2. HAYDEN
2
HAYDEN
C harlie fucking Caddel.
Five years later, she fills out her pencil skirt so perfectly with that plump ass of hers that its almost painful to watch.
Charlie Caddel has changed. Her hair no longer cups her face, it grazes the curve of her ass, falling in curly spirals. Her breasts are full, adorned by the satin top she wears, meshing with her soft, glossy skin.
Five years later, my heart still races. My head still spins because I can hardly fathom how beautiful this woman is. How beautiful she has always been. She still commands my attention, even in a room filled with people.
My teeth grind together as I watch Charlie usher the men out. A burning sensation forms in my chest as they linger behind with appeasing smiles, even though they have been unimpressed the entire time.
Five years should have been enough to erase all those soggy feelings from my mind. But as our eyes lock, draining me of my ability to speak, I realize that I may have underestimated the true power of time.
Charlies actions appear cool, calm, and collected. She hides her emotions well, suppressing her eyebrows when they want to be raised, thinning her lips when she wants to twist them, and clasping her hands when she wants to throw them at me.
My lips part. Her honey-brown eyes search mine. I tilt my head at her, the tension in the air simmering as we remain trapped in a battle that she knows Ill win.
Charlie can fool everyone but me. All of her emotions laid bare for me in her eyes.
What does one say to a ghost? She asks, her fingers curling and uncurling at her sides.
I lean back in my seat, interlocking my fingers.
Is that what I am?
I dont know what you are, Hayden, she blows out a breath, the slight tremble in her voice evoking a pit of uneasiness in my stomach.
She hesitates momentarily before finally asking, Where have you been?
Here and there, I replycurtly.
Charlie slowly drops her shoulders, accepting that this is neither the time nor the place, walking closer to the table and taking her seat. Theres an elephant in the room, the size of a house. However, she holds up her guarda wall shes built so tall and intense that I can feel it physically separating us.
Charlie sighs, placing a hand on the table before speaking. Look, I didnt say what I said in the meeting just to provoke you. Im looking at it from a point of view that says were not ready to merge with any company just yet and . . .
I can hardly hear a single thing. Her tone is so soft and gentle it takes me back to all those nights in my room, under the sheets. Charlie understood my quiet nature, and she never questioned it. She would do most of the talking, and I would listen to every word.
I would caress her hips and her back as she spoke. And she loved it. She reveled in it. Like a switch, as soon as I brushed my fingers against the delicate fabric of her panties, I would hear those tender moans.
Fuck , I wonder if she still sounds the same.
Hayden, are you listening?
I pull myself again from that locked box, swallowing hard as she raises one of her perfectly manicured eyebrows at me.
I wasnt, I admit, standing up from my seat. Well talk about this tonight at my house. I have a few things to attend to today and feel somewhat unfocused.
Id honestly prefer it if we were completely alone.
The air crackles with electricity and every fiber of my being begs me to walk out the door. But the closer I get to her, the stronger the pull. She silently watches me, a hint of resistance in her eyes as I sit on the table, as close as I can without touching her.
Charlie doesnt lean away; her hands are just an inch away from my thighs, but neither of us moves.
Being this close to her, I recognize the urge to reach out and touch her rosy cheeks.
I want to see if shell let me and if itll feel the same. I want to know if shell lean into my hand and close her eyes like she always did. And if I move my hand a little lower, to her chin or her neck, I want to see if shell react in the same way.
But I settle for words instead.
You look beautiful, Charlie, I admit quietly, against my better judgment, and her eyes widen ever so slightly.
Because words are the safest option now, I cannot promise I wont forget everything else if I touch her. I cannot promise that it will not be my undoing.
Thank you, she whispers, swallowing so hard that I can see the movement in her chest.
Ill see you tonight.
I rise from the table and walk out of the room.
Taking the elevator, I stare straight ahead, unmoving, until the doors open. With a deep breath, I walk over to Jareds office. He raises his head as I enter, and a smile spreads across his face.
And the king returns, he says, standing from his seat and, against my will, wrapping his arms around me.
Since when do we hug? I ask, my arms stiff at my sides.
Since I havent seen you in five fucking years, man. I think I deserve that much.
The expression on Jareds face is a combination of anger and relief as he pulls away. He settles on the edge of his executive desk, the dark brown taiko wood gracefully extending seventy-two inches across the room, with a modesty panel draped in genuine leather. I sit down on the chair.
