I can feel the anger rolling of Adora in invisible waves directed at me. After all this time together, I can read her like a book. She’s been giving me stink eye covertly ever since Mr. Alby singled her out. She’s right about one thing, it’s my fault. When he started shoving the owner’s daughter, Priscila, at me, I used every woman I could get my hands on as a human shield. I’m not one for dating, but this year you would’ve thought I was running an audition for the future Mrs. Rogers.
Alby caught me while I was single before this trip. So, I hinted that I was romantically involved with someone close to me. It wasn’t my fault he decided that person was Adora, right? She’s not going to see it that way. I’ve never wanted to avoid being alone with her the way I do now. Her black heeled foot taps a rhythm against the elevator floor as the car continues to travel up. It’s become my practice that we are given adjoining rooms. Having her close at hand makes things more comfortable with my insane hours. You sure it has nothing to do with your control-freak ways?
I ignore the voice in my head that sounds dangerously like my father’s. Who would know, since I’ve inherited said tendencies from him in the first place. Adora has a sweetness about her that made me protective from day one. She wasn’t the most qualified person I interviewed, but she was the most sincere and attractive. Not physically, but on a level I didn’t question. My gut had gotten me this far in life, so I didn’t question it.
I peer at her out of the corner of my eye. Her full lips are drawn into a straight line and turned down in the corners. Shit. Unlike most people in my life, she didn’t fear me. When I got loud, she matched my volume and refused to back down when it was important. I have a temper, and I was used to having things my way. Call it only child syndrome or privilege. I come from wealth, and it spoiled me, even with my father making me work for the things I wanted. He originated from the salt of the earth people and instilled his work ethic, and I inherited his height and presence.
My father is pushing seventy at sixty-six, and you still sense it when he walks into a room. With chiseled chin, strong jaw, and piercing blue eyes, he’s easy on the eyes. It gives me hope for my aging process. ’Course, Dad knew when to slow down and enjoy life. A fact he reminded me of every time we get together. Which was part of why the visits between us got less and less. Growing up, the son of a mother born into wealth and a father who built a successful shipping company from the ground up left me with a lot to prove. I’d been determined to make it on my own. It hurt my dad seeing me stray from Rebel Shipping, but deep down, he understood. I poured everything I had into Alby Software. Now, at thirty-five, if I didn’t get named owner, it would all be for nothing. Alby had me by the balls, and we both knew it.
Ding. We came to a stop on the fifth floor. “See you bright and early, Rogers,” Adam said, tipping his head at both of us as he exited the floor, leaving us alone. And then there were two.
Adora angles her body toward me and folds her hands under her breasts. I can’t help but admire their shape and fullness as they press against the white, button-down shirt she’s paired with a black bow. I force my gaze to meet her flashing dark brown eyes.
“L
ong day, huh?”
“Don’t even try it, Weston Harrison Rogers.”
I cringe at the sound of my full name rolling off her tongue. I’d verbally eviscerate anyone else who pulled this, but she was so much more than my employee.
“What the hell was that tonight? Captain Creepy was in full form. He never even notices me, so why the sudden special and unwanted attention?”
I open my mouth and close it.
“I’m waiting.”
Her mom voice is on point for a woman who has no children. I’m a grown man, and I feel scared straight.
“He’s trying to fix me up with our client’s daughter, Priscila. Who has apparently taken a shine to me.”
“Gross.” She wrinkles her button nose. “But why did I get the fifth degree and praise?” She shudders.
“Because I told him I was seeing someone close to me.”
“And?” She arches a delicate brow.
“And he decided that person was you.”
“Weston! Why didn’t you correct him?” She stomps her foot.
I hide the smile her irritation causes. “Did you hear him? She’s going to be here with us for the whole trip! He’s going to try to foist her on me. Clearly, he’s suspicious about my claim as it is. He was trying to feel you out.”
“More like feel me up,” she mumbles.
I tense. “Did he touch you?” Each word is clipped. I ball my hands into fists. I’d rip his wrinkled body limb from limb if he pulled anything with her.
“What?” She blinks rapidly. “Nothing more than what everyone saw. He just has that slimy feel to him.”
“You tell me if he oversteps—”
“Please. I can handle myself.”
Gripping her upper arms, I pull her to me and search her gaze with my own. “I mean it, Adora.”
Her lips part slightly, and her breathing quickens. My eyes drink in her round cheeks, and her close-set eyes fringed in thick, dark lashes. She’s stunning.
“Okay,” she whispers.