“No, I’m fine.” I respond. “I just need to speak with you about something.”

“Very well then, follow me,” she winks and does a quick turn in two-inch heels, her tight Jennifer Lopez ass swinging as she walks. If Soph saw my eyes peering down at it she’d punch me in the nuts. I love my wife, I’d never cheat on her, but everyone fantasizes about being with somebody else, especially when it’s shoved in one’s face. Yeah, the bitch is handing it to me on a platter, only I’m not hungry. Though, I have to admit after first seeing that ass I thought of it while jerking off. I try to think about Soph most of the time, but I can’t control my thoughts when my hand is on my dick. It just happens. That’s not unhealthy, is it?

“Have a seat. Tell me what I can do for you, sweetie-pie.”

I can’t believe this woman’s in charge of a company. Maybe it’s my lack of wit, and not to use a girly term, but like Soph says, I never sparkle at our business and I’m not bubbly. It’s true, I don’t have the greatest sense of humor, I’m not the type to walk into the Scarlett and give my employees a hug or throw any of them a birthday party. I’ve been too angry most of my life, and to be honest, I don’t give a fuck about things like that, but Kaitlyn’s another extreme. The complete opposite of me, and more than a sparkle, she’s a fucking roman candle.

She rests her ass on her desk and crosses her bare legs. Her hand reaches into her low cut white silk blouse and she adjusts her bra, something I wish more women would do in public. My first thought is to join her, reach down and relocate, change positions, mix things up a bit, but I hold back.

“Your daughter... Ivy... I was wondering...”

“Oh shoot, she didn’t steal anything from you, did she? Whatever it is, I’ll pay you back. I’m so sorry, Cove.”

“No, she didn’t steal from us. But she did come in with an article about Sophia’s father, and I want to know why you had it.”

“What makes you think it’s mine?” she asks in a switch from an animated voice to one of tranquility. Interesting that she didn’t say, what article, or I don’t know what you’re talking about.

“Ivy said she found it among your things, in your home.”

“Probably looking for money again, I’m sure. When did she receive her last paycheck?”

I’d like to tell her to cut the bullshit, but I keep calm. “Can you answer my question?”

“My daughter says a lot of things, many of which may or may not be true. She’s known for her dishonesty. Case in point, she was stealing from me again. God, I just don’t know what to do with that girl anymore. But she’s an adult, right? Not a little girl. I should just let her be, she’ll learn on her own if she gets arrested. Oh shoot, I’m so sorry if she’s causing problems.”

I glare into her eyes, staring, waiting. Her lips quiver as she tries to smile. What’s she hiding? She’s focused on my hat instead of my face. I take it off and run my fingers through my hair, trying to fix the greasy dark strands. I must look awful; I didn’t shower yesterday before we traveled, and I haven’t yet this morning. I smell of alcohol and sweaty sex. She watches me, my foot on my upper thigh, the hat now hanging off my knee, my fingers interlaced, hands on my stomach... waiting.

Haverty is led in by one of the office staff and he quietly takes the seat next to me, not saying a word.

“My business and family bodyguard,” I gesture in his direction.

“Bodyguard? Why? I’ve heard such wonderful things about your family and the Scarlett, that it’s sophisticated and ritzy, superior to the other bars in the city. That’s what I saw when I stopped by that day as well. Do I need to worry about my daughter when she’s there?”

I wish she would cut the crap. “If you have an article about Paul Jameson, then you know why I hired him.”

“Paul Jameson’s dead,” she says.

“Yes, seems like everyone knows that, right? Big news?”

Her smile is warm and I can’t figure out where she’s coming from. “Sweetie, I own a newspaper. And even if I didn’t, most people in this country know about his murder. It was big news for days, but that was a while ago, and if he’s dead, then why do you need this guy to watch over you, and why do you think you need him here, in my office?”

I wait for Haverty to make one his idiotic jokes, like Cove’s mother asked me to watch over him and make sure he doesn’t get hurt, but for once he keeps his mouth shut. “I don’t need to explain myself, but I think you do.”

“What did Ivy say about the article, besides she found it at my house? And by the way, my house is full of old news clippings, it’s my life, so I don’t know why you’re so surprised by all of this.” She opens her desk drawer and hastily scratches out a note; I notice her hands are shaking just as much as mine. She’s playing me, and I don’t like it one bit.

“I doubt highly this thing was cut from an everyday city paper, not with the headline. And your daughter didn’t say anything about it. I was hoping you could shed some light on the subject before I talked to her, but I can see that’s not going to happen... come on Hav, let’s go.”

Her hand is on my arm and Haverty’s hand on hers quicker than a cheetah chasing its prey. I place my free hand to his chest and he steps back.

“Give me a moment, I’ll meet you in the lobby,” I say.

He nods and walks off as Kaitlyn coils a finger through one of the belt loops on my jeans. She yanks me toward her, which gives me a nice view down her open blouse, fucking gorgeous tits. Fucking giant... much larger than... I bite my bottom lip and feel her hand in my pocket as she slips the note inside. Deep inside. Brushing against my dick. Double fuck.

“I’m married,” I step back. “Happily married, by the way.”

“That’s a very foolish thing to say. No one’s happily married, haven’t you learned that yet? Or are you still too young to have figured that one out, you pretty thing.”

“Fuck off,” I put my hat back on and reach for the door.

“Cove, wait.”

I keep walking, through the lobby, to the elevator, with Haverty by my side. The door closes and he pats my back.

“She wants to fuck you, right?”

“What a bitch.” My finger presses the button multiple times as a distraction to the graphic thoughts in my head.

“Well, if that’s all it is, if she set you up because she needs a boy toy then you should be happy, right? I can fuck her for you if you want. She won’t even remember your name once I dig my stick in.”

“My God, Hav,” I shake my head and let out a quick laugh. “I wish it were that simple, but I can’t imagine her sending her daughter into the Scarlett with the article in hope that I might show up at her office and fuck her, you know?”

“Did you see that woman? Hello? Were your eyes open? You’re a former porn star, right? For fuck’s sake, her shirt was wide open, sweat dripping between her cleavage like she just fingered herself, most likely thinking about you by the way, and the tight skirt, skank heels, fucking caked on mascara. I’d like to have a red lipstick stain on my dick from her mouth. Bleach blonde hair,” he smacks his lips. “The room was a hormonal sauna. She’s in heat, a middle-aged woman who probably hasn’t had it in a while, and...”

“Haverty, enough. Jesus.”

“Alright... so why did you call me? It’s not like you couldn’t have handled this alone.”

The door opens and I extend my hand for him to lead the way. “I didn’t know what was going to happen. Besides, I missed you, haven’t seen you in a couple of hours. Thought we could get a donut or something,” I joke.

“And?”

“And you know me too well. I’m calling Ivy to meet me at the Scarlett, and I want you there. I don’t trust her and if she’s anything like her mother, I don’t want to be alone with her either.”

“Why don’t you turn on the security cameras?”