Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“If you wouldn’t mind closing the door on your way out,” I add as they step into the hall.
Once we’re alone, I force myself to steady. If I don’t stop this now, Hugh will fire her, and I don’t want to see that happen.
I turn to Hugh. “Would you really throw away one of the best PR strategists we’ve had over a photo?”
He studies me for a beat, his expression hard and unyielding as carved stone. “It’s not just a photo. It’s a full-blown relationship. She knew the rules when we hired her, and she’s the one who compromised her position, Evie.”
The sound of the old endearment sliding off his tongue strikes something deep inside. Once upon a time, his voice meant safety.
Now it sounds more like a threat.
“Don’t,” I murmur. “Not here.”
Not anywhere.
But Hugh is a man who does what he wants and gets what he wants. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be living in his penthouse for the season.
He smirks faintly. “Would you prefer I call you ‘sweetheart’? Because I don’t mind one bit.”
I glare, hoping it’ll curtail the direction of this conversation. “Can we focus, please?”
“Certainly. I think you have a soft spot for the girl.”
He’s right about that, but I’ll never admit it. Rina reminds me too much of myself at that age—ambitious and determined not to bend unless forced. I won’t let Hugh be the one to break her.
“She’s good at her job,” I say instead. “Too good to lose over a discretion.”
When he rises, I tilt my chin to maintain eye contact as he circles his desk and swallows up the distance between us.
Each movement is deliberate.
Predatory.
The clock on the wall ticks steadily, unrelenting, until each second feels like a dare.
“This will turn into a scandal,” he says.
“We’ll do everything we can to keep it quiet.”
“We both know that’s nearly impossible. Cameras are everywhere now. They’re ready to catch every stolen glance, every touch you think no one sees.”
A long-forgotten memory surfaces before I can stop it. The sound of his voice the night he ended our engagement, polite and final, like a business transaction instead of the breaking of my heart.
The silence continues to stretch until it’s on the verge of snapping. His gaze pins me where I sit. What I’ve learned with him is that the quiet is where the danger lives.
I close my eyes and attempt to steady myself.
Just for a second.
Just long enough to remember why I swore I’d never let him close again.
“Unfortunately for Rina,” he says, “it looks like she’ll be out of a job.”
My tongue darts out to moisten my lips as I rise to my feet. “No.”
“No?”
“Rina stays.”
“Does she now? Because I have the ironclad contract she signed, and a small fleet of lawyers I pay to enforce it.”
“I’d be willing to compromise on some of the rules I set in order for Rina’s position to remain safe.”
We move like chess pieces on a board—his advance and my retreat—until the backs of my thighs hit the edge of his desk and I find myself half-seated on the polished mahogany surface.
“You have my attention,” he says. “Go on.”
He presses closer until it becomes necessary for me to hold myself up with my hands. “What is it that you want, Hugh? Haven’t you already taken enough from me?”
His eyes darken with something that isn’t quite remorse. “You think I don’t remember what we had? Or regret how it ended?”
It’s strange how convincing the lie sounds as it slides off his lips.
“What do you want?” I repeat, redirecting the conversation to safer terrain.
His mouth curves. “You.”
We both know exactly what he’s asking for and what I swore I’d never give again.
“It’s your decision. What’s it going to be?”
I lift my chin. “Do I really have a choice?”
“Absolutely.” His voice is velvet and steel, low enough to feel rather than hear. “You can say no.”
Maybe I can.
But I can’t afford to lose Rina. The board would crucify me if they ever found out about any of this. But firing the younger woman would cost more. It’s something I can’t put on paper or justify in a meeting.
“Or… you can say yes, Evie.” His eyes stay locked on mine. “And we’ll play it your way.”
I should order him to sit down and act like the professional he pretends to be.
Instead, I nod.
“Not good enough.” His hand rises, thumb tracing my lower lip. “I want to hear your answer.”
“Fine.” A heavy beat kicks beneath my skin, giving me away.
His mouth curves faintly. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Then she stays. And I’ll collect at the time of my choosing.”
He steps back, the space between us cooling in an instant. My knees threaten to give way, though I’m not sure if it’s from relief or regret.
He broke me once without ever laying a hand on me.
And I won’t allow it to happen for a second time.