“I kind of figured.”
I stepped back, giving her my hand to help her scoot off her desk and then bending down to fetch the scattered papers on the floor. “It can’t happen again.”
When I rose up, I could see temper flickering in her eyes as she straightened out her dress. “Got it. Thanks for dinner, but I think I’ll send this last schedule and get home.”
The prize of biggest arse on the planet now belonged to me. I’d come down here without agenda, but I hadn’t been able to keep my hands off her. “Let me help you straighten the papers.”
I bent down to pick up three more sheets and handed them over.
“I’m good. Just leave it and go, please.”
It pained me to do so, but undoubtedly, she wanted me out.
“At least take your dinner home with you.”
She took her seat, eyes already fixed on her computer and clearly trying to avoid mine. “Okay. Thanks.”
“Peyton, look, I didn’t mean—”
She held up a hand. “You made that very clear. Have a good night, Simon.”
“Good night.”
I was annoyed with the situation and especially with myself. I didn’t lose control. I took it. And I most definitely didn’t break rules. Especially sacred ones such as not kissing a woman I needed to interview.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Peyton
I was angry. Not as much with Simon as with myself. Because I wouldn’t have stopped. I would’ve let him fuck me on my desk without a second thought. But the look of regret on his face really got to me. No woman wanted the man who’s just kissed her—with the best kiss of her life—to pull away with such an expression of panic and remorse.
So now, sexually frustrated, I sent Emma the email with the last spreadsheet, gathered up my things, and took the take-out bag with me.
When I arrived home, the house felt completely empty without Cooper. I’d called my sister and offered to pick him up, but Jen had told me he was happily settled for the evening with the girls watching a movie. Knowing that, I didn’t dare go over and get him. It was only one night, and they’d all be disappointed if I cut it short. I’d had enough of that look for today.
After changing into pajamas, I opened up the food bag and discovered Simon hadn’t taken his meal with him. He’d left it all for me because he’d been in such a hurry to get out of my office. As I removed the contents, I couldn’t help thinking we would have been out on our second date about now. Maybe I would’ve invited him inside. Perhaps we’d even be in my bed. Was he the type to leave afterward? Or would he have snuggled me tightly into his body until morning, when we’d then have had hot shower sex?
Jesus. I needed to stop my train of thought. Pronto. Nothing could happen. If he could look that regretful after a kiss, then I didn’t want to see the expression he might wear if we were ever to sleep together. Ugh. Time to stop thinking of him and instead enjoy a night to myself. It had been a long week.
On Monday morning, I was at the office early, knowing I had to go up to meet with the forensic accountant first thing. I could only hope that whoever they were bringing in was competent. I didn’t have the time to teach Excel to some junior person.
Emma had sent an email on Friday that explained the accountant’s name was Lyle, and he would be set up in the large conference room upstairs. That, whenever I was ready, I should come up. Fortified with coffee, I sent a quick email to my accounting manager, Megan, to tell her where I’d be and then took the stairs the two flights up.
I might’ve dressed a bit nicer than for a typical Monday, in a plum-colored wrap dress with my nicest black heels since I thought it likely I’d see Simon. My hair was straight and down my back. I didn’t often take the time to fix it that way, but I’d had nothing else to do on Friday after my bath when I hadn’t even had Cooper to keep me company.
Emma greeted me, giving me a smile. “Hi, Peyton. How are you?”
“Good, thanks. You?”
“Good. Unfortunately, our usual forensic accountant ended up unable to travel due to a bug, but he recommended someone local who’s here now.”
“Oh, okay.” It didn’t make a difference to me so long as they were capable.
I walked into the conference room where I saw a tall man in a suit with blond hair cut short but not too short. He looked clean-cut and was quite handsome. Not in a sexy way like Simon, but rather in a wholesome way.
“Russ, this is Peyton, the director of accounting. Peyton, this is Russ Smith from TW Accounting.”
