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When the doors of the elevator open and I find no Gina and no coffee, I frown, peeking down the corridor. And then I remember, I’m late. I stride to my office, resisting breaking out in a skip, and pass a bemused-looking Gina at her desk. “Morning,” I say, letting myself through the door, leaving it open, knowing she’ll be three paces behind me.
Shrugging off my jacket, I pull my waistcoat down at the hem and take a seat, turning on my computer. “What have you got for me?” I ask, seeing her by the door.
She doesn’t speak, not for a while, but I don’t entertain the questioning I know is written all over my assistant’s face. Instead, I get to work. It’s going to be a constructive day. Clicking my way through my emails, I hum to myself, tapping my foot under my desk.
“Why are you late?” she eventually asks, flattening my intention of keeping things strictly business. “You’re never late. Why are you late?” She takes a seat across from me, and I turn in my chair to face her. She looks worried.
“Can’t the boss come into work late if he chooses to?”
“Not when the boss has been in work no later than eight o’clock every single day for the past seven years.”
“Maybe the boss fancied a lie-in.” I rest back in my chair and wedge my elbows on the arms, linking my hands. “Or maybe the boss went on a date last night.”
“With who?”
Shit . . .
I need to fix my brain to mouth filter. “Jenna.” It’s the first name that comes to me.
Her eyes widen, justifiably. “You mean a proper date? One where you took a woman out for dinner without the sole intention of fucking her?”
I tilt my head in feigned pondering, if only to reassure Gina that the body snatchers haven’t completely robbed me. But the truth is, she’s bang on the money. “Don’t get carried away.” I force the words on a frown, when what I actually want to do is tap-dance on my desk. “But she’s a great girl.”
“What have you done with my boss?” Gina asks seriously. “My boss doesn’t see women for what they are, great or not. He sees a hole to fill.”
I wince, however right she is. I’ve lost count of how many calls she’s shielded me from over the years of ex-fucks. But Lainey . . . she’s different. I’m still trying to figure out what it is about her that intrigues me so much. It’s not about wanting what’s forbidden, either. I’ve been attracted to many women who work for my firm, Gina included, but the thought of bedding any one of them has never crossed my mind. Lainey, however, is crisscrossing, zigzagging, tugging, and shoving at my mind by the minute. I was sure I could fuck her and scratch the itch. I was wrong. I really do like her, and that’s a problem, because I still shouldn’t be going there.
“Ty?”
I look up at Gina. “What?”
Her head lowers suspiciously. “Where were you just then?”
I grab my mouse and scroll it aimlessly around my screen. “Wondering if you’re going to tell me about my day.”
She huffs, annoyed, looking down at the iPad in her lap. She runs her finger down the length of the screen. “You have a meeting at eleven with the design department.”
“Yep.”
“I had all your drawings and slides arranged in a portfolio ready for your next meeting with Pyra.”
“Great. Have they come back with a time?”
“Monday at eight, though they’ve suggested meeting at their studio so you can familiarize yourself with it.”
“Familiarize myself with sexy lingerie?” I cock a cheeky eyebrow.
Gina rolls her eyes. “I know. Ironic, isn’t it? What is it about this stuff, anyway?”
“Stuff? You mean the lace and all things sexy?”
“You’re right. Stupid question.”
I return to my screen. “Why don’t you come along with me?”
“To the meeting?”
“Sure.”
“A day out of my cage?”
“Don’t be sarcastic. You want to come or not?”
“Sure. It’s a few stops on the Tube. I’ll meet you there at eight.”
“Great. Is that it?”
“I don’t know. I’m all askew because you’re late.”
“I’ll be sure not to knock your day off balance again.” Talking of off balance, Mother hasn’t called me this morning. I grab my phone and dial her. “I have a few calls to make,” I say, prompting Gina to stand.
“Okay.” She frowns. “Let me know if you need me to recheck Pyra’s portfolio once you’ve gone over it.”
“Got it.”
My mum answers, so I kick up my feet up on my desk. “You okay, Mum?”
“Yes, darling, I’m wonderful.”
“You didn’t call this morning.”
“I didn’t want to disturb you,” she says, and I roll my eyes as Gina shuts the door. “How was the rest of your evening?”
“Lovely,” I answer honestly. I can hear her trying to keep her excitement at bay.
