GRAYSON
“You were shirtless in front of your assistant?”
“That is not the takeaway from this story. She was eating my food and, I don’t know, dancing in my ballroom. She told me she wanted to take me to Disney World. Isn’t that harassment? She had an iguana. It attacked me. I was covered in frosting.”
“Did it leave a mark?” Marius asked.
“No.” I glowered. “She said I looked good covered in frosting.”
“Sounds like quite the party.” Marius raised an eyebrow.
“I need her gone,” I insisted.
Marius sighed heavily.
“Have you been sleeping lately?” he asked gently, reaching out to rest a hand on my arm. “I used to live with you, and I know you used to have trouble …”
“I’m fine.” I tore away from him.
“I’m just worried you might be obsessing because—”
“I’m not obsessing. I’m fine. Lexi is fine. There’s no problem. She can stay employed. Forget I asked about firing her.”
“So you’re going to Disney World?”
I bared my teeth at him.
“It’s a joke.” Marius coaxed, “Why don’t you come out, have a drink, relax?”
“I’m busy.”
“Planning your Disney vacation?” A smile danced around his lips.
You should smile more, not for me but for you.
That’s what the note had said in my running shoe, anyway.
I allowed myself a small smile.
“I don’t think so.”
Marius clapped me on the shoulder. “Hang in there. I’m here if you need anything.”
“I always appreciate your legal counsel.”
He saluted and picked up his coffee mug.
If I had been able to think quickly, I would have come up with a reason, maybe a contract question or asking his thoughts on one of the legal cases floating through the court systems, but now Marius was gone and I was trapped in my office, just me and my memories.
But not those memories.
The ones from yesterday.
With Lexi, eating that ridiculous cupcake, her tongue darting out, the way she had looked at me with desire …
“You’re imagining it,” I growled, wishing I was at the penthouse so I could go into the home gym and slam my fists in the punching bag over and over until I felt like puking.
I tried to focus on the annoyance at her letting that scaly monster in my bathroom. It was unsanitary. The nerve of her to just waltz in my penthouse like she owned it, like she was entitled to it.