I extended my hand to take his in a firm but warm handshake. “Nice to meet you.”
“You as well. Unfortunately, coming in at the last minute like this, I didn’t get the jump on things I normally would’ve. So, I’m afraid I may need this morning to get started. By this afternoon, I expect I’ll have questions.” His tone was apologetic.
“It’s not a problem. I’ll come back after lunch? I planned on working up here this week in between questions if that’s okay with you.”
He seemed relieved. “It’s the easiest thing for me, if you don’t mind.”
It wasn’t my first audit. Of course, there was a lot more riding on this one. “Not at all. See you this afternoon.”
***
I went back upstairs at twelve-thirty to find no one but Emma there. She told me to head into the conference room, so I had some time to myself to get set up. Fifteen minutes later, I sensed someone at the door and looked up to see Simon leaned against the frame.
“Hi.”
I swallowed hard at how handsome he was in his pinstripe suit. “Hi.”
“Do you have everything you need?”
Need, yes. Want, no. “I believe so.”
“Good. Did you have a nice weekend?”
Nope. I’d thought of him way too often. “I did. You?”
“It was okay.”
He opened his mouth to say more, but a voice came from behind him. “Hello. You must be Mr. Granger. I’m Russell Smith from TW Accounting.”
Simon extended his hand, looking a bit confused. “What happened to Lyle?”
“Oh, he got sick. Couldn’t fly. I’ll be here all week instead.”
I witnessed the vein at Simon’s temple throb and thought this might be his tell for irritation. Something told me he didn’t like it when things didn’t go as planned.
“I see. Well, Mr. Smith, ensure you are efficient with Ms. Waters’s time as it’s very valuable.”
Russ nodded enthusiastically. “Absolutely.” Then he gave me a grin. “Ready to get started?”
He was either oblivious to Simon’s frosty tone or didn’t care. Either way, I had to keep from laughing at Simon’s sour expression. “Yep. I’m all set.”
Russ took a seat, getting the projector fired up to put the first schedule on the screen. By the time I glanced back towards the door, Simon was gone.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Simon
I was stewing. Lyle had been our forensic accountant for the last five years. He was out of Minneapolis, but traveled wherever and whenever we needed him. So why the hell wasn’t he here? Emma was nowhere to be found. My inability to ask her about the situation only worsened my mood.
But the fact I could hear every word between Peyton and Russ next door was the last straw. He was clearly flirting. She was being nice. Or hell, maybe she was interested in him. The thought left me unsettled.
Emma strolled in ten minutes later. “Hi. You’re back. How was your meeting with George this morning?”
I’d had to meet with him in order to ensure we ironed out the misconception that anyone would skip the interview process. Initially, he wasn’t happy with it, but I’d eased his mind by telling him I respected Peyton and would certainly take her recommendations to heart. Since I didn’t normally extend such a consideration, I’d already felt off kilter upon returning to my office. She was affecting me in an impenetrable place. At least it had been.
“Fine. Who the hell is that in there
with Peyton, and where is Lyle?”
Emma arched a brow. “Lyle has bronchitis and can’t travel. Russ is from the Houston TW branch and comes recommended.”
“By whom?” I kept my voice low, knowing that if I could hear the voices in the conference room, then they could hear us, too.
“Lyle.”
“He’d better not be wasting her time.”
Emma smiled before shutting the door and taking my visitor’s chair. “Why don’t you tell me what this is actually about?”
“It’s about not being informed Lyle was unable to make it. Coming in and being caught off guard.”
“You have an email I sent to you this morning when I found out Lyle had a bug and wouldn’t be here.”
I hadn’t had a chance to check my email since leaving George’s house. “Fine.”
“Is it?”
At that moment, unmistakable laughter came from next door. “What in the hell is there to laugh about during a forensic audit?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Russ is cute. Peyton is a beautiful woman.”
I had to stop the growl starting to come from my chest.
