Chapter 54

Shirley

I wait. I wait for Keith to cross that last inch, to bring his lips to mine. I feel like his prey, but for some reason I’m willingly defenseless and ready for him to take control.

His hand on my cheek tilts my chin a little and then I know his lips are almost again mine. I feel that flutter in my lashes as they long to close, to submit so Keith can take over.

But they never fully close. Instead, they remain open as I hear his voice.

“Go inside,” he states.

It’s laced with lust, mirroring whatever desire I’m feeling. And yet his words were a perfect contradiction to the emotion, causing me to draw back an inch as Keith does the same. I’m left looking up into his golden eyes, my throat growing tight and dry as I see the intensity behind them.

“Go inside,” he repeats.

That time, it’s as if his words wrap around my wrists and ankles, pulling my limbs away from his as I move toward my door. There’s a frown on my lips as I distance myself, an unanswered need wiggling through me. But I listen.

And as I get further away from him as I open the door and step out, I feel a wave of various emotions flood over me as my head tries to come back down to earth. However, it’s only when I’m walking toward the house, hearing Keith pull away in the car again that I’m able to latch onto one thought that sticks out above the rest.

Gratitude. Thank Goddess I’d gotten out of that car. Because kissing Keith would have been a mistake.

~

I spent all last night and this morning trying to forget about what happened with Keith, trying to find something to blame for the minor blip in judgment. I know I shouldn’t have teased him so intensely, but maybe more of the champagne had gone to my head than I had realized.

I’ve avoided him all morning too - although, I’m not even sure that he’s home. I know he didn’t return before I went to bed last night since I’d never heard him. I’m not sure what suddenly required his attention, but I didn’t question it for long as I had been too busy focusing on other matters.

For one, I went too far last night - that’s for sure. Sure, Keith’s behavior had been strange, but I was ultimately the one who had put us in that situation and I had definitely crossed a line. That was not a situation a boss and employee should find themselves in and I had been unprofessional. I was worried my staying here would change things, and I had certainly been responsible for that now.

So I needed to get us back on track and make sure to uphold the proper office relationship with Keith. I can’t keep messing around and potentially screw up any other opportunity that could come from this job - I pray that I haven’t already.

Only, it seems that Keith also understands the need for change. When I receive an invite for the company’s meeting scheduled for that afternoon, it’s through an email sent to the entire team rather than the usual personal text message. I try to not let that bother me as I get myself prepared for the meeting, finally stepping out and crossing the hall to Keith’s office when the time gets closer.

I’m the first one there, which allows me to sit and get comfortable before everyone else begins to arrive in waves. And much to my surprise, Keith is the last to walk through the door. Seeing him causes me to quietly clear my throat, but I make sure to leave my outward appearance plain as his presence causes the room to silence. He then takes his seat at the desk, getting himself settled before he looks up.

He nods toward Sam, and in turn the man takes over, greeting the others before he begins to explain the day’s agenda. I listen intently to him, keeping my gaze from Keith at all costs. Even when the Alpha chimes in or I have to offer a few pieces of information, I keep my eyes down or on the other wolves. I don’t even really feel Keith’s heated stare on me as I address everyone.

Finally, the meeting comes to a close and everyone begins to pack up, ready to get started on the new tasks they’ve accumulated after all our conversations. I know that I’ll be among them as I plan to immediately head back into my room and shut the door before I bury myself in work. Only, my quick exit is intercepted as Ron approaches me.

“Did you enjoy the party last night?” he asks me as I slide my laptop into my bag.

His mention of the party instantly makes me think of the way it ended, remembering how Keith’s hand felt on my back as he led me away, but I shake away the sensation.

“I did,” I tell him as I recover, even offering a smile. “Did you?”

“Didn’t stay too long,” Ron tells me. “Lily drank a little too much champagne early in the night. Had to bring her home after the second hour because she had such a bad headache.”

“Ah,” I begin with a nod. “Is that why she’s not here today?” I hadn’t failed to notice the she-wolf’s lack of attendance or the absence of her piercing stare.

Ron nods back. “That would be why,” he confirms. And then he laughs. “It’ll be a miracle if she gets out of bed at all today. Lily can’t really hold her liquor.”

His comment has me laughing, making my shoulders relax as we share the mutual sound of amusement. Only, Ron’s good humor quickly fades before my own, and then his eyes lift over my shoulder. His sudden reaction pushes my lips into a small “o” and I already know who’s standing behind me before the man speaks.

“Afternoon, Ron,” Keith says, causing me to officially turn so I can see him. I take him in as he looks as handsome as ever. It’s practically unfair, but I make myself remain expressionless.

“Afternoon,” Ron replies, trying to offer another nonchalant smile. “Need something?”

I wait for Keith to say more, to silently dismiss me as he insists on discussing something with Ron.

“Just something for Shirley, actually,” Keith says then.

That takes me by surprise, turning more of my attention to him. And soon, Keith’s gold eyes slide to mine.

Professional. Just professional.

“Yes?” I ask.

“Thanksgiving is on Thursday,” Keith tells me. “Do you have any special requests?”

Special requests?

Keith must see my confusion as I blink at him because he then adds, “For food.”

Right - the food. Of course he meant the food. As he said, Thanksgiving is only a couple of days away and he’s likely finishing the preparations. He would need to pick up any last minute additions I want now.

I try to think of something to request, but I seem to be at a partial disadvantage as I can’t think of anything.

“No,” I eventually tell him. “I’m sure whatever you have already is fine.”

“Okay,” Keith says with a nod. “Dinner at 7 o’clock - is that okay?”

I nod. “Yes.”

“Perfect,” he nods back. And then his eyes leave me, going back to Ron before he takes a step away. “See you later.”

“Bye, Keith,” Ron replies for the both of us as Keith continues out of the office. For a moment, we both watch him, but when I realize I’m staring I clear my throat and glance away.

“Huh…” Ron says then.

“What?” I ask, staring back toward him, seeing the dumbfounded look on his face.

“You and Keith are spending Thanksgiving together?” he asks, meeting my gaze.

“Yeah,” I answer. “I decided not to go home so I could focus on work. And Keith said he was going to spend it alone anyway because his parents are gone. So I guess he’s going to make dinner.”

I make the whole explanation sound casual, totally simple. But still, Ron seems focused on something.

“That’s odd…” he says then.

“What do you mean?” I ask, not understanding where this is going.

“It’s just…Keith and his family normally spend Thanksgiving at my house,” he explains. “They have for years. He’s more than welcome to come even without his parents, so I had assumed he would be coming.”

Oh.

Ron’s words suddenly cause me to adopt his same confusion, my brows briefly pulling together just before he gives a shrug.

“Oh well,” Ron says then. “I guess that just means there will be one last mouth to feed.”

He gives a laugh at his own joke and I do my best to match it. But then Ron takes a step away.

“Well, I'll see you later this week,” he states kindly. “Enjoy your holiday!”

“Yeah,” I respond quietly as he leaves. “You too…”

It dawns on me then that I’m officially alone in Keith’s office, the silence seeming so loud as I look toward the door. But then I’m glancing over to the large desk, that same furrow coming over my brow as my eyes scan over the shining wood.

I had been under the impression that Keith had nowhere to go for Thanksgiving, that he would have been spending it alone. But now I know that he always went to Ron’s and the invitation was still upheld even if his parents were gone.

So why had he decided to spend the holiday with me - just me - instead?