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We would work late in his office—actually work. We weren’t just having sex the entire time. We had jobs to do. Plus, we didn’t want to risk getting caught when we had come so close last time with the night crew.
But focusing on work was hard. I would often find his gaze on my mouth or my cleavage, and the heat from his stare was enough to melt me right there. Which was why most nights I ended up at his place to find the release we craved after a day of foreplay. No one batted an eye if I showed up at his apartment at 10 p.m. to bring him a report. And the changing of shifts left the morning shift none the wiser as I slipped out.
It was almost perfect, except for the part that I doubted I was anything more than his plaything. Even worse, that I was being paid to be. Sometimes I felt ashamed. As fun as sneaking around was, part of me felt dirty about it. If anyone found out about us, it would be chaos. I would lose my job, lose the man, and lose my dignity. But I couldn’t stop.
The feelings I had when I was with him, whether next to him at a meeting listening to his authoritative voice make decisions and demands, or in his bed as he hovered over me, planting kisses on my collarbone before taking me completely, they were too good to let go.
It was as if one of my novels had come to life and I now knew what it felt like to be completely consumed by somebody. It was no wonder readers ate those books up. It was something they desperately wanted. I didn’t know it could exist outside of the pages of a book. And it was something I now had.
Chapter 16
Troy
Iheard my father’s booming voice down the hallway and felt a pit of dread at the bottom of my stomach as I slunk deep into my desk chair. Hearing Kathy’s maniacal laughter that was so forced it made my skin crawl didn’t help. They were coming my way. I wondered what he was doing here unannounced.
As I heard their voices and footsteps edging closer to my doorway, I looked up and tried to catch Monica’s gaze that was following the nearby commotion. She had no idea what was coming and I hadn’t the time to warn her.
When my father came to the office, people did anything to get noticed by either laughing at any lousy joke he told, or talking really loudly on the phone to make it seem they were on a very important call. He would feign being impressed, but deep down he was judging every single person. She was most likely his next victim as she sat across from me wearing the brand new sheath dress that I had sent to her apartment. I bought it because I knew the color would complement her dark hair, but also because I imagined taking it off her.
“Ah, you must be my son’s latest victim.” My father cleared his throat before letting out a chuckle. “I mean personal assistant.”
I saw his back turned to me as he towered over Monica’s desk. She stood from her chair and held out her hand, giving him a warm smile that was nothing more than genuine.
“You must be Troy’s father, Mr. Gunner. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Monica.”
My father took her hand and shook it the way he did with any woman, like he would break them.
“That’s quite a grip you have there,” said my father, looking down at their hands.
I bit back a smile, knowing that Monica was not about to act like a weak woman around him. I stepped out of my office, partly to save her, but partly save myself from watching this awkward encounter. It was probably only awkward to me seeing my father meet the woman I was secretly sleeping with.
“Hey, Dad,” I said, placing my hand on his back.
“Troy.” He gave me a single nod. “I was just getting acquainted with your new assistant.”
“Ah yes, I see that. Why don’t you join me in my office and tell me why you’ve graced us with your presence today.”
He tipped an imaginary hat at Monica before following me into my office, where I shut the door behind us.
“She’s a pretty one,” he said, taking a seat.
“Is she?” I asked with a shrug, sitting behind my desk.
“Don’t play coy with me, boy.”
“Dad, she’s my assistant. Nothing else.”
“Good. You know what’s at stake.”
As if he didn’t remind me every time we talked. But could I really be mad? I was doing exactly what he expected of me, sleeping with another personal assistant, but I kept telling myself this time was different. Different how? I didn’t know, but I couldn’t admit this to my father.
“Why are you here, Dad? Is it just to check up on me? Don’t you have Kathy for that?” It took everything not to roll my eyes.
“Your aunt’s birthday is today…”
“Of course,” I said, completely unaware.
“We’re hosting a party upstate tonight…” He looked at me expectantly, like this was something I should know. It wasn’t on my calendar.