Could there be another reason for him leaving my suite without saying anything? What could it be? How can I find out without sounding like I’m begging him to be interested in me?
God, I’m so pathetic. I’ve already been an ass for Randy. I can’t afford to keep looking like a dipshit. I’ll be professional. I can do that. Millions of people work every day with a boss they can’t stand. How hard can it be?
Chapter Seventeen
Damon
ONCE CHLOE LEAVES, I slump in my chair. The entire situation is overwhelming, as I never expected to see her again. While that thought had been painful to accept, seeing her again is like a sword slicing through my gut.
The moment I looked up and saw her standing beside my business partner will be forever seared into my brain. She was as gorgeous as ever, but her innocence had been replaced with a vulnerability I wasn’t expecting. I don’t want to see her as needing protection. I want to hate her for lying to me. For using me. But I can’t.
I equally wanted to get down on my knees and thank God for putting her back in my life. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.
For one, she never told me who she was, so it’s evident she isn’t looking for another round in the sheets. And for two, she’s my business partner’s daughter. He obviously adores her and would likely cut my dick off for even thinking about having sex with her.
What the fuck do I do? My head spins as I contemplate my choices. Shit. There isn’t anything to do. We had a magical fantasy weekend together, and this is real life.
Real life isn’t a bunch of singing and dancing unicorns, sprinkling fairy dust out their asses. It’s time to get back to work and pretend the whole thing never occurred. I buzz my assistant, Allyson Riggs.
“Yes, sir?”
“Can you come in for a minute?”
“Absolutely.”
She clicks off the intercom, and I shift my head from side to side. Unfortunately, I’m not rewarded with the sound of popping, which is a clear indication of the level of stress I’m facing. My muscles are screaming their frustration.
Allyson breezes through the door with an enormous smile on her face. She has platinum blonde hair, bright red lipstick, and her cleavage is slightly exposed. How did I never notice that? I blink and return my attention to her face.
Surely, she didn’t look like that earlier today. I would have noticed. Wouldn’t I? Granted, Chloe has taken up most of my headspace. Maybe, I’ve been too preoccupied to notice.
“What can I help you with, sir?”
“Enough with the, sir.”
“As you wish.” She bites her lower lip and gives me a quick once over. As she walks toward the seat opposite from me, her hips sway with each movement.
After she sits down, she crosses her legs and the slit of her dress parts and exposes her upper thigh.
Nope. I would have noticed if she was coming onto me before. I’ve been preoccupied – not stupid. Something has triggered her inner lioness.
“You look handsome today, Mr. Macklin.”
“Um, thank you.” I guess. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her to call me Damon, but I’m not opening that can of worms. My eyes narrow as I try and figure out her angle.
“I don’t get to see Mr. Morgan very often anymore. Do you think he’ll be in your office a lot?”
Ah. That’s the score. Ms. Riggs has a crush on the big man. Sweetheart, I don’t think you stand a chance. “I don’t know. I would assume so. His daughter is my new intern. So, I’m sure he’ll be around some, but not as much as Ms. Morgan will be.”
“I see.” Her jaw tightens, and a flash of annoyance skips across her face.
“Is that a problem?” I arch an eyebrow and wait for her response.
Her face turns slight pink, and she straightens in the chair. “No. No. Not at all.”
“How well do you know Ms. Morgan?” Obviously, Allyson has an unhealthy obsession with Graham, and I’d be stupid not to use that to my advantage. I don’t know anyone here, so I’m already behind the eight ball when digging for dirt.
“Soraya?” She wrinkles her nose and frowns. “She’s very different than Graham. I don’t see what they have in common at all.”
“No. I don’t mean Soraya. I meant, Chloe, Graham’s daughter.” I fight the urge to groan. That’s what I deserve for trying to get information out of a potential stalker.
“Chloe?” She shrugs. “She’s fine, but she’s a little girl.”
“How old are you?” There can’t be that huge of a difference in their ages. Can there? My heart skips a beat and then slams against my chest. Did Chloe lie to me about her age? My entire body breaks into a sweat.
“I’m twenty-three.” She shifts her hips and crosses her legs in the other direction. This time my attention remains on her face.
For the love of God, please tell me she’s over eighteen. The pounding in my head intensifies until I can hardly concentrate. “How old is Chloe?” Fuck. The words come out as a whisper.
She lifts her hand and stares at her manicured fingernails like the conversation is boring the shit out of her. “She’s twenty-one or twenty-two. I graduated the year before her.”
Oh, thank the Lord. My entire body sags into the chair. For a second there, I had a one-way ticket to hell or to the state penitentiary.
“She’s such a goodie two shoes,” Allyson smirks. “She’s dating some total loser named Randy something or other. The guy is gross.” She twists her head around and looks behind her.
Then, she turns back and leans forward. “I hear he’s having sex with her cousin, Bridgette. Can you believe she’s stupid enough not to know what’s going on behind her back? My friend, Joselyn Blackwell, says they’ve been hooking up since before Christmas. What an idiot.”
Well, this is an enlightening conversation. If everything Chloe told me when we were in Tahoe together is true, why not tell me her real name? “I’m sure Chloe would appreciate it if you didn’t go around spreading that story. And, I believe she broke up with Randy.”
“Who cares? We used to be friends, well, pretend friends. I only hung out with her to see her dad. He’s hot as fuck.” She fans herself.
How in the hell did this woman get a job here? She’s obviously a shit-stirrer and a total flake. Furthermore, how in the hell did I get saddled with her as my assistant? It looks like it’s my lucky day.
“My dad and her dad are friends, so I’ve known them all my life.”
Ah, now that makes sense. A favor for a friend. Does Graham realize what a potential threat Allyson represents?
Chloe
When I get back to Damon’s office, I look around for his assistant. I can’t believe my dad hired Allyson to work for Damon. She’s a total bitch. The woman probably doesn’t even know what a scanner is used for. Surely, Dad doesn’t think we’re still friends.
I shudder and walk across the floor. My heels click on the tile surface. When I reach the door, I knock on it lightly, and the door swings open.
Well, it looks like I’ve found her. Allyson is leaning over Damon’s desk with her tits practically hanging out. A wave of jealousy shoots through me. I want to stalk across the floor and stab her eyes out with a letter opener. To Damon’s credit, he’s not paying any attention to her, and as far as I can tell, he doesn’t realize they have an audience.