Chapter Eight

“Welcome back, Mr. Charr,” the hostess greeted before her eyes turned to Hailey and widened a tiny fraction. “And Ms. Mitchel. A pleasure to see you.”

“I’m not chasing him down for work tonight,” she said, unsure of why she felt the need to defend her presence.

“Of course. Your regular table, Mr. Charr?”

“How about a booth tonight?” he said, handing over his coat.

She followed suit as the hostess inclined her head and opened the inner door to Lux.

Hailey stepped into the glittering, expensive world, and for the first time didn’t experience her usual dread. This time, she wasn’t the hired help tracking down her wayward boss.

This time, she was invited.

Alec’s hand pressed against the small of her back as he guided her toward the row of booths that lined one wall. Though it was only early evening, the place was already alive with the chatter of the city’s elite.

The hostess unclipped a red velvet rope before one booth and ushered them into the semi-seclusion it offered.

“Your waitress will be over in a moment to take your orders,” she said before stepping away with a last smile.

Hailey shifted on the cushions, trying to get comfortable even though the butterfly Olympics were obviously taking place in her stomach.

Her companion watched her from the other side of the booth, looking utterly at ease.

Of course he is, she told herself. This is his world, after all.

She was the one who was out of place.

A waitress appeared in a little black dress that left nothing to the imagination.

“Good evening, what can I get you to drink, Mr. Charr?”

“Wine,” he replied. “A cabernet sauvignon if you have it.” His gaze turned to her. “And I assume a scotch?”

He’d remembered. The knowledge brought a smile to her lips. “Please. On the rocks. The older the better.”

Their waitress nodded and disappeared.

Silence stretched for a moment before he smiled.

She had to remind herself to breathe.

“This is awkward.”

Not exactly the words she wanted to hear.

“Yes,” she agreed.

“But not a mistake.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “In fact, I think it’s something we should have started doing months ago.”

She blinked. “Really?”

“Anything that allows us to get to know each other better can only strengthen our working relationship,” he said.

Working relationship. Not personal relationship.

“I agree,” she replied.

“Plus, I do think I’ve been lax about telling you what a wonderful job you’ve been doing.”

And it just took me dating your nemesis for you to realize that.

She gave herself a mental shake. “I like working for Charr Industries. There’s never a dull moment.”

“You handle anything that’s thrown your way,” he said. “I know I can always rely on your good judgment. You are utterly dependable.”

Yes, that sounds like a man describing a potential mate.

She cleared her throat. “It’s nice to be appreciated. But I didn’t realize we’d be discussing my performance tonight.”

“Once again, you’re absolutely right.” He leaned back. “Tell me something else about you, Hailey. Something I haven’t seen in the office.”

“There’s not much to tell,” she replied. “You already know more about me than most people.”

“I’ve got files about your work ethic, your professional background,” he replied with a shake of his head. “I know you switch to decaf after six and who you call when a serious problem arises you want dealt with right. But I don’t know much about the woman who exists outside the office.”

“What are you curious about?” she asked.

The waitress arrived with their drinks and set them on the table without a word. Alec took his glass and raised it to hers. “To new beginnings,” he said.

She arched a brow. Was he talking about becoming more aware of her work contributions?

Or something more?

She clinked her glass against his before raising it to her lips.

“Tell me what you do on the weekends,” he prompted.

“I try to unwind, mostly. I like to garden when the weather’s good and I have the time.”

“I kill every plant I touch,” he said with a smile. “I think I may have been cursed as a child. Nothing can grow within a ten-foot radius of me.”

“It’s a skill everyone can learn,” she replied. “With enough time, you can conquer anything.”

He smiled at her. “On that point, I utterly agree.”

“Did you always know you wanted to get into the tech world?” she asked, taking another sip.

“No,” he replied. “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in. My family was insistent I go straight to Harvard after I graduated from high school. I wanted to take a year off. See the world, figure out how I fit into it.”

“I take it the travel didn’t happen.”

“Not then,” he agreed.

“So how did you end up doing this?”

Alec looked into the depths of his wine, swirling it around his glass. “Caleb.”

“Oh.” The smile slid from her face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pried.”