She knew me well enough to call me on it. “So maybe that’s the problem?”
I could pretend it wasn’t, but I wouldn’t be fooling her, let alone myself. I let out a breath of frustration. I’d thought about Peyton all weekend. Our kiss, the hurt reflected on her face after I’d pulled away. “It’s an impossible situation.”
Emma sighed. “Only because you’re making it such.”
“I have to interview her for CFO next week. What would you have me do? It’s a direct conflict.”
She shook her head. “Maybe you can’t see a way to move the obstacles because you’re too busy building them.”
“It’s for the best.” At least that’s what I kept telling myself.
“You keep believing that, then. By the way, Jeff requested an appointment.”
“The director of payroll?”
“Yeah, him.”
“Let him see Tom.” I didn’t have the time.
“Tom isn’t back until tomorrow. You want me to put off Jeff until then? I’d be happy to take a break from having him stare at my chest or offering to show me around the city.”
It wasn’t the first time Emma had been hit on, but considering the guy wanted to be CFO, his behavior was unbelievably brazen. “If he isn’t getting the hint, you tell me.”
She leveled me with a look. “If he doesn’t get the hint, you’ll find him with a stiletto up his arse.”
With Emma, I didn’t doubt it. “Guess it would settle the position of CFO.”
“See? Win, win.”
“Send him up.”
***
I ensured I was outside of my door when Jeff arrived. As expected, he went straight to Emma’s desk where he asked about her weekend. I cleared my throat and watched as he stood up straight and noticed me.
“Hi, Simon. How’s it going?”
Emma rolled her eyes at his familiarity.
My response was icy. “Mr. Faison. You requested to see me?”
I had the satisfaction of watching his smile falter. “Uh, yeah, I did.”
“I have five minutes.”
He followed me into my office where I stood by the window with my arms folded, trying in vain not to listen through the thin walls as Peyton explained one of her spreadsheets to Russ.
Jeff came in and shut the door. Then he took a seat as though we were two mates about to catch up on old times. “I won’t take much time. I wanted to find out when you were making the decision on CFO.”
“After we finish the initial audit, we will be conducting interviews. Most likely next week. There’s no use doing them before we’ve made the decision to buy.”
“Right. Guess that makes sense. So, Peyton actually applied?”
Where was he heading with this? “I believe George indicated she had.”
“Yes, well, George has a soft spot for her since he knew her father and all. It’s how she got the job. It’s how she keeps it.”
I had to check my temper. Regardless of how I felt about her, this guy was turning out to be a complete prick. “You’re telling me she’s not qualified for the CFO position?”
He shrugged. “I’d make the argument she’s not qualified for the job she does now, but hey, that’s ultimately your call.”
I wanted to tell him that while she’d been working a sixty-hour week he’d barely put in half the effort. Lazy sod. I found his work ethic and moral compass completely lacking. But I didn’t say a word. There would be a time for action, but saying anything now would only tip my hand. “You’re correct. It is my call. Anything else, Mr. Faison?”
“Nope, nope. Unless do you know if Emma—?”
“Let me cut you off and say no. You don’t ask me about my assistant, and you certainly don’t talk to her about anything that doesn’t pertain to the job.”
“Ah, I get it.” He grinned, insinuating Emma and I had something going on.
“No, you don’t, but your five minutes is up.”
For the first time, he started to look nervous. Good.
***
I paced my office after I heard Peyton tell Russ good night and pack her things up. That had happened around five. She’d told him she’d be downstairs for another hour and then online later tonight if he had any questions. If Russ was worth anything, he’d be here most of the night prepping for tomorrow.
Finally, unable to stand it any longer, I went downstairs to her office. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking of the kiss when I knocked and heard her say come in. This time, however, when I closed the door, I leaned on it, keeping my distance. I was determined not to make the same mistake twice.
Yes, I was committed despite the fact she looked exceptionally stunning today in a wrap dress highlighting her curves and showing off her long, toned legs.
