Want & Need by CJ Laurence Page B

kidding?” I was beyond mortified my brother was even suggesting this to me.
    “No, not at all. What have you got to lose? You’ll be in an exclusive club with direct links to the owners, not to mention sleeping with one of them. Not only that, you’ll be surrounded by other hot people who just want to have fun. You are freaked out about settling down, Paul doesn’t do relationships, so what’s the issue?”
    I narrowed my eyes at him. “Did he put you up to this?”
    “Who? Paul? No. I’m just looking at it from a different point of view, Kyra. What’s wrong in having some fun whilst you wait for Mr. Right to come along?”
    I glared at him and stared down at the table. I didn’t know what to say because in all honesty, I couldn’t really argue against his point. I was single. If I was married or with a partner and being presented with all of this, then my reaction would be totally justified. But why was I freaking out about indulging myself with some gorgeous people with no strings attached?
    “It just feels wrong. I’d just feel like a complete slag.”
    He laughed. “I wouldn’t worry, Ky. You and I both know of a certain someone who has had more pricks than a second hand dartboard and she still walks around with her head held high. There’s no way you’ll work your way past her number.”
    “Ash. Stop it.”
    “Right, anyway. Time for me to go. My programme starts in ten minutes and you need to go back to bed. You look like death warmed up.”
    I rolled my eyes and we said our goodbyes. I found myself pondering over his words. Maybe I could make sense of all this with a clear head after a decent sleep.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Seventeen
     
     
    I went into work the next morning, still very much in the same mind set as I had been since Saturday evening. I wanted nothing to do with it despite Ash’s little talk. The second I stepped through the door, Mr. Andrews commandeered me, steering me into his office before giving me a twenty-minute talk on his entire client database, which he wanted redone.
    He was halfway through his monotone drone when I heard the office door click shut and Mr. Harris walking across the floor.
    “Is Kyra still off?” he asked.
    A second voice answered that stilled my heart in an instant—Paul. “I don’t know.”
    “Can you call her, please, Paul? She should be ringing in sick every day she’s off and speaking to one of us, not her friend downstairs.”
    “If she calls before we’re in, there isn’t a lot she can do except leave a message, is there?”
    Harris went silent for a moment before he snapped at Paul. “Just call her.”
    “You are not my boss, Harris. Get one of the admin girls to call her.”
    I heard Paul’s office door slam shut and moments later, Harris’ followed suit.
    Struggling to contain a smirk, I finished listening to Mr. Andrews before heading back out to my desk. Making my ritual cup of tea, I sat at my desk, quietly humming away to myself as I worked through his client files.
    “Kyra?”
    I lifted my gaze to see Paul standing in front of my desk. My breath caught in my throat when I looked at those beautiful blue eyes. I wanted to melt at his feet. Using every last ounce of strength in me, I focused my attention back down to my work, not even dignifying him with an answer.
    “Can we talk, please?”
    My heart started racing at the thought of being alone with him again. I could feel my body responding to his presence already. I refused to look up at him but gave him an answer. “What about?”
    “You know what.”
    “If it’s not work related, then no, we can’t talk.”
    “Is that it? You’re not even going to hear me out?”
    “Hear you out about what?” I took a deep breath, only to be met with his pained expression. “You have your life and I have mine. That’s it. Simple.”
    He sighed and ran his tongue over his lips. My mind began betraying me, showing me memories of what that tongue could do to me. I