He shook his head. “I asked about your life. Fair is fair.”

“Still, we can stick to lighter topics. Best city restaurants. Looming tech inventions on the horizon. Bad-mouthing all our competitors. That sort of thing.”

“We could,” he agreed. “But I’ve never been one to dance around the elephant in the room. You know about my relationship with Caleb.”

“Some,” she said. “He doesn’t talk about the past much.”

“No,” Alec mused. “I don’t either. We were close once. It’s hard to think about those days.”

“What pulled you two apart?”

He took another sip, a strained smile on his lips. “That is definitely not an easy conversation. Let me tell you about school instead. Caleb was always the mastermind in all things technological. He’s the reason I spent my formative years learning about the field. When we hit college, I followed his lead, took his major. He’s the reason I ended up where I did.”

She watched as her date took a large gulp of wine.

“I’m sorry something broke you apart.”

“Me, too,” he replied. “Caleb was a one-man hurricane in my life.” He leaned forward, catching her hand. “I understand how charming he can be. The man was like a brother to me. Hell, his bedroom was right next to mine for most of our teenage years.”

“What?”

“But in the end none of that mattered. People aren’t important to him. He uses who he wants no matter the consequences. If you let him, he’ll hurt you, too.” His blue eyes were serious. “I don’t want to see him destroy your life the way he did mine.”

It took her two tries before she could say, “Thank you for the concern.”

He nodded and withdrew his hand, leaving her with more questions than he’d answered. What exactly had Caleb done? Why was Alec so adamant there was nothing redeeming about a man who’d once been as close as a brother?

And why hadn’t his hand on hers excited her the way it used to?

“But enough about the past,” he said. “Are you hungry? The kitchen here is good.”

“I could eat,” she agreed. “I know you must be starving. You haven’t taken a break since lunch.”

“Keeping tabs on me?” he asked with a smile.

She shrugged. “I notice things.” Looking down at her scotch, she added, “About you.”

“I’m flattered.”

Her gaze flickered up to meet his. “I’m sure I’m not the first woman to stare your way from time to time.”

“Maybe not,” he admitted. “But you’re not like most women. I’m taking this as the compliment it is.”

Two men. Same sentiment. She frowned, wondering about the women in Alec and Caleb’s past. Obviously they hadn’t been with partners like her. Which made her wonder why both had chosen now to show such interest in her.

Alec had a thing for petite girlfriends who tripped his knight-in-shining-armor complex, but what about Caleb? Who had he dated in the past?

How did she measure up?

It crossed her mind that the man sitting before her could answer all her questions. But as soon as the thought arose, she pushed it away. Caleb was not the man she needed to learn more about. He was the one she needed to cut from her thoughts.

It was just an illusion that his laughter filled the air.

Alec’s eyes moved off of her to focus on something over her left shoulder. His expression darkened, any happiness vanishing in a split second.

Twisting in her seat, she turned to see Caleb leaning against the bar, laughing with two men in impeccably tailored suits. She blinked, not knowing what to make of his sudden appearance.

“Of course he’d turn up here,” Alec growled, his hands fisting against the tabletop.

She turned back to her companion. “Free country,” she said. “I guess there are not a lot of spots in the city for people like you two to hang out.”

“There’s enough. He comes here because he likes to taunt me.”

That drew a laugh from her. “Caleb, taunt you? I can’t imagine.”

His gaze shifted back to her, and some of the anger drained from his face. “I’m letting him get to me.”

“He does have a knack for that.” She waved at a passing waitress and gestured to the nearly empty wineglass on the table. The woman nodded and sped off. If Caleb was here to crash their outing, they were going to need alcohol to get through the evening.

“He shouldn’t be here,” he said, his fingers tightening around the stem of his glass.

She shrugged. “He comes here as often as you do.”

“You could always take this opportunity to dump him in a very public, very sensational fashion.”

A smile twisted her lips. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“A man can dream.” He drained the last of his wine. The waitress appeared like magic to place another glass before him.

“Maybe he hasn’t seen us,” she said, but the words felt hollow. He knew they were there. She’d told him about this invitation. Which brought up the question, why had he come? Was this an attempt to help push Alec further into her arms, or was there another purpose to his appearance?