“If you’re afraid of something happening again, why don’t you keep the door open instead of plastering yourself up against it as if you need to create as many square inches between us as possible?”
Was I that transparent? “I’m not.”
“What do you need?”
Her cool greeting should’ve given me comfort that we were solely professional. But it didn’t. Instead, it made my stomach hurt.
“I wanted to be sure everything is going okay with Russ. Unfortunately, our regular auditor, Lyle, got sick.”
“Emma told me. And Russ is fine. Smart and catching onto everything quickly, especially given he was brought in at the last minute.”
I’d wanted to hear he was inept, so I had an excuse to fire him. “Good.”
“Anything else?” She appeared impatient to get back to work.
“Did your father get you the job here?”
Her eyes went round before the temper settled there.
Although there were a number of ways I could’ve gone about asking, I tended to go for the most direct hit in order to gauge a reaction. I’d become very adept at reading people over the years. Currently, my money was on her being pissed.
“Considering he died when I was fourteen, that would be impossible.”
I hadn’t expected her answer. Normal people would’ve offered an apology. I did not. “Then why is Jeff saying that George knowing your father got you the job?”
She started shutting down her laptop and putting her things into her bag, noticeably ready to leave. “Because he’s an asshole who is insecure enough about me getting the CFO position he’d feel the need to tell you that. A lot of people knew my father. He was the CFO of ExxonMobil, and yes, one of those people who knew him was George. But he didn’t discover the connection between my father and me until I’d already been working here for a year. If you don’t believe me or think I’ve had some sort of favoritism, then by all means ask George. I’m done with this conversation.”
I’d hit a nerve. One I hadn’t meant to. “Peyton, it wasn’t my intention to upset you.”<
br />
She shook her head before pinning me with a stare. “Then apologize.”
“I needed to dispel the rumor. The best way to do that is to go straight to the person it’s about.”
She walked up directly in front of me. So close I could smell a whiff of her perfume and could’ve dipped my head to her neck to have a taste of the soft skin I knew would greet me there.
“Not even close to an apology. Please move. I’m going home.”
I stepped aside and watched her stride out of her office without a backward glance. Regret coursed through me at my insensitivity. It wasn’t a familiar or pleasant emotion. I’d managed to drive her away even further. This should have made feel safer, but instead only left me feeling empty.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Peyton
By Friday, I was exhausted. It had been another long week, with Russ asking a lot of questions and taking even more notes about dozens of spreadsheets. I’d answered all of his inquiries, knowing there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Luckily, I hadn’t been exaggerating when I’d told Simon Russ was smart and was catching onto to our business quickly. Turned out he was quite funny, too, which didn’t make the days quite so dreadful.
When he’d asked me what I was doing for dinner tonight, I’d politely told him I was busy with other plans. Before meeting Simon, I would’ve at least entertained the idea of a meal with the guy. We had things in common, he was handsome and easy to get along with, but I simply wasn’t into him. For some inexplicable reason, my attraction to Brexy muddled my ability to see anyone else. It was unfair to be this affected by a man who was off limits.
As far as Simon was concerned, I’d had glimpses of him during the week. Each time, my body practically buzzed as if it could sense his energy floating by. But he hadn’t bothered to stop by. Hadn’t engaged other than to come in to ask Russ for a few things from time to time.
It bothered me at first that he’d brought up my father the way he had. But at the end of the day, it didn’t matter. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard the insinuation I’d gotten my job because of my dad’s status. Jeff had the nerve to say as much to my face when he’d first started to work here. But what hurt was the way Simon had reacted after discovering the truth. As if he would have chosen torture over apologizing for the way he’d asked about my dad’s influence. He wouldn’t even say he was sorry for finding out my father had passed away. What halfway decent person didn’t say, ‘I’m sorry to hear that’ as an automatic response to finding out someone had died?
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