Page 129 of The Price of Scandal

Ducking out of the briefing with Flawless’s publicist and the legal team, I dialed Emily’s number to check in. The IPO was officially back on track. As long as nothing else went catastrophically wrong.

Given my profession, I was acutely aware of the hundreds of disasters that could still befall Emily, and I vowed to do whatever it took to protect her.

The call went straight to voicemail. She was probably fake smiling her way through what she’d see as an unnecessarily time-consuming photo shoot.

It was quite ironic that I’d fallen for a woman who couldn’t be bothered to care enough about image.

“Just calling to tell you not to add yourself to Alpha Group’s letterhead yet. It sounds like the IPO is officially a go,” I said into the phone. “I’m thinking about you. Dinner tonight?”

I hung up and started to dial the office.

“What’s a handsome man like you doing wandering these halls?” Lita’s smokey voice caught me off guard. She wore white flared trousers and a cunning, curve-hugging cashmere shell. I wondered if she’d purposely appropriated an iconic Emily Stanton look in a bid to wear it better.

I made a quick decision. “I’m escaping yet another meeting. I don’t know how you and Emily can spend so much time in conference rooms.”

She sauntered closer and tucked her arm through mine. “I’ll tell you our secret,” she said coyly. “Very long lunches. With very dry martinis.”

“Tell me more about this secret coping mechanism,” I mused, turning up the charm.

“I’d rather show you.”

Valerie, Emily’s second assistant, skirted past us in the hallway. The look she shot me was straight up “Do not fuck with my boss.”

“Are you free for lunch now?” I asked Lita after Valerie disappeared down the hallway. No point in pissing off the boss unnecessarily.

I was doing this for her.

* * *

Flirtation wasa weapon that Lita and I took turns wielding. I had to admit, she was winning. I was bound, metaphorically, from unleashing my full powers. Every time I searched for something to say to Lita, Emily’s face appeared in my head.

Be worthy of me, Price.

Lita stirred her second martini with her skewer of olives and eyed me expectantly. “It looks like you’ve got the magic touch. You’ve put Lady Stanton back on her pedestal.” She raised her glass in a salute that felt mocking.

I lifted my own glass. “Now you two are back on course. The IPO can proceed, and Flawless can grow,” I said.

Her dark nails danced against the stem of the glass. “Yet another win.”

“You should be used to it by now,” I pointed out. “Flawless is unstoppable.”

“Mmm,” Lita mused. She took a sip of her drink and waited until I was watching before slowly licking her top lip.

Unbidden, I recalled that praying mantis females decapitated their male lovers.

I knew I was walking a fine line here between getting the information that I needed and not upsetting a woman who had quite literally swept my legs out from under me.

“However will you celebrate?” I asked, tugging at my tie and reassuring myself that my head was indeed still attached.

Flirtatious again, she fanned her fingers over her mouth and pretended to ponder. “Perhaps I’ll take a new lover.”

Careful, Price. Do not stray too close to the fire.

I wanted to return to Emily’s bed unsullied… and also with a head.

“How very European of you,” I teased.

“You really are impressive, Derek,” she said, laying her hand on mine. She flipped our hands so mine was on top.