Isabella
I wake as the first rays of sun pour in through the window of Grayson’s apartment. He looks more boy than man as his chest rises and falls. His face is soft, his kissable mouth missing the lines around it, and his brows relaxed.
My heart just about bursts. I’ve only had sex with a few guys and none came close to how my body responded last night. Not even Jared made me scream in passion.
What is it about Mr. Grayson J. Patten the third?
But now what? Obviously, I can’t work for him anymore. And my heart?
I’m fucking head over heels crazy for my boss, the CEO, a fucking billionaire. I know it’s stupid but I always fall in love after sex but he can’t possibly be serious about me. Billionaires marry famous actresses or models. People like me are for one-night-stands.
Oh my God, and what will the stockholders say? He can’t be found sleeping with an employee. Monty-the-Malevolent will have a field day.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
My therapist and I have discussed screwing-up at length because I do stupid stuff all the time. Well, not exactly like this but pretty bad. She says I need to learn to deal with my fuckups like an adult. Yada, yada, yada…
Instead, I do the other thing she says, the think-then-act thing, except I drop the think, pick up my phone, and text Mel.
Me: I need a huge favor. Can I use CJ’s cabin for a few days?
Mel: Sure. What’s wrong?
Me: I slept with my boss. OMG. Can I ask you to send Jack to drive me? I swear I’ll pay you back.
My clothes are strewn all over the place, so it takes some searching before I can tip-toe with them down the hall. Grayson doesn’t even stir. He must’ve been exhausted what with jet lag and all.
I dress in the bathroom, exit, and when another door suddenly opens, I jump a mile. “Slate? What are you doing here? You scared the shit out of me.”
The fact that he may have heard my passionate screams makes my face heat all the way to the tips of my ears.
He glances down the hall where Grayson is asleep, frowns, then shouts out, “Boss? We have a situation. Wake up.”
I rush through the living room, cross the kitchen, and grab my coat while Slate follows.
“Just stop for second. Please.” He holds the door shut while my hands frantically work the multiple locks.
Then, Grayson curses in the hall.
Ah shit.
He looks so hot dressed in only a sheet wrapped around his waist. His hair’s all sex-mussed and his lips are all swollen from where I nibbled on them all night.
He eyes me with brows furrowed in hurt. “You were leaving? Without saying goodbye? What the fuck?”
This was just the kind of scene I was trying to avoid. “Listen, it was great. You were great. Everything is fucking great.”
“Then why go?”
“Because you’re my boss. Your company is going public.”
Because I may have fallen in love with you and my heart won’t bear it when you leave me.
“Just sit down and we’ll talk it through, okay?” He rubs his hand over his face. “God, I need coffee.”
I sit and make like I’m staying but I’m really just biding my time. Mel’s driver, Jack will be here any minute and then I have to go.
I had no business sleeping with my boss. God, I am such an idiot.
Finally, an intercom buzzes, Slate lets Jack in, and the two shake hands like they know each other.
“C’mon Izzy.” Jack looks up at the other two men with brows raised, “Anyone got a problem with this?”
“Hell yeah. I do. Someone’s trying to kill her. She needs to stay here, with me.” Grayson’s fists are clenched but Jack isn’t fazed. Mel says he’s some kind of ex-military and right now I believe it.
He puts a fatherly arm over my shoulder and says, “Seems to me she’s got the right idea. I’ll get her out of the city, take her to CJ’s cabin until you figure out what’s going on. By the way? She was doing fine until she hooked up with the likes of you.”
He glares at Grayson and testosterone oozes in the air.
“Fine. Just text me when you get there. I’ll find someone to keep her protected.” Grayson shakes his head sadly and turns on his heel.
He never looks back to see my tears.