Only You (A Sweet Torment Novel) (15 page)

“Why do you have qualms about this deal, and not the one in London?” I asked.

“Because I trust Jes Frolos. And I’m looking to purchase outright from him. Colin wants to use something that’s mine and will remain mine.” His eyes took a quick, intense sweep of my entire body.

“I see,” I said a little breathily, forcing my focus back on business. Since I was still new to shipping, I was curious about several things. At the risk of looking like a moron but hoping to gain some knowledge, I asked, “Is there a good reason to help your competitor?”

Leo smiled. “What do you think?”

“I would need to think on it. I’m sure there could be some benefit, however the notion seems risky.”

“Ah, that’s the politics in you talking. You must have dealt with competitors all the time. Enemy number one right?”

“Something like that,” I said. And yes, he was right. It was always a race. Always good versus bad. Bad versus worse. Winner and loser.

“There could be some advantage to subletting a slip to Davis, but I haven’t dug into it yet,” Leo said.

“Well, there must be something special about your slips if you have the competition gunning for them.”

“Well, of course.” He smiled. “Haven’t you heard the number one rule of real estate?”

“Location, location, location?”

He scoffed. “No.” Leaning in, he wiggled his brows. “It’s all about the size, Red. And size matters.”

With a wink, he leaned back in the chair and returned to reading documents. I, however, fought off a wicked case of the blushes.

“You can let the others back in and relate my apologies to Davis but I’ll contact him when I’ve gone over his terms.”

“Will do.”

I headed out and tried for the millionth time not to let Leo’s words, charm, or those amazing eyes turn me into a ball of buzzing need.

“Good morning, Mr. Davis,” I said confidently as I walked into the board room on the first floor of the Main House. Colin looked surprised to see me.

“Miss Levine.” His eyes raked over me and left a familiar slimy tremor. It was the same tremor I got when I’d faced down Bill in the past. “You look beautiful today.”

I smiled tightly. While I got a gut instinct that working for this man wasn’t my path, keeping a bridge open and unburned was smart. In the meantime, creepy glances aside, I’d just keep my eyes forward and do my job.

“We never got a chance to finish our conversation at the gala,” he said, taking a few steps toward me.

“Was there more you wished to discuss?”

“Just wanted to get to know you better. I’ve also heard rumors about Harris planning a big buy into Savas Shipping. I’m a little jealous. If you can work that kind of magic, I’ll have to up my game in persuading you to come work for me.”

Again, the thought didn’t spark a good feeling. Good news was, with a man like Harris buying up enough stock to heighten visibility of Savas, it was a good sign my letter of recommendation was coming, and perhaps a good record to back it up. I could only hope Colin wouldn’t be my only offer of employment in a couple months.

“A generous notion,” I said politely.

“One you’ll keep in mind?” he pushed.

I gave a swift nod.

“Good. I can understand why you changed career paths and I can assure you that working with Davis Shipping will get you on that path faster than Savas.”

“Excuse me?”

Colin shrugged. “I’ve seen the news. I know you come from a political background.”

My stomach knotted. Seeing the news and my background were two different things. Judging by the sly smile Colin was sporting, he’d done a bit of digging on me.

“Shame what’s going on. You worked directly for Bill Vorse, correct?”

I blinked twice, a little unnerved by the turn in the conversation. “Yes, I did.”

“All those women coming forward . . .” He looked me over again and I knew his innuendo. “You resigned the same time the scandal broke.”

“I did. Is there a point to your questions?”

Even Leo never pushed this. Mostly because the connection to my career in politics and my endeavor to get my life back with a new career path wasn’t essential. Maybe it was because Roman filled Leo in enough to not ask questions. Maybe Leo didn’t care, because on the surface, there was nothing to discuss. The scandal would ride out, hopefully the funds would be recovered, and no one would ever know I was even suspected of anything.

“When a beautiful woman comes into my life, I get curious.”

“You looked into my previous employment record?”

“It’s not a secret.”

“I know it’s not, I just don’t see the motives behind your actions.”

That sly smile returned and he took another step toward me. “I just find it interesting is all. Your track record.”

Track record.

Those two words hit me hard like a fist to the chest. I knew he had dug deeper than I liked. I straightened my shoulders, reminding myself to stay calm. Stay powerful. Stay unaffected.