“I’ve never been that lucky,” Alec said, tossing back more wine. “Heads up.”

Before she could ask what he meant, Caleb appeared beside their booth.

“Alec,” he greeted. “Enjoying your night out with my girl?”

“I highly doubt she’ll ever be your anything,” he replied, his gaze arctic.

Caleb’s dark eyes turned to her. Something swirled in their depths, an emotion cloaked by his easy smile. “Hello, sweetheart. You looked like you were running low.” He reached out to set a fresh scotch next to her nearly finished one.

“I didn’t know you were coming out tonight,” she said.

“Just out for a drink with some colleagues.” He gestured toward the men still by the bar. “Couldn’t stop myself from saying hi when I saw you two over here.”

“You promised not to interfere with business,” she said, doing her best not to let her smile slip.

“Is this an after-hours meeting, Alec?”

“We’re getting some after-work drinks,” she put in, seeing the dark look on her boss’s face.

“Excellent. For a moment, I thought you might be trying to steal my girl away, old friend.”

Alec’s lip curled. “You never know. It’s early days in your relationship. Maybe she’ll realize she can do better. We’re standing in a room full of eligible men, after all.”

“Sweetheart, is this true?” he said, looking down at her. “Here I was ready to give my heart away to a fickle woman happy to date any old billionaire.”

“I wasn’t aware you had a heart,” Alec replied. “I’ll alert the presses.”

“Sheath your claws. I didn’t come to fight.”

Her eyes were locked on Caleb’s face rather than Alec’s. It was the only reason she noticed the split second of pain that flashed across her fake boyfriend’s face before he hid his reaction under flippant words.

“Then why did you come?” he asked.

“What can I say? When I see Hailey, I can’t stay away. I wanted to make sure she was having a good evening.”

“I can look after her just fine. She’s my employee.”

“And she’s my girlfriend.”

“For now.”

“Sounds like a challenge. May the best man win.”

“If those are the parameters, it’ll be an easy victory.”

“Excuse me?” she said.

Alec blinked, as if just realizing what he’d said. He swung back to her, dismay in his expression. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”

“Like I was some trophy being pulled between rich men?”

“Hailey—”

“If the two of you want to have a measuring contest then by all means, go ahead. Just do me a favor and leave me out of it.” She pushed out of the booth. “I’m going to go to the washroom.”

She walked away before either of the men could call her back.

In the washroom, she turned on the cold tap, letting the water run over her fingers. What had Caleb been thinking? This tactic wasn’t likely to help him win the bet.

Worse, Alec’s reaction was more evidence that his interest in her had less to do with her charms and more to do with the other man in her life. He clearly wanted to keep her out of Caleb’s arms. Was that the only reason they were out together tonight?

Her hands curled around the sink’s basin as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She’d thought it wouldn’t matter why they started, but it did. Nothing about her wanted to be his rescued princess when she was quite capable of slaying her own dragons.

Which raised one very unnerving thought.

Is he even the right man for me?

Caleb would never fall for a hair twirl or a coy smile. He hadn’t waited until someone else noticed her before wanting her. Alec had been her fantasy, but maybe reality was turning out to be…

More exciting.

She traced a finger over her lips, remembering Caleb’s kiss. Even days later thinking about it sent heat pooling low in her abdomen. The man certainly knew what he was doing.

Of course, his goal was to pull her away from a desire she’d invested years in.

Hailey shook her head. It was still early days in their bet. She didn’t need to make any big decisions yet. At the very least she could go back to the table and enjoy her scotch. No doubt Alec would be full of apologies that would get them back on track.

Straightening her shoulders, she walked out of the washroom into the dark hall that led back to the main room.

An arm snaked around her waist, pulling her back against a hard chest.

The breath hissed out of her. “Do you really think grabbing a woman in a dimly lit hallway is a good idea?” she said.

“You knew it was me,” Caleb whispered in her ear. His hand splayed against her stomach, holding her close.

“What are you trying to do tonight?” she asked, eyes on the opening of the hall in case anyone came walking back here. “If this is your idea of helping, you’re failing.”

