by Kayla Hensen
Duncan nodded. “Of course. I’ll make myself scarce and I’ll be quiet.” First things first, Duncan took a cinnamon crumble muffin out of his bag and placed it in front of Penny. She gave him the side eye but a playful smirk graced her lips. She didn’t say anything but the expression she wore was enough.
He headed deeper into the office, hanging out in the conference room and glanced through the bookcases. Mostly nonfiction about making money and how to grow your money. Where to invest it, how not to spend it. Logan Sinclair lived and breathed it. Duncan couldn’t blame him. Maybe his family should’ve taken the same approach.
A few moments later, Duncan heard the door close and Logan enter the conference room. “Sorry about that. Late start this morning with all the family obligations we have since returning back to town. My wife is throwing a dinner party to welcome us back.”
“No problem, Sir. I’m excited to get started working with you.”
Logan nodded. “Good. First step, we’re going to have a sit down with Christopher and work out our problems. I want the both of you working on a new venture capital deal. He’s a numbers guy. He knows what I like, which is great, but we need a closer. Someone who knows how to charm a client.”
“And that’s me.” Duncan liked the compliments and he appreciated that Logan saw his strengths but he didn’t want a sit down with Christopher. He didn’t want to work with him but if he had to… well, he guessed he would.
“That’s how I see it. Any problems?” Logan’s eyebrows knitted together and Duncan caught a glimpse of the power behind the man’s eyes for the first time. If this was the reformed version of Mr. Sinclair, Duncan wondered what the old one was like.
“None, sir. I’m excited to get started.”
“Good.” Logan slapped him on the back like they were old time buddies. “I’m glad. After that we’ll have my favorite. A lunch meeting with a prospective business partner. You close this deal with Christopher and we’ll talk your commission rate. How’s that sound?”
Like it was too good to be true. Still, Duncan couldn’t say anything other, “it sounds great. I’m thrilled with this opportunity to learn from you,” with a cool, shaking breath.
Chapter Ten
Penny enjoyed her cinnamon crumble muffin by tearing off pieces of it, popping it in her mouth, and then getting her boat load of tasks done. Most of the day she spent on her feet running around or coordinating with other people. She rarely had time to eat breakfast. Lunch was easy if there was a meeting involved because the Sinclairs always catered but it was nice to fill her belly with something.
It was also nice to see Duncan again.
Penny tried to right off the previous night as a one off. He did her a favor because he felt he owed her—which Duncan did. Still, they had a nice time and Penny felt so at ease with him, it was scary. Even when he had his melt down, Penny felt like they had a connection.
No wonder she was scared.
People didn’t go around trusting guys like Duncan Williamsworth with their hearts. He was a billionaire bachelor. He played fast and loose. Penny had seen it with her own eyes. It didn’t matter how vulnerable he had been. How dashingly handsome he was. Penny couldn’t trust a guy like that. He’d do nothing but break her heart and ruin her plans for her career. She wouldn’t be one of those women who got all swept up in the romance.
At least, that’s what Penny tried to tell herself. She sat at her desk for the first time that morning and tried to work but kept glancing at Logan’s office. The door was still shut tight like it had been all morning.
What could they be talking about for so long? Knowing Logan it was more than just his golf swing.
With a shake of her head, Penny went back to work. She took quick stock of Logan’s calendar for the day and saw a luncheon was scheduled that she had to be present for to take notes and create an action list. She’d never say no to a free lunch and Penny couldn’t help feeling a rush of excitement at the thought of going to the Ritz Carlton.
She wouldn’t get to do more than pick at a salad loaded with meat and cheese but it’d be enough to make her happy.
Just as she was digging into her admin tasks for the day, her phone rang. Penny considered ignoring it but when she saw who it was, she decided it was best to get it over with. “Mom, I told you not to bother me when I’m at work.”
“I know, but I thought since you’ll break for lunch soon…”
“In two hours, Mom.” Penny couldn’t help a small smile. “What’s up? Did you and Dad have a nice time last night?”
