Loving War(64)

“As we’ve discussed, his name isn’t a big name that people know, so he had no one interested in his work. But I was fascinated for some reason. And when I spoke to him, it was impossible not to find his passion contagious. So I funded the rest of his work, and from there, we’ve been trying to break into the unbreakable.”

Kode grins as though he enjoys hearing that, and he pulls me closer, making walking a little difficult, but I’m not complaining.

We remain in comfortable silence the rest of the way to the hotel, and his body remains glued to mine the whole way back.

New York is definitely the place to be for business, and it’s definitely my favorite place to be with Kode since we don’t have to hide from anyone. But there are still… questions.

“When you were chasing Rain, why didn’t you just move to New York? You have business here, and it would have been easier for you to get her while being so close.”

He tenses beside me, and I hold my breath. I don’t know why I have to ask questions like these, but I do. I need to know that what he felt for her is nothing like what he feels for me.

“Because I didn’t… want to?” he says, though it sounds like a question he’s thinking over. “I don’t know. I guess I never thought of leaving Sterling Shore as an option, and Rain… Well, she wasn’t enough incentive for me to leave my home.”

That has me grinning and relaxing. If he didn’t care enough to move, even though he had other reasons to do so, then he didn’t love her. Couldn’t have.

As we load the elevator, I notice him still being stiff. Asking about Rain was a stupid thing to do. I should be able to just let it go.

“How can you just pick up and go from place to place while having a life with all the things you own and dabble in?”

He grins, his body relaxing, and I mentally pat myself on the back for ridding the atmosphere of the awkward tension. Just as the elevator lands on our floor, he guides me off while answering.

“Because I don’t actually run anything. I’m only in on the business changing conversations. I own a lot, but I have people that run things—good people that enjoy my trust in their abilities. I’m not a workaholic because I want to live life while there’s a life to live. It’s a Sterling thing in case you haven’t noticed. We own a lot, and only work a little.”

That’s not completely true. They all work a good bit, but they live life in equal parts.

He continues as we reach our room. “I make a lot of money by finding the right people who are workaholics to run things—something I learned from my dad. They put their hearts into their work, and I reap the benefits alongside them. It’s a win-win situation. Something I hope you are open to doing as well, because when your business takes off, I don’t want to lose you to your corporate love.”

My heart speeds up as we head inside, and I look at him, trying to decipher what he’s saying. He wants this thing between us to continue, that much is certain.

“Well, I would definitely trust your advice. But I don’t see that being a cause for concern any time soon.”

His lips thin, and he takes a deep breath before looking truly worried about something.

“Tria, I need you to listen to me about something, and I want you to seriously digest the words I’m saying without freaking out.”

I’m already freaking out.

“Kode, you’re starting to—”

“The meeting at nine in the morning isn’t mine; it’s yours.”

I’m torn between being confused and surprised, because that’s not what I was expecting him to say, and it doesn’t make a damn bit of sense.

“What are you talking about?”



***

KODE



I’ve been dreading this conversation since we got here, but I know how to sell something. Right now it’s time I put on my game face and sell this to her.

Her eyes look confused more than angry, so obviously she’s waiting on an explanation and not an excuse as to why I’ve meddled when she told me not to.

“Five of the leading cosmetic lines in the industry are based here in New York. Tomorrow all five will be in a conference room in one of the businesses I co-own here. You’ll be giving your presentation to them. That umbrella company is a possibility, and your line will stand a chance of being seen. I brought your samples, your binders, and your presentation notes.”

Silence. Her face is expressionless, and the room in encased in agonizing silence. Am I breathing? I don’t think I am.

“Kode,” she finally groans, gripping her head. “Have you lost your damn mind?”

At least she’s speaking, and she doesn’t seem particularly pissed. But before I can speak, she continues.