Sunday, I had hoped I would see Scott again. As soon as I realised I was eager and hoping to spend time with someone, I grinned and mentally patted myself on the back. I had never felt like this about anyone before. Sure, I had looked forward to seeing Paul, and hoped he would come over for our fuck buddy arrangement, but this, this was something different. That was when I knew where my heart truly lay.

Unfortunately, Scott was busy most of the day Sunday as he was house hunting. I appreciated a pyjama day of doing nothing anyway before work resumed tomorrow morning. However, as promised, Scott did text and we spent most of the day talking, albeit with small gaps in replies.

By Monday morning, I realised I hadn't heard from Paul all weekend and began to wonder if he had expected to hear from me. Was he still angry that I'd had a date? He only had himself to blame. I had no sympathy.

I arrived at work and sat at my desk, watching time tick by as Paul still hadn't arrived. Just after ten, he marched through the door, his face creased into a deep frown and barely muttering a greeting before shutting himself in his office.

Several tension filled minutes later, he opened his door. "Have you got a minute?"

I nodded, my heart pounding against my ribs as I scrambled up from my desk and hurried towards him.

He shut the door behind me, the definitive click cutting through our silence. He turned to me, his head cocked to one side, shoulders square and set, and then asked, "Why didn't you call me over the weekend?"

My mouth dropped open. I hadn't expected that. "I didn't want to demand your time when I know you're...otherwise engaged."

He let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair, seeming to deflate some of his tension. "Sorry. I'm a bit stressed. It's been a long weekend."

"Oh. Ok."

An uncomfortable feeling began to flourish inside me before he strode towards me, cupping my face and planting his lips on mine. Such passion flowed from him it took my breath away. So shocked and taken aback by his sudden assault on me, I didn't know what to think or do. My brain became paralysed, completely preventing me from doing anything other than letting him kiss me.

He broke our embrace after a minute or so and rested his forehead against mine. "That was all I needed all weekend."

His words surged hot tingling hope through me. Once again, I became lost in the complications of us. Optimism started rising inside me again that maybe we could go somewhere.

"Why didn't you call me, then?" I asked.

"I wanted to, I really did."

"But you still didn't."

He closed his eyes. "It's complicated, Ky..."

I sighed, stepping back from him. "Isn't it always with you?"

"Don't be like that," he said, reaching for me. He grabbed my hand and pulled me into him, lifting a hand to my cheek and stroking it. "I've given you everything I can of me."

"Is Paul in?"

I froze at the sound of Mr. Collins's voice coming from outside. Fear coursed through me at the realisation of being caught.

Paul leaned into me, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered, "We'll be fine. Trust me."

Just as I debated my options, the door burst open.

Mr. Collins took one look at us before closing the door and announcing, "Paul isn't in yet."

I shot Paul a confused look. "What the...?"

"He has an announcement to make."

Adrenaline surged through me as I wondered what it could be. "What?"

"I'm no longer a director."

I gasped, horror and panic filling me at the thought of not seeing him every day. "What? Why?"

He chuckled. "I'm now co-owner. Majority shareholder to be exact. My parents and I bought out seventy per cent of his business and I'm now at the helm."

My jaw dropped. "Oh my God."

He grinned. "I know. Come on. We'd best make an appearance."

Peeking out of the closed blinds, he waited for the directors to filter into the meeting room before ushering us both out of his office and into the meeting room with the others.

Mr. Collins and Paul made the announcement together to the other directors before heading downstairs to tell the rest of the staff. An agonising hour passed before he came back upstairs. As soon as he walked into his office, I followed him, intent on interrogation. Unfortunately, as I dashed through his door, Mr. Collins followed.

He shot me a distasteful glare before settling a hardened stare on Paul. "May I suggest you refrain from fraternising with the staff, Paul."

Paul cleared his throat. "Mick, I suggest you be very careful before treading along this road."

"Considering I'm still an owner of this company, I suggest you listen to me. I built this company up with my bare hands. Getting involved with staff is not a clever idea. Especially staff like her."

Paul glared at Mr. Collins, he clenched his jaw, a muscle twitching in his cheek. Anger oozed from every pore. Several seconds ticked by. I wanted to cringe with the growing tension between them both.

"May I point out," Paul said. "That you entered my office without consent or even knocking first. May I also remind you I now own the majority of this company and I have the final say. As for the staff, Kyra is technically now my employee and will be cared for as such. With regards to your comment regarding 'staff like her,' it is wholly unappreciated, and it will serve you well to remember in the future to address her with respect."

Mr. Collins fell silent for a moment whilst I stared at the floor, not daring to look at either of them. I couldn't help but feel a burst of pride and happiness at Paul's words. Comfort and warmth flooded me as I wrapped myself in the protective essence he'd shown towards me.

"Don't expect me to pick up the pieces when it blows up in your face," Mr. Collins said.

"It won't but thank you for your concern."

"How long has this been going on?"

Paul narrowed his eyes at him. "I don't see how that is relevant."

"I think I deserve to know considering we're co-owners."

"I think you deserve to remember you are privy to some of my extra-curricular activities. Whilst I cannot help the information you know about that, I can help the information you know about Kyra. As such, Kyra is strictly off limits to anyone except myself. Do I make myself clear?"

Struggling to contain my growing smile at Mr. Collins being put in his place, a creeping smugness climbed over me. A few seconds passed before I realised Paul had intimated Mr. Collins knew about the swingers' club. I hadn't expected that.

"Yes, perfectly," Mr. Collins said.

Paul nodded. "Good. One more word about Kyra and you're out of the club, understood?"

Mr. Collins nodded, giving me one final glare before storming out.

I met Paul's handsome face with a big grin. "Quite the speech, Mr. Connors. Thank you."

"No need to thank me. I won't tolerate disrespect from anyone towards you."

For the second time in one day, I found optimism rising that maybe, just maybe, this might mean he had feelings for me buried somewhere inside him.