The dull ache between her thighs pulled her back into the depravity of her night with Damon, every subtle movement causing it to revive. She pressed her back to the elevator, praying that no one she knew would get on. The door opened to her floor, and she walked off languidly, her eyes scanning the area to see who was in and who hadn't made it yet. It was late, and by then she would usually have been a couple of hours into a project. She would have to catch up with Ben later and see how the rest of the intern party had fared. That, and give him a good excuse why she rushed off without saying goodbye after having just arrived at the club.

The '“sick mom” card would work. It always did.

She dropped her purse on the empty seat in front of her desk before dropping down in her comfortable leather chair. Her stomach growled loudly, the rumble reminding her of a cat being mauled. She smiled at the thought and reached over to turn on her computer as a knock resounded at her open door.

Philip.

"Hey, Cinderella." He smiled and pointed to the chair across from her. "Mind if I come in?"

"Not at all." Bethany stood, reaching over the desk and grabbing her purse. She dropped it beside her desk and smoothed down the front of her gray suit, the light sapphire shirt accenting the pinstripes in the material. She felt like she owned the world when wearing a suit. Might as well act like it.

"So what happened last night? We got on the dance floor, and I had to run to the restroom. I come back, and you've disappeared." He laughed, his smile warm and safe. "I looked everywhere for you. Ben was worried too. No glass slipper. No breadcrumb trail or anything ..."

She laughed and reached over to type in her password, the need to get started on something and take her mind off of Damon pressing against her.

"My mother texted and said she wasn't feeling very well." Bethany glanced over at him. "My father left us a long time ago, so when she needs me, I usually overreact, which I did last night."

"Oh. Sadie said she thought you left with some guy. I figured that couldn't be right, but you know she's always trying to start something."

Bethany turned toward him, her smile dropping at the mention of the redheaded intern. It was only a matter of time before she had an ass-whooping headed her way.

"Well, she was wrong. Sorry to disappoint." Her tone changed, coldness that Philip didn't deserve sneaking into her words. He held up his hands and shook his head as if surrendering.

"Hey, no worries here. I was just telling you what she said. I'm just glad you're alive and well. How's your mom doing?"

"She's good. I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that." She leaned back in her chair, letting out a soft sigh. Not sleeping more than a couple of hours, mixed with the torrential flood of questions the night caused, left her exhausted.

"It's no problem. So, was she sick?"

"Yeah, throwing up and stuff. I took care of her most of the night. I'm honestly beat from it."

"You should have stayed home."

"Maybe, but I don't get paid for staying home." She stood up and reached for her bank card. "I'm thinking I want to test fate. Want to join me?"

He stood as well, a soft chuckle leaving him as he nodded. "Always wanted to fuck fate, but testing her out first sounds like a more prudent way of doing things."

"I'm just talking about testing my new bank card. You sound like you have much bigger plans." Bethany walked around him and through the door, looking over her shoulder at the handsome boy. "You look nice today."

"And you look stunning, but I didn't want to be overbearing and tell you."

"I like that type of overbearing. Let's get something down in the cafeteria." She moved into the elevator, turning to watch him walk toward her. He was interested. By the look on his face, his smile reaching his eyes, he was ready to take the next step and ask her out. She would need to nip it in the bud but wanted to be careful. Not having too many friends in the office yet, it was nice to be around him. He would be a great work friend if he were willing to see her differently.

"I like the overbearing way you danced last night."

"Overbearing?"

"I guess overwhelming would be better. You a dancer? Take lessons as a kid or something?"

"Oh, I thought you meant pole dancer. I should have been one. It would have been an easier way to pay my classes in college." She reached up to push the button on the elevator panel, Philip having moved close to her side.

"I'll keep my thoughts to myself on this one."

She laughed and wrapped her arms around her chest. Philip reminded her of her ex-boyfriend, Jake, but a version she would consider dating if her stepbrother hadn't stolen her completely. His ways were unethical, using lust and his sex appeal to leave her panting after him. She needed to figure out how to return the favor.

"Hey ... did I lose you?" Philip waved in front of her as he held the elevator door open. Bethany moved toward him, shaking her head.

"Oh sorry. Got lost in my thoughts for a moment."

"Not thoughts of pole dancing, I hope." He laughed as she swatted at him.

They grabbed a coffee and a few donuts to share, Philip picking up the tab and not giving her a chance to pay. Bethany sighed, rolling her eyes at him.

"I thought you guys from Australia were domineering and made your women do everything."

"You considering yourself to be my woman?"

Heat rushed up her neck. She reached up and tugged at the top of her shirt to make sure the evidence of her night was fully covered. They sat down at a small table near the edge of the large white-walled cafeteria.

"No. I didn't mean it like that. I just meant women in general."

He grinned and reached for the only chocolate donut. He almost had it to his mouth as she gasped, reaching for it.

"Hey. I wanted the chocolate one."

