A Step Closer to Love

They had a silent breakfast with the occasional glances and blushes from each other. Ethan was so out of it that he did not notice his son and Arabella flirting right under his nose. After breakfast, Arabella and Kieran left for work.

“Thank you for the ride,” Arabella said as he drove down to the parking lot.

“You are welcome” Kieran said flashing her a small smile.

“See you later in the evening?” she said in the form of a question.

“Are we not going to get lunch together?” he asked. He wanted to get lunch together but he did not want to push it. She should do it because she wants to.

“If you ask me,” she said batting her eyelash when she saw Ryder’s car come in and Aurora was in the passenger seat.

“Oh shoot” she said bending her head as much as she could so they could not see her. Aurora was aware but not Ryder at least that was what she knew.

“What is it?” Kieran asked looking around.

“Aurora and Ryder” she whispered her eyes darting around the floor of the car.

“Why are you hiding?” Kieran was confused. Why did she need to hide from them?

“I don’t want them to see us together”

“Are you ashamed to be seen with me?” Kieran asked gasping.

“You know that’s not what I meant,” Arabella said. She wanted to get up and have a proper conversation with him but the need to hide outweighed the need to be right.

“What did you mean?” Kieran asked.

“Just help me hide and I will tell you later,” she said.

“Fine,” he said like he was about to throw a major tantrum. He helped her recline her seat so she could lie down. “The glasses are a bit tinted so they can’t see in except if they come close to the glass” he said.

“Why did you not tell me in the first place?” she asked and he shook his head with a shoulder shrug.

“I don’t know, you did not ask”

She rolled her eyes and stayed still in the chair. They might not be able to see it except they put in extra effort but one thing she knew she had to do was try her best not to get caught.

“Are they gone?” she asked trying to look up to see the environment.

“I guess I should go down to say hello to them” Kieran suggested.

“Don’t” she said holding his hand and stopping him from opening the door. “Why don’t you just pretend no one is here and you stay right here with me” she continued whispering.

“I should stay here” A playful smile danced on his lips. He was determined to tease her. “Why would you miss me?” he asked.

She looked up at him in awe. “What?”

“I mean you don’t want me to leave so it must have a hidden meaning behind it” he continued.

“Are they gone now?” she asked ignoring his teasing spree.

“Yeah,” he said

“They are gone now are you happy?” he asked.

She flashed him her teeth before rubbing her palms against her skirt. “I better get to work before I am late,” she said.

Kieran was not pleased that his agenda to tease was cut short. She pushed the door handle so the door was open. Kieran pulled her hand and crossed over her body to shut the door.

“What are you doing?” she let out in squeak.

“Nothing” he let out.

His face was so close to hers that it felt illegal to her. She felt his breath on her face and she loved the way his smell filled her nose.

“I have to get to work” she said silently when he noticed that he was not saying anything but just staring into her soul.

“Just a minute more,” he said.

“A minute of what?” she asked blinking rapidly.

“I have to go the entire day without seeing you so I have to take in more of your face than usual,” he said.

Her stomach did a double back flip but he did not flinch. Did he think his statement was normal or did he just have a sweet mouth?

“That is not something one would say and keep a straight face like that,” Arabella said.

“What did I say?” Kieran asked. “I just said I want to see you more,” he said before she could answer his question.

“We have to get to work,” she said again. She saw his face fall and she ran her hand on his cheekbone. “It’s not because I don’t want to see your face more but because I might get fired if I go in late”

“I am the boss who wants to fire you?” he asked. She could not lie this man jumped out of a book because it sounded like something she had read in one of her favourite books.

“You are one of the bosses” she said tapping his cheeks playfully.

“I still hold that much power. I can even give you an off day right here and now” he said.

“You can?” her eyes widened. She was a workaholic but she liked the idea of having a day away with him.

“Of course, I am that powerful” he sounded like he was bragging but she liked the sound of it.

“You should show your power then” she said blinking rapidly.

“Let’s take the day off then” he said switching on the engine. He was still holding onto her hand.

“Are we going to leave just like that?” she asked shocked he was about to begin driving.

“I guess I should tell someone” he tapped on his phone with his free hand and put it on hands free mode.

“I saw your car in the lot so I thought you were in already so what’s up?” Ryder asked immediately the call got connected.

“I came into work but I don’t think I would stay, I am going on a date” he said looking to Arabella. She opened her mouth in shock as she stared at him.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.