The Beauty and the CEO

The crowd clapped again, and to Zoe’s surprise, Kenzie reached under the podium and presented Tim with a gold statue.

Awards were given out left and right. Most Helpful, Most Spirit, Most Southern. Zoe entertained herself with fondling Will. She enjoyed the way he inhaled each time she cupped his crotch through his pants. His erection grew, turning her on even more. She stroked, squeezed and turned herself on with the image of herself riding him. Will’s jaw twitched.

“And for the…” Ramon stopped and turned toward Kenzie. His hand covered the microphone but his muffled words were heard. “Do I really have to say it?”

“It’s not going to kill you,” Kenzie huffed.

Will reached for Zoe’s hand and put it back on the table, wagging his index finger. He leaned so close to her ear his breath tickled her lobe. “Be careful what you start, my little tease.”

“Whatever.” Zoe pressed her lips together to keep from grinning.

“Whatever,” Ramon said into the microphone. “We conclude this awards ceremony with the—” he cleared his throat “—with the cutest couple.” He said the words as if they pained him. “Will Ravens and Zoe Baldwin.”

Shocked, Zoe shook her head. “Oh, we’re not…”

“Not fooling anyone,” Kenzie said, pushing Ramon away from the microphone. “Now, come on up here and get this award.”

Zoe didn’t get a chance to protest. After buttoning his jacket as he rose and hunched over, Will extended his hand for Zoe to take and positioned her in front of him. She obliged, knowing what she hid for him from the rest of the guests. The table clapped for them as they made their way to the podium. Ramon handed Will an envelope and Kenzie handed Zoe a gold statue of two silhouettes kissing.

“Now, let’s conclude this evening with a dance.”

Will took Zoe by the hand and led her to the floor. She stood against him, fitting perfectly. She took his hand and the music began, though she barely heard the melody. Others began to crowd the dance floor.

“Well, you have to admit,” Will said, “we are the cutest couple.”

“We are the only couple.”

“Are we?” Will inclined his head toward Kenzie and Ramon. The two were dancing closely together, but the tight grin across Kenzie’s face said something else.

Zoe turned her attention back to Will. Her heart fluttered. There was something Zoe was supposed to do or say to stop him from kissing her in front of everyone, but she couldn’t think of what it was. Their bodies began to fall into perfect rhythm.

“This can’t be good,” Will whispered against her neck.

If things didn’t cool off, Zoe was about to melt in his arms. Her eyes rolled backward with the warmth of his breath. “If it ain’t good…” she began.

“Zoe, I need you,” Will said, licking his lips.

The only thing Zoe heard was he needed her—that, and her Prince ringtone going off inside the pocket of her clutch bag. Will pressed his head against her forehead. “Go ahead and answer that.”

Will pressed his hands on her backside and guided Zoe back to their table where she retrieved her cell phone. She attempted to slide her finger across the screen but her gloves gave her a bit of a fit. She slipped them off her arms and swiped her finger across Lexi’s face.

“Hey, girl,” Zoe said, trying to sound cheerful, pushing off the feeling that a bucket of ice had doused her evening. Thank God for the portable air conditioners. Zoe glided toward one and let it cool off her body. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Lexi said. “I am watching a live feed from bed.”

“What?” Zoe held her phone by her side and glanced around until she spotted a red light mixed in with the faux stars. “What are you doing?”

“Saving your potential career,” Lexi said. “I saw you and Will just now.”

“So?”

“When I saw y’all’s name on the list for cutest couple, I thought it was a joke. Jesus, Zoe, you’re applying for a position in his company.”

The proverbial cold water continued to fall, dousing any inkling of a hot night. “Okay, Lexi. I understand.”