***
Alexa
What the hell is going on? Why is Leo being such an asshole? What have I done? I look down at the article, Josh Barker? No way could Leo be serious about investing in Barker, the guy was a clown. This has to be busy work. Barker is so prolific this will take all day. The report he’d given me earlier had me sweating bullets to finish, and I was barely able to. What the hell?
What I really want to know is, why if I’m so pissed off at Leo and wanting to throw my stapler at his face did I still want to throw myself at him? Why am I still going hot and liquid when his eyes are on me? And why, if he was so mean to me were his eyes still running over me as heavy as a touch? It’s only my second day, and I feel like I’m losing my mind.
Now a working lunch with Drake Hawthorne. I know Drake Hawthorne, not well, I met him a little more than five years ago at a dinner. He’d been nice to me, taking the time to talk to me instead of ignoring me, like most of the men did at the table. I was used to being ignored when I went as Ernest’s secretary. I was there to take notes and remember things he wouldn’t the next day, it still never became easy to have people look through me. Drake wasn’t only polite, he was nice, drawing me into the conversation for most of the night. I liked him, now I’m going to have to lie to him too. I’m so tired of all this lying.
***
Leo
How is this possible? I’m almost done with the now twenty-four-page report and aside from some dropped commas and run on sentences the damn thing is perfect. My red pen is poised only there is nothing to mark, no questions I have, no point left incomplete. How had she done this? I check her typing speed again. There is nothing, not a single thing in this report where it fails to meet my high standards. I’m fucked.
***
Alexa
I’m reading through the report with all of seven minutes to spare, and I’m proud of what I’ve put together. I also see why Leo wanted an in-depth report on Barker. I hit print and stretch as I stand. My neck is tight with tension. I’m sure the report isn’t missing anything but I’m already preparing for the next swing Leo is looking to send my way. I wonder for the twentieth time why he’s so pissed at me. When the printer finishes I bind it together and prepare to take it into Leo.
When I turn, Leo is standing in front of my desk. His eyes are narrowed. “You are done already?”
Nodding, I hand him the report. “Was there anything else, sir?”
He shakes his head as he snatches it from me. “Be ready to go in an hour.”
I lean against the desk in relief when he’s gone.
***
Leo
Drake is waiting at the restaurant, chatting to the smiling hostess. I see red at his hands on Alexa then his lips on her cheek when he greets her. I am unaware I make a sound. Drake’s eyes are on me, he drops his hands showing them to me as he steps away from Alexa. It is not nearly enough. I see his surprise and apology. I refuse to answer either. The hostess is showing Alexa to the table. I do not move, neither does Drake.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I had no idea. Take a breath, Leo. I would never have touched her if I’d known. I was just being friendly, she looks miserable. Please remember, I am very much in love with my wife before you give me the bloody nose you want to. Are you okay?”
The blood has cleared from my eyes as I work to control my anger. I had wanted to rearrange Drake’s face for a solid minute. No, I am not okay. I shake my head. “This is—it’s not, this will pass. I just need to give it time.”
Drake smiles. “Yeah, that’s what I thought when I met Ria.”
Hell no, “Our situations are very different. Alexa Clark is my employee. Forget it.”
Lunch is torture, Drake smiles at Alexa often, and she’s glowing. I am back to wanting to rearrange his face again. I cannot keep my eyes off her.
Once we’re back in the car Alexa opens her mouth to say something, I cut her off. “Drake Hawthorne is married to a beautiful woman, and unlike you, apparently, he respects his vows and his wife. It was repulsive watching you flirt with him.”
Fuck. She looks as if I slapped her. She flinches. The hurt in her eyes is raw. I blink, and it’s gone. In its place is that ice cold look in her eyes. She is looking through me as she nods. “Yes, sir.”
I tell myself it’s what I want. It’s not, not even close.
9
Wednesday
Leo
When the elevators open, Alexa does not acknowledge me. I toss the newspaper on her desk. “Find out everything you can about Elizabeth Ward. I want her in here tomorrow.”