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Recalling her flushed face and her inability to meet my eyes when she resumed work the following day made me feel like a heel. She’s still very young, while I, in my early forties, should have known better. I towel myself dry before entering my walk-in closet. Guilt rises inside. I took advantage of her. From the first day we met, I’d noticed she was attracted to me, and there was chemistry. If I hadn’t given in to temptation by kissing her, I’m sure she wouldn’t have done anything about it. After all, she had been avoiding me.
“I should never have had sex with her,” I express tightly as I look around the stocked closet for what to wear. “I should have sent her home with Susan instead of making her stay.”
I don’t bite, I remember saying, whereas I’d bitten her as I thrust into her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had a hickey. Recalling how young she is, I kick myself again for not restraining myself.
“I have to talk to her and set things straight.”
Maybe I should tell her about my ex-wife and Amber, so she’ll fully understand why she must keep that night a secret.
Forcing thoughts of our night together out of my head, I get dressed and have a quick breakfast before heading to the office. Fortunately, I have a series of meetings lined up that don’t involve her. Throughout the day, I keep busy with my meetings and other projects. Thoughts of her repeatedly flash through my mind, but they don’t make me lose focus. Luckily, I don’t catch a glimpse of her to distract me.
I’m in between meetings when Alex informs me that I have a call from Sam Hunter. I grit my teeth.
“What does the meddler want now?”
“He said he would like to speak to you about the election. Apparently, he’s covering it,” Alex replies quietly.
Why does he want to talk about the election now? Does the detestable man have a sort of a sixth sense that I recently had sex with an employee?
I realize I’m allowing my imagination to run wild. If I don’t accept his call, he will become suspicious. Any businessman in his right mind would want his name and company mentioned in the context of such a prominent project.
“Put him through,” I instruct grudgingly.
“Mr. Payne,” Hunter’s husky voice comes through a few seconds later. “You’re a difficult man to pin down.”
“What do you want, Hunter? I’m not in the mood for your nonsense.”
“Is someone in a bad mood as usual? Surely a woman would put you in a lighter mood. Anyone in the picture at the moment?”
My face darkens with anger. “You have exactly five seconds to tell me why you called.”
“My, my. Testy, aren’t we? Anyway, I got the exciting job of writing a story about you and your tech firm. I hear Payne Technologies is handling the election security?”
I sigh inwardly. Of all the journalists in New York, why him?
“So, I’d like to interview you and a few members of your team.”
I frown. “Members of my team?”
“Of course. You aren’t handling the project alone, are you? You might be a genius in your field, but no man is an island.”
I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. Hunter is like a crocodile going for the kill at the first scent of blood. If he has to speak to the members of my team, he’ll definitely speak with Hailey. And then what? The blasted man knows how to probe and poke his nose where it doesn’t belong.
“Hunter, we’re very busy right now with the project. I’ll tell my secretary to inform you as soon as we’re ready for the interview.”
“It better be soon, Mr. Payne. You know the election is around the corner. I’ll need to let the whole city know that their votes are secure because of your company.”
I almost relent, but I have to speak to Hailey first. If Hunter interviews her now, naïve as she is, he might read her body language and in his usual shrewd manner, deduce that something went down between her and me.
“Very well, Hunter. My P.A. will send the date to you as soon as possible.”
“Thank you.”
“Keep it professional, Hunter.”
“But, of course, I’m a professional. Celebrity gossip will be left for another day. Say, maybe after the election, I could do another interview with you. I know a lot of people want to know what’s going on with New York City’s most eligible bachelor. Your last known relationship was with the supermodel, Nancy Skye. Is there a new lady in your life?”
I don’t bother to reply before ending the call. Fortunately, Susan leads two men into my office for my next meeting, and I quickly forget about the despicable journalist.
