Dare to Forgive (The Dare 3)

“This is Adel McKinley.”

“Adel? Oh, you mean your secretary?” Collette asked and then placed her palm against Hank’s chest and whispered into his ear.

“You poor darling. Resorting to a female employee for a business date? You should have called me. I would have made it worth your while.”

She walked away and he shook his head. Adel looked insulted so he quickly grabbed her hand and headed toward the crowd of people.

“Sorry about that.”

“You are, or should I expect some more ex-lovers to approach us as the evening goes on? Maybe let me know if you’d like to introduce me as your personal assistant or your date?” she snapped at him and he was shocked, but also entirely turned on. He pressed her hip closer to him and gave her hip a squeeze. Just as he was about to tell her what her firmness did to his cock, Michelle Morrison along with Credence Crowe approached.

“Hank, good to see you. I didn’t know you were coming tonight. And who is this beautiful young woman?” Michelle Morrison asked, and as he answered he saw Credence Crowe look her over and give a smile.

“This is Adel, we work together.”

“Oh, how interesting. Well, do tell me how your family is doing? I thought for sure Harold and William would have attended. I haven’t seen Ethena in months.”

“Well they had a previous engagement to attend, or I’m certain they would be here,” he told her as Credence shook Adel’s hand hello and moved closer to her.

“Well, this is an important event, and we’ve received wonderful donations to bid on. Why don’t I show you,” she suggested and he didn’t want to insult the woman and certainly not leave Adel either.

“Adel?” He motioned with his hand for her to follow.

“Oh, don’t worry, Hank, I’ll keep Adel company while Michelle gets you to open your wallet for a great cause.”

He looked at Adel and she smiled and nodded her head, indicating she was okay with this. However, as Hank followed Michelle, with her arm looped through his, he couldn’t help but look over his shoulder at Adel and Credence. Credence placed his hand at her lower back and guided her toward the champagne table.

* * * *

In all of about five minutes Adel saw right through Credence and his façade. She had dealt with men like him for years and being around Bentley. As Credence dropped flirtatious comments and hinted for information on whether she was dating Hank, she played it off as them being friends first and that she didn’t think it was a good idea about getting involved with her boss. After all, part of this date was doing recon on the Morrisons and where they stood in the bidding war for the job.

“I think that’s very wise of you. I must tell you that I don’t know Hank or his brothers well, but only what I’ve heard through the gossip,” he told her seriously.

“Well, don’t believe everything you hear. They are very smart, resourceful, and professional men. Their business comes before everything and they’re committed to any projects they take on. In fact, they get most of their jobs from word of mouth.”

He smiled softly.

“Is that so? No advertising, or greasing any palms?” he said.

She scrunched her eyebrows together and gave him an angry expression. “Mr. Crowe, I don’t know what kind of business Morrison’s company is that you work for, but I can tell you that Ferguson construction is on the up and up. No greasing any palms or funny games and promises. That’s what I like about working for them. They are a major part of Chance, and help support the community they live in with providing jobs to those in need and have been known to make up positions in the company to help someone who is down and out. I don’t believe men like that run any shady scams or dirty business.”

She looked away from him and toward Hank, who was still talking with Michelle and a few other people. She felt Credence’s hand on her waist then his breath against her ear as he whispered, “The Ferguson men are very lucky men to have you. So loyal and supportive. Perhaps you could fill me in more?”

“How so?” she asked cautiously.

“Well, my bosses, JT and JR, are very interested in in accepting whatever bid Ferguson construction submits on the job we’re in charge of, but they are a bit smaller than one of the other construction companies that recently inquired about the job.”

“Who would that be?” she asked, hoping to get a little upper hand.

“Oh, I’m not at liberty to say right now, but how involved have you been in the preparing of their proposal if I may ask?”

“Very involved. I have a lot of insight into jobs of this standard and size. Hank, Will, and Leo have wonderful ideas and a way of working a construction site that is safe and productive.”

She went on to tell him about an incident she witnessed where someone didn’t take the safety measures required by Ferguson construction and how workers were hurt. She explained about Hank firing the workers who were cutting corners and not taking the rules seriously.

He seemed impressed and as they talked about the job she gave some feedback and just enough information on ideas to plant a seed that Ferguson construction was more than capable of handling this job for Morrison.

She glanced toward Hank’s direction and saw two other young women talking to him. He was chatting back and forth with them and the women were touching his arm or hugging it. It appeared as if they were vying for his attention. She was shocked at the feeling of jealousy she felt.