One Night(16)

“It’s not,” he agreed. “Nothing has changed, though. I’m still your boss.”

“I know.”

“That was never my issue. You are the one that couldn’t handle it.”

“I know.”

William’s thumb traced a slow circle over my hand. “I want you, Livy. I’ve never tried to hide that from you.”

“I want you, too, William. I think,” I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I think I need you, as well.”

Now it was William’s turn to let out a deep breath. “Are you sure about this?”

“No. But let’s do it anyway.” I smiled up at William, and when I saw his perfect lips curl up into the familiar playful smile, I wanted to have him right there.

“There’s something I need to take care of first,” he said. “Will you follow me?”

“Anywhere.” William squeezed my hand one last time and then let go. We were headed out into enemy territory.

I followed him downstairs and to the edge of the stage. He jumped smoothly onto the stage and grabbed the microphone from the D.J.

“Hey, everyone.” His voice boomed through the speakers and the music stopped. Everyone in attendance was staring expectantly at William.

“I hope everyone is having a nice time. I just wanted to thank everyone for their hard work this year. Gravity’s success is completely a reflection of the people who work here, so you should all be very proud. As a thank you, everyone will be getting their bonus checks on Monday. Spend it wisely.” William paused while everyone laughed. “This party is supposed to wrap up in twenty minutes, but I took the liberty of asking management to extend it for two more hours, in case any of you aren’t interested in going home yet.”

The crowd cheered loudly, but my heart sank. I really didn’t want to stick around the party for two more hours.

“Have a great time. Happy holidays.” William tossed the microphone to the D.J. and jumped down from the stage.

“Two more hours?” I asked, yelling over the music that had resumed its thumping rhythm.

“Meet me out front in ten minutes,” he said, sliding me a wink before disappearing into the crowd.

It took fifteen minutes for the coat check girl to find my coat and I hoped William hadn’t given up on me. When I stepped outside, he was nowhere to be found.

“Livy.” I turned at the sound of my name. William was waiting for me on the corner, holding open the door to a cab. I looked around quickly to make sure no one from Gravity was around.

“You’re sure about this?” I asked him.

He kissed me quickly. “Let’s go.”

“Hey, that’s my line.”

When we got closer to William’s place, he began to fidget anxiously. I hoped he wasn’t having second thoughts.

“Calm down, jumpy,” I said, putting a hand on his shaking leg.

“You touching me really isn’t going to help the situation,” he said with a wry smile. I slid my hand further up his leg and he laughed. Three minutes later, we were in front of his place. I climbed out of the cab and stared in awe.

“This is your place?” I tilted my head back to take in the full view. “Which floor?”

William finished paying the fare and then took my arm. “All of it.”

“All of it? You own all three floors?” I was dumbfounded. Given the cost of housing in Chicago, it had probably cost over five million dollars for this piece of real estate.

“What can I say, I don’t like living close to strangers.” William opened the door to his house and stepped back to let me in.

I walked carefully over the hardwood floors and wondered if I should take off my shoes. My heels made a loud clanking noise as I walked. William locked the door behind us and watched my hesitant steps into the living room.

“Why are you walking like a chicken?” he asked.

“I don’t know. This place scares me.”

“My home scares you?” William placed a hand over his heart, feigning offense. He looked utterly adorable.

“You are so rich,” I said, with a laugh. “I keep forgetting that. But this place makes it hard to forget.”

William shrugged. “I have money, yes. But it’s not who I am.”

“I know that.” I took off my coat and tossed it on the floor. “There. It’s less scary now.”

William took off his own coat and threw it down next to mine. “Better?”

“Yep. Not scared at all anymore.” I nuzzled up to him and kissed his chin. “How many bedrooms does this place have?”

“Six.”

“Yikes.”

“Why yikes?” William put his arms around me. “Are you scared again?”