reached out to me. He clearly wanted me focused on him. He was a little needy. But I knew that. Dave had warned me my job was babysitting the eccentric billionaire.

But instead of another comment or complaint, it was an itinerary. A plane ticket, first class, and a hotel reservation. I squinted at the details, convinced I wasn’t seeing what I was seeing.

He’d booked me a room at The Fairmont, one of the most luxurious hotels in Silicon Valley. The flight was scheduled for the red eye Thursday night. I chewed my bottom lip, weighing the implications of what this meant. We were supposed to meet with potential investors at the tech symposium this weekend, but this level of luxury was unexpected.

This was not what I was used to for business trips. Business class was an actual thing. Luxury was generally reserved for vacations or honeymoons. I hoped Fox knew this was strictly business. Yes, he nursed me back from the brink of death, but that did not make us a couple. It didn’t even make us friends. As soon as his product was launched, I would be pulling back. If they wanted to keep Aaron on, that was fine, but I wasn’t going to be involved.

My fingers hovered over the keyboard as I started a reply.

Subject: Re: Travel Itinerary

Fox,

This works for me. I’ll meet you at the airport Thursday night.

Natalia

I hit send and quickly jotted down the flight information on my yellow pad. I needed to make sure Penelope cleared my schedule for Friday.

I was about to move onto the next email when a new message appeared. It was from Fox. A reply to the message I sent him. I laughed and shook my head. I wasn’t really expecting a reply, especially not so quickly.

I clicked the message.

You’re welcome.

I rolled my eyes. My fingers flew over the keyboard again, determined not to give him the last word.

You’re welcome for me agreeing to go with you, I typed, then clicked send with a bit more force than necessary.

I leaned back in my chair, grabbing my cup of coffee and staring at the screen. I waited to see if he would have the last word. Something told me he would.

His response was practically immediate.

You’re welcome for me inviting your ungrateful ass in the first place.

I scoffed. “Jerk,” I muttered as I leaned forward, practically slamming my fingers onto the keys as I typed out my reply. Now I was the one determined to get the last word.

You seemed grateful for this ass at the coffee shop not too long ago.

My finger hovered over the send button when the door to my office swung open.

“Hey, Natalia,” Dave greeted, stepping in with a bright smile. I felt like I just got caught passing notes in school. I realized I hit send. I had not planned to actually send the message!

Oh God. Oh God, no.

“Hi, Dave,” I said, plastering on a smile and swiveling my chair to face him, trying not to look as guilty as I felt. I could feel the sweat beading on the back of my neck. I tried to remind myself I was an adult. And I didn’t actually write anything all that scandalous.

“What can I do for you?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“Just checking in,” he said, leaning against the doorframe. “You’re back. You were out for a couple days. I was beginning to worry.”

“I’m fine,” I said. “It was a rough flu, but I’m fine. I’m sorry I was out for so long.”

“No worries,” he said. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes, I just let myself get rundown and I caught a bug.”

He nodded, still looking at me like he was trying to determine if I was really healthy. “There were some rumors,” he said. “Jokes, I suppose.”

“What jokes?” I interrupted, my smile slipping.

Penelope had mentioned the same thing, but I ignored it. Now my boss was coming to me with these jokes.

“Oh, you know how they are.”

“How who is?” I asked again. “How bad are these rumors that you’re here to ask me about them?”

“Someone mentioned maybe you were out because you’re, uh, pregnant.”

“Excuse me?” I snapped, straightening in my chair. “That’s wildly inappropriate, Dave. Who the hell is discussing my personal life here in the office? That’s nobody’s damn business. It isn’t true, but that’s not the point. Do I need to talk to HR?”

He had the decency to look sheepish but held up a hand. “If I had to guess, those rumors likely started in HR. Although I absolutely agree it’s inappropriate. I’ll get to the bottom of it for you.”

I clenched my jaw. “Right. I appreciate the support.”

He nodded. “Always. I won’t tolerate this middle school bullshit.” He cleared his throat and swiftly changed the topic. “Anyway, I just wanted to make sure you were back and healthy.”

The sheer audacity of my coworkers pissed me off.

“I’m fine,” I said. “Maybe I should send out a memo letting the HR department and others know I’m not pregnant. Maybe they would like to be privy to my cycle.”

“I’m not sure a memo is the best place for that discussion,” he said. “But I trust your judgment.”

I sighed and rubbed at my tired eyes. “I’m not sure I do. If people are talking about me behind my back, maybe I really am slipping.”

“Nonsense,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re doing great work, Natalia. At this rate, you’ll be running this place in a few years. They’re just jealous. Everyone knows you’re going places. Ignore the petty losers with nothing better to do.”

