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

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

getting drunk and spilling secrets

mood, even better than when he'd learned of Everett's "death," and guessed he must have heard from Dorothy and conveyed

Dorothy's reaction must have pleased

on his lips. "I was initially planning to just give her the antidote But then I thought, after all this hassle, I deserve to get

was enough

him or he had to charm them, at least there had been some physical

was

in her and

got, eventually spitting out, "When she ends up in my bed, I'll make sure to have my fun! See what

influence, not guarding his words