And there’s no doubt in my mind it’s a business meeting. Why else would they both be dressed for an interview?
My pulse quickens, unease setting in as I consider the possibilities. None of them good.
I pull out my phone and snap a picture.
The barista returns with my order, and I scan my watch to pay before leading Oreo outside. She whines for her treat, but I’m too busy texting Beck to worry about dog biscuits. I need to get showered and get to the office.
Me:Meet me in the executive suite in 45 minutes. Need your help with something urgent.
I wait for Beck’s reply, checking my phone every few seconds as Oreo and I make our way back to the condo.
A few minutes later, three little dots appear on the screen.
Beck:Everything ok?
Well, isn’t that the million-dollar question?
Me:Not sure.
When I arrive at the office, Miles and Beck are already there. The reception area is quiet, but it’s not the usual hum of typing and muted phone calls. Tension hangs in the air and everyone works hard not to make eye contact. Even Jonathan has a look of deep concentration on his face as he stares at his monitor.
It’s hard to believe all of this results from Beck’s presence—which is the only anomaly—but then again, it’s also the first time I’ve ever seen Jonathan look remotely busy, so anything’s possible.
I go straight to Scarlett’s desk and extend Oreo’s leash. “I need you to watch Oreo this morning.”
Her hair is pulled back in a loose braid and there’s a healthy glow in her cheeks that has my cock taking notice, but this is hardly the time to tell her she looks gorgeous. Or that I couldn’t stop thinking about her after she left last night. Or even that I’d like to see her again.
She climbs to her feet, eyes wide. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, fine.” It’s not a lie exactly. Things might be fine. I won’t know until Beck works his magic.
“Oh, before I forget.” She reaches for a stack of colorful prints. “I wanted to show you the final posters for the Val social. The announcement will go out via email today and it’ll be posted on the company intranet, but I didn’t want to leave anything to chance, so I’m going to hang posters around campus—”
“I’m sure the posters are fine,” I say, backing away from her desk. “But I don’t have time to look at them right now. I’ve got more important things to worry about at the moment.”
Hurt flashes across her face, but it’s gone so quickly—replaced with blank stoicism—that I might’ve imagined it.
Oreo yips, and I retrieve the biscuit from my pocket, tossing it to her in one swift move. Then I turn to Rebecca and inform her that my brothers and I are not to be disturbed.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Scarlett
I watch in silence as Nick disappears into Beck’s office and closes the door. His dismissive attitude stings. It’s not the first time he’s brushed me off, but it’s the first time he’s done it just twelve hours after I shared my body with him. After he branded me with his kisses and gave me the best goddamn orgasm of my life.
It’s like he had a full-blown personality transplant.
Gone is the man who shared the painful details of his childhood. The sensuous, devoted lover who put my pleasure before his own. In his place is the cold, aloof CEO who only has eyes for his company.
What did you expect?
I chew my bottom lip. Maybe I’m being too sensitive. I’ve never had a no-strings hookup before. It’s unfamiliar territory. But even I know that whatever we shared last night is separate from our working relationship.
Or he’s being an asshat.
It’s not like I was expecting him to come in this morning and profess his love. What we have is just sex. I get that. But a little common courtesy wouldn’t hurt.
Dammit. I should’ve called him out—and I would have—except he caught me off guard. I was…unprepared.