“That’s exactly what I was calling about! I was wondering about your date. I had no idea you knew him! I was curious if it’s serious or just a one time thing. Can we have the both of you over for dinner sometime? We would love to get to know him better.”
Penny outwardly cringed. “We travel in the same circles for work, Mom. It was just a date.”
“Well, from where I was sitting, it seemed to go really well. I could feel the electricity between the two of you.”
Penny laughed but she couldn’t discredit what her mother said honestly, either. “We had a nice time but I can’t say anything else. I doubt we’ll be stopping over for dinner anytime soon but thanks for the offer.”
Her mother sighed. “Fine, but don’t be surprised if I keep my hopes high for the two of you. Just imagine how beautiful your babies would be.”
“Mom!” Penny’s eyes widened and when people turned to glance at her, she realized how loud she had been. She cleared her throat. “I have to get back to work. Okay?”
“Okay, honey. Talk to you soon.”
With a shake of her head, Penny went back to work. She tried to put what her mother said out of her head. Out of sight out of mind, but when Duncan strolled by, it was easier said than done.
She put her phone to her ear and pretended she was on a call. Duncan gave her a wink as he continued past and he gave her a single wave like he was some lofty prince.
Penny waved hello back with a wiggle of her fingers and felt her cheeks blushing. When he was out of range, she put her phone down with a sigh. Maybe she did have it bad. With him around the office all the time, how would Penny keep it a secret?
Margret, a friend from accounting, leaned over into Penny’s cubical with wide eyes. She adjusted her red rectangular glasses. “Who was that guy who just came out of Logan’s office and how do you know him? Does he have a brother?”
“Um, think he has several brothers actually.”
“Oh man, you have to introduce me. How do you know him?”
Penny thought about the question and realized it was more complex than a simple answer could really provide. “At a party. His family is from Hamilton Springs and he’s just laying down roots again.”
“Does he have a name?”
“Duncan Williamsworth,” Penny said it almost with dread. No, actually, she said it with actual dread because she knew Margaret would begin shrieking.
Which was actually what her friend did, while shaking her hands in excitement. “The Williamsworths are made of money. Seriously old money. And he’s here taking hours long meetings with Logan? A merger must be coming.”
More like a takeover if Duncan had anything to say about it. “Don’t get in over your head. We don’t know anything yet. They could just be visiting over tea.”
Margret laughed and it whistled out her nose. “I think we both know Logan doesn’t drink tea. He’s too high strung for tea. He’s a coffee only man.” She stepped away but returned as if she changed her mind. “So you and Duncan… are yooou…” Margret rose her eyebrows up and down.
“No way. We just are acquaintances. He started working with Mr. Sinclair and I’m his assistant. That’s all it is. Don’t read into it.” And please, Penny thought, don’t go around telling everyone something different.
“Okay,” Margret said reluctantly. “I get it. If that’s what you want everyone to think, it’s cool. I know the truth.”
“The truth?�
�� Penny’s voice went hoarse and she gave a little squeak.
“Sure. Bye, hon.” Margret sauntered on her way toward the elevator but Penny really wanted to know what it was her friend thought. Had Penny been that obvious? Hadn’t she been keeping her feelings close to the chest?
To the heart pounding in her chest? Penny didn’t know what to do about her feelings or her mistrust. So she got up and marched right over to Logan Sinclair’s office. She knocked on his door before peaking her head in.
“Mr. Sinclair?” She asked in a low voice incase he was on the phone. Instead, he stood by the window, gazing outside with his hands in his pockets.
“Penny, come on in.” He turned and waved for her to enter.
“I hope you’re not too busy,” Penny said even though he didn’t look busy. She knew a man like him could be working on four different things at once even if he was just staring outside at the local traffic.
“Hardly busy at all. I was going to call for you anyway.” He gave her a smile and gestured to his sofa. “Something on your mind?”
