Chapter 21
TWENTY-ONE
CRESSIDA
Soren took my vibrator. What the actual fuck?
I didn’t notice right away, probably because I only managed to get up to shower, pee, and climb straight into bed.
I had one of the best sleeps of my life thanks to him.
Not that I would ever tell him that. I would never let him know he was responsible for anything positive in my life.
He might take that and run with it, and his ego is already big enough without me inflating it.
Oliver is due to arrive home today, and while it’s been a difficult week, I’ve been missing him like crazy.
Ever since Noah and I split, we’ve worked out a way to co-parent that serves us both, so neither of us misses anything in his life.
I know a lot of divorced parents struggle with that, and I’m happy we don’t.
I’m sitting out front, waiting for them to arrive because they told me they’d be here at a specific time, but it’s already five minutes past, and I’m eager to put my arms around my son.
My phone rings, and when I see the name flash on the screen, I completely ignore it and look down the street.
I haven’t spoken to Soren since last night, and I’m still trying to decide whether to take the other job or the one he offered me.
I’m pretty sure the position with Soren will pay better, and that’s a big incentive, but the fact that I have to stop investigating him, even though I’ve been doing so for over a year, stings a little.
My phone dings, indicating an email this time.
I unlock my phone and read the message.
Dear Miss Knight, aka, Hurricane,
I’ve tried to call you with no success.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could attend a meeting with me to discuss your new job, should you choose to accept it. I have attached the position details, including the salary.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Your New Boss
My new boss. That’s bold of him.
When I open the attachment, my mouth falls open, and I sit in complete and utter shock.
Surely, this can’t be real.
Who gets paid this much money for the type of position he is offering?
I read it again and again because it’s more than three times what I earn right now. This amount of money is insane. Maybe it’s normal for someone like him, but it’s certainly not normal for me.
A car honks, and I stuff my phone into my pocket as I stand to see Noah pull up with Oliver.
I rush to the car, open the door, and wrap my arms around my little boy, squeezing him tightly.
He laughs and tells me how much he missed me before I manage to pull back so he can unbuckle himself and get out of the car.
“He asked me the whole car ride how long it would be until he got home.” Noah chuckles as he climbs out of the car. I notice that his fiancée is sitting stiffly in the front seat. “Here are his things. You still good if I take him next weekend?” he asks as he hands me the bag.
“Yes, no problem.”
Oliver walks up to me and throws his arms around my waist. I soak in his embrace because I’m afraid that when he’s older, he won’t want to hug me as much as he does now. They say it happens with teenage boys, and he’s getting bigger, so I’m hoping we can stay close.
“Bye.” I wave and then glance one last time at Taylor, who hasn’t bothered to say a word to me. It still stings that he hasn’t had the decency to introduce us officially.
“What should we do for dinner?” I ask Oliver as we get to the front door.
“Pizza,” he automatically says. It’s his favorite food.
“Done. Let me order it, and you can tell me all about your week.” He rushes inside, and I shut the door behind us. When I pull out my phone to order, I see another email from Soren.
Dear Hurricane,
Can I come over?
Your New Boss
I huff out a breath, then delete the email.
Nope, that’s not happening.
While I place the pizza order, Oliver starts telling me about his week, then all about Taylor.
“Do you like her?” I ask as I get us some drinks.
He shrugs. “Yeah. She’s all right, I guess.”
“That’s good.” And I mean it. I want Noah to be happy, and I want whoever he’s with to like my son and treat him well.
A knock sounds on my door, and I leave Oliver playing Fortnite on his Nintendo Switch as I walk to the door. When I pull it open, I’m expecting the pizza delivery person, so my attention is on pulling cash out of my purse.
“Hurricane.”
I look up at Soren standing there, and my mouth opens in shock. He reaches out and presses two fingers under my chin to gently close my mouth. “I know I’m good-looking, but dropping your mouth open like that should only happen when you’re on your knees…” He pauses. “In front of me.”
I take a quick glance behind me to make sure Oliver didn’t follow me, then look back at Soren.
“You should leave,” I say.
“You ignored my messages.”
“I’m with my son,” I inform him. “When I’m with him, he’s my sole focus.”
“Reply back, then.”
