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But it wasn’t a few years ago. My brothers weren’t in my corner anymore, and I was so busy cleaning up Lance’s mess that the company’s performance was slipping.
My thoughts drifted to Lola, but not for the reasons they should.
I drummed my fingers on the desk, trying to pry the image of her from my mind, but it was no use. I replayed how she had looked sitting there across from my desk, all prim innocence and bubbly sunshine. If I had a type, it wasn’t her. But I doubted any man could look at her and not feel a tug of attraction–not wonder what it would taste like to drag his tongue up her slender neck and hear a soft moan spill from her lips.
I needed to sleep. Badly. But I knew if I went to my bed I’d only toss and turn. Sleep would come for me in unexpected bursts of a few minutes at a time–just enough to help my drained body plow through one more day.
So I brewed myself a pot of coffee and checked my watch instead. Only a few hours until she would be here again. The thought shouldn’t have made a warm thrill run through me, but it did. I decided I was only anticipating her arrival so much because I depended on her success, not because she was a welcome distraction from the doom hanging over me.
If the board even suspected I’d taken my brother’s niece in my care, they would make their move. It’d be proof that I hadn’t denounced my brothers and that I was going to be as much of a liability as they were.
So I needed Lola. I needed her to keep Max under control long enough for me to figure out how to clean up this mess.
10
LOLA
I walked through the lobby of Stone Tower, feeling a little guilty already for how much time I was spending away from Termite. I knew she didn’t do well with strangers, but I’d thankfully found a sweet young girl Mr. Ashford recommended to dog sit. He said she had a sister and they would come by “more than I wanted” to play with Termite while I was gone since they were still out on summer break.
I recognized the woman at the front desk from yesterday. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of me. “You’re still here?” she asked.
I made a face. “I just got here, actually.”
“No,” she shook her head. “I mean you went up to his office and you’re still here?”
“We just had to talk about my contract. I’m supposed to be up there again. Do I need a code or to have you buzz me up or something? The elevator wouldn’t let me press the button yesterday.”
She was still just staring. “He asked for you to come to his office? Are you sure you heard correctly? His assistants work on the fifty-fourth floor.”
“Yes,” I said, trying to smile and not grimace. “He actually emphasized how important it was for me to be early, and…” I glanced at my phone. “I’m already five minutes late. So I’d really appreciate it if you could just tell me how to make the elevator work.”
Before she could answer, Mr. Stone came storming into the lobby just like he had yesterday. He was glaring at me. “You’re late, Miss Thorn.”
The woman behind the desk took a few steps backward, probably hoping to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
“Sorry,” I said. “My dog slipped out of her collar this morning and made me chase her into a creek. But she has short legs and the current pulled her like a quarter of a mile before I could catch up.”
Mr. Stone stared. “Your dog escaped into a creek this morning and you had to jump in to save her?”
“After I’d already showered. Yes. So I had to shower again. Can you believe that?”
“I don’t, no. This is your first and final warning, Miss Thorn. I do not tolerate tardiness.” He took my arm in his hand and dragged me toward the elevator. I felt like a child getting scolded by her super-hot, grumpy teacher. I should’ve been mortified, but some twisted, perverted part of me hoped we’d get to the spanking part once the elevator doors closed.
Once we were inside, he still had my arm as he punched the button for his office.
“Didn’t you want me to work with Max this morning?”
“First, you’re going to learn how to convince my staff that you’re my assistant.”
“Oh, right.”
I waited for a few beats as the doors closed and the elevator swooshed into motion. “You know you’re still holding my arm, right? I was late, I’m not a flight risk.” I smiled, intending for my words to be a joke. After all, people really did like me. I was great at resolving conflict and diffusing tension.