“Yeah, I’ll do that,” I said, not bothering to hide my irritation.

“If you need anything, tell me. You’re my superstar. Never forget that.” Dave gave me a thumbs-up and left.

He was about the best boss a person could ask for but I couldn’t relax. I looked back at my screen to see there was a new email from Fox. I wasn’t nearly as eager to check it this time. I was a little embarrassed by my last email. Did I ignore him? Did I tell him I was sorry, and it was inappropriate? First, I would see what he replied with.

I clicked on the email and read the one-line response.

I should’ve taken a picture like you told me to. Next time.

My face went up in flames. He was referring to that moment in the coffee shop when I’d jokingly told him to take a photo of my ass if he liked it so much. I didn’t think he would bring it up again.

My fingers hovered over the keyboard. Why did I want to respond with something even more provocative? Why was I considering saying he could do far more than take a picture? Far, far more?

I rubbed my hands over my face, groaning inwardly. I needed a break. I pushed away from my desk and walked over to Penelope.

“I’m going downstairs for a coffee,” I told her.

Penelope looked up from her monitor, concern flashing in her eyes. “Do you want me to go get it?”

“No, I’m good.”

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“I’m not knocked up,” I said. “I just need some air.”

She frowned. “So you heard the gossip after all?”

“Yes. That’s why I need a moment. I’ll be back in five.”

“Understood,” she said.

I headed down to the coffee shop on the ground floor, replaying the email conversation in my head. My pulse raced every time I thought about what I accidentally sent. He’s probably laughing his ass off right now, I thought bitterly. I was the one that told him I only wanted a professional relationship and then I went and did that.

I ordered an iced Americano, hoping the drink would cool me down. I felt feverish, but it had nothing to do with a virus. It was him.

I got back in the elevator, thinking about what I needed to get done before we left for the symposium. Just as the doors were about to close, a hand shot in, stopping the doors from sliding shut. The doors opened and Fox stepped inside.

He didn’t notice me at first. He was focused on his phone, probably reading emails—likely our emails. The elevator doors closed again. I couldn’t help the small, smug smile that tugged at my lips. Was he actually waiting for my next reply? Did he like the game we were playing?

Did I?

Something about that made me feel powerful. And flattered. I could admit he was an attractive man. I knew the ladies liked him. And he liked them. But now, he was looking at me. I raked my eyes over his back and stopped at his ass. He was wearing slacks and a dress shirt. It was purely professional but he looked effortlessly sexy. He appeared to be in good shape. I let myself have a little fantasy about what he looked like under those clothes.

That was when he looked up, catching our reflection in the shiny doors. His eyes met mine in the reflection. The corner of his mouth curled into a wicked smile. He slipped his phone into his pocket and turned to face me fully.

“Am I dreaming?” he asked, smiling.

“Should I pinch you?”

To my surprise, he reached over and pressed the “STOP” button on the elevator interface. We shuddered to a halt.

“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice coming out breathier than I intended.

He stepped closer. I instinctively backed up until my shoulder blades hit the cool metal wall. He kept coming until there was barely an inch of space between us. I could feel the heat of his body, his breath fanning across my cheek. I was trapped.

And I couldn’t bring myself not to like it.

“You should just give me your number, Natalia,” he said quietly.

“I don’t give men I don’t like my number,” I shot back, trying to keep my voice steady.

He smirked again. “We could get in trouble for those emails,” he said, almost conversationally.

“They were innocent,” I countered, lifting my chin.

He chuckled, a dark, low sound that sent a shiver racing down my spine. “Mine weren’t.”

He was so close now, his lips a hair’s breadth from my ear. I could feel every word he spoke, the rumble of his voice vibrating against my skin. He let out another soft, amused laugh. I hated how it made my knees weak. He knew exactly what he was doing.

Just as suddenly as he’d trapped me, he stepped back, putting a safe distance between us as if nothing had happened. He turned around and pressed the “STOP” button again. The elevator lurched back to life, and time started moving forward again.

I let out a shaky breath, trying to get my racing heart under control. He stepped out on his floor without a word, but just before the doors closed, he turned back and gave me a look that was equal parts daring and dangerous.

I glared at him, my heart thundering in my chest in a way it hadn’t ever raced before.

When the elevator doors finally slid shut, I let out a low groan and leaned back against the wall, squeezing my eyes shut. What the hell was I doing? More importantly, what the hell was he doing? I couldn’t tell if we were playing a game, or if I was playing with fire.

One thing was certain, though.

I wanted to play.