Just then, the delivery guy arrives. Soren turns to him, and as I grab the money to pay him, Soren has already handed over a wad of bills and has taken the pizza box. Then he turns back to me and smiles.
“I can pay for my own food,” I grumble.
“I know you can, but think of this as an apology for interrupting your night.” He holds out the box to me, and I take it.
“Don’t come here again.” I raise a brow at him as I step back into my home.
He just smirks as I shut the door.
Asshole.
The following week, I arrive at Soren’s office for the meeting he had requested about the job offer.
His receptionist recognizes me and tells me to go straight in.
When I push open the door, he’s talking to someone on the phone as he clicks away on his keyboard, staring intently at the screen.
When he notices me standing there, he raises a finger, indicating for me to wait as he finishes his conversation.
He tells the person on the other end to get it done and ensure there are no fuckups.
Otherwise, it’ll be their job on the line. Then he proceeds to hang up on them.
I now have his full attention as he stands.
He strides around his desk and comes toward me.
I think he’ll stop in front of me, but he passes me and goes to close the door, shutting us in his office.
That’s when I glance over my shoulder to find him staring at my ass.
He has no shame whatsoever. Is he wondering if his handprint is still there?
It had lingered as a bright, stinging reminder on my skin for a few days, but I don’t want to give him the pleasure of telling him that.
He indicates that I should take a seat. I do so, and he follows, retaking his seat behind his desk.
I cross my legs, the hem of my knee-length skirt riding up just a fraction.
My blouse is done up, so no cleavage is showing.
My hair is in a high ponytail, and I’m wearing red-soled shoes. I look and feel professional.
“Miss Knight.” He eyes me.
“I’m here, Soren. What do you want to discuss?”
“The offer I sent you. Have you had time to think about it?” he asks.
“I have.”
“And?
“I have a few requirements,” I say, smiling.
“Of course you do. And what are they?”
“When I’m in the newsroom, you will not enter.” I keep my smile on my face as I speak.
“You expect me to stay out if I’m needed?”
“No. If you’re actually needed, that’s acceptable. I don’t want you hovering around checking on me,” I tell him. “You’ve obviously done your research and know I’m good at what I do. I did manage a newsroom once while I was still working on other stories.”
“Yes, Miss Knight, I am well aware of how good you are.”
I continue listing my requirements. “No touching me or making smart remarks in the workplace.”
“So, are you saying I can’t bring you into my office, bend you over my desk, and spank your ass?” he asks casually.
“How many others have you done that to?”
“None, but I like the idea of it.”
“I find that hard to believe.” My fingers fidget in my lap at the thought of him in here with another woman like that.
“It’s the truth. I don’t mix business with pleasure, and I have never brought a woman back to my office for sex.”
“Okay…” I stand and hold out my hand for him to shake. Maybe I will drop the investigation. For now. “I will accept your offer on those conditions.”
He stares at my outstretched hand and says, “So, that’s a no to bending you over my desk?”
“That’s a no,” I confirm, and he takes my hand as a knock sounds at the door.
His eyes don’t leave mine as he calls out, “I’m in a meeting.”
“We’re done,” I say, loud enough for the person on the other side to hear.
The door opens, and his sister walks in. I try to pull my hand from his, but he holds tight, not letting me go.
“Maya, why are you here? You’re supposed to be working,” Soren says, then finally releases my hand. His sister’s eyes flick down, noticing the space between us, the ghost of his touch still lingering on my skin, and she lifts her brows ever so slightly.
“I quit,” she replies, crossing her arms. “And why are you in here with that reporter? I recognize her. She’s the one trying to do a story on you.” She pins me with a glare.
“She works for me now,” Soren tells her.
“So, you’re hiring any old riffraff from the street now?
” Her words are meant to be mean, but I couldn’t care less what she thinks of me.
From what I’ve learned about his sister, she lives off of his money.
I didn’t dive too deeply into her, but I found out they’re very close.
And right now, she’s looking at me as if I have a second damn head.
“I was just leaving. Have a good meeting,” I tell them, my eyes flicking from one to the other.
Maya’s hostile gaze follows me out, and then she shuts the door with a little too much force behind me.
Whatever their situation is, I could feel the tension in the room.
And I’m delighted to be leaving that behind me.