Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 69138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
The devilish glint in Raffaele’s eyes made Nate’s grin fade.
He cleared his throat. “It was just a joke,” he said.
“Was it?” Raffaele said mildly, his lips curling into that infuriating little smirk that Nate absolutely had to wipe away with his mouth.
So he did.
There was no more talking for the rest of the night.
Chapter 29
When Nate walked into the office the next morning, no one seemed to be working.
“What’s up?” he said, looking in bemusement at all the people gathered around Alex’s computer.
“The boss changed his relationship status on Facebook!” Alex said.
Nate tried not to show any outward reaction. Although Raffaele had said he would do it, he hadn’t expected that he’d bother doing it so soon. But then again, he wasn’t sure why it surprised him. Raffaele wasn’t one to hesitate or change his mind once he chose a course of action.
Fuck, Nate missed him already. At his own insistence, they’d arrived at work separately. Nate hadn’t seen him ever since Raffaele kissed him goodbye very early in the morning and then left before Nate even properly woke up.
“Do you have any idea who the lucky woman is?” Camilla said.
Someone in the crowd snorted and said, “You mean the unlucky woman?”
“I wish I were that unlucky,” Camilla said, rolling her eyes. “He’s filthy rich and very hot. So what if he’s an asshole? All men are; some are just better at pretending that they aren’t.”
“Hey, I resent that,” Nate said.
“Me, too!” Alex chimed in, laughing. “You’re too young to be so cynical.”
“You both are exceptions to the rule,” Camilla said before peering at Nate. “You were his PA for ages. Surely you have some idea who she might be?”
Nate fidgeted under the scrutiny of twenty pairs of eyes, feeling painfully awkward and unsure. Despite his words to Raffaele last night, he couldn’t just say it. He still didn’t want to hide, but… away from Raffaele, it was so much harder not to give a damn about his co-workers’ opinions.
Fuck, how was he even supposed to reveal that? Surprise, it’s me?
“What’s going on here?” Jordan’s sharp voice said from behind. “Why are you not working?”
Everyone quickly returned to their desks, and Nate breathed out. He had never been happier to hear Jordan’s voice. But he knew it was just a temporary respite.
The day seemed to drag.
He pretended to be incredibly busy every time his co-workers attempted to question him, putting off the inevitable. He didn’t want to lie to anyone, but he had no clue how to tell the truth. Maya had taken the news well—after making fun of him for his inability to keep it in his pants, of course—but his colleagues were an entirely different thing. Nate hadn’t expected how big of a deal Raffaele’s relationship status would be. The whole building was buzzing with gossip. Just as Raffaele had predicted, it had taken a total of five minutes for the entire company to know about it. There were actually betting pools on who it was. Some supermodel Raffaele had been seen with in the past was currently the favorite.
It irked Nate, his stomach churning with ugly, vicious possessiveness. He’s mine, not hers, he wanted to snap. Mine.
But he didn’t know how to say it.
To make things worse, he missed Raffaele already. Despite being in the same building, they might as well be across the city. Nate couldn’t believe how clingy he felt, considering that they’d had sex three times last night. He should have felt sated. And he was—physically. He didn’t even necessarily want sex. He just wanted to see him, kiss him, touch him, breathe in Raffaele’s scent, and feel his wry smile against his mouth.
God, he had it so bad it was kind of embarrassing. Nate found himself grinning stupidly at random moments. Despite being stressed over how to reveal their relationship to his co-workers, he’d never felt so happy.
Raffaele loved him.
Loved him.
Nate wanted everyone to know that. He did. Heck, he wanted to shout about it. But it was so much more difficult to tell the truth now that the rumor mill was running rampant and everyone was incredibly invested in their favorite candidates. He felt like the window of opportunity was gone, and it would just be weird if he said anything now.
Fuck, what a mess.
“Come on, Nate, just give me a hint!” Camilla said. “Is it Karen Milson? The actress? I’m going to bet on her. She accompanied the boss to the anniversary party in honor of the partnership with Rutledge Enterprises. They look so good together.”
Nate fixed his gaze on his computer screen. “It was just a publicity stunt for her sake. She’s something of an old acquaintance, as far as I know.”
Camilla deflated. “Fuck. I’m out of ideas, then. And here I was hoping to sweep the betting pool. I could use the money. Emma wants to go to Disneyland for her birthday, but...”