“I have a track record of being good at my job.”

“I’m sure that’s true, but it was interesting to find the correlations between the scandal and your immediate departure from the governor’s office.”

“I resigned for my own reasons. I have nothing to do with the scandal.”

He nodded but obviously didn’t believe me. “Reputations are made and broken every day. A fact I’m sure you’re aware of.”

There was a hint of threat in his voice. “I’ve met Cathy several times and can only assume she’ll be back to fill your current position, which means you’ll be on the job market again. And no campaign or political office will take you. Tough break.”

My lips parted on a slight gasp, and terror of how this man had gotten information on me started to blister my blood. But Colin merely smiled. “I have a friend on the Wilson campaign and he told me about this hot little redhead who applied a few weeks ago but got turned down. Damn small world filled with gossipers.”

I closed my eyes briefly. I knew the asshole Colin was talking about. I didn’t even get two words out or my resume out of my hand before Wilson’s campaign manager told me to basically fuck off. Colin obviously knew I was on borrowed time waiting for the scandal to die down. Like he said, gossipers were everywhere.

Stay strong.

“I’ll ask you again.” I straightened my posture. “Is there a purpose to your line of questioning?”

“Just making observations. I wonder how difficult it would be to, I don’t know, show up to galas and convince major investors to buy up stock in certain companies if you had a reputation for fucking your boss, let’s say?” He ran his thumb along the glossy table he stood next to. “Not sure anyone would take you seriously. In
any
industry.”

He stepped closer and I could smell his cologne, which was dry and suffocating and nothing like Leo’s.

“Keep my offer in mind, Miss Levine. I’d hate for these nasty rumors to spread further. Be a shame for you to have to find yet another career path. Especially when the elite are so closely knit. I imagine you wouldn’t find much.”

My heart was ready to burst. Colin was right. At the gala were several big players on Wall Street. Investors. Bankers. The rich and powerful flocked together to maintain common interests, like stock—stock in shipping being one.

Everyone knew of Leo. While I was banking on a stellar letter of recommendation from him being a good thing, no one would take me seriously or trust me, let alone hire me, if a rumor got out that I sleep with my bosses.

Fear would get me nowhere. Colin obviously had a hand to play and right now, I wasn’t ready to fold. I had a couple more months to get through. I just needed Colin and his asshole glare kept in check.

“If your goal is to ruin me, you can save your breath. There is no proof to any of your allegations. I resigned from my old job. You watch the news, and obviously I’m not a part of the scandal.” I swallowed hard and hoped he didn’t hear the slight tremor in my voice. “As of now, I work for Mr. Savas and am doing a fine enough job to draw your attention, as well as others. But attempting to stick me with a reputation that is unfounded will only reflect poorly on you.”

He smirked. “So you don’t fuck your bosses then? Not even Leo?”

My face hardened. I wasn’t a liar. I generally stuck to the truth by omitting certain parts or spinning them in my favor.

“Your crude language and questions are not only none of your business, but highly unprofessional.”

“As unprofessional as you kissing Savas at the gala?”

The blood left my face.

“Oh yeah, I saw,” Colin said with a raised brow and victorious smile. “And I’m not out to ruin you, Miss Levine. I just think we could mutually benefit from each other in the future is all. Nothing crude, just a friendly conversation.”

Friendly my ass. Colin Davis definitely had an angle. And whatever scheme he was plotting, clearly I was a pawn in it.

“I came to inform you that Mr. Savas has to cancel his meeting with you today.”

Colin’s face lit with fury. “Are you fucking kidding me? We had—”

“I’m aware of what you had and what it is you’re going for.” That caught his attention and a dose of power surged through me. “Mr. Savas sends his regrets that he hasn’t had the time to look over your proposed terms for the sublet of his New York slip.”

Colin’s face tensed a little, obviously surprised I knew as much as I did about his little play to utilize one of Savas’s slips.

“I’ll be in touch to reschedule a meeting once Mr. Savas has gone over your proposal.”

When his upper lip sneered a little, I knew I was dancing around a dangerous game. Men and their pride were treacherous things. Not to mention, they had no problem making threats, veiled or otherwise.

I didn’t let him speak, because there was nothing more to say. The pissy silence extended long enough for us to both understand one thing.

