Room One Hundred and Twenty Nine (Club Sin: Seattle Session 2)

Chapter 18

Haruko

“Hey, Dad.” I bite my nail as I hear my dad’s voice on the phone.

We’ve chatted just recently, and he’s asked if there was someone in my life and of course since the answer is “yes and it’s my boss… actually, all of my bosses,” I dodge the question. Which for us is strange. I’ve never been one to hide things from my dad, and it made me feel like shit. Same goes for my mom. But I can’t tell him yet, especially over the phone. At this point, it’s clear between Elijah, Nicholas, Parker and me we’re a thing, but we didn’t discuss telling anyone about it yet. We aren’t talking logistics until tomorrow, when we meet in Elijah’s office.

I’m pulled back into the conversation with my dad when he asks me if I want to join him for dinner.

“I’m having dinner with a friend and wondered if you wanted to join us. We haven’t seen each other for a while, and I don’t think he’d mind.”

“Sure. Sounds good,” I say in as chipper a tone as I can muster as guilt swirls in my stomach.

“Great! We’re having dinner at eight o’clock at The Prairie Falcon. Should I pick you up?”

“Sure,” I reply.

We chat for a while about other things, briefly about work which I said was fine. Because it is, but I also don’t want to talk about it. I’m testing my resolve as it is, and I don’t think talking about work is helping.

“Anyway, I’ll see you tonight, Dad,” I say as the conversation steers back to my love life. I know my dad pretty well and the words “so what have you been up to” always lead to “you seeing anybody?” and I don’t want to lie.

“Alright, sweetie. See you tonight.”

I hang up the phone and dive face first into my pillows and scream.

Hiding was a lot easier when it was us four and the outside world. But it’s become harder now that my dad is asking about my romantic life.

I sit up on my bed and take a deep, calming breath.

Relax. Tomorrow everything will get sorted and hopefully I can tell my mom and dad and it’ll all be okay.

Because I know my men won’t want to keep me hidden forever.

With my confidence growing, I get up and get ready for work. The day goes by quickly, probably because I came in late. Parker and Nicholas are their usual friendly selves, but there’s something different about how they act towards me. They’re flirtier and their touches linger a few seconds more than they should. It’s like I’m being teased, but not in a way that interferes with my work. It’s like getting a cookie after doing a project. I file something and I get a hand on the small of my back or I let them know someone’s on the phone and I get a “thank you, sweetheart.” It makes my heart flutter and gets me excited about the meeting tomorrow.

I’ve already been hunting for a new job. Not sure if that’s what the men had in mind, but I think it’s best if I quit. They can’t be in charge of me, and I don’t think there’s anyone who can be, especially since we’ve gone into the red zone on the list of things not to do with an employee.

I mean, I fucked them. Well, two of them. I haven’t had sex with Elijah. God, just the thought of being taken by that man has me clenching my thighs under my desk. He’s so big. I can’t even wrap my fingers around him, so I can’t imagine how he’ll fit inside my pussy.

I bet he’ll say one of those things the heroes with big dicks in romance books say.

“Don’t worry. It’ll fit.”

God, yes.

“What was that?” Nicholas asks, planting his hands on my desk, a wicked smile pulling at his lips.

“What?” I say, blushing. “Nothing. I didn’t say anything.”

Right?

“I heard you say something about making it fit.” Nicholas lifts a brow, and I blush deeper.

“I… I was talking to myself about…”

“About what?” he asks.

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

He stands and crosses his muscular arms over his chest. He’s got his shirt sleeves rolled up, and it makes him look really sexy.

“Alright. You don’t have to tell me.” He hands me a bunch of papers and adds, “Can you file these for me?”

I give him a two finger captain's salute and say, “Yes, Sir.”

Before he leaves, I hear him say under his breath, “Fuck. I like the sound of that.”

I put on a nice dress and head outside to wait for my dad to pick me up. He’s always at least fifteen minutes early, so I made sure I was ready at twenty to eight.

At quarter to eight, my dad pulls into the driveway. I jump in and we drive to the restaurant. Other than the usual greetings, we don’t say much. NPR plays on the radio so quietly I can’t really hear it, and every red light feels like an eternity. There’s a tension between us that’s mostly my fault. I bet he’s wondering what the hell is wrong with me and the worst part is I can’t fix it. I mean, I could tell him right here, right now, but that doesn’t seem fair to the men. To Elijah, who’s best friends with my dad.

When we get to the restaurant, we’re still not talking. It’s only when we take our seats that he starts to talk.

“So, your mom and I are looking to take a trip next year.”

“Oh, cool.” Thank God, yes let’s talk about Mom. I can do that. “Where do you think you’ll go?”

“We were thinking of Italy. Two weeks. Maybe in March or April.”

“That sounds great. I hope you have fun.”

“Thank you, sweetie. You’re happy to join us if you can get off work.”

“Thanks for the offer,” I say, and I feel the tension slowly ebb away.

But then something makes me sit up straight and a tingle of electricity runs down my spine. I look up and see Elijah entering the restaurant.

Holy shit. Is Elijah the “friend” Dad mentioned he was having dinner with?

Ah, fuck me. It is.

Elijah’s movements slow as he reaches the table. As if he can’t believe I’m here. Right back at ya, buddy.

“Elijah. I believe you know my daughter. Your assistant.”

I chuckle and take a big sip of wine before extending my hand to Elijah, trying to ignore how good it feels to touch him.

“Yes. I’m familiar,” he says in a calm tone that makes it sound like a little joke.

Leave it to Elijah to keep it professional.

Elijah and Dad talk about the trip he and Mom are taking and that gnawing guilt I pushed down earlier returns. I bite my nail as I watch my dad and his best friend chat.

It’s casual and they invite me into the conversation sometimes, but I mostly just listen. Occasionally, Elijah looks at me with a hint of concern in his eyes. I’m guessing he’s probably worried about getting caught like I am.

After finishing my glass of wine and then my water, I have to go to the bathroom, so I excuse myself from the table and head to the restroom.

I finish my business and as I’m about to leave, Elijah comes in.

“Uh, you’re in the ladies' room.”

He nods. “Yes. I’m aware. I need to talk to you.”

He seems out of breath, like he’s been itching me to tell me something the whole dinner. The look in his eyes is so full of guilt and regret my mind goes to the worst.

Is this too much for him? The lies? That I’m his best friend's daughter and his assistant?

God, is he going to break up with me?