Scandalizing the CEO

Hobbs nodded. “That works for me. I’ll get some ideas to you.”

“I’m in New York for two more days. We’ll talk more in the morning,” Steven said.

Hobbs left and Steven checked the e-mail on his iPhone. That one from Ainsley early this morning was still at the top of his inbox. He’d made the decision to come and see her after reading that she was haunted by him the same way he’d been haunted by her.

He hadn’t wanted to wait a week to see her again and he wasn’t a man who hesitated when he wanted something. He knew that pursuing Ainsley was complicated. But he didn’t let that stand in his way. He’d had to work for everything he had in his life.

His phone rang while he was debating how to contact Ainsley.

“Hello, Aunt Lucy.”

“Hello, Steven, how are you today?”

“I’m good. What can I do for you?” he asked.

“Are you available for dinner tomorrow night? I’m coming to London.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m out of town right now,” he said.

She sighed. “I wish you’d make more time for your family.”

“I see you once a month,” he said.

He didn’t like to think about his childhood. He’d grown up alone and his aunt Lucy had been too busy with her own career as a chef then to notice him—much as his mother had been. But when he’d been a teenager, Steven had gotten into some trouble with drinking and for some reason that had made Lucy notice him.

She’d tried to force a relationship between them, but it had been too little, too late. His character had already become firmly entrenched, and that character wasn’t a family guy.

“That’s right, you do. You know I’m here if you need me.”

“I do. I’ve got to go now. I’m going into a meeting.”

“Goodbye, Steven. I love you.”

“Bye, Aunt Lucy.” He never said the L-word. He wasn’t even sure that emotion existed for him.

Hanging up the phone, he called his assistant and had her find out where Ainsley was staying. He wasn’t just here for business, even though he knew he should be focusing his energies on the Everest Mega Stores, he was also very interested in Ainsley Patterson.

It had been a long, exhausting day and when Ainsley got to her hotel in the middle of Times Square she wanted nothing more than to head to bed. But as she walked through the lobby she heard someone call her name. Not just anyone—Steven Devonshire.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

She didn’t want to see Steven here. Here in Manhattan was where she’d had her horrible interview and her career had gone down in flames. She mentally shook herself. She’d started over and she needed to stop thinking of Steven as her own personal Waterloo. She needed to remember that he’d made her into the woman she was today. No, that wasn’t right. She’d made herself into the woman she was today.

“Is that any way to greet the man who haunts your dreams?”

“I knew I’d regret writing that.”

“Is it true?”

“I’m not a liar,” she said.

“Good. I’m in town on business and I’m free this evening.”

“Aren’t you lucky. I am, too,” she said. “Would you like to have drinks?”

Since he was here, she decided to take control of this relationship.

“I’d love that. I know a place close by, Blue Fin.”

“I need to change and then we can go.”

“You look lovely,” he said.

She shook her head. “Thank you, but I need a few minutes.”

“Not a problem. I’ll meet you back here in thirty minutes.”

“Okay.”

Ainsley left him in the lobby and took the glass elevator up to her suite. She changed into a pair of tight-fitting jeans and a cami top she usually wore under her suit. She undid the ponytail she typically wore at work and fluffed her hair around her shoulders. Then she put on fresh makeup and went back downstairs.

Steven was waiting where she’d left him, but typing on his iPhone when she approached. She gave him some distance to finish in private.

“You look so incredible tonight,” he said.

She nodded. His compliment made her uncomfortable.

He put his hand on the small of her back as they walked out of the lobby. The foot traffic was heavy on this early spring evening. Steven kept her close to him and made sure that no one bumped into her as they were walking. They didn’t talk until they were seated at a high table in the bar, Bluetinis in each of their hands. “I love the Swedish fish in the bottom,” Ainsley said.

“Women always do,” Steven said.

That gave her pause. “Have you taken a lot of women here?”