The Temporary Wife: Luca and Valentina's Story(65)

“B-but she’s your secretary!” Philip sputters. “How could she… how could she ever be COO?”

I frown at him and lean in, resting my elbow on the table. “How could she not? She’s already doing your job, isn’t she? Why not recognize and compensate her for it?”

His face blanches before it swiftly reddens, the sight truly amusing. It brings me a sense of peace to know that Ben is probably going to age just like his father did. How utterly unappealing.

“We have two nominees,” James Lee, my Chief Technology Officer, says. “So I suppose we should put them to the test.”

Murmurs dance across the room as everyone discusses amongst themselves. All the while, I study Ben. Even his name is dumb. It reminds me of a weird cartoon I used to watch as a kid. My gaze is clearly unnerving because he starts to fidget, his hands running over his suit, then his hair. His foot begins to tap, and he glances back and forth between me and his shoes.

So he’s a pussy, huh? I smile, pleased. I’m not sure what Valentina ever saw in this fucker, but perhaps this is my chance to ensure she forgets all about him. Sometimes our memories are skewed, making the past seem sweeter than it was. Maybe all she needs is a good dose of reality.

“Let’s not overcomplicate this. They’re both equally qualified, so the one who brings the biggest client into our hedge fund will get the job,” I say, knowing Valentina can easily get it done. There’s no one she doesn’t know in this industry, and she’s well-respected. This should be easy for her, especially when competing with someone whose network is primarily in Australia.

“I think that’s fair,” James says.

The rest of the board nods in agreement, and I rise to my feet. “You each have two months to close your deals. Make them count.”

The door slams closed behind me, my mask slipping out of place. I didn’t think I’d ever see his fucking face again, yet here he is, in my fucking office. Is life taunting me? What kind of fucking bullshit is this?

Just the thought of Valentina looking at him the way she did last night makes fury dance across my skin. I’m tense as I walk back to my office, a sense of unease washing over me as I lay eyes on my wife.

She’s typing at her desk and pauses suddenly as she lifts her hand a little, her wedding ring sparkling in the light. I secretly slipped it onto her finger this morning, unable to resist. I was hoping it’d take her a little longer to notice. It’s crazy how badly I want the world to know that she’s mine. I want to mark her as off-limits, now more so than ever before. The more she gives me, the more scared I grow of ever losing her. This was meant to be a simple deal with an end date in sight, but every single one of my intentions went out the window the first time she fell asleep in my arms. There’s no fucking way I’m letting her go.

She looks up and catches me staring, a sweet smile finding its way onto her lips. I was worried that she’d be reminiscing about Ben, but she seems fine. If anything, she seems sweeter today. Somehow, I feel a little closer to her, as though she’s lowered her walls just a little for me. Will seeing him at the office undo the progress we’ve made?

I walk up to her and bend over, my hand wrapping into her hair as I steal a quick kiss. I thought she’d push me away and reprimand me, but she gives in and wraps her arms around my neck, kissing me back. She has no idea what she does to me. It’s fucking insane. “We’re at work,” she murmurs against my lips. “Anyone could see.”

“Maybe I want them to.”

Valentina pulls away and throws me a warning look, but the way her eyes twinkle negates her seriousness. “Don’t you dare,” she says, the edges of her lips tipping up into a small smile.

My eyes drop to her empty ring finger, and she holds her ring up between her thumb and index finger. “Did you put this on me, or am I losing my mind? I told you I wouldn’t wear it to the office.”

I smile at her, my heart heavy. “Maybe I just want everyone to know that you’re mine. Can you blame me?”

Her eyes widen, and a gorgeous blush stains her cheeks, making my heart race. She’s so painfully beautiful.

“Valentina,” I murmur. “There’s something I need to tell you.” She raises her brows in question. “Stephen is resigning, and I nominated you as a candidate for COO.”

She jumps up from her chair and closes the distance between us, her hands pressed against my chest and her face so fucking close. Is she daring me to steal another kiss? “Please tell me you aren’t joking, Luca. I won’t forgive you if you are.”

I wrap my hands around her waist and drop my forehead to hers, breathing her in for a moment. I’m like an addict, getting high off her fucking scent like a fucking fool. I pull away a little to look at her and shake my head. “It’s true, baby.”

Her eyes widen, and she rises to her tiptoes, kissing me with no regard for our environment. I wish I could just carry her into my office and fuck her until the unease I feel is put to rest, but I can’t. Whether I like it or not, I have to face the music.

“Valentina,” I murmur against her lips. “You aren’t the only candidate.”

She takes a step away from me when we hear footsteps around the corner, and I sigh, wishing I could just send a company memo informing everyone that she’s mine. I hate sneaking around with her. “What do you mean? Who else could possibly —”