Chapter 43: Lance POV

**"I don't possess these thoughts I have --- they possess me. I don't possess these feelings I have --- They obsess me.” ― Ashly Lorenzana**

While Karma is in the room doing whatever she is doing, I check on Kay. Kay seems to keep herself busy when she is not with me. I guess he was right. She had a reason why she wanted us to wear masks. I do not care what she does as long as she does not breach our contract. But, by the way, I am struggling not to break.


Karma came out wearing workout gear that looked damn good on her. She said she was going to the gym. Karma does not need a gym, she needs a good fucking. I showed her the back stairs.

There was no way in hell she was going to walk around the office building with all of those eyes watching her. I must say her ass looks great in those workout pants she has on.


I am trying to work, but I can't concentrate on work; I am just thinking about Karma and what she is currently wearing. Fuck it, I will go down to the gym to join her. When I got to the gym, she was there with an employee. It pissed me off just thinking about another man looking at her body.

I left before I made a fool of myself and flipped out over a woman. I have no claim over. Karma came back and went straight to the shower. I assume she needs to wash off her workout.


Jake's ass isn't back yet, which tells me he might be held up by my mother and Susan. I dug a little deeper into Mike's background. He is divorced but there is no record of any alimony payments. My private detective e-mailed me his divorce decree.

Or according to it, he caught her cheating and thus did not have to pay her a dime. She stated that he unknowingly booked her as an escort. Which in her mind proves his intent on cheating. The Judge ruled in his favor and she was left with nothing. The bastard did not even let her pack the clothes she had at his house.


After reviewing the information, I received. I order some food for Karma and me. She must be starving after her workout. I ordered her usual from downstairs. The bathroom door opens and out comes Karma wearing nothing but a towel.

She sees me and runs into the bedroom. After fifteen minutes, Karma comes out of the bedroom wearing shorts and a T-shirt.


“I ordered you something to eat”, I said, looking at her.
“Thanks, I am not hungry though. Dan and I ate at the restaurant after our workout”, she said with a nervous smile.
“So, you and Dan seemed pretty close”, I said, acting like it did not faze me.
“He just became my workout partner”, she said, drinking some orange juice. Then Jake walked in.
“Hey guys, oh shit food. Good, I am starved”, Jake said as he started to grab food off one of the plates.
“Jake, where are the bottles?”, I asked.
“They are in your car. I had to sneak past Auntie and Susan to get them”, he said, smirking.
“Right, anyway thanks”, I said, shaking my head, picturing him ducking and dodging Mom and Susan.
“So, Karma, what did you do on your unofficial day off?”, Jake asked.
“I went to the gym and met Dan. He is my new gym partner now. We have planned gym dates”, Karma said, and Jake asked me a question.
“Who is Dan?”, Jake asked, digging for information.
“He works here and goes to the gym also. We worked out together and had lunch”, Karam said, and I clenched my jaw.
“So, you like him?”, Jake asked and I wanted to punch him in the face.
“He is a nice guy. He has been working here since the age of eighteen. He is a bit young for me. I like my men more seasoned”, Karma said, and I swore I had seen her glance at me. And judging by the look on Jake's face, he saw it as well.
“Seasoned you say”, Jake said with a raised eyebrow.
“I am going to take a nap before the party. Can someone wake me up about two hours before we leave? I need to get ready”, Karma said, and Jake smirked.
“Sure", Jake said.
“So, what is the dress code for tonight?”, Jake asked.
“It is a house party. Not a damn charity ball”,
“A house party. Really? Why are you going? You hate those kinds of events”, Jake started with all of his damn questions.
“Stop with the questions Jake, you are starting to annoy me”, I said.
“You mentioned you were a plus one. Are you Karma plus one? Are you going because she is going?”, he asked, tilting his head to the side.
“Leave it alone Jake”, I said, gritting my teeth.
“You are playing a dangerous game, Lance. You have a contract with Kay and yet you are crushing on Karma. Who, by the way, is under your employ”, Jake said, shaking his head.

“I have not violated my contract with Kay in any way. And Karma is not under my employment. She works for the temp agency”, I said, really annoyed with him.


Jake changed the subject and told me that at the house my mother and Susan had a wedding planner there already. I need to get out of this forced engagement and fast. My dear cousin made it a point to point out that I am crushing on Karma.

I was going to go into the bedroom with her and take a nap, but he said I was proving his point. So instead, I remade the pull-out bed and slept next to his ass.


I tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable. Jake tells me to just go into the room with Karma so he can take his nap. I have a feeling we are going to be up all night at this party. Honesty, I want to let loose, I just hope there are not most of my employees there.