Satisfied 2X

“Glad I could help.” He tapped the doorframe. “I’ll see you at dinner tonight.”

“Right. Dinner.”

He walked out of Alison’s office.

Nine

Alison

Drew walked out of her office and Alison still didn’t know how to take what he had told her. All this time she thought she was going to design their latest million-dollar product, when in fact they were trying to launch the most amazing foundation she had ever heard of. It was going to change lives. Make families whole. Help children and parents when they needed it most.

Who were these men?

She tapped her pen on the desk. They had given her a corner office that most people worked their entire lives to earn.

She didn’t want to think she had pegged them wrong. That they gave because maybe they were generous, not because they were trying to seduce her. Maybe they gave because that’s how they showed they cared. They gave because it made them feel good.

She twisted her lips together, confused more than before Drew’s visit. What if there was something good about Drew and Hunter buried underneath their sexy exteriors? What if they were capable of caring beyond their global domination? What if they were good men and she had judged them because of something stupid Leo did?

Her head spun with the possibilities. But Alison did what she always did when things were complicated. She walked to the new design table and picked up a charcoal pencil. There was one place where she could get lost. One place where everything else faded away and nothing else mattered. Her art.

A few days later the security agent deposited Alison in the foyer of the mansion after work. It was nearly midnight.

He looked around the house.

“You can go now,” she prodded. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He ignored her, searching for a sign that someone else was awake. Hunter strolled out of his study.

“You’re home.” He smiled.

Alison crossed her arms. “I’m here. I wouldn’t call it home.”

He nodded. “You can go.” He dismissed the agent. “I’ll make sure Ms. Rossi is tucked in for the night.” He winked in her direction.

The agent left and they were alone. She started to walk toward the winding staircase.

“You don’t have to turn in. Have a drink with me.” Hunter watched her hesitate.

Alison bit the inside of her cheek. “It’s late.”

“You’ve been working late the last few nights. I have barely seen you.”

She sighed. “I take my work seriously. And my freedom,” she added.

“Come with me.” Hunter led her to his study. Drew had one on the opposite side of the house.

Alison reluctantly followed him. Everything inside her told her she should climb the massive staircase, but her curiosity won out. She had a purpose now at the office. Nothing would keep her from winning.

Hunter stood in front of the bar. He poured a glass of wine for her.

She clutched the glass as he handed it to her.

“How is the project coming along?” he asked.

She took a sip. It was soothing. The glass was probably worth more than her entire apartment.

“I don’t think I should discuss it with you.”