We each had end goals.

And while I demonstrated that I held enough information about the slip to bluff Colin into thinking I had the ear of Leo, that staying on my good side would be wise for his interests, I hoped it’d also keep his nasty ideas at bay.

I opened the door and walked out.

“Have a good day, Mr. Davis.”

Chapter Fourteen

I
t had been a long day and my feet ached so badly I almost took my heels off and considered walking into Leo’s office barefoot. But thinking better of it, I pushed the door open, ready to discuss the events of the day. I hadn’t seen much of him since this morning.

“How was your day?” Leo said, looking up from his computer and focusing all his attention on me. I wanted to double-check my hair. It was hour fourteen and I was exhausted, probably looked it. But Leo? Effortlessly handsome. The only giveaway to the day’s length was the five o’clock shadow that only made his tan skin glow and his blue eyes sparkle.

“Everything ran smoothly. I adjusted your schedule and moved all your meetings from today to later in the week.”

“Thank you.”

I wanted to ask more about what had gone on today, but it wasn’t my place. He was the boss, and this was his company. I was curious and if I was being totally honest, I wanted to be part of it. But I stood silently.

“I have another task for you”—he looked me over and, as if seeing my exhaustion, finished with—“if you’re up for it?”

“Of course.” I straightened the best I could and hoped my body didn’t look as weak as I felt.

“I need you to help with a party for my family. Most of the details are taken care of, including entertainment and location. It will be about fifteen miles upstate at Regan’s property.”

“What do you need my help with?” I asked.

“Would you be willing to help with food? Nothing crazy. Pizza would work.”

“Pizza?” I said.

“Something simple to feed fifty people or so.”

I clicked on my tablet, making a few notes. “Yes, fifty people, family event.” If Leo’s family was going to be there, that meant I’d meet a couple more of his sisters for the first time when I dropped off the food. Maybe have a chance to make a good impression. Which somehow felt extremely important. A silly notion. It didn’t matter if Leo’s family liked me. I was his assistant. End of story. Yet it did matter to me. A lot.

“The party is next weekend and if the food can be there a little before it starts at two, that’d be great.”

“Consider the food handled.” I smiled. Pizza my ass. I would get the best caterer in town and hope to hell he could squeeze in a small order for me. Something without too much sugar that, with any luck, would blow Regan’s mind on how healthy and awesome it was. This was my chance to make it right. Show I could mingle with them. Even if, deep down, I knew I was nothing more than a temp. I still had to try.

“Great. How did dealing with Colin go?” he said. A loud huff escaped and I almost slapped my hand over my mouth. But it was too late. “That bad, huh?”

“Nothing I couldn’t handle,” I said honestly. “I told him I’d be in touch to reschedule. I didn’t want to put anything on the books since I didn’t know your timeframe for going over the terms he sent.”

Leo smiled and beckoned me with a finger to come to him. I did. So quickly and easily, as if pulled by an invisible leash. Sad, but true. The effect he had on me was becoming more consuming.

“Want to take a look with me?” he asked, and pulled out the documents Colin had sent over. He got up and offered me his seat, then hovered over my shoulder. “What do you think?”

I glanced back at him. He was asking for my thoughts on such a serious acquisition? Pride bubbled just beneath my skin and I read over the thesis and basic outline of Colin’s proposal.

“He wants to sublet the number 2347 slip of New York for a term of one year at . . .” my voice died when I saw the price he offered. And I thought my rent last month had been high. “Wow.”

I flipped through a few more forms and read them quickly, which was difficult with Leo leaning over me. I could feel his breath skating over my neck and smell the spicy warm scent I was beginning to recognize as purely his own.

“So? What are you thinking?” Leo asked in a tone that sounded genuinely interested.

While politics and shipping were different, the basics of business remained the same. Plus, I’d spent the little free time I had reading about and researching the company to better understand the Savas shipping empire.

“I know I’m still learning, but there are several factors to consider,” I said, “like size of the slip, what kind of ships it supports, the amount of goods able to pass through, and what kind of revenue it would create.”

I chanced a glance at him and he was smiling. “That’s correct. You’re on the right path.”

I smiled back, liking that Leo was helping me. Letting me learn while remaining supportive in finding my own answers. It felt like a fun quiz and the prize was Leo’s respect. Which made me desperately want to win.

