8. Mary
Chapter 8
Mary
I pace my office, clutching my third cup of coffee in my hands.
“Hey, Dad… uh, so, last night, there was a stranger in your office.”
I imitate my father’s voice. “There was a stranger. What did you do?”
“Funny story, actually. I made out with him.”
How do I tell Dad a stranger broke in last night? That I kissed said stranger who took my phone. The security who didn’t even notice the break-in. And after getting a room, I had a sex dream about the guy.
I stop in my tracks.
Yes, sounds completely sane.
I press down on my neck, wincing as my fingers graze the tender spot. The unmistakable mark I noticed this morning in the mirror .
It was real. All of it. Was it?
Am I losing my mind?
I brush my hair over it.
It can’t have been real.
“Dad always appreciates honesty… right? Stay calm, be honest, and focus.”
I’ll start with the security issue and ease into the stranger showing up out of nowhere. Leave out the making out part… and the sex dream.
Definitely leave that out.
I drink my coffee, grimacing at the bitter taste. Who made the coffee this morning? I rub my clammy hands on my skirt and glance at the clock. Eight fifteen. Time to face the music.
With a deep breath, I straighten my back and stride towards my dad’s office.
He’ll tell me he hired the guy, and it was nothing out of the ordinary. Everything will be fine.
I paste a smile on my face and knock at the door. “Dad? We need to talk.”
With my rehearsed speech ready, I open the door, but the words die on my lips. The hot stranger from last night sits casually across from Dad at the desk. He turns to face me, a slow smile curving his lips, and I’m struck. Shock. Confusion. Anger. And beneath it all, a traitorous spark.
“Mary!” Dad rises from his chair. “I’d like you to meet Connor Milton. He’s consulting us regarding our security. Connor, this is my daughter, Mary. ”
Connor rises. “Pleasure to meet you, Miss Wempton.”
God, he’s even more hot in a suit.
I stare at him, my mind reeling, as he steps forward and his fingers close around mine, warm and rough. The same fingers that...
My father clears his throat. “Connor came highly recommended. With his background, I have full confidence in his ability to enhance our security swiftly. Break-ins, data leaks. Can’t be too careful these days.”
I know exactly what kind of ‘break-in’ happened recently.
“Yes, you can’t,” Connor says.
And the perpetrator is standing right in front of me, looking far too pleased with himself. There’s no point in causing a scene with Dad right there.
“Lovely to meet you.” But fuck you, Mr. Milton, is what I would rather love to say. This man broke into this very office, kissed me senseless, took my phone, and now he’s buddy-buddy with my father? Unbelievable.
“I took the liberty of inspecting some access points already. A preliminary check, but it seems there are some vulnerabilities we should address.” Connor winks at me, and I grit my teeth.
Vulnerabilities indeed.
“In fact, I have something for you.” Connor takes out his phone.
The photo!
“Wait!” I reach forward to his phone, but as I glance at the screen, it’s just a list with bullet points and no photo .
“What’s wrong?” My father’s eyes narrow at me.
“I’m sorry. I thought I… should show him around before we get into the details.”
“Ah, yes, of course. That’s a good idea. Have fun, you two,” Dad says.
Huh?
“Lovely. I’m in your hands.” Connor slides his phone back into the side pocket of his blazer. Is my phone in there as well?
“Great,” Dad says. “You two get acquainted, and we’ll reconvene later to discuss any findings. If you two will excuse me, I have another meeting to attend.”
“Sure thing, Richard, and thank you for the opportunity.”
Richard? Already on a first-name basis?
“Mary?” Connor nudges me.
I bow my head to my father and gesture for Connor to follow me out of the office. “Please follow me.”
The second the door closes, I round on him.
“Alright, fun’s over. Give me back my phone and tell me what the hell you’re playing at.”
“Come now. Is that any way to treat your father’s esteemed new security consultant?”
Esteemed?
“Cut the act. You broke in here yesterday, violated my privacy, and now you waltz in here like you own the place, and yesterday didn’t happen?”
“I prefer to call it, tested your security measures and identified areas for improvement.” He steps closer, his voice lowering. “ As for last night, we can continue where we left off if that’s why you’re so mad?”
That would be… I step back, flustered. “Stay away from me. One arm’s length. Like this.” I hold out my arm, flailing it around.
He chuckles.
“I don’t know what kind of scam you’re running, but it won’t work,” I say.
“No scam. Your father hired me. As for us…” His eyes drift down my body slowly. “The offer still stands. If you ever want to… go further, I’m around.”
“You—”
“Now, I believe you offered a tour?” He gestures down the hallway. “After you, Miss Wempton.”
The sooner I show him around, the sooner he’ll be out of my hair.
Fuming, I turn on my heel and stalk off, his low chuckle following me. I swear, I’ll wipe that infuriating smirk off his face if it’s the last thing I do.
I lead Connor through the lobby, pointing out various offices and conference rooms. He follows a step behind, nodding as I explain our operations.
“Your father mentioned you’ve been working on some new initiatives for the hotel,” he says.
I hum noncommittally, not wanting to encourage conversation. In each office and workspace we pass, my coworkers greet us with friendly smiles .
