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Chapter Seventeen

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The moment we step out of the elevator, I am tackled into a hug. Smiling at Julia's cheerfulness, I hug her back.

"Congratulations," she squeals in my ear and I hear Zach chuckling next to me.

"To both of you," she adds, pulling back and smiling warmly at Zach. He mumbles thanks.

"I'm so sorry, I couldn't come. I had a family emergency, my mother's health condition was getting worse each passing second and I-," her ramble is cut short.

"It's okay Julia, we got it. You owe us a present though," Zach winks at her before snaking his hand over my waist and pulling me towards his office.

"Of course," Julia answers back with a smile. I turn my head to smile back at her, wondering how she doesn't find our wedding weird.

Once we're inside his office, Zach gets on his business mode. With his stoic expression on, we barely talk except for small conversations about his schedule and paperwork.

On one hand, I am glad he doesn't bring up what happened yesterday while on the other hand, I can't help but feel anxious.

Does he see me differently now?
Of course, he does.

I just wished I knew what he thought of me now.

The day passes in a blur. By evening, I am super exhausted. I thought we wouldn't have to work today because Zach had a fever. Turns out, his immune system is stronger than I thought.

I knock his door and a 'come in' follows next.

With the paperwork in my hand, I strut towards Zach's table and meet his eyes.

"These are signed. Your meeting has been scheduled for t-tomorrow and the date for t-tonight with Barbie- I mean Scarlet has been cancelled." I mentally slap myself for letting that slip. Zach looks at me with amused eyes.

"Barbie. Really?"

I feel the heat creep up my neck and I look down at the table between us.

"Is there anything else you'd l-like me to do?" I raise my head and dare to meet his eyes again. I hate myself for thinking how striking he looks in that suit, especially with that serious expression on, aside from his amused eyes.

Zach leans back on his chair and looks at me. I feel a bit self-conscious at his scrutinizing gaze. I tuck a strand of hair that has come out of the ponytail behind my ear and wait for him to answer.

"Yes. There is something."

Why isn't he just saying it? I feel nervousness inside me increasing by the way his eyes darken.

"A kiss."

"A what?"

"I think you heard me loud and clear, Mrs Kane," he tuts and the amused look in his eyes is now replaced by a mischievous glint.

I wait for him to start laughing and tell that it's a joke but that doesn't happen. He patiently waits for me, his expression unwavering.

With a wild heart, I find myself walking around the table and standing next to Zach. He turns a little to face me. As he is leaning his back against his chair, it is impossible to... do what he asked me to while standing.

He is knowingly leaning away!

Swallowing, I ignore my burning cheeks and place both my hands on either of his shoulders. I look at him and feel myself getting even more flustered than I already am. Zach bites his lip to stifle his laugh.

I awkwardly put my knee on his lap. As the position is really uncomfortable, I swing my leg over his lap and sit down, ending up straddling him. Zach starts chuckling loudly. Thankfully, I have pants on and not a skirt or a dress.

Could this get any worse?

I shut my eyes and desperately hope for all of this to end but my prayers are unanswered. Heat crawls up my neck.

I open my eyes and scoot to the farthest end of his lap making my back hit the table. I moan in pain and shoot a glare at Zach who is shaking because he is laughing louder than ever, making me shake with him.

On cue, the door bursts open. Zach stops laughing abruptly. I try to jump off Zach's lap, not wanting to get caught but Zach has other plans. His hands shoot to my thigh and he grips them firmly, making me freeze.

I ignore my racing heart and turn my head to face our guest.

And suddenly, I'm glad to be in this position.

Standing in the doorway is a very furious Barbie with her hands on her waist and her expression of an angry cat who is about to scald your hair.

"How could you Zach!" her voice comes out screechy and I wince softly.

"How could you do that to me? I thought we had something! Why would you lead me on?" Her voice grows louder as she speaks.

I look back at Zach who remains as he was, looking like Barbie wasn't about to murder him.

"You'll regret this Zachary," Scarlet shakes her head,  "you are going to regret this so much," she screams. Judging by her words and how hurt she sounds, I expected her to shed a few tears but her eyes remain dry. At least she's strong.

Wow, at least she's strong.

With that, she swings around and walks outside the office not before slamming the door hard enough for everyone to hear.

Zach turns his attention back to me lazily and starts drawing patterns on my thigh with his fingers as he looks directly into my eyes. My breath hitches.

"We will talk tonight," he states as if nothing had happened just now. I stiffen in his lap. Zach pulls me towards him by my thighs.

"Nothing that makes you uncomfortable, I swear," he adds, continuing to look into my eyes. His fingers continue to draw patterns on my thigh and my eyes almost flutter close at the sensation.

Thinking about it for a while, I mumble a small okay. He beams at my reply. He then leans back on his chair again, withdrawing his hand and folding it behind his head. His eyes fixated on mine.

My heart almost jumps out of my chest at what he says next, with a small pout on his lips.

"Give me my kiss now."

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Unedited.