“Sir?”
Logan smiled and sat on the edge of his desk. “My assistants in years past rarely come to me unless there’s a problem or something they need to discuss. I hope you’re not resigning.”
“Of course not, sir! I love working for you. Even more now that I’ve gotten to meet you.”
He chuckled. “Well, that’s a first. Tell me what it is then.”
“Duncan Williamsworth,” Penny said with a sick stomach. She could feel it churning even before she said anything and acid rose up into her mouth. “I know he had a problem with your son and you’ve seemed to have ironed it out. I know he’s mentoring under you, but sir… I have questions about his… intensions.” Penny licked her upper lip.
Logan held up a hand. “Say no more. I know where you’re going with this and I already know.”
Penny’s eyes narrowed. “Sir?” He couldn’t have really understood from his posture and how he sat, he looked so relaxed! How could he be that relaxed with a wolf in the hen house?
“Penny, you don’t get to be as successful as I am without being able to sniff out someone who wants what you have. Business, money, love, it’s all the same. I could spot Duncan the moment he entered my office. I saw the greed. The hunger. That boy has something to prove.”
“Then why?” Penny asked. “Why give him a job and invite him into the company?”
“Keep your enemies close.” Logan shrugged. “He has drive and ambition. I see a familiar passion in his eyes and with his own family—” He stopped himself from revealing secrets but Penny already knew from her previous night’s conversation. Still, she was glad Logan hadn’t told her.
“I don’t know why I’ve chosen to invite Duncan into my company. Into my family that you are a wonderful part of. I’ll figure it out as I go,” Logan grinned. “What’s the fun of living without a few unknown?”
“So you’re not worried.”
He laughed. “I’ve yet to find a man who plays the game as good as I do. But I am impressed that you came to warn me. That is something I won’t forget. I reward loyalty as often as I can. If you need something Penny, just ask.”
“Thank you, Sir.” Penny rose up from the sofa. “I better get some more work done. I’ll see you at the luncheon.”
“Absolutely. Order something nice. Something other than a chef salad. Maybe get a steak.”
“Oh, Mr. Sinclair, I couldn’t.”
“Pretty sure you can. You seem capable of eating and working at the same time. It’s on me, so why not?”
He was as generous with his money as he was his time. Penny might’ve felt for Duncan and had a connection with him but she wouldn’t let him take Logan down. She wouldn’t let him take his company or his money.
One of them was going down and it wasn’t going to be her. No matter how her heart ached for Duncan Williamsworth. What he wanted to do was wrong and she just needed to convince him of that.
Chapter Eleven
The Ritz Carlton had a roof top restaurant that overlooked the ocean. Duncan couldn’t imagine a place that was more glitzy than that to have a quiet business lunch. Logan epitomized cool from how he strolled into the building, how he greeted his up and coming new business associate, to how he lounged in his seat like he owned the place.
He dined and schmoozed like he deserved everything he got. Maybe he did or maybe he got it just because he commanded it. Whatever the truth was, Duncan wanted that for himself and his family. Why should Logan have all the fun?
So, Duncan did what a good employee did. He sold the pitch, smoothed things over when he needed to, and stayed effortlessly cool under pressure. Logan was right; it was his top skill and he was a master of wielding it.
Still, every few minutes he glanced at Penny as she quietly took her notes and created what Duncan assumed was an agenda. She laughed in all the right places, making sure Logan seemed like the star he was. If Duncan thought he was good at his job, Penny was great at hers. She was an amazing assistant and everything she did and said was to make Logan look good.
Duncan couldn’t help but be a little bit jealous.
Penny was just doing her job. She was the utmost professional but it still gnawed at Duncan as if he had a stake in her and what she did. He knew the exact opposite was true but last night they had seemed so close. So right for each other. Duncan might as well have been living in a dream. Or at least that’s how it felt.
Had that connection been something he made up to feel better about himself?