There was a long pause before a growl rumbled from his throat. “This wasn’t about helping.”

A tiny thrill shot through her. “Then what was it about?”

He moved then, twisting her around and pressing her up against the wall as he invaded her space.

“I don’t bloody know,” he told her, his voice rough.

She tilted her head back to look up at him. “Jealous, Langston?”

“I don’t do jealousy.”

“Ah. This must just be a brilliant mimic of it then.”

“I’ve got you all to myself tomorrow. Why would I need to crash your drinks date tonight?”

“Excellent question.” Her gaze dipped to his lips despite herself. They were so close.

“There are a dozen women here happy to keep me company. I don’t need to interfere with you.”

That brought a frown to her face. “Then go push one of them up against a wall.”

One knee pressed between her legs. “I don’t want one of them.”

“Could have fooled me.”

“Now who’s jealous?”

Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t control who you sleep with.”

“Sweetheart, haven’t you figured out by now the only one I want to sleep with is you?”

His mouth crushed hers before she could reply. Hands gripped her wrists, pinning them over her head.

Fire roared through her veins as her heartbeat drowned out all other sound.

Goddammit, Mitchel, again with this? Where the hell is your control?

Gone, it seemed. When Caleb was around, it was getting harder and harder to remember why she shouldn’t be indulging in exactly what her body craved.

She should go back to Alec. Hell, she should be watching the hall’s entrance. They were not in her safe living room this time. They were out in public and could be caught at any moment. A thrill ran down her spine. The thought only heightened the need pulsing through her.

Caleb was forbidden fruit. Dangerous and delicious. When his lips were on hers, she could almost believe the pleasure was worth whatever price she’d have to pay.

Right now, her controlled, suave partner in crime was anything but his usual urbane self.

His kiss was like a brand, tasting her, claiming her. There was a wildness to his touch that awakened an answering need inside her. Her stomach clenched as she rolled her hips to get closer to him. Caleb was always a step ahead, pulling the strings to make those around him dance to his tune. This kiss, though, couldn’t be part of a grand plan. It was just…

Honest.

One hand left her wrists to slide down her body. It cupped her breast, and she had to contain the sigh of pleasure that threatened to escape her. Adrenaline shot through her body. This wasn’t the right time or place. And certainly not the right man.

So why did she want him more than she’d ever wanted anyone in her life?

She twisted her hands against his hold and he released her. Wasting no time, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer even as his hands swept down her body to smooth over her hips. He hiked one of her legs up and her skirt hem rode high on her thigh. If only she could summon the will to care. Anyone could walk in on them, but the knowledge only made her pulse race faster.

Her fingers delved into his dark hair as she met the thrusts of his tongue with her own. She was no silent participant in this kiss. Instead she gave as well as she got. And right now, all she wanted was more.

The sound of the main room was a dim background buzz. One she wanted to ignore. But when his lips left hers to kiss a burning trail down her throat, she tipped her head back to stare at the ceiling. A ceiling that wasn’t the safe haven of her home.

You’re in public. Out with another man.

It was all kinds of wrong.

His mouth returned to hers and she closed her eyes, reveling in one last kiss before she pushed him back.

Caleb let her hold him at arm’s length, though it did nothing to quell the lust in his eyes. She stared at him, conscious of the fact that her skirt was halfway to her waist. Who knew what had happened to her hair or makeup.

Caleb said nothing, and she couldn’t think of anything to fill the silence. There was no escaping the fact that she’d just melted in his arms when she’d come here with Alec. A man she now had to go back to and smile for. They’d order dinner and carry on with their night out. Alec would never know she’d succumbed to her baser instincts in a hallway with his enemy.

What are you doing?

She had no answer. Alec was the man she claimed to want, but he wasn’t the one who turned her whole body to molten need.

She pushed away from the wall, stepping around him. Right now, all she needed to do was get back to her boss.

She was halfway down the hall when his voice stopped her.

“I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

She paused, wishing she could throw his invitation back in his face. But even as the words formed on her lips, she’d never say them. Something had changed in this dark hall. Something that needed to be spoken of, if not explored. For better or worse, she’d be there tomorrow.