doesn't mean I could handle you dating other people here.”
My chest swells with happiness. “I don't want you dating anyone else either.”
“Boots, I told you, you're the only girl I've kissed all semester. The only girl I ever want to kiss.”
I run my fingers through his hair. “I appreciate how understanding you’re being about all of this.”
“I have a ticking time bomb countdown app on my phone. For your birthday,” he confesses.
“Aiden, that's horrible!”
“No, it's not. It’s just reminding me that each day I get with you is precious.”
“I’m sorry I didn't tell you when I stopped doing stuff with Dawson. It must have been horrible for you when I hung out with him. Now I understand why you acted like such a little bitch sometimes.”
“What?!” he says with a grin, grabbing my waist playfully. “I think you just liked watching me suffer.”
“No, I didn’t, because when you suffered you pretend-punched my head. And pretend-punching someone's head is not nice.”
“Better than punching it for real.”
“Maybe, unless you tell them you’re pretend-punching them.” I put my finger up to his lips. “And before you say I did that. I did not. You were lurking behind me when you overheard. You told me to my face.”
He looks deep into my eyes, the playful mood turning serious with a single look. He doesn't say anything, just kisses me.
And does this kiss ever speak.
It's a kiss that's more emotional than it is sexual. It's a kiss that says all our fighting, all our misunderstandings, our lack of communication, all the hurt feelings, were worth it.
But when his tongue gets involved in the kiss and he pulls me onto the bed with him, and onto his lap, it takes the kiss to a whole other level.
It’s emotion mixed with desire.
And I decide that might be the most powerful combination of all.
With every flick of his tongue, with every greedy touch of his lips, with every caress of my face, I know it's not just a silly love potion.
It's what love is supposed to be.
Scary, exhilarating—from the top of the world to the pits of hell—all-consuming love.
I think of his time bomb app, knowing that if I had one, it would be set to go off in March when I’ll go public, not August for my birthday. Which means I should follow his lead and appreciate the time we have left.
Liquidity.
12:30am
I flip open my screen to find B waiting for me.
He looks upset. Or pissed at me, I’m not sure.
“Hey. You doing okay?”
“Yeah,” he replies, but I don’t believe him. Something’s off.
“Did something happen?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Oh, good. I’m kinda nervous about this call. I know nothing about this stuff.”
“Me either. That’s why I set you up with Michael. So, conference him in, then I’ll introduce you and let you two talk.”
“Wait? What? You’re not staying on the call?”
“There’s really no reason to.”
“Yes there is! I can’t do this without you.”
“Look, finance is not something I really give a shit about and I don’t care to learn. As long as I have my board, I’m happy.”
“We’ve had that conversation before, B. It was bullshit then and it’s bullshit now.”
“Whatever. I’m traveling and I have to practice. I don’t have time for it. Do you still want me to introduce you or what?”
I push back tears and force myself to stay calm. “Yes, please.”
B goes, “Hey, Michael. Keatyn is on the line, so I’ll let you take it from here.”
Then there’s a little beep indicating that he left the call.
Michael is talking, listing his qualifications, but I’m looking at B. He gives me a sad smile, a little finger wave, and then logs off.
“So, a hostile takeover—how long will it take?” I ask Michael, trying to cut to the chase. I mean, I’m assuming it’s not really that hard to buy a company.
“Let’s talk about whether it’s even possible first.”
“What do you mean?
My chest swells with happiness. “I don't want you dating anyone else either.”
“Boots, I told you, you're the only girl I've kissed all semester. The only girl I ever want to kiss.”
I run my fingers through his hair. “I appreciate how understanding you’re being about all of this.”
“I have a ticking time bomb countdown app on my phone. For your birthday,” he confesses.
“Aiden, that's horrible!”
“No, it's not. It’s just reminding me that each day I get with you is precious.”
“I’m sorry I didn't tell you when I stopped doing stuff with Dawson. It must have been horrible for you when I hung out with him. Now I understand why you acted like such a little bitch sometimes.”
“What?!” he says with a grin, grabbing my waist playfully. “I think you just liked watching me suffer.”
“No, I didn’t, because when you suffered you pretend-punched my head. And pretend-punching someone's head is not nice.”
“Better than punching it for real.”
“Maybe, unless you tell them you’re pretend-punching them.” I put my finger up to his lips. “And before you say I did that. I did not. You were lurking behind me when you overheard. You told me to my face.”
He looks deep into my eyes, the playful mood turning serious with a single look. He doesn't say anything, just kisses me.
And does this kiss ever speak.
It's a kiss that's more emotional than it is sexual. It's a kiss that says all our fighting, all our misunderstandings, our lack of communication, all the hurt feelings, were worth it.
But when his tongue gets involved in the kiss and he pulls me onto the bed with him, and onto his lap, it takes the kiss to a whole other level.
It’s emotion mixed with desire.
And I decide that might be the most powerful combination of all.
With every flick of his tongue, with every greedy touch of his lips, with every caress of my face, I know it's not just a silly love potion.
It's what love is supposed to be.
Scary, exhilarating—from the top of the world to the pits of hell—all-consuming love.
I think of his time bomb app, knowing that if I had one, it would be set to go off in March when I’ll go public, not August for my birthday. Which means I should follow his lead and appreciate the time we have left.
Liquidity.
12:30am
I flip open my screen to find B waiting for me.
He looks upset. Or pissed at me, I’m not sure.
“Hey. You doing okay?”
“Yeah,” he replies, but I don’t believe him. Something’s off.
“Did something happen?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Oh, good. I’m kinda nervous about this call. I know nothing about this stuff.”
“Me either. That’s why I set you up with Michael. So, conference him in, then I’ll introduce you and let you two talk.”
“Wait? What? You’re not staying on the call?”
“There’s really no reason to.”
“Yes there is! I can’t do this without you.”
“Look, finance is not something I really give a shit about and I don’t care to learn. As long as I have my board, I’m happy.”
“We’ve had that conversation before, B. It was bullshit then and it’s bullshit now.”
“Whatever. I’m traveling and I have to practice. I don’t have time for it. Do you still want me to introduce you or what?”
I push back tears and force myself to stay calm. “Yes, please.”
B goes, “Hey, Michael. Keatyn is on the line, so I’ll let you take it from here.”
Then there’s a little beep indicating that he left the call.
Michael is talking, listing his qualifications, but I’m looking at B. He gives me a sad smile, a little finger wave, and then logs off.
“So, a hostile takeover—how long will it take?” I ask Michael, trying to cut to the chase. I mean, I’m assuming it’s not really that hard to buy a company.
“Let’s talk about whether it’s even possible first.”
“What do you mean?
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