“And this is the finance department. They’re the ones who tell us if we spend too much money.” I gesture toward the office space.
Sophie, who is always dressed like she’s on a date instead of work, walks over to us. “Hi, I’m Sophie. Always nice to have a new face. Welcome to the team!”
Wow. Not even glancing at me.
“Thank you. I’m Connor Milton, the new cybersecurity consultant.”
“Sophie’s the one who tells us no when we ask for fancy new gadgets,” I say.
“Guilty as charged. But I make exceptions for charming and talented individuals. We can discuss it over coffee sometime?”
I knew I hated her.
“I appreciate the offer, Sophie. But I’m still trying to navigate the basics here. Maybe once I’m settled in,” Connor says.
Maybe once I’m settled in? Asshole. Will he kiss or steal her phone, too?
“Of course. I’ll send you an e-mail as a reminder. Or… your number?” she asks.
I take a step forward. “I think we have to continue. My time is limited.”
Sophie glares at me. “Yes, sorry. Have a good start. I’ll find you.”
At least she acknowledges me now. I lead Connor to the elevators, punching the button with more force than necessary. Of course, all the women are already fawning over him .
Once the doors shut and we’re alone, he faces me. I stare ahead, focusing on the descending numbers above the door. 27, 26, 25…
“I should have given her my number. What do you think?”
“I couldn’t care less.”
“Are you jealous?”
“No.”
“Then why did you interject?”
My cheeks flame. “I am not jealous.”
“You are.”
“Please, I’m just being a good host. It’s part of the job to make sure you’re not poached by other departments on your first day.”
“Of course, doing your duty. I wouldn’t dream of suggesting otherwise, Blue.”
Blue? Am I going crazy? Didn’t he call me Blue in my dream last night, too? I’m imagining this.
The elevator doors open, and I stride out, Connor on my heels. At the end of the hall, I unlock one of our luxury suites and hold the door open.
“This is one of our luxury suites. As you can see.” I gesture briskly, already walking the other way.
“I’d like to take a look inside.” Connor swings the door open and enters.
I hurry after him into the suite’s sitting room with its view of the city skyline. He takes it in, hands in his pockets .
“Beautiful.” He glances back at me. “Should we do a test ride in the bedroom?”
Immediately, images from yesterday flash through my mind. His hands gliding over me, his mouth hungry on my…
“Unless you have any relevant questions, I think we’re done here.” I start to turn, but his voice stops me.
“You know... you’re even lovelier when you’re flustered.”
Don’t look back. Don’t you—
I peer over my shoulder. He’s watching me, a subtle smile playing on his lips.
“I’m not flustered. Merely focused… It’s hot in here.”
“Of course.” He steps closer. Too close. “Though I confess, I’m finding it difficult to focus on anything but you.”
I glare at Connor, extending my arm between us. One arm’s length. One arm’s length!
He continues, ignoring my outstretched arm. “Come on, Mary. Don’t be like that.”
I step back again until my shoulders hit the wall. Shit.
Connor places his hands on either side of my head and leans in. “We kissed last night…”
I look down. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I think you do.” His breath tickles my ear. “Didn’t your parents tell you not to kiss a stranger?”
“Wh—I… You kissed me, just so we’re clear.”
“You didn’t seem to mind.”
I let out a startled laugh. “For all you know, I could have a boyfriend waiting for me at home. ”
“Do you?”
“Yes.” What am I doing, lying to him about a made-up boyfriend?
“And what’s his name?”
“Chris.”
Connor’s expression clouds over, his jaw clenching. “And yet, you kissed me back, so eager and willing…”
Damn it, my body betrays me, heat pooling low. I squeeze my thighs together as he presses his thumb down on my lower lip, and despite my better judgment, I let him part them.
Shit.
I duck under his arm and whirl around. “That was a mistake. I was… confused and startled.”
“You sucked on my thumb.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Yeah, well, I was clearly delirious or something. Because no way would I be interested in an asshole who breaks into offices and steals phones.”
“Not any phone. Your phone.”
“Doesn’t change that you’re an asshole.”
“An asshole you kissed.” He smirks and takes a step toward me.
I hold up a hand. “Don’t. Let’s pretend it never happened.”
“Now, why would I want to do that?” He tilts his head. “Here’s what I think. You’re attracted to me but too scared to admit it.”
A humorless laugh escapes me. “Scared? Of you? ”
Okay, maybe a little. The way he makes me feel… terrifies me, but I’ll never let him know that.
I force myself to meet his gaze. “I want nothing to do with you. Now give me back my phone and get this over with.”
“If that’s really what you want…” He produces my phone from his pocket and holds it out to me.
Surging forward, I try to grab it, but he evades me, holding it out of my reach.
“Ah ah ah... not so fast. I’m thinking we could discuss its return over lunch. You pay.” He arches a brow. “Unless you want me to give you a lecture on not letting some stranger kiss and steal your phone here?”
“Lunch it is.”
His mouth curves. “It’s a date.”
“Not a date. Blackmail.” But I must admit, part of me is looking forward to it. Regardless of my phone being part of the equation.