Page 12 of Watching Her

“Of course. Sir. Is there anything you need me to do about Covington?”

My head was already pounding, the noise completely unacceptable. For whatever reason, the light burn on my forearm began to bother me when it hadn’t since the incident. Another annoying situation in a growing list of them.

Yet as I rubbed my eyes, longing for a stiff drink, I noticed a girl walking from the room by herself. She didn’t appear dazed or as if she was friendless. More as if she was in control, studying the hotel itself with full disdain. Seriously? She weaved her way through the crowd toward one of the kiosks set up for vendors attending the convention.

And in those moments, she held my rapt attention.

I could tell by the upturn of her nose that something troubled her. When she noticed a member of my staff floating by, certainly no one who had anything to do with event services, she didn’t stop him. She confronted him. Maybe the bellman’s outfit didn’t register because she was actively in conversation with the poor guy, who appeared to be shrinking before my eyes.

Perhaps she was coordinator of the conference.

Given her obvious attitude, I should be furious she’d dare berate one of my own. Perhaps that would come later. What struck me was not only her defiance but also her beauty. Women didn’t faze me, at least not in the way as with most red-blooded males. I’d had my share of them, especially those only hungering for a better standing in the various levels of society.

My ex-wife included.

While I admired beauty, I fulfilled my hunger on my terms and not with stunning raven-haired beauties with such incredible and vibrant eyes. They weren’t just blue; they were the color of the Atlantic just before a storm, a deep, churning navy that held a quiet kind of power. Looking into them, I’d felt as if I’d been standing on the edge of a vast, uncharted shore.

Even now, watching her offered an out of body moment, the noise that had triggered distant anger suddenly disappearing.

A strange, highly sadistic series of desires wrapped around my mind. Just like in the old days when seducing women had been child’s play, a testing ground allowing me to acquire more power and influence. That hadn’t occurred in years.

My desire was turning into something else altogether.

When she briefly turned her head in my direction, her eyes locking with mine from a distance, there was no recognition. That’s how intent her discussion was.

“Sir?”

I vaguely heard Jessica’s voice, my full concentration on the unknown beauty while filthy images tinkered with my limited conscience. I wasn’t here to play. However, she was tempting.

A deep, dark need furrowed in my soul, the kind of hunger that spawned possessiveness. It had been a long time since I’d felt something so demanding. And potentially sadistic in nature.

Before I went off the deep end, I turned away. “Just see what else you can find out for me. I’ll be back in the office on Monday.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And one more thing. Go home.”

“Will you ever tell me the full story with Mr. Marks and why his office had been cleaned out?”

“My sweet Jessica. You of all people should know by now that you shouldn’t ask what you don’t want a truthful answer to.”

I ended the call, resisting the urge to turn back in her direction. I hadn’t flown all the way to San Diego for an intimate encounter, even if my cock was in full disagreement.

Damn it. How long had it been since I’d gotten laid? Maybe that was the issue.

Apparently, I needed to have a conversation with the event coordinator to see how long the Triton guests could expect to be inconvenienced. I reminded myself to keep my cool.

The mystery woman was furious, enough so her entire body tensed, but she finally left the employee alone, taking long strides in the opposite direction down the corridor.

Even before she was out of sight, he visibly slumped, placing his hand over his heart and taking several deep breaths.

I moved through the crowd toward him, immediately noticing his nametag. “John. Do you mind telling me what you were being berated over?”

He was startled to see me or that I was talking to him, immediately straightening while his lower lip quivered. Yes, my reputation preceded me everywhere I went. I demanded perfection in all things and from every employee.

“Mr. Tempest. I’m so sorry. I was merely taking a couple seconds to regroup.”

“That’s fine, John. Just tell me what our guest was concerned about.”