Clark's POV

I don't think Elias realizes just how charming he is.

It's taken two and a half glasses of wine and a lot of inner shaming to stop me from crossing the line separating business from pleasure every time he opens his mouth to speak.

God, that mouth. Those eyes. The heavy accent only on certain words. I'd be a bold-faced liar to say I didn't want to invite him back to my place after this. So many things I want to tell him, show him, teach him—

"Earth to Clark." Elias snaps his fingers in front of my face, yanking me back into the present. "Where did you go?" he chuckles. "Did you even hear what I said?"

"Yes," I answer quickly. "No. Sorry." He laughs again. I join in, feeling way too relaxed and...happy? "What did you say?"

"Careful, Mr. Ashford. Looks like I'm taking this meeting more seriously than you." He winks and grabs his glass of water before licking his lips and taking a drink. I shouldn't stare, but I can't look away. "I asked if there's anything else I need to know about Ava and this retreat."

"We've covered it all. But would you happen to be free tomorrow?" I ask. "I'd like to see you again."

"I'd like to see you again, too." Elias leans forward with a smile that's split between flirtatious and polite, both arms resting on the table. "Mind if I ask what for, though?"

"A mock date," I say. "We're supposed to head out Monday for the retreat, and we've only just met. The more we talk and the closer we get, means the more comfortable we'll look playing pretend in front of everyone. Or would you disagree?"

"No, I think it's a great idea to get a little practice in," he says. "I haven't been to the park in a while. We can meet up there and hang out, chat. Whatever you want to do."

What I want is to kiss you, see if you taste as sweet as I imagine...

"Sounds great." I clear my throat and reach for my glass of water. I finish it in three big gulps. "By the way, I'm sorry if you had to rearrange your plans for me tonight. I didn't think we'd be out this late."

"This late? It's barely ten o'clock. The night is just getting started," he laughs. "I know it's mostly for business, but I still want to have fun on our trip, so don't bring this old man energy with us when we leave."

My cell phone pings with a new email before I can reply with something cheeky. I glance at it quickly, something about coming back to the office to sign documents I couldn't care less about right now.

"You're frowning. Is it bad news?"

"No, just work. I have to get back to the office." I sigh, pulling out my wallet and throwing a few hundred dollars on the table before standing. "We should exchange numbers and stop using the Rent a Partner app to communicate. You know, since we're dating now."

"Okay." Elias hands me his phone. I type in my information slowly, purposely dragging out every minute. "I hope you don't plan on driving yourself home tonight after downing all those glasses of fancy wine."

Now it's my turn to tease him. "Worried about me already? The retreat starts Monday, remember?"

"You know what I mean." He playfully rolls his eyes and stands, preparing to leave. "Ready to go?"

No.

"Yes. Lead the way."

I sober up quickly once we're outside, the cool air zapping my brain and body back online. I offer to walk Elias to his car while I wait for John to arrive.

"I shouldn't be surprised that you have a driver. I mean, of course, you have a driver," he chuckles. "How is it being filthy rich? You can literally buy whatever, go wherever, and do whatever you want. Does life ever get boring?"

"Absolutely," I answer honestly. "Most people think my life is all glitz and glamor, but I work too damn much and too hard to live like that. You can't imagine how many times I've wished for a quiet, normal life."

His expression drops. "Oh, I..."

"What? Not the response you thought you'd get?"

"Sorry." He shakes his head, frowning. "It's easy to forget rich people are people too. Everyone goes through hardships of some sort. I didn't mean to sound insensitive."

"Elias." I reduce the distance between us to mere centimeters when he stops at the driver's side door of his car. His back to my front, my breath brushing against his neck. "I have enough Yes-Men in my life, so please, continue speaking your mind around me." I straighten the collar of his shirt like we're in a damn movie, and I secretly eat up every second. "See you tomorrow."

I turn around and walk off without looking back.

Only one thought jumps to mind as I spot John pulling up in front of the restaurant—I am so fucked.

***

The Next Day

I made one too many mistakes last night.

Please continue speaking your mind around me...

Talk about a major slip of the tongue. I should've kept my hands to myself. I should've toned down the flirting and turned up the professionalism. I used to be good at that, expertly playing my role as a professional businessman, but then I met Elias in person.

Safe to say I wasn't thinking with the right head yesterday.

It's a new day. I won't make the same mistakes twice. That's what I chant internally while texting Elias.

Clark: I'm at the park.

I look up and spot an empty bench to claim. I walk toward it in a rush before anyone else can take it. The park is unusually busy today, probably because of the good weather. It's the perfect day for a date—er, mock date. Because this isn't real. None of it is.

Elias: So am I ;)

I feel his eyes on me long before his voice wraps me up in a gentle chokehold.

"You look different in regular clothes," he says, sitting down beside me. "And I mean that as a compliment!"

"Thanks?" I laugh, meeting his gaze.

Big mistake.

The black shirt he's wearing fits his athletic build in a way that makes my skin hot. The dimple on his right cheek deepens the wider he smiles, and if he gets any more attractive than this, I might go into cardiac arrest.

"You're welcome." He playfully bumps shoulders with me, scooting in closer. "Since this is a mock first date, we should discuss where we stand with PDA."

"You first. What does your company allow?"

