IN BED WITH THE BOSS

She paused, and a sob escaped her.

Jennifer grabbed her hand, offering her support, and Sara went on.

“When I told him about the pregnancy, he told me he didn’t want me or the baby. To get rid of it because I was no longer useful to him. Then he walked away, like I was garbage he’d tossed out the window. He used me to get back at my brother. At the time, I worked at Scott’s company as his executive assistant. I was so naive, so snowed by Bruce, that when he asked me questions about Scott’s agenda, who he was meeting with, I gave him the information. He worded it to make it sound like he was only asking about my day, what I had on my plate, but he was pumping me for inside information. He never loved me, never had any intention of creating a family with me.” She shook her head, her throat working, as if swallowing back another sob. “I refused to end the pregnancy, but it didn’t matter. I miscarried and lost the baby.”

Jennifer remained sitting next to Sara, but inside she reeled, enraged screams slamming against her skull. Part of her longed to deny the story, to label Sara a liar, but she couldn’t. Not only could she not violate this woman all over again by not believing her, but deep inside her soul where only honesty existed, she knew Sara wasn’t lying. Her utter agony bore witness to it, and Jennifer believed her.

Grief assaulted Jennifer, welling up in her, and she silently wept. For Sara . For her pain. For Jennifer’s own pain. For Bruce’s coldness, controlling behavior and dismissal of her hopes, dreams and needs. For her disillusionment about her brother. If Bruce could treat his own sister so callously as well as do something as despicable as take advantage of this woman for personal gain, then what else was he capable of? Maybe those things in Scott’s dossier?

Scott. Was Sara the reason behind his plans? The night in the restaurant, when he’d first showed her the incriminating file, he’d scoffed at her claim that Bruce wouldn’t care who she was dating.

Oh yes. Your brother will care. And he’ll understand. Then, his assertion had been cryptic, but now, understanding dawned on her. No wonder he hated Bruce and had no qualms about blackmailing her.

This was more than a business deal; Bruce had come after Scott’s family. If she’d harbored any fledgling hope after spending days with him and having fun as friends that maybe they could have something more than a truce, this knowledge obliterated it. She would always be a living reminder of the harm and damage her brother had inflicted on his sister, his family. There was no forgiveness for that. Not for her brother.

And not for her, being guilty by association.

Scott McCall was not her friend, and she had to get that into her head. He was simply trying to get back at Bruce for what he did to his sister, and at this point, she couldn’t really blame him.

———-

Finally admitting to herself that cleaning and rearranging furniture didn’t magically make her problems go away, Vivian decided to go for a walk. Thirty minutes later, she returned home and her heart skipped a beat. A car was parked directly in front of the house, and a dark figure dressed completely in black leaned against it. Her throat dried as she met that laconic, glittering gaze and she felt like someone who had spent days in the desert as she drank in the hard, cold features and the luscious, carved mouth.

He had come, she thought. To do what? She had no idea. Probably to hurt her some more. As if he hadn’t done enough. She walked towards him, her heart pounding, wondering if her excitement showed, feeling her palms grow damp and clammy as she gave him what she hoped was a noncommittal smile.

“Scott,” she said, trying to control her voice so she showed no emotion. “You’re here. This is a surprise.”

“Did you expect me not to come? Especially after that email you sent me.” he replied.

He had tried to keep himself from thinking about her throughout the week, until he couldn’t try any longer, and when he saw her email, he knew that he had to go to her. A hard smile glimmered its way to the corners of his mouth. Excitement began to fizz its way through his veins as he took in the tight trousers, the long, leather boots and the silk shirt, clinging damply to her breasts. “So I’m here… here I am.”

“So I… see.” Vivian replied with a nod.

The dark jeans emphasized the long, muscular legs and the fine cashmere sweater matched his dark, ruffled hair. He was so damned sure of himself. And his arrogance and conceit filled her with a new strength. She raised her eyebrows questioningly. “Why? Why are you here, Scott”

“I thought maybe we could talk… maybe you might like to have dinner with me.”

“Dinner as what exactly, Scott? Dinner as a precursor to sex, I suppose. Is that what you mean? That’s what you always mean”

He feigned outraged surprise. “Vivian” he murmured. “You shock me.”

“Then you’re easily shocked,” she retorted. “Don’t tell me you want to have dinner because you want to get to know me better as a person…. Or talk to me about God knows what.”

“Yes,” he said unexpectedly. “I do want to talk. Now who’s looking shocked? What’s the matter, Vivian-do you think I’m so crass that I would just let you quit your job like that?”

“After what you did the other day, what did you expect me to do?”

“I…. I don’t know… I guess I got a little overwhelmed by the heat of the moment and the situation I suddenly found myself in.”

“I don’t care, Scott. I never asked you for a relationship or to be your lover. You asked me… all on your own. Only to cast me aside just the next day! That was all you wanted and you got it. One night of bliss, and that was that, right?”

“I’m flattered you think of it as bliss,” he purred, before giving his dark head a shake of exasperation when Vivian’s eyes widened in anger. “But, that wasn’t what I planned or at least, that wasn’t the way I wanted it to go…. Yes, I did want you, but that night, I guess… it just happened and things got out of control. I freaked out!”

“Out of control? Seriously, Scott? It’s not like I asked you for any kind of commitment, did I?” Now why on earth had she said that?

“No you did not, but I honestly have nothing against commitments…. as in…. exclusive relationships… as long as you’re not talking wedding bells and happy ever after,” he added.

“Stop twisting it round,” she protested. “You know what I mean. It’s not like I proposed marriage to you!”

He laughed. “I’m very relieved to hear it.” His eyes drifted across her face, lingering longest on her lips, wanting to kiss them again. “So how about dinner, Vivian? So that we can talk properly about our situation.”

She thought about what it would entail. The drive to the nearest pub or restaurant. The fussing around with drinks and menus. A waitress disturbing their conversation. Onlookers when she wanted to be alone with him. Maybe someone from the office would spot them… as if she didn’t have enough gossip about her at the office. She couldn’t. “I’m not hungry,” she said truthfully.

There was a heartbeat of a pause, then he said, “No. Neither am I.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Vivian’s tongue flicked out to slick at her parched lips. There was something so blatant about the way he was looking at her. No other man could have got away with such unashamed hunger. “You know, Scott…” she swallowed “… you wouldn’t win any prizes for subtlety.”

“I’m not looking to.” His eyes narrowed. “And subtlety isn’t my style, Vivian. I prefer honesty. I see what I want and I go all out to get it. And I wanted you…. Honestly I still do, and I’m not going to lie about it, and if you want nothing to do with me in that way any more, I’d totally understand. But the important thing now is your job. You should have it back…. ” He paused, then added with a smile,” And if you are still open to our earlier… agreement, then I’d very much appreciate it. I was indeed crazy for walking away. ”

She gave a shaky laugh. Men didn’t come out and say things like that-they might think it, but they didn’t say it! “Just like that? Is this the line you spin to every woman?”

“I don’t usually have to.” he replied, still smiling.

Most women would have gone straight back to bed with him.

“They make it easy for you?” she asked.

“Or easy for themselves?”

“Arrogance!” But she laughed in spite of herself.