“I should probably let you get back to work,” I said once I was dressed.
He was dressed, his shirt untucked and hanging loose. His hair was mussed, and I was fighting the urge to slide up against him.
“I should finish this, and the cleaning crew is probably already out there.”
“Oh god,” I groaned, running my hands over my hair. I was certain I looked the part of a woman that had great sex. I felt myself glowing. There was no hiding it.
Chapter 29
Rogan
I was in a mighty fine mood. A good round of sex tended to do that for a guy. Unlike the first time, I didn’t feel the least bit awkward Tuesday morning. There was no missing the looks she shot my way. I was certain I was giving her the same heated looks. I was thinking about purposely working late tonight in the hopes of a repeat act.
I heard whistling when I stepped off the elevator. It was me. I was whistling. That was definitely a sign of a happy man. I smiled and nodded to the other employees as I made my way to my office. I walked in and came to a halt.
“Beau,” I said with alarm. “You’re here. In my office. Why?”
“I was hoping we could talk for a minute or ten,” he said, his voice serious.
I nodded, knowing something was wrong but having no idea what it could be. No, that wasn’t true. I had a pretty damn good idea what it could be. How in the hell did he find out?
“Sure,” I said, closing the door behind me. Something told me it was going to be a conversation I wanted to keep private. I took my seat behind my desk and folded my hands. “What’s going on?”
He pulled a folded newspaper from beside him and dropped it on my desk. “We need to talk.”
I looked at the newspaper, reached for it, and opened it. “Fuck me,” I breathed as I read the headline.
“Yes, I was thinking something along those same lines,” he said, his voice tight. “Love on the rails,” he said, repeating the headline that was blasted over a picture of me and Cora kissing at the game.
I quickly schooled my features. If I acted guilty, it would only make it worse. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Isn’t it?” he asked. “What is this about?”
“We went to a basketball game. I got tickets from a client. He couldn’t use them and asked me if I would like them. You know it can be seen as a slight if we turn down gifts. I didn’t have anyone to take and asked Cora to go. That’s it.”
He leaned forward, tapping the picture with his finger. “That’s it?” he repeated. “That doesn’t look like that’s it. To my untrained eye, I see a kiss. I see your lips touching.”
I tried to remember Beau was from a different generation. A kiss meant something a little different to him. “Beau, it was a Kiss Cam. It was a spur of the moment thing. Cora thought it would be funny to put on a show. That’s what we did. It was over and done within seconds. It wasn’t anything intimate.”
He leaned back, rubbing his temple. “This isn’t good, Rogan.”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“I need you to be honest with me. Is this a thing?”
“Is what a thing?” I asked defensively.
“You and Cora. She’s a pretty young woman. I understand why you are attracted to her.”
“Beau, I’m not talking to you about this. There is nothing there.”
He released a heavy sigh. “You understand how this looks, right? Did you read the article?”
“Beau, you just handed it to me. No, I haven’t read the article. I don’t need to. I was there.”
“Read it,” he ordered.
I picked up the paper and skimmed through it. It was first-hand accounts of how sweet and adoring we were. It claimed we couldn’t keep our hands off each other. Someone even claimed I said I loved her. I shook my head and tossed the paper on the desk. “It’s bullshit. That didn’t happen.”
“Look inside, below the fold.”
I dreaded what I would see. It was another, smaller photo of Cora looking at me with a big smile on her face. Her hand was resting on mine. I was smiling as well. I didn’t know the exact moment the picture was taken, but it was innocent. “She was enjoying the game. Cora tends to get a little excited. It was nothing more than a friendly touch.”
“Even if I believe it—” he started.
“If you believe it?” I asked. “Why wouldn’t you believe it? I just told you what happened.”
“Fine, but that doesn’t make that picture disappear. We are in a precarious position right now. We will be for some time, at least until after the first couple of quarters are behind us. Something like that is going to make investors and customers nervous.”
“They have no reason to be nervous.”
“Again, I’m not the one that needs to be convinced. They see Cora, a young lady fresh out of college and at the helm of one of the biggest rail companies in the country. She inherited an empire and I can guarantee you most people think she is too young. I believe she is too young. I know you think that as well. Flaunting a relationship with one of her executives isn’t doing much to build her reputation as a serious businesswoman.”
I tried not to get defensive. “This isn’t the fifties. Hell, it isn’t even the nineties. Women are not to be shamed for public displays of affection. She did nothing wrong. She, nor I, nor you, can control what gets written.”
“I understand that, and I’m not saying it is right or fair, but it is what it is. People are going to see that and question her ability to run this company. They are going to wonder what is going on in our office. They see something like that and they assume you two are… well, you know.”
We were but I was not about to tell him that. “Again, we can’t control what people think.”
