I Hate You, Mr. Boss-Man [18+]

056

Jesse

My chest warmed with the breath that exhaled from her nose, the rise and fall of her shoulder letting me know that Katherine was fast asleep.

I twist my neck, trying to look over at the clock beside me—the red digital numbers almost illuminating the dark bedroom. It was only two in the morning when we finished, and although I could've gone all night, I wanted her to rest for the trip.

I made do on my promise, her moans still echoing in the back of my mind—the claw of her nails down my back still stinging, engraved with each orgasm I gave her. Fuck, if I didn't want to go again. My fingers comb through her tousled hair, tucking the fallen pieces behind her ear with each caress.

Just like that, my love.

I could feel myself getting hard again. Images of a few hours ago flashed through my mind. Katherine's back arching off the bed, her hands tangled in my hair while she screamed my name. I was reliving it all, and I could get off just like that.

I rid my thoughts of such, leaning forward to press a kiss atop her head. I slowly sit up, gently moving her head onto the pillow beside her before getting off the bed. Katherine stirs, further burrowing her head into the cotton. I feel myself smile, stealing another kiss on her cheek as I pull the blanket over her shoulder.

I pluck my boxers from the floor, stepping into them before quietly making my way into the kitchen for a glass of water. The ill-lit hallway takes a minute to adjust. The tiniest inkling of light peaked from the crack of her friend's door. It let me know that she was home. I proceed, stepping through the sofa and the coffee table to reach the kitchen.

I didn't bother to turn the light on the stove bulb giving me what I needed to see. I take a glass from the open shelves, stepping over to the sink to fill up my cup. I down the first glass, not realizing how thirsty I was. I fill it up once again, saving the second for Katherine.

"Oh, I'm sorry!"

I freeze, my hand hovering over the faucet.

"I didn't realize anyone was in here."

Son of a bitch.

I shut my eyes, gripping the glass in my grasp. Please don't be who I think it is. I slowly turn around, cracking one eye open before opening both—revealing my bewildered employee. Yup, it was who I thought. It was hard to forget a shrill voice like hers.

"Mr. Thomas!?" She squeaks, clutching her plush robe tightly.

I clear my throat, glancing down at the water in my cup-nodding softly in response. "Good evening, Miss Vause." I tap the ring of the glass, dismissing her with another nod. I brush past her. "I should get going—"

"Wait!" She calls out, halting me in my tracks. "Why...what...are you...?" Suddenly, as if a lightbulb went off in her head—Karen's lips pull into a knowing smirk, and her arms fold over her chest. "Ah,"

"What?" I ask, ignoring the nervous feeling in my chest.

"So, how long?" Karen muses, the tiniest cock of her brow on her forehead.

"Excuse me?"

"How long have you guys been sneaking around?" Karen's voice is just above a whisper. "Five...six months?"

I was a shit liar, and there was no way to deny what she suspected. I was here, and I was half-naked. How could you dance around that? "I, uh...I'm just spending the night." Yup, terrible fucking liar.

Karen cocks a brow at me. "Spending the night, huh?"

I nod, almost cringing at my answer. I'm a fucking idiot. "Yeah, my apartment is getting...fumigated?"

"And you just happened to call Katherine? Out of all of your employees?"

Again, I nod.

"Yeah, see, I'm not buying that." Karen takes a step forward. "So, why don't you cut the bullshit and tell me? I mean," She scoffs humorously. "You're here, in her living room—you're undressed."

That was it. The jig was up. "Seven," I mumble, averting my gaze.

"What?" She presses. "I don't think I heard-"

"Seven months!" I exclaim, humiliation burning in my chest. "Katherine and I have been together for seven months, okay?" Not that I had to explain myself to her, but I was between a rock and a hard place.

Perhaps, half of me wanted somebody to find out. I was tired of sneaking around and pretending not to care. Katherine was mine, and I was hers. Karen doesn't answer at first, and my eyes slowly glide to meet hers. The first thing that I see is a shit-eating grin pulling her mouth.

"What?"

"Babe?!"

The loud tone of Jennifer's voice cuts between our conversation, footsteps following. "Where'd you—" Her figure comes into sight, a single flick of the light switch illuminating the three of us. "Oh, hey, Jesse,"

Karen's head immediately snaps to Jen, eyes as wide as saucers as I send her an awkward wave. "You know him?!" She shrieks, completely forgetting that Katherine was asleep in the other room.

Jennifer's gaze shifts between us, carefully reading the room. It wasn't until my pleading eyes burned through her that she finally understood. "I'll explain everything later," Jen takes Karen's hands in hers, stepping closer to wrap her arm around her shoulder. "Let's go back to sleep, okay?"

"But—"

"Come on, babe," Jennifer looks back at me, jerking her head towards Katherine's room to let me go.

 Mouthing a thank you, I quickly head back to the bedroom. I gently shut the door behind me, resting the back of my head against the grain.

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I know this one's a little short but, I wanted to get sm out for those of you who actually enjoy this book. I've started class recently and I haven't been able to just sit and write. So, I thank you for your patience:)

--Angela