The CEO & I

She gives me a sly smile. “Which guy?”

“The guy in that suite? Did you fuck him?” I don’t want to play games. I just want to get to the bottom of everything. If she says yes, then I’m fucking done with Luke Remington. The moment I get back to New York, I’ll walk away and never see him again.

“It’s none of your business.”

I’m so angry I feel like punching her smug face. I’ve never wanted to punch anyone before. She’s smaller than me. I can take her. I grab her hand. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll report you to the hotel. How would you like that?”

A flash of fear passes her eyes before she masks it. “Yes, I did,” she admits defiantly. “Happy now?”

It’s the exact opposite of how I feel.

“Let go of me. It’s not me you have to be angry with. It’s just my job,” she says quietly. And suddenly, I feel ashamed of myself. She’s such a small thing. Even in her ridiculously high shoes, she only comes up to my chin. It’s a wonder to think that Luke’s big cock could possibly fit inside her. The thought sickens and disgusts me and I immediately release her.

She straightens her top and walks away without a care in the world.

I’m still staring at the empty space where she was standing when I hear the elevator doors close behind her. Only then, I realize I haven’t moved since she said she had sex with him. I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t to hear her actually say yes, but she did.

She has no reason to lie to me.

But I don’t get it. Luke and I have a fight and he buries his cock in a fucking prostitute?

My heart feels like it is shattering in that hallway. The pain runs deep and sharp. This kind of misery in my heart is new to me. I’ve never experienced it before and I don’t want to feel this way. I don’t want to think any more about Luke fucking her. I don’t want to think about him anymore at all.

I honestly feel like I could punch a wall. Or maybe his face. I want to go into our suite and confront him. I want to look into his eyes and ask him what makes him think it’s okay to fuck a hooker after last night. What makes him think it’s okay to sleep with anyone after the way we’ve been with each other? But just the thought of the ensuing arguments makes me feel exhausted. I’m so done right now. I’m so angry and hurt. I wonder if I can find a new job before I get back to the states. Would it even matter?

What I need is a drink.

Yes, if I just get a drink in me, or several, I’ll be able to make it through the rest of this miserable trip until we head back to the states. I’m so over Luke, this trip, and this whole fucking country right now.

I turn around and head for the elevator. My mind is so scrambled I don’t register the ride down or the walk to the bar. Suddenly, I find myself sitting down at the bar and ordering a vodka with a finger of tonic. The bartender fixes it up and sets it in front of me. I drink it and order a second one. He doesn’t so much as raise an eyebrow. I drink that down and hit him up for another. I don’t want to think anymore. I want to feel completely and totally numb.

“Hey, Jade,” a deep, masculine voice says from behind me.

I turn to see Carl Magnus in all his Viking glory. His long blond hair drags over the shoulders of his suit jacket, and he looks like a fusion of ancient and modern man.

I’m surprised. I really didn’t think I was going to see him again. Especially after the way Luke had acted toward him the other day. “Hey, Carl,” I say glumly. “What brings you here?”

He sits down on the bar stool next to me. “I’m day drinking today,” he replies with a laugh. “I don’t think I can make it through another boring speech unless I get a little buzzed. What’s your excuse?”

“You know, I’m not usually a day drinker.” I finish my third drink.

The bartender points, and I nod my head. He gets to pouring me a fourth one.

I haven’t eaten much today, and I know I need to pace myself. I need to make sure that I don’t go over my limit and totally embarrass myself. I’m still on a business trip, whether or not I’m with Luke. I still need to be professional.

Carl nods. “What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?”

The bartender serves me my drink, and Carl orders himself a straight Jack Daniels.