Resist

“I understand,” he murmurs, his eyes not leaving mine. “Job security is important, especially in this day and age.”

Something in his voice makes me shudder. I can’t trust this guy. I don’t trust him, but I can’t shake the feeling that I really have no idea what I’m dealing with.

Chapter 16

Jaxon

I sit at my desk, examining the figures for a merger I need to complete by the close of business today. I’ve been staring at the same page for the last fucking hour because I can’t get her out of my head. What the fuck was that last night? My reaction completely threw me. I don’t behave like that. If there’s one thing I do well, it’s guard my feelings.

The meeting was last minute, and though I’d tried to get out of it, I couldn’t. Not without giving Ryan another piece of ammunition against me. What I’d hoped would last only ten minutes at most dragged on half the night, and even then we didn’t sort out all we needed to. All I could think about the whole time was Charlotte. I wanted to call her and say I was sorry, but by the time I got home it was too late.

Swearing, I reach into the bottom drawer of my desk, under a thick stack of papers, and retrieve the small photo I rarely look at anymore. Brynne smiles back at me, her pretty green eyes sparkling in the sunlight. I’ve been hurt before, and I’m not sure I’m ready to take that risk again.

Why did you have to turn out to be such a whore? I would have given you everything.

Angry, I stuff the photo back in its place and lock the drawer. There was a time when all I wanted was her back in my life. But now I couldn’t care less about Brynne or what happened to her. There was no love or respect left in our relationship. She made sure of that when she crossed me.

&n

bsp; I reach for my phone to call Charlotte. I need to see her, to apologize for last night. Just as I’m about to dial her room, my door flies open and Ryan saunters in. My hand shakes as I place the phone back down on my desk.

“Can I help you?” I ask coldly.

“For once, I’m here to help you.” He sits down in front of my desk, folding one leg over the other. The grin etched on his face makes me feel uncomfortable. When Ryan’s happy, I’m sure not to be.

“What are you talking about, Ryan? Surely you have better things to do with your time.”

“Surprisingly, no.” He pauses long enough to shake his head and laugh. “I’m sorry, but every time I think about this I can’t believe it all over again.”

“If you have a point, get to it,” I order through gritted teeth.

“Oh, I have a point.” He leans forward, the look in his eyes enough to make me dread what’s coming. I know it isn’t going to be in my favor. “I’m actually surprised,” he adds. In typical Ryan fashion, he drags out the story. If he’s expecting me to beg him for whatever the fuck he has to tell me, he’s going to be disappointed.

“I don’t have time for your games,” I say. I roll my eyes and turn my attention back to the computer. Inside I’m seething. I’m dying to know what it is, but there is no fucking way I’ll give him the satisfaction of knowing he’s getting to me.

He continues as if I hadn’t even spoken.

“Surprised you didn’t do your homework better. I mean, I know you’re a sucker for a hot piece of pussy, but no background check? I knew you were a screwup, but didn’t think you were completely stupid.”

“What are you talking about?” I finally say through gritted teeth. I’m about five seconds away from launching my fist into his face.

“Charlotte,” he drawls. His grin widens as he clasps his hands behind his head. I can feel the blood freeze in my veins at the sound of her name. His eyes laugh as they study me. “You didn’t know she’s a journalist, or aspiring to be?”

“What?” I force the word out, too shocked to form any more of a sentence.

“Our good friend Martin. You know he owns the Times. He recognized her from an internship she did last year for the paper.” He throws his head back and laughs. “This is just fucking perfect. I love it. Seriously, good work, Jaxon.” He stands up and pushes his chair in, chuckling to himself. “As much as I’d love to stay and chat, I have a meeting to get to.”

I don’t even acknowledge his leaving. I’m too angry. Angry at Ryan, at her. But most of all I’m angry at myself. How the fuck could I not have seen this? And for Ryan, of all people, to have figured it out before me. Cursing, I hurl a vase across the room. I barely notice as it shatters against the wall, shards of broken glass flying everywhere.

All I can think about is her and how much I’m going to enjoy making her pay. I shove my hand deep into my pocket and retrieve my phone.

“Luic,” I bark into the phone. “I’m faxing you a file. Get me all the information you can find on her. Now.”

If she thinks she can make a fool out of me and get away with it, she’s about to learn a very valuable lesson.

Chapter 17

Charlotte