The CEO’s Hidden Love Midnight Temptations and Deep Desires

Ever since Lane hung up the phone with Dorothy, his spirits were sky-high.

Not only did he have Kenneth whip up a couple extra dishes, he even went out and grabbed a six-pack of beer to celebrate. "Too bad I can't access my wine collection right now. Would've loved to pop open one of my prized bottles of red to celebrate!" Lane cracked open a can for himself and offered another to Kenneth.

Kenneth shook his head, declining. "I don't drink."

"On a day like this, how can you not celebrate with a drink? Everett's gone, your biggest enemy is out of the picture, and I'm feeling pretty damn good!" Lane tilted his head back, downing the beer in one go. "Do you have any idea how much I hated that guy? It wasn't just because he took Dorothy from me, but also the personal insults he hurled my way!"

With a flick of his wrists, Lane crushed the empty can, tossing it casually aside.

"I don't enjoy alcohol, and I don't need it to celebrate."

Initially, when Kenneth realized Dorothy would never fall for him, he too had tried to drown his sorrows in alcohol, attempting to escape reality.

effects are fleeting, and reality remains

Lane scoffed but didn't press any further, taking the can he had opened for

reason Kenneth refrained from drinking was the fear of getting drunk and spilling

he'd learned of Everett's "death," and guessed he must have heard from Dorothy

Dorothy's reaction must have pleased

give her the antidote But then I thought, after all

thought alone was enough to infuriate

whether they threw themselves him or he had to charm them, at least there had been

Dorothy was the

invested the most in her and got

about it, the angrier he got, eventually spitting out, "When she ends up in my bed, I'll

under the influence,