PLAYING DIRTY WITH THE HOT CEO

chapter 25

Heidi

Titus hardly lets go of my hand all evening. I know him well enough to see how overwhelmed he is by it all, but he’s covering it well. He’s gone into business mode—turning on the charm without being smarmy, shaking hands, asking questions, and putting everyone at ease.

As well as Alan’s family, there are also a lot of business people here—directors and managers from Acheron, and even CEOs and a handful of other members of staff from Alan’s two biggest competitors. “This research is bigger than one company,” he tells us. “We all need to work together to make it happen.”

They aren’t shy about grilling Titus, and several times when he starts answering a question, others nearby gather around to listen, so he ends up giving several mini talks to a fascinated audience.

I can’t contribute much, and in the beginning I think maybe I should sneak off, have a walk around the garden, and leave him to it. But his hand stays tight on mine, and when I realize he wants me to stay, I keep close to his side.

After about an hour, I tell Titus I need to visit the bathroom, and he says, “I’ll come with you.”

We excuse ourselves and go inside. “You okay?” I ask as we walk through the house.

“Barely. Can you believe this?”

“He must really, really want you to stay.”

“I feel kinda guilty that I’ve already made up my mind not to. Do you think I should tell him now?”

“I wouldn’t spoil the evening. You’re making such a good impression. You want to convince him to invest even if you don’t stay, don’t you? I can’t imagine he’s going to withdraw his money if you don’t, judging by what he’s done here for you, but you might as well wait until Monday. Besides, you might change your mind.” I add the last sentence playfully.

He glances at me, and his lips curve up, but he doesn’t reply. “After you,” he says, and I realize we’ve reached the bathroom.

I slip past him and go inside, my pulse speeding up a little. I shouldn’t have said that. But I couldn’t help myself. I so wish he was staying here. But I know it’s not going to happen. The more I listen to him, the more I realize how important his work is, and what an influential figure he is in the industry. He’s not like me, who can get a job teaching pretty much anywhere.

As I wash my hands, I look up at my reflection in the mirror, and for the first time I think about going back to New Zealand. I’m happy here. But what’s more important to me? My job, or my love life?

I dry my hands, then frown at my reflection. I’ve always thought that if a guy loved you, he wouldn’t ask you to change for his benefit, but this isn’t like that. I know Titus wouldn’t ask me to move back. But I’m sure he’s hoping I do.

I can’t move back just because I’ve spent a few days with the guy, though. We haven’t even slept together. Obviously this is like a holiday romance, that’s all, and it feels more exciting and intimate because I’ve broken up with my boyfriend, and it’s summer, and Titus is a touch of home.

Satisfied with my conclusion, I go out, see him leaning against the wall, waiting for me, and my heart bangs so hard against my ribs that I almost keel over.

“You okay?” he asks, eyebrows rising as I clutch hold of a cabinet.

I sigh. “Yeah.”

He holds out his hand. “Come on.”

I slip mine into it, trying not to shiver as his fingers curl around mine, and together we walk back out to the terrace.

“Titus!” Alan beckons to him. “Come and meet Sam Crewe. She’s the CEO of Imagine Enterprises.”

Titus pins a smile on his face, and we walk forward to greet yet another businesswoman, who eagerly starts asking him questions.

This goes on for another hour, during which we sample the canapés while Alan plies us with drinks. As well as making sure I eat, I intersperse each G&T with a glass of water, determined not to make a fool of myself by getting drunk. Still, it’s impossible not to feel merry, and I can tell from the way Titus seems more relaxed and his easy laugh that the alcohol is having an effect on him too.

The music has been a mixture of both Kiwi and English bands, but now Bic Runga’sListening for the Weathercomes on, and Titus turns to me with a mischievous look.

“Dance with me,” he says.

My eyes widen, and I look around. There’s no dance floor here. “Where?”

He looks around too. “Over there.” He starts walking to a quieter space in the corner of the terrace, keeping a hold on my hand so I have to totter after him.

“Titus…” I laugh as he stops and pulls me into his arms, embarrassed as a few people cheer, and the rest turn to see what’s happening.

“What?” His eyes are a little feverish as he slides his right arm around me. “You’ve stood by my side all evening. I want to say thank you.”

We start moving to the music. His hand is warm on mine, and my skin tingles where the other rests at the base of my spine. Someone whistles, and he chuckles, but he keeps his gaze fixed on me.

“You look stunning in that dress,” he murmurs.

I look up into his light-green eyes. It doesn’t matter what I tell myself about this being a holiday flirtation. I really like this guy, and my crush hasn’t been helped by listening to all these people saying how amazing he is.

“I kinda like dating a computer superhero,” I tell him.

He chuckles. “And I don’t mind dating the most beautiful girl in the room.”

“Are you just trying to get in my knickers?” I tease.

His lips curve up. “Maybe.”

My heart skips a beat. “You’re going to have to try harder than that.”

“Is that a challenge?”

“Are you rising to it?”

He laughs and pulls me a little closer, his lips brushing my temple. “You’re a terrible flirt.”

“Jesus, pot, kettle, much?”

We dance while Bic tells us she’s coming home today, and how the days are getting cold, but that’s alright with her, until eventually the song ends. A faster dance tune comes on, and I expect him to release me, but instead he just speeds up the pace and spins me away from him before pulling me back into his arms. I laugh and throw myself into it, doing the best I can in my high heels, and around us, a couple of other couples also join in.

“We’re setting a trend,” he says.

I grin, thoroughly enjoying myself. We dance to several songs, and it’s only a growing thirst that eventually stops us. We rejoin Alan and Vicky, and everyone cheers.

“You make such a lovely couple,” Vicky says. “It’s so wonderful to see two young people so happy together.”