He resisted the urge to make a remark about deprogramming as he toyed with one of Meghana’s yarn figures. “As I said before, it’s given me a lot to think about. Particularly with regard to some of the shortfalls in our company.”
The corners of the HR director’s mouth tightened. “Such as?”
“Such as an emphasis on the diversity our company claims to want to champion.” His suit creaked as he leaned forward. “I’m sure we have data on the demographic makeup of our employees. We’ve sent out enough opt-in surveys. Someone should do a deep-dive into that and work on some spotlight panels for cultural inclusivity.”
Meghana’s frown deepened thoughtfully. “That isn’t a bad idea.”
“Of course it’s not. It’s a very good idea—it was Jay’s.” He watched her expression become guarded. “She has a lot of good ideas that aren’t being utilized as Arthur’s secretary.”
“I believe the role is called ‘administrative assistant.’”
“Don’t we have a VP role open?” he mused, keeping one eyetrained on her face. “What are the optics of having her run for it?”
“Does she want to run for it?”
“Yes,” he lied. If Jay hadn’t considered it already, he would see to it that she did. His conversation with Annica had been good for one thing: it had given him an insight into how other people viewed Jay’s role in this company, and how that might be perceived if her relationship with him were outed while she was still a lowly subordinate.
If she was going to marry him, she needed a better job.
Meghana sighed and rubbed at her temples. “It wouldn’t look particularly goodconsidering your history, but it’s not completely unfeasible. She’s a very good employee and came highly recommended from her previous employer.” She shot him a look that said,Don’t get any ideas. “The endorsement would look better coming from Arthur than it would from you.”
“I understand.”
“And there would have to be paperwork.”
Nicholas nodded, barely listening. Arthur would endorse her—he loved Jay. He thought she shone like his wife. And while Meghana seemed hesitant now, promoting a woman from within always got corporate hard. His father’s conduct had left a visible taint on the company’s reputation that they were all desperate to scrub off, and Jay, with her squeaky-clean image and genuine warmth, had the authenticity that corporations desperately craved.
And she won’t be a “kept woman” if she’s netting a cool six figures of her own, will she?
Yes, he thought, with satisfaction. This solution was going to fix everything.
“Speaking of signing—” Meghana slid a paper across the desk “—I need your signature on this form. It’s your notice of completion, for our records.”
“And then we’re done. No more sensitivity training.”
It hadn’t been a question but Meghana chose to treat it like one. “Yes, this marks your program as officially complete.”
Fucking finally. “Good.” He scrawled his name on it and asked, “Is that all?”
“That’s all.”
Nicholas swung out of the chair eagerly, grateful to be out of that too-colorful office and its oppressively correct and sterile atmosphere.
His phone lit up with a text and his mouth curved into a smile when he saw it was from Jay.
There you are, he thought.Couldn’t stay away from me, could you, little bird?
I have big plans for you.
She’d probably finished packing early and was texting to let him know she was returning home. He could arrange her transportation, see to it that she had dinner and a warm bath—and then pay her back for that photo that she’d sent him in her underwear.
Maybe I’ll tie her to the bed and fuck her tits, since she’s so eager to show them off, he thought, stirring at the mental image of a bound and helpless Jay spread out over his sheets.
His smile disappeared as he scanned the texts. “Oh, fuck.”
“Mr. Beaucroft?”
He looked up. Stacey was staring at him with a look of concern. “It’s nothing,” he said gruffly. “I just forgot to pick up my dry cleaning.”
