God, the way she looked, pink from laughter, her eyes sparkling. I want to make her laugh like that, want to see her head go back, see her lose control. But the thought of her losing control takes my mind to other places, and I pull it back.
I sip my tea and stare out at the city and try not to think too much at all. Then I go to bed.
I wake, suddenly, a few hours later, and turn over, the sheets smooth against my skin. It’s good to have space again, to be honest. Katya liked to twine herself around me at night, almost suffocating me. I finally feel as though I can breathe. It’s still dark and I blink, wondering what’s woken me. Then my phone buzzes. I grab it from the teak bedside table. There are several messages on the screen and a missed call, all from Scott. I frown, rubbing a hand over my face as I sit up. I press play on the first of the messages.
“Hey, Myles.” Scott’s voice sounds strangely slurred. “At the hospital, uh, yeah.” There’s muffled talking and then someone else takes over. “Myles, it’s Sally. He’s broken his ankle, really badly.” Her voice is shaking. My heart sinks. “We’re at the hospital now, will keep you posted.”
The next message is also from Sally. “He’s had to go in for surgery to repair it. I don’t know how long he’s going to be out of the office.” She sounds weary and I check the time of the message. 2am. What the fuck happened? I don’t bother checking any of the other messages, immediately calling Scott’s number.
Sally answers. “Hello?”
“Sal, it’s Myles. What the hell is going on? You okay?”
“Oh, Myles.” I can hear the relief in her voice. “You won’t believe this. You know we’re going skiing later this year… well, we were… Anyway, Scott decided to take Aaron to try skiing at one of those indoor slopes last night, and somehow managed to snap his ankle. Aaron says he was trying trick jumps, honestly.”
I can imagine her rolling her eyes, and try not to laugh, despite how serious this sounds.
“Sal, don’t worry. Just make sure Scott is taken care of, and that you’re all okay. Tell him to take the time he needs to heal. He can come back when he’s able.”
“He won’t be able to go with you to Morocco next week. You going to be okay with that? Is there someone else you can take instead?”
“Honestly, don’t worry. Just take care of yourselves and let me know if you need anything. I can sort the rest out.”
I hear someone else speaking, distantly, then Sally comes back to me. “I have to go, but thanks, Myles. I’ll be in touch. Love you.”
“Love you too.” I hang up, then rub my chin, thinking.
Screw the trip. The main thing is that Scott is okay. I can manage the business side of things by myself. What I need is someone to manage all the other stuff. My mind flits to a possibility.
No.
I can’t do it. Not to her, nor to myself.
But at the same time, it makes a hell of a lot of sense. Who better to take on a business trip than my personal assistant? I just have to make sure to keep it professional, that’s all.
A couple of hours later, I’m in the office. It’s still early, but it gives me time to gather my thoughts and prepare myself. I’m still questioning the wisdom of my decision, can almost hear the lawyers’ voices in my head. Maybe I’m punishing myself, considering how I feel about her, how she makes me feel. But at the same time, I didn’t get where I am today without taking risks. And this, while it feels like a risk, also feels like a rush. The most exciting decision I’ve made in a long time. I can’t think too much about why that is. All I can do is go with it and see what happens, while trying to remember that nothing is supposed to happen between us.
While she’s working for me, anyway.
As my gaze goes to her still empty desk, I feel something else in my chest. Uncertainty. I can’t remember the last time I felt that. But I don’t know if she’ll say yes. And, I realise, I want her to. I need her.
ChapterSeven
Zara
“I’m sorry, you want me…”
“To come to Morocco with me next week. You do have a passport, don’t you?”
“Uh, yes, I do.” I did. Eloise had insisted on going to Greece for her hen do and I, as maid of honour, had arranged it all for her. I’d renewed my passport just before we left.
“Great. Then it’s settled. You can take Scott’s accommodation– you’ve arranged it all, anyway.”
I gape at him. When I arrived this morning, I hadn’t been surprised to see him in the office. Myles often came in early to work. But this? I feel as though I’ve been hit by a brick.
“Is there something else?” His dark brows draw together. “You are free, aren’t you?” His frown deepens. “I’dprefer you to come along if you can, to keep things running smoothly.”
“Um, actually, I have something on next week.”