He pulled it out of her reach and smiled so big it had to have hurt his face. She reached again, moving out of her chair as he laughed loudly.

"No fucking way. I get the chocolate one."

She put her hands on her hips, tilting her head as she eyed him and then the donut.

"I'm not playing with you. I'm eating the chocolate one." She reached again as he stood too, extending the donut behind him. He trapped her to the front of his lithe frame with a hug, his laugher contagious.

"Not even if you were my woman, Beth. I'll buy you another one."

Bethany moved away from him, the moment sweet and almost too precious.

"Well, isn't this a plot twist?" Sadie's voice grated on her like nails on a chalkboard.

"A plot twist? You read?" Bethany turned to face her nemesis, a sweet smile slithering across her face. It was time to mess with the girl a little.

"Of course I don't read. I'm far too busy riding the universe through the stars."

"So poetic. Just beautiful, don't you think, Philip? Ignorance can still birth creativity. Logic perhaps not, but creativity, yes."

Philip shoved the donut in his mouth, talking around it. Bethany popped him on the chest as he broke up in laughter, pointing to the dining hall and walking away. He was headed to get more chocolate donuts. Perfect timing. Ass.

"I saw you leave with that guy last night. You can try and play innocent with everyone around here, but I'm on to you."

"Because you think I left with someone from the bar you're on to me? What does that even mean? Bisexuality is accepted by most people, but I'm not interested." Bethany snorted softly. "I mean, I'd talk to your friend that walks around up your ass, but you're ... not my type at all."

"What are you talking about, oaf? You should hear yourself rambling on." She flipped her hair behind her shoulder, narrowing her eyes on Bethany. "I saw you with the guy. Period. I'll be telling Damon that his latest piece of ass is seeing someone else."

"What if it was Damon, Sadie? Then what?"

"It wasn't. He never comes to those things. Honestly, I don't know why he's bothering with you. Is your daddy rich?"

"It's none of your business who my daddy is and what he is or isn't." Bethany moved around the table, her heart racing in her chest as goosebumps rushed across her skin. How she hated this loud bitch.

"Oh ... we've hit a sensitive spot. Let me guess," Sadie pressed her finger to her pencil thin lips, "your mom had you out of wedlock, and her druggie boyfriend decided neither of you was worth staying for. You paid for college by working your ass off and loading up on debt, and Damon feels sorry for you. Did I get it right? Did Daddy leave you because you weren't worth sticking around for?"

The room twisted around her, a splash of red brushing across her vision as she took the last two steps between her and Sadie. Her fist connected hard with the side of the mouthy girl's face. Sadie screamed and fell to the ground, blood seeping out on the white tile floor around her.

Bethany came to and bent down, trying to help her as Sadie screamed at her.

"Back up, you vicious bitch. Don't come near me. I'm calling security, and my father is going to sue. Get back!"

Bethany moved, shock rushing over her. Had she really just fucked her chances of being someone at McKenzie and Bryant and even more so, having her master’s paid for?

Philip walked up, pulling her back and bending down to look at her.

"Hey ... Beth. Hey."

She shook her head, her vision still a little blurred as his voice penetrated the desire to finish the job by choking the redhead out completely.

"What?" she whispered, looking up at him.

"You need to go. Take these and get out of here. I'll work out things with Sadie for you. Make sure you talk to Mr. Bryant first. He seems to think highly of you. Get to him, and then go home. I'll deal with this."

Bethany turned, walking toward the elevator as numbness wrapped around her. It had to be a lack of sleep. She hadn't been in a fight since high school, the reason for that one no different than the one that just occurred. Would her father always be such a sore spot?

"How did she know about him?" Bethany whispered, reaching into the bag Philip had handed off to her and pulling out a chocolate donut. She bit into it deeply and got off on Damon's floor.

Linda looked up from her desk. Concern swept across her features. "Bethany, you okay?"

"Just long morning already," Bethany mumbled, her words monotone and running together. What was wrong with her? "Where's Damon?"

"Mr. Bryant is in Seattle. He left this morning. Should be back at the end of the weekend."

"He left this morning? When?"

"At nine."

"Did he leave a message for me?" Bethany dropped the donut in the bag, her stomach turning sour.

Linda's mouth lifted in a smirk as she chuckled softly, her tone berating.

"Why would he, dear? You're an intern, and he's the CFO of the company." She reached for the phone. "Excuse me."

Bethany turned and walked to the stairs, not wanting to run into anyone she knew. A quick stop by her office and she would be headed to Kent's to spend the afternoon in her bed. A long hard cry at the situation with Sadie would help, but would it soothe the ache in her chest over Damon?

Had the night just been a way to control her and he was on to his next girl? Maybe someone who wouldn’t break so easily under his demands?

Why wouldn't he at least tell her he was going out of town? Linda's words left her feeling stupid and childish. Tears welled in her eyes as she jogged the rest of the way down the stairs, stopping by her office and grabbing her purse before making her way to the street level.

Time to test fate.