"Well, I mean, we can do the basics like holding hands or whatever. But kissing is—"

"Against the rules. Got it," I finish for him. But it's too late to stop my mind from visualizing my mouth claiming his. "Anyway..." I run a hand through my hair, the other flexing on my lap, needing to keep them busy. "Shall we walk for a bit?"

"Sure." He stands and extends his hand to me. I don't think twice about taking it and interlocking our fingers. I ignore the sparks that travel up my arms, teasing the back of my neck. "This is all about getting to know one another better, right?" I nod. "I'm curious about what your usual Friday night looks like. Even CEOs need to take a break now and then. Are you the clubbing type or stay home and read a book type?"

"Neither." I can't help but laugh. "My life revolves around work. I eat, sleep, and breathe Ashford Technologies."

"Damn. So no breaks ever?"

"I'll take a break when I retire."

"And when might that be?"

I don't respond.

The answers that pop into my head no longer make sense. The only reason why I took over the family business is because it's what my grandfather wanted, and I couldn't stand to see a stranger running it. Back then, I wanted to follow in my grandfather's footsteps and make sure that everyone knew of the Ashford name. I wanted to make the old man proud, my parents proud. I couldn't let our legacy die out.

But right now, all I want is the fucking break that I refuse to give myself.

"You're frowning again." Elias gives my hand a supportive squeeze. "Your turn. Ask me anything."

Shit, this can get dangerous. Better play it safe.

"Favorite color?"

"Purple." He laughs. "Try harder. What's your biggest pet peeve?"

"Too many to list, but I can't stand it when people invade my personal space and touch me without permission," I pause, adding, "Excluding you."

"Noted. Your turn."

"How long was your last relationship?"

He's quiet for a moment, and I wonder if I've overstepped. But then he answers, "My longest was a year and a half, but my last relationship was three months. Asshole cheated on me, so I made out with his friend in front of him at a party. No judging, okay?"

"Not judging," I assure him, my thumb stroking the back of his hand. "You deserved to be petty given the circumstances."

"O-oh. Glad you agree," he says, a blush creeping up his cheeks. "So, what's your love language?"

"Definitely acts of service. You?"

"It's not obvious?" He lets go of my hand, but his fingers continue to trace a path up my arm as he whispers in my ear. "Physical touch."

A shiver runs down my spine.

Part of me wants to push him away to maintain the boundaries I'd so carefully constructed around myself over the years. But a larger part is too entranced by his boldness, his confidence in crossing those lines.

Will it really be so bad if we take it there? Just once?

He's staring at me right now like he wants me to be the one to make the first move. God knows how badly I want to break every rule we've set for each other.

I feel myself leaning in despite my brain's protests. "Elias—"

"Shit, look!" He turns away from me at the last second. I blink, confused, when he takes off running. "Ice cream!"

"What the..."

I watch as he stops in front of an ice cream cart, his face lit up with childlike excitement. I can't help but chuckle at his enthusiasm, shaking my head as I follow him. He's already unwrapping an ice cream sandwich by the time I reach the cart. I opt for a blueberry snow cone.

"Man, I haven't seen one of those things since I was a kid," he says, gesturing to the ice cream cart with a grin. "I'm surprised to see them back in the neighborhood."

"You and me both."

We resume our walk through the park, our fingers brushing occasionally as we stroll side by side.

"Sorry for running off like that, by the way. I promise I'll be less dramatic at the retreat," he adds.

"No worries." I wave off his apology with a smile. "It's refreshing to see someone get so excited about the simple things in life."

He laughs. "It honestly doesn't take much to get me excited."

As we walk and talk about nothing and everything, my mind drifts back to the electricity that crackled between us earlier. I wonder what would have happened if he hadn't pulled away, if I had closed the distance between us and captured his lips with my own.

Lost in another daydream, I almost don't notice the orange cat weaving between my legs. I look down, a soft smile forming on my face as I bend to pet the friendly feline.

"Hey there, little one," I murmur, scratching behind the cat's ears. "Wish I had something other than ice cream on me to give you. Sorry about that."

Elias crouches beside me, his shoulder brushing against mine as he reaches out to pet the cat. "Poor thing is so skinny. I wish I could take them home with me."

"I would, but I'm already taking care of one," I speak before thinking. "A stray, I mean. I don't have any pets."

"You take care of a stray cat? Seriously?"

I nod, unsure why I'm feeling self-conscious. "She started showing up a few months ago looking so sad and pitiful, and I just couldn't turn her away. She's a lot healthier now. I make sure she has food and water, and sometimes she even lets me pet her."

"Wow. I didn't think you could get any more attractive until now." Elias's smile is tender, his eyes soft. "No joke. That's really sweet of you, Clark. I'd love to meet her sometime."

It's at this point when the reality of our limited time together crashes over me, hot, like a wall of fire. One week. That's all we'll have together. Surely things can't get any more intense than what they are now, right?

I swallow past the lump in my throat, once again shrugging off those forbidden thoughts. "I think she'd like you a lot."

We continue walking after a couple of kids get too close and cause the cat to dart off into the bushes. Occasionally, I peek at Elias, mesmerized by how the sunlight dances across his brown skin. I can't continue to let myself get carried away. This is a business arrangement, nothing more.

And yet, as Elias grabs my hand again, sending another flurry of sparks along my skin, I can't help but wonder if there's a chance for something more.

I guess I have one week to find out.