“Are you using the slip?” I said.

“I could do without it for a small period of time. The other slips can support the extra load, so no money would be lost on my part by subletting to Davis for a year.”

“Okay, but you have to look at what’s in it for you, and that has to counterbalance the risk you take.”

I didn’t need to look at him to know he was staring daggers at me. He spun the chair enough so that I faced him and I had no choice but to meet his eyes.

“Do you think what’s in it for me is worth the risk?”

I swallowed hard. “Depends on what your end goal is. Do you want to build some kind of long-term relationship with Davis Shipping? Is this purely to turn a bigger profit? Or can he assist you in the future in exchange for providing this boon to him now?”

“You always look at things this way? What is stood to be gained?”

“Yes. Because what other logical way is there to look at things?”

His eyes searched mine as if seeing something in me I wasn’t sure I wanted him to see. My practicality. Nothing about my thoughts ever strayed toward sunshine, romance, or happy endings. I wasn’t Amy or Hazel. Didn’t have that kind of faith in people or the world. Everyone had an agenda. Always. I’d identified my own agenda at a young age and stuck with it. Nothing romantic about that. And that was written all over Leo’s face.

“What if logic isn’t my first thought on a matter?” His tone was dark and I knew we weren’t talking about Colin or the slip anymore.

“It has to be. Otherwise . . .” I got lost in the depths of those blue pools staring back at me.

“Otherwise what?”

“Emotion will dictate and that leads to stupidity.” My chest hurt saying it, but it was true. There were things I wanted in life, just like everyone else. But jumping in with both feet never turned out well, especially when my track record, as Colin pointed out, was no help.

I was a risk. The key elements required to be a stable candidate for anything, including for Leo, were tainted when it came to me. And yet, he gave me pieces of those elements. Like trust. Made me feel like he just might believe in me.

But that was the kind of thinking, the kind of emotion, that got people in trouble. Because facts were facts. I was trying to outrun a past and a scandal I couldn’t control and I was trying to start over with a piece of paper that gave me the best hope for a clean slate. Leo’s endorsement. Because there wasn’t another soul on this earth who would give it to me. For some reason, I wanted his approval, for reasons beyond a different job or the future.

I liked the way he looked at me. As if I were something strong. As if he respected me. And it gave me power. Made me feel like the world wasn’t crashing around me and I wasn’t losing my life, my friends, my dignity.

It made the fight feel a little less brutal.

Leo gently shook his head. “Perhaps you’re right. Emotions can lead to stupidity.”

A sharp pain stabbed between my ribs. He took a few steps away and I rose from the seat.

“You say that like you understand.”

He grinned but there was no humor there. “I’ve been stupid, Paige. And it cost me once. Big. You’d think I’d learn.” I frowned but he simply ate me up with his gaze and said, “I look at you and all I feel is . . . stupid.”

I swallowed hard. “What happened before?”

“I believed in a woman I shouldn’t have.” My stomach knotted tighter. “But that was years ago.”

I took a step toward him and ran my fingertips along his knuckles. He looked at where I touched him, then at me.

“It sounds like she was the one who was stupid.” And instantly I could relate.

Because my shoes that had been pinching all day suddenly felt like someone else’s. Someone’s I was filling. Someone I didn’t want to be. But once again, I knew better than to think of a different ending to what reality would provide. Leo was an important man. While the idea of someone hurting him made my entire body buzz with the need to take down whoever would dare such a thing, I remained calm, and stepped away.

My hand fell from his. There was only one thing I could do before I left. That was secure my future. The small part I played in his family’s party was a good start. I may never be a list-worthy woman but I could at least show I had some class beyond Rice Krispies treats and crappy taste in television.

“I have the party down for next Saturday and I’ll set up your next date for the day before if that works for you?” I said.

Leo nodded. “Friday date, Saturday party. Sounds like a busy weekend.”

I nodded. “I promise, no flower surprises this time.” I picked up my tablet and walked to his door. He stood next to the window, and I could feel him watching me walk away.

“Hey, Red?” I looked back to see him give a half smile. “Good job today.”

“Thank you.”

With that, I left the CEO where he belonged—behind his desk, ruling the world—while I walked out into the cold, hoping to God one day I’d find my place.