“No, but we can control what gets out there. We’ve lost some integrity with that photo. One tiny mistake is going to be blamed on the CEO and her manager getting it on and not doing what they are supposed to do. They are going to make jokes about her. About you. About this company. This isn’t just the two of you involved. It’s all of us. Every one of us is in this relationship whether it is real or not.”
I hated to admit it, but he was right. It was everything I’d said in the beginning. It was why we had kept our distance from one another. And then a split decision changed it all.
“I’m sorry,” I told him. “I’ll handle it. I will personally call all of the investors and let them know the picture was taken out of context.”
“I don’t know if that is going to be enough.”
I shrugged, putting my hands up. “I don’t know what else I can do. If I protest too much, it keeps the story alive. No one cares that much about me. This is bored people spreading rumors to feed their own agenda. It will die out. She and I won’t be seen together. The company is doing fine. Hell, it’s doing better than fine. That’s the proof the investors need.”
“Rogan, I get it. I’m seeing the numbers and I’m seeing the work she is putting in. Unfortunately, it isn’t going to be enough.”
I cursed and leaned back in my chair, running my hands through my hair. “What do I do?”
I wished Ben was alive. He would know how to handle the situation. Then again, I wouldn’t be in the situation if he was alive.
“I think it would be a good idea to put some distance between this and you.”
I dropped my hands and got to my feet. I turned to stare out the window.
“What does that mean?” I asked, my voice a little harsh. I was afraid my inability to keep my dick in my pants had just cost me everything I’d worked so hard to gain. I wasn’t sure what I would do if I was fired or demoted for a stupid fucking kiss that didn’t even involve tongue. It had been about as chaste as a kiss could be.
“It means I think it would be a good idea for you to take some time off. I know you’ve got lots of vacation time built up. I’m sure we could add to that if needed.”
I spun around. “You’re paying me to go away?”
“I’m say
ing we need to get ahead of this. I hate to say it, but we can’t trust everyone here. If someone in the office happens to see something that can be misinterpreted, it could be used to fuel more gossip.”
Again, I thought about the tryst in the office. The door had been closed. I knew there were security cameras that monitored the elevator and one down the hallway, but no one could have seen us together.
“Okay,” I said, knowing there was little choice in the matter.
“I hate to do this, but I don’t see any other way. We need to give this time to die down. Give Cora some time to ground herself in the position. It’s not permanent.”
“I understand.”
“I’ll put out a memo, saying you are taking some time off, brushing up on your golf game or something like that,” he said.
“You don’t think it’s going to be suspicious? Everyone will have seen the picture by the end of the day.”
“Which is why we need to get you out of here. If you rise to the bait, it’s just going to make matters worse.”
I couldn’t believe it was all going up in smoke. When I woke up that morning, life had been good. I should have learned by now life moved fast. One second, things were great. The next, the shit was hitting the fan.
“I guess I’ll be working on that home improvement list,” I said.
“I really am sorry,” he said again. “This is not what I wanted.”
“It’s cool,” I told him. “I get it. I’ll get out of here.”
“I’ll call you later today and let you know how things go.”
“Thanks, I would appreciate that.”
He left my office. I stuffed a few things in the briefcase I carried. I wasn’t sure if I could do any kind of work from home, but just in case, I wanted to be prepared. I stepped out of the office and right into Cora.
“We need to talk,” she blurted out.
“I’ve already been talked to.”
“No, we need to talk,” she said.
“I’m on my way out. For a while. I won’t be in the office.”
Her face fell. “Can you come by the house tonight?”
I probably shouldn’t but what was happening wasn’t really her fault. “Yeah, I’ll be by.”
“Rogan—”
I shook my head. “Not here. We can’t talk here.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
I nodded and walked away. Fortunately, there were only a couple of people in the office. I walked to the elevator. The smile I had earlier was gone. I punched the button for the elevator and waited. Every passing second felt like another nail in my coffin. I walked out to my truck and figured I might as well swing by Home Depot and get a few things for the home repairs I was going to be working on.
It was funny. For too long, I had complained I didn’t have the time to finish the many projects I had going. Now, it turned out I had all the time in the world. Unfortunately, I had the time, but I didn’t have the motivation. All I wanted to do was go home and drink until I was drunk. I couldn’t. I told her I would go to her house. I wanted to be sober for that conversation.
Swinging a hammer and running a drill would have to suffice for my escape from my reality. “One fucking kiss,” I said, slapping my hand against the steering wheel.
One kiss had just cost me my integrity and possibly my job.
Chapter 30
Cora
I juggled the bags of groceries, using my foot to kick the door shut behind me. I scrambled down the hall and into the kitchen that was big enough to run a small hotel. I was making fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy and biscuits.
It was comfort food. I needed some serious comfort and I suspected Rogan did as well. Plus, it was one of the few meals I knew how to make. My mom never got the chance to teach me how to cook and my dad sure as hell didn’t cook. What I learned, I learned from the housekeeper that kept our house running smoothly throughout my childhood.
