Devil's Contract

“That’s why I’m calling! Please tell me all of the rumors are true.”

I chuckle. “I guess that depends on what rumors you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play innocent with me. Are you really dating Dex Cohen?” she asks.

This is why I’ve avoided her. I’m not prepared to talk about Dex and me yet.

“Define dating…” I finally say with a small chuckle.

“That’s it. You’re joining me for lunch. I need the whole scoop. And you aren’t going to leave out any of the juicy details. That man is like sex on a stick. Seriously.”

“I really should get into the office.”

“You can work after lunch. Come on. We’ll go to that new Thai place that just opened. Lunch is on me.”

I relent when I realize it might be good to have a friend to talk to about all the changes happening in my life. “Fine. I’ll meet you in the lobby at eleven-thirty.”

It’s after two when I get back from lunch. Despite getting almost no work done today, I’m glad I went. I’d forgotten how much fun it is to talk with Rowan. She may be a few years younger than me, but we have a lot in common—particularly knowing the unique challenges of growing up as Manhattan royalty.

Gordon is waiting to open the door when my hotel limo pulls to a stop.

“Welcome back, Ms. Katja,” he says, reaching in to assist me from the vehicle. When the ground sways under me, it dawns on me that perhaps I shouldn’t have had the third Cosmo with lunch.

“Hello, Gordon. Thanks.”

“It looks like you and Ms. Rowan had a nice lunch,” he observes with a smile.

“We did,” I say, doing my best to not to wobble on my heels.

“If you don’t mind me saying, it’s good to see you happy again.”

I would never feel comfortable talking about my personal life with most of the employees, but Gordon has always been so much more to me. I know he’s been worried about me since my father died.

“Thanks,” I reply. “I am happy.”

And I am. I can acknowledge at least that much. After losing my father and then my disastrous marriage to Tristan, it’s been a long time since I’ve felt this light.

Gordon’s grip on my arm remains, keeping me from going inside. I turn, trying to understand what’s happening.

The doorman looks conflicted as he opens his mouth, but no words come out.

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

“Yes… I’m fine. It’s just… I’ll always be loyal to you and to The Whitney. You know I’ve been critical of Mr. Cohen in the past and well… I wanted to let you know I think I might have been wrong about him.”

You and me both, Gordon.

I try not to think about how much trouble, and money, I could have saved both Dex and myself if I’d never severed ties with him in the first place.

“I appreciate you saying that. You’ve been part of The Whitney my whole life, so your opinion means a lot to me.”

Gordon breaks into a broad smile before patting my hand and then finally releases me so I can get out of the heat. As I push through the revolving door into the air-conditioned lobby, an irrational urge to see Dex comes over me. It’s crazy, but I feel like a giddy teenager, unable to wait for my Friday night date.

I’d planned to get a few hours of work in, but thanks to my long lunch, the idea of sneaking in a little afternoon delight with my newfound sex-god sounds like a much better idea.

It only takes a few minutes to get up to the thirteenth floor. The boardroom is empty, and the lights are turned off as I pass by on my way to Dex’s office. His door is closed and as tempting as it is to barge in to surprise him, I’m very aware he holds the kind of business meetings I really shouldn’t burst into unannounced.

I knock but the rap of my knuckles goes unanswered. I press my ear to the door to see if I can hear anyone talking inside, but all is quiet. Disappointed, I’m about to head up to the penthouse when the door across the hall opens and a guest who looks vaguely familiar emerges.