Later that afternoon, Xander had gathered everyone in the executive lounge of the office. He announced that tonight's victory called for more than just quiet congratulations.
"We pulled through because of sharp thinking and teamwork — and that deserves to be celebrated," he said, his gaze briefly flicking to Erin before sweeping over the rest of the room.
"Dinner's on me. Drinks too. No objections." The announcement was met with cheers and claps, a collective sigh of relief rolling through the staff after weeks of tension.
Erin, standing off to the side, felt her heart skip — not just at the recognition, but at the way his eyes lingered on her for just a second longer than they should have.
The private dining room Xander had rented glowed with warm golden lights, casting a gentle shimmer over the elegant setting. The long table was lined with Erin's colleagues, department heads, and a few trusted partners. Every detail — from the menu to the wine pairings — screamed exclusivity. The long oak table gleaming with glassware, plates of fine cuisine, and bottles of expensive wine. Erin sat somewhere in the middle, her cheeks slightly flushed from the warmth of attention—and the growing count of toasts made in her honor.
"To Erin!" someone shouted again, raising a glass. "The woman who saved our launch!"
More cheers echoed, and glasses clinked around her. She gave a polite smile and raised her own glass once more. She had lost count of how many times she'd done this already, and her head was beginning to feel light.
The alcohol was starting to catch up, and her body was growing tired from the day's mental and emotional marathon. But the glow in her chest was undeniable. The mood was too infectious, the laughter too genuine, to retreat now.
From across the table, Xander watched her quietly. The sharp lines of his jaw softened in the candlelight, but the amused glint in his eyes didn't waver once. He didn't drink much—he rarely did—but he didn't miss a single glance in her direction.
Someone—Cole, predictably—stood and clapped his hands. "Okay, okay! Enough toasting. How about we wrap the night up with something fun? Let's make this interesting." He held up an empty wine bottle and spun it dramatically on the table. "Spin-the-bottle. Office edition. No backing out. Whoever it lands on kisses someone of their choosing."
Laughter erupted around the table. Erin blinked, unsure whether to laugh or groan. She glanced at Xander, expecting him to shut it down, but to her surprise, he leaned back in his chair, one brow raised.
"Seems fair," he murmured.
The bottle was placed on the table. Someone spun it once. It landed on Rhea from finance, who pecked her boyfriend shyly. A few others followed — light laughter, awkward pecks, giggles over who'd get who next.
The bottle spun. Around and around. The air shifted, laughter quieted, and everyone leaned in.
It slowed.
Slowed.
And stopped—pointing directly at Xander.
The table roared with cheers and teasing shouts.
"CEO privilege revoked!" someone called.
"Who's the lucky one?" another chimed.
Xander stood slowly, adjusting the cuffs of his suit. The room hushed with anticipation. His eyes flicked from face to face, lingering a moment on each woman. Some leaned forward. Others smiled coyly.
Then, without a word, his gaze landed on Erin.
Her breath hitched.
He walked toward her, slow and deliberate. The hush in the room turned into a tense quiet, all eyes on them. Erin could hear her own heartbeat, impossibly loud in her ears.
When he reached her, he didn't speak. He simply cupped her cheek, leaned in—and kissed her.
It wasn't rushed. Wasn't playful or teasing. It was firm, lingering. His lips moved with unspoken intention, warm and commanding, and she felt the room disappear for a heartbeat, then another. And for a split second, Erin kissed him back before remembering where they were.
Gasps. A few whistles. Some stifled laughter. And yet… silence beneath it all.
When he pulled back, Erin sat frozen, her eyes wide and lips parted slightly.
Xander gave her a small, unreadable smile, then turned and returned to his seat like nothing had happened.
Cole let out a dramatic sigh. "Well, damn. That was not just for the game."
Laughter erupted again, and the teasing resumed. Erin tried to match their smiles, but her mind was spinning faster than the bottle had.
---
In the Car
The ride back was quiet at first, only the hum of the engine filling the space. Erin stared out the window, trying to calm her racing thoughts. Her cheeks still burned. She could feel where his hand had cupped her, where his lips had pressed.
"It was just for show," Xander said suddenly, his voice low. "Don't get any ideas."
Erin gave a small breath of laughter. "Oh, of course."
She turned slightly, still not meeting his gaze. "It's just… that was my second kiss."
He blinked, glancing at her.
"The first," she murmured, "was in the car. Remember?"
A pause.
"You mean that time I—"
"Nothing." She waved it off quickly, leaning her head back against the seat. "It's nothing."
Xander didn't press, but he kept his eyes on her a second longer than he should have.
Erin closed her eyes briefly. The alcohol. The long day. The swirling tension.
The edges of her vision began to blur.