I pulled on an apron, not wanting to get flour all over my black pants. I had just peeled the last potato when I heard the doorbell chimes.
“Shit,” I muttered, wiping my hands on my apron. Either he was early, or I was running late. It was the latter. I knew it was the latter.
“Hi,” I said to him. He had changed out of his usual work clothes and was now wearing a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
“Hey,” he said and looked over his shoulder.
I ushered him inside. We were both acting like we were being watched. After the photo in the paper, I felt like our worries were valid.
“Can I get you a drink?” I asked as I walked back down the hall to the kitchen.
“Got a beer or ten?” he asked, a hint of disgust in his voice.
“I do have a beer. I picked some up at the store.” I quickly grabbed one from the fridge and opened it before handing it to him.
“Thanks.”
“Sit, please. I got stuck at work and I am running a little behind.”
“I bet.”
I got busy mixing up the flour mixture for the chicken. “I’m so, so sorry for all of this. You warned me. I should have known better.”
“It isn’t your fault,” he finally said. “This is some busybody trying to stir the pot.”
“I talked to Beau,” I said.
“Let him handle it.”
I bit my lower lip. My back was to him. I didn’t want him to see how stressed I was. “He said it was going to be a hard one to fix.” I slowly turned to gauge his reaction.
“I know.”
“I spent the day talking to investors. We have a meeting scheduled for Monday. I’m guessing I’m supposed to grovel. I can’t grovel. What happened, at least what they know about, is not a big deal. It is nobody’s business.”
“It isn’t but they all think they have a say because they have invested money into the company. I guess that is the downside to being one of the biggest companies in the world. There are a lot more people to answer to.”
I scoffed. “It’s hard for me to swallow my pride and be dictated to. This is really not the job I signed up for. Don’t get me wrong. I want it, but I don’t want to have to explain my every move. That’s insulting. They are acting like I’m some stupid kid.”
“You’re a month into running the business,” he said. “They don’t trust you. I know that sucks but it’s the truth. They are going to have some preconceived notions based on your age, your upbringing, and I hate to say it but the way you look.”
My brows shot up. “The way I look?”
“You’re pretty. You look younger than you are. You’re dealing with men that are in their sixties. To them, you are a baby. Most of them have grandkids your age.”
It was true. I knew it, but I didn’t like it. “I hate that I have to deal with this. That you have to deal with this. It isn’t right.”
“It’s going to be okay. It will be over soon.”
Thankfully, he couldn’t see the expression on my face. After my very long discussion with Beau, I wasn’t so sure that was the case. I didn’t tell Rogan, but we already had one investor hinting he was going to be pulling his support. It was archaic. Women could have relationships and still run a business. The men, and sadly a few of the women, were treating me like I was incapable of handling my role in the company and a man.
I dropped the chicken into the hot pan of grease, covered it, and turned to look at him. His elbows were resting on the counter as he rolled his beer back and forth in his hands. I could see the strain and knew he was putting on a brave face, but he was feeling it.
“How long do you think you will stay away from the office?” I asked.
He looked up at me, his eyes soft and full of so much sadness. “I don’t know.”
“Did Beau say anything? Did he give you a timeline? He didn’t say much to me about it. He would only tell me you two were working it out.”
“I wish I could give you an answer. I don’t know.”
“A couple days?”
He winced,
shaking his head. “I don’t think so. Beau suggested I use my vacation time and he would take care of any extensions if I needed it.”
I swallowed down the nervous lump in my throat. “How much time do you have?”
He didn’t answer right away. “Six weeks.”
My eyes widened. “Six weeks?! No! You can’t be out of work for six weeks!”
“Cora, if I am in that office, the rumors are going to fly. Beau is worried someone in the office might say something.”
“What could they say?”
“Rumors start with just a little nugget of truth. If you come into my office or if we happen to be in the breakroom at the same time, it’s going to spark more rumors. As it is, everyone is going to be watching us. Every word, every look, every little thing would be scrutinized until they could make something from nothing. It’s too risky.”
I turned around and flipped the chicken. I blinked back tears. I would give anything to take back the kiss. Out of all the things we did together, the kiss was about as innocent as it got. “I understand,” I told him. “I get it.”
I finished making our dinner, and he helped me set the table in the dining room. It felt a little formal to eat fried chicken in, but I wanted to give him something nice. We ate our meal in awkward silence. We couldn’t talk about work. That felt like rubbing it in.
“I am really sorry for the way things are going down,” he said as he helped me clear the table.
“It’s not your fault.”
“Maybe not, but it is happening. It’s happening at a time in your life when the last thing you need is more stress.”
That was very accurate. “When this is behind us, it will give us something to laugh about.”
“I would say we could go out and celebrate with a couple drinks, but that can’t happen.”
With the dishes done, I wasn’t sure what to do. The awkward tension was alive and well once again. “Would you like another beer?”
Backing You Up Page 18