I turned and peered around. The walls and built-in bookshelves were painted an almost black peacock blue. Wall sconces threw tempered light up to the ceiling while dimmed downlights in the center of the ceiling squares between the white-plastered, coffered ceiling beams threw soft light around the room, which spilled over two plush, scarlet lounges. Velvet cushions the color of the lounge and walls were strategically placed along the couches, which were side-on to the windows, facing the wall of bookshelves and centered fireplace and TV.
“Wow. This is lush and cozy. If I had this place, I’d never go out. How do you drag yourself into work every day?”
“When you put it like that, I don’t really know. Actually, I do. I have a home office, but I focus better at headquarters.” That didn’t surprise me—in fact, it impressed me. He seemed like a driven man, especially knowing that he was fighting his father a lot of the way. Where he found the energy for that and running a massive company, I had no idea, especially when he was rich enough to not work at all. “My father also expects me to lead by example—if the employees see me working my ass off, they will too.” He shrugged. “There aren’t many things we agree on, but that’s one.” Hebreathed out a resigned sigh. “Anyway, I didn’t bring you here to discuss my difficult relationship with my father. We have a lot of work to cover.”
I am not going to be disappointed if we don’t have sex. Repeat after me, vagina. His job was on the line, and I didn’t want to be responsible for two people being out of work, even though he could afford to be, in a monetary sense. But it was an issue of pride, of proving someone wrong, someone who should’ve had his back but instead was happy to believe the worst about him. “I’ve got your back… Mr. Knight.” Argh, were we on a first-name basis, or was he my boss while we worked and Curtis when we, you know…?
He chuckled. “I think you can call me Curtis, unless you have a formality kink.” He held his hand up. “These fingers have been inside you.”
My eyes widened. He did not! The blood vessels in my cheeks were ready to explode. Were normal people really this open about sex? I cleared my throat to kickstart my startled voice. “Um, yes… they have.”
Concern etched in his forehead and at the corners of his eyes. “You don’t regret it, do you?”
I swallowed. “No! Of course not. I’m just a bit… not used to talking about this stuff after the fact. I’ve never been with anyone who was so open about discussing it. If I didn’t want it to happen, I would’ve said no. Promise. You’ll always know where you stand with me.” Mark probably didn’t want to discuss it after the fact because he didn’t care whether I got off or not, and he didn’t want me criticizing him. Whatever, he was old news. I had the orgasm whisperer for a while, and I was going to take full advantage. “I loved everything about what happened in your office, except the part where you didn’t have a happy ending.”
He laughed. “A happy ending. Isn’t that what they have in romance novels?”
It was my turn to laugh. “That’s a different kind of happy ending. Well, I guess they have both.”
“At the risk of changing the subject, would you like anything to eat or drink before we get started?”
In my nervousness about tonight, I hadn’t had anything to eat before he picked me up. “I am a bit hungry, actually. I’ll eat just about anything, except offal, snails, and frogs.”
His dimples flashed with amusement. “What do you think I am?”
“A super rich guy. Don’t you all eat ridiculous food just because it’s exotic and expensive?” I was joking around. I didn’t really think that. “Although I can get onboard with caviar and smoked salmon. So if that’s your poison, don’t let me stop you.” I grinned.
He shook his head, still smiling. “How does Thai food sound? Are you okay with spice?”
“Yep. Sounds excellent. And I’m happy to pay my share. I don’t expect you to pay for everything.” I didn’t want him to think I was a freeloader. I’d made a joke about rich people, but I hated taking advantage. It wasn’t me.
“Don’t be ridiculous. This is a work meeting. It’ll go on the company credit card. And before you say anything, it’s in your contract that you get dinner when working after six.”
I frowned. “No it’s not.” I’d written it myself, so I knew.
He pointed to his leather carry-all. “I’ve attached an addendum. There are also donuts at eleven and lunch at one. And there’s nothing you can do about it.” He looked very pleased with himself.
I rolled my eyes. “You had me at donuts. Fine. You win.”
He smirked. “Always.”
Where I was concerned, I didn’t doubt it. It would be a miracle if I survived the end of this without torn knees, a bleeding forehead, skinned palms, and a bruised heart.
The fall was going to be straight onto concrete from a greatheight. They were going to have to scrape me off the pavement. I guessed there were worse ways to go, and at least the fall was going to be a heck of an experience.
CHAPTER 26
CURTIS
Igot to the office early to avoid questions about where I’d disappeared to. A temp from an external agency arrived at nine, along with Aunt Steph, who’d knocked on my door to introduce us. Once the introductions were finished, the temp got to work, and Aunt Steph invited herself into my office. I relaxed my bunched jaw muscles. She wouldn’t see any cracks in my confidence. I was the CEO, and everyone around me needed to believe it. Including me. As much as I had anger toward her for it, I knew she didn’t have much choice. My father always got what he wanted, one way or the other, and Aunt Steph was his subordinate. As her older brother, he’d bossed her around their whole lives. I wished I couldn’t sympathize with her, but I could.
Aunt Steph sat in one of the guest chairs on the other side of my desk. I managed to refrain from moving to the window, staying in my chair.
I sat back and let her start.
“How are you? Margie and then Faith leaving, well, it’s not great timing.”
“No, it’s not. But what can you do?” I linked my hands, and rested them on my stomach. I was a picture of relaxation. “How have you been? I know you had great hopes for Faith. Shame it didn’t work out. Did she tell you why she was leaving?” Let her think I had no idea what the fuck was going on. Thanks to Faith, I finally knew more than Aunt Steph and my father. Who would’ve thought the coffee-spilling, donut-squishing disaster would become my sole valued ally? I let the pleasure of that creep onto my face in a minuscule smile. She wasn’t even here, and she was giving me support.
