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“Lawson.”
“Yes, sir.”
I did not need those images in my head. “You know the rules.”
“Yes. You never sleep with employees. It’s a good rule.”
Lawson had made it clear after we started working together that he’d be up for helping me with anything I needed, but when I’d let him know there were lines I wouldn’t cross, he hadn’t had any problem accepting that. It did mean I was occasionally subjected to discussions of his love life, which were far from professional, but they were also amusing and—as Lawson continued to tell me—I couldn’t work all the time.
In my mind, I didn’t. I took time for hookups and events I needed to attend, but it was true I rarely took full days off. Lawson was certain I felt the need to atone for my past, and that was why I worked all the time. I didn’t think it was anything so virtuous. I just needed to keep my mind distracted.
“You could always send him my way whenever this is over.”
“I would never do such a thing to you. I want you to remain as my assistant.”
He huffed. “I’m sure I can handle him.”
I was sure he could too. Lawson could handle anything. “Right now, I need you to handle Marcia and Powell.”
“Yes, sir, and I need you to sign all the forms I’ve uploaded. If you have any questions—”
“I know. I’ll call you back.”
“And next time, don’t take so long to respond.”
I shouldn’t let him get away with acting like this. “You’re lucky you’re good at your job.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now I’m off to continue with the drudgery of my day and ruin someone else’s.”
I snorted.
“You on the other hand could have a very enjoyable evening.”
“No.”
“He’s not really an employee.”
“Lawson!”
“I’m just saying, if you’re stuck with this job, and you’re not going to be answering my calls, at least you could be having fun.”
“Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, boss.”
I ended the call and tipped my head back, resting it on the back of the chair. The last thing I needed was Lawson pushing me toward what I’d already considered more times than I should. What was wrong with me? Fox was an ass. I couldn’t stand him, and he wasn’t my type at all. For the most part, over the last several years, I’d stuck with seeing women. It was easier to make arrangements to meet someone and easier when I needed a date for a public event. But I enjoyed men. I didn’t hide my bisexuality, but I didn’t need the press swooping down on me because I dared to go out with a man.
No matter how much I might be tempted, Fox was not a man I intended to involve myself with. I just wished I understood why he pushed all my buttons so very hard.
5
FOX
I scrutinized the suite, including the balcony and the hallway outside. When I knocked firmly on the door to Darren’s bedroom, he used a sharp, crisp voice to tell me to come in. He was working on his laptop and wearing glasses. Damn if they didn’t make him even hotter. I bit my lip to keep from suggesting we play naughty student and professor.
Instead, I pretended to be the perfect professional. I did my job, announced the room was all clear, and left without glancing back at him as he sat there with his damn sleeves rolled over his forearms like he was trying to fucking seduce me.
I didn’t bother to unpack the few items I’d brought. I preferred my bag packed and ready to go at all times.
I wandered around my room for a few moments, then flopped onto the couch in the main sitting area. How was I already bored? My phone buzzed, and I sighed. I’d checked in with X over text, but he probably wanted a fuller debriefing since this mission was personal.
It wasn’t X, though. It was Grant. He’d been my commander in the marines, and he was also one of my best friends. He was currently working for X too, but he was running a safehouse at a ranch in Texas, where he was in his element.
When I saw the picture on my screen—Grant flipping me off after I’d beaten him at poker one night in the desert—I remembered I’d told him I’d think about visiting the ranch when I got time off. I was sure he wanted to convince me to stay there and work with him. I’d jumped right into this mission without even calling him. I was sure he’d talked to X about where I was, but he was going to be pissed as hell to not have heard from me.
I answered, and he began yelling at me before I even had a chance to say hello.
“Hold on a minute. Give me a chance to explain.”
“I don’t need an explanation. I know what happened. Lucien and X sent you on a dangerous-as-hell mission, and do I even hear from you that you’re alive at the end of it? No. How many times are you going to fucking disappear on me?”