How did it go?
Jareds brown hair rests on the nape of his neck. Its clear that he needs a trim, but considering his habits, he spends more time in his office in the tech lab than anywhere else. His shaggy appearance is the least of his worries.
He was the first person I called when I arrived in town. The first person rushed over to the motel where I stayed during my first few days because I wasnt ready to face anyone else yet.
He didnt ask many questions. Deep down, I think he already knew what had happened. Jared has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember; if anyone has seen the harshest parts of it, its him.
Your new COO tanked my idea, I tell him, and he raises an eyebrow.
Charlie said no? Why would she do that?
She doesnt believe the company is in the right state for a merger. She even became sentimental about it.
Jared chuckles, walking around his desk and reclaiming his seat. Thats Charlie for you. When she believes in something, youll have to freeze hell to sway her.
Oh, I know, and thats why Im here.
And what did Dad say? Does he agree with her?
Not exactly, but he doesnt fully agree with me either, I place my hands over my stomach, observing his reaction and waiting for the right moment to bring it up. Jared sighs, running a hand through his hair.
Days like this, Im glad I chose the technological route. I cant imagine being caught in the power struggle between the three of you.
Jared, you know better than anyone else that whenever I plan something, its not on a whim. I wouldnt have brought up this proposal if it werent absolutely necessary.
Jared pauses for a moment, squinting at me. For us or you?
My jaw ticks. I need your help.
I have a feeling Im not going to like this, he mumbles, placing his hand under his chin. What do you need?
I need your help to access my fathers main computers. There are some files that I need to retrieve, but theyre locked. Ill take it from there after you get me in and run the codes.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, Jared sputters, his eyes the size of saucers. Hayden, what are you talking about? Hack your fathers compu do you know how impossible that is? We know Reed Scott and the level of security he must have around those thingsbeing a security company himselfits insane.
But youve done more than just that, Jared. We both know you have.
Yeslegally. He deadpans. What youre asking me to do is a felony.
Nothing will happen to you. I can assure you of that, Jared stares at me, his eyes darting across mine for at least a minute before his shoulders sag. He averts his eyes, pursing his lips in thought.
Youre the Vice President of Operations. Dont you have access to it?
I shake my head no. You said it yourself: Reed has multiple layers of security on his computer, and gaining access from outside the network is impossible. But, if we were to merge, you would have full access to the networks, and you could access them right here in your office.
So, thats the reason behind the merger.
I remain silent, choosing not to insult him with lies or offer empty words of comfort. I have more respect for him than that. That is truly the only reason behind the merger, and nothing else.
I guess what I dont understand is why. Whats going on?
The less you know, the better.
Jared scowls at me but doesnt push any further. Thats one of the things Ive always appreciated about him. Again, I think he is already piecing together the puzzle in his head.
He knows me better than anyone and seems to know whats going on in my head before I do. Hes witnessed many of the violent outbursts from my father directed at me and my mother over the years. Hes seen and heard my reaction to the abuse, and I think hes always suspected something sinister went down with my motherbut has never asked.
When it comes to Charlie and her safetyhes always played the protective big brother to a teestanding up for her with bullies at school and eyeing anyone suspiciously if they even looked at her the wrong way.
If he knew that I was fucking his sister back then, hed never speak to me againgiven what he knew about me and my fucked up family. My friendship with Jared has always been the constant stability in my chaotic life, and I would do anything to protect him.
Just trust me on this, I lean forward, placing my elbows on my knees. Convince your father that the merger is necessary and make him feel the urgency to act on it. I will take care of everything when you have unlocked the computer.
Hayden . . . what are you planning to do?
Are you helping me, or do I have to find someone else, Jared?
Is this going to come back and hurt my father in any way?
No.
His exasperated sigh echoes loudly across the room, and he drops his hand in defeat onto his lap. He stares out of his window, shaking his head.
No one understands how badly this needs to happen; no one but me knows how much rides on this decision, and if I have to freeze hell to get it done, then thats exactly what Ill do.
If youre going to get yourself into trouble, he begins, then I might as well be here to bail you out.
Relief floods my system, although I hate to admit it. Theres no one I trust more than Jared, and having to put such personal, incriminating business in someone elses hands would likely be a death wish for them soon after.
I lean back, my worries slowly dissipating.
But Charlie isnt going to sit back and watch us go against her wishes. If you want this to happen quickly, she must be away from the office. I have an idea.