As the business luncheon came to a close, everyone rose up from the table. Duncan was confident when he shook hands with the new Sinclair associates that everything was going to work out. Logan seemed to think so, as well, as he slapped Duncan on the back. He spoke with Penny to give her some instruction on what to do next but it was clear she didn’t need it.
Duncan thought maybe she should’ve been running the place.
As they headed toward the elevator, Duncan’s phone chirped. He excused himself and pulled it free to see a text from Matthew. His stomach plummeted as he read it: Dad is asking about you. Where the heck have you been all day?
Quickly he replied back: I’ve been working to earn money. I’ll have a big deal in the works soon. Duncan didn’t know how it would play out or how he’d end up overthrowing Logan Sinclair but he knew he would. That was how things went for him. When he put his mind to it, he could maneuver his way through any situation.
Dad is hosting a dinner party tonight and you need to be there. Seven P.M. in your finest suit. Don’t be late.
Duncan bristled on the inside but he tried not to show it as he slid his phone into his pocket.
“Are you coming?” Penny asked from inside the elevator, holding the door for him as Logan looked perpetually annoyed.
“I’m coming, yeah.” Duncan stepped inside. “Sorry about that. Family matters.”
“Are important,” Logan said and hit the down button on the elevator. He gazed around as they were alone in the elevator. “That went well. Real well. Thanks, Duncan. Your help has been absolutely priceless.” He offered Duncan his hand.
Duncan shook it without hesitation. He almost felt bad about what he wanted to do but it was like Logan said. Family was important. Taking Logan’s company once had been personal but it wasn’t anymore. Now it was about saving his family’s legacy. Even if it meant burying someone else’s.
The elevator dinged and they stepped out onto the bottom floor. Logan was in the lead and Duncan stayed several steps behind him as they walked through the expansive lobby of the hotel. It had three pillars in the center with chandeliers on either side. The silver and gold tile sparkled as if it had been buffed by hand and it had a welcoming lavender scent. The sound of luggage on wheels being dragged echoed through the otherwise pleasant room.
“Dun—Mr.Williamsworth?” Penny hurried to keep up, her heels clicking on the floor behind him. “Can I have a word? Duncan?”
He turned around. “Everything all right?”
“Sure,” Penny smiled but it was forced and faltered easily. “I just thought maybe we could have a quick word.”
Duncan shrugged and splayed his arms. “I’m a working man right now, Penny. If you want to talk you’re going to have to go to dinner with me tonight.”
She blinked her eyes rapidly. “Excuse me?”
“My parents are throwing a boring diner party tonight and I’m afraid my attendance is mandatory. If you want to talk, that’s the only place I’ll have time to do it.”
“So, I helped you out and now you want me to help you out?” Penny put a hand on her hip.
Duncan grinned. “Seems only fair.”
“You said we were even.” Penny’s cheeks began to flush.
“Well, if you really want to talk, I guess this is my price.”
“Fine.” Penny smoothed the tips of her hair up nervously. “I’ll go with you but on one condition.”
“Oh yeah?” Duncan stepped up so they were closer to one another and his chest was nearly against hers. “What’s that?”
“You’re honest with me. One hundred percent honest—all night long.”
The price was high and Duncan wasn’t even sure what it was Penny wanted to talk about. He weighed the consequences of twelve different conversations in his mind. She would go with him and he’d enjoy her company. For now, that was enough for him. “Deal. But only if you agree, as well.”
Penny rolled her eyes. “I’ve never been anything but honest with you.”
“Then it should be easy for you. Don’t you say?”
“I say. What time should I show up for dinner?”
“I’ll pick you up. It’ll look better if we go in together. Besides,” Duncan grinned, “I haven’t seen where you live yet.”
“Were you planning to?”
“Maybe.”
Logan reentered the hotel through the revolving door. “I hate to break up this little sparing match you two have going, but I’m not going to wait forever for you to get into the limo.”
