by Layla Hagen
“I happen to like your broody ass. And I don’t need the rest, Reid. I’m an adaptable person. And so are you. Sorry to break it to you, but you’re not this ogre you think you are. Nope.”
She doesn’t need all those other things. I matter more.
I kissed her with all I had, exploring her mouth with mine, her body with my hands. The more I lost myself in her, the easier it became to push away the fear that she might change her mind later down the road.
She was mine, and I planned to keep her. I’d never wanted anything more.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hailey
I had never really been one to muse about the guys I was dating for no reason. That, however, was changing fast. Reid was taking care of it. I caught myself from time to time with a dopey smile, or simply staring into space for no reason. It didn’t help, of course, that Reid kept sending me texts throughout the day, sometimes for no reason at all, almost as if he couldn’t help thinking about me any more than I could help thinking about him. I caught the dopey expression on my face on the screen of my laptop, and tried to tone it down. I managed for all of two seconds before my phone pinged again.
Reid: What if I show up for lunch at your office and convince you to take the rest of the day off?
Hailey: You might get me fired.
Reid: Maybe that’s the master plan.
Hailey: Hmm... can’t see how that would be of any advantage to you. YOU WILL NOT GET LAID for a very long time if that happens.
Reid: I trust my seduction skills.
I wanted to write back something sassy but then saw that he was typing a message again and waited not so patiently, tapping my foot under the desk.
Reid: As to the other thing, there are many advantages. I’d convince you to work for me.
I chuckled and typed back. The nerve of him, really.
Hailey: How would that be an advantage?
Reid: For lunch, I could have you right here in my office, spread wide and begging for me. Just thinking about it makes me hard.
Holy shit! What was wrong with him? He couldn’t just get me hot and bothered like that. Well, it probably said more about me than about him that my body reacted this way, but still... I felt compelled to chastise him.
Hailey: My boss wouldn’t be happy if he knew how much time I spend texting.
Reid: See? One more reason to work for me. I’m a lenient boss. Wouldn’t mind if you sent me hot texts during business hours.
I groaned. Of course, he wouldn’t.
Hailey: Not happening.
Reid: We’ll see.
He was baiting me, but I didn’t reply. I had a hunch that he had some more arguments, and I really wasn’t even going to go there, not even allow myself to consider it. Working for the man I dated could go south very fast (even though the rewards were very sweet, as he’d unfortunately pointed out). Dating a client was different. He wouldn’t be my client forever. Once this died down, he wouldn’t need me anymore.
I pushed the phone away, hoping the credo “out of sight, out of mind” would work. It didn’t. I was so tempted that my palm was practically itching to grab the phone. I was determined to avoid temptation.
And besides, I did have my plate full. I’d spent the entire morning brainstorming about a way to respond to Marion’s accusations, but so far, I was coming up blank. Reid was making this unnecessarily difficult by not wanting to disclose the truth.
But it was my job to find a way around that, and I was determined to succeed.
I dealt with two other clients over the course of the afternoon. I was just starting my collaboration with the first, and bidding goodbye to the second one. It was always bittersweet when a client didn’t need me anymore, but it was testament to a job well done.
I had long-term clients, of course. Stars who needed representation all the time. But since the agency specialized in crisis management, we also dealt with people who only needed us until the crisis was done.
I realized something was amiss when I checked my inbox after getting off the phone with a client. I had twenty unread messages. One of them from Cameron. Shit had hit the fan somewhere! The only time my inbox exploded was when an article popped up, yet none of my notification software had pinged. That must mean the article was fresh enough that the software hadn’t picked it up yet.
I opened Cameron’s email first and froze in my seat. He’d sent me an article, all right; only it wasn’t just about one of my clients, it was about me too.
Someone had snapped photos of Reid and me when we were shopping on Saturday. There we were—holding hands, kissing.
I forced myself to read the article. It wasn’t pretty. It painted Reid as a womanizer and me as an idiot. I closed my eyes, drawing a few deep breaths, trying to sort through the jumble of thoughts. I couldn’t. My hand trembled on the mouse as I clicked through the other emails. They all contained the article, and occasionally a commentary. From my clients. Goddammit. I was supposed to solve PR crises, not create them.
Oh, and it had been written by Victor for the online edition of LA Lifestyle. Bastard.
I propped my forehead in my hand, trying the deep breathing technique again. It worked better this time, and I made a list of priorities. I needed to talk to Reid, work out how this would impact him and what the next move was. The fact that I had now been publicly named made my job harder.
How was I supposed to mediate the situation if I was right in the middle of it? Goddammit.
I also had to talk to Cameron. He hadn’t written anything in his email, merely included the article, but that wasn’t reassuring. I jumped when my phone rang, thinking it was Cameron for sure. He wasn’t in the office. It was Reid.
“Hailey. Someone sent me the article—”
“I just got it too.”
“Are you still at the office?”
“Yes... I’m trying to gather my thoughts. Wait. My boss just returned. I’ll call you after, okay? I need to talk to him.”
I caught Cameron’s eye, and he motioned me to join him in his office. Most of my colleagues seemed blissfully unaware of what had happened, but then again, everyone was up to their eyeballs with their own clients.
“Close the door behind you,” Cameron instructed. I did just that and started pacing the room. He wasn’t sitting, and I had too much energy anyway. I needed to move.
“Since when are you and Davenport an item?”
“A while.”
“Can you break it off?”
“N-no,” I stuttered, stunned. “I don’t want to.”
“I had to ask. A clean break would make this easier. We can pawn him off on another agency. We’re not bound—”
“He’s my client. And my boyfriend.”
“So it’s serious.”
“Yes.” I hoped. I’d met his parents. And we spent time together, and... shit, was I risking my career for a fling? I rubbed the back of my neck, breathing in and out. I was just panicking for no reason. Of course this wasn’t a fling.
“You don’t sound sure.”
“Cameron, I’ll fix this.”
He sat against the edge of his desk, crossing his arms over his chest. “I don’t want to see you hurt, that’s all. Your personal life is personal, of course. I just hope you know what you’re doing.”
And now I was disappointing him. Great. He’d been a mentor for me, had taken a chance by employing me, and I’d let him down.
“Obviously, I wasn’t anticipating this. Reid has never been photographed by paps. But I will fix this.”
I just needed a plan, damn it.
Cameron nodded thoughtfully. “Take the rest of the day off.”
“What? You never give us days off. Scandals don’t sleep, remember?”
The smile he gave me was a bit sad. Oh, yeah, that’s right. I had just become a scandal.
“You need time to cool off. Tomorrow morning, we can sit together and draw up a plan.”
“Okay.” I nodded, clasping my hands behind my bac
k so he wouldn’t see me twiddling my thumbs. “Okay.”
It was not okay, but I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t yet guess if this would impact the agency, and I think he couldn’t either. But I was grateful he’d given me the day off, because frankly, I had brain fog. My entire body became jittery. I was tapping a foot against the floor. This was slowly getting out of my control.
When I sat behind my desk, I couldn’t even draw a damn to-do list. I just stared into space, pen poised, unable to focus on a single coherent thought. So I set the pen down and grabbed my bag, grateful I had the green light to ditch the rest of the day.
I was shocked to see Reid waiting in front of the agency, pacing next to his car. He stopped when he saw me.
“What are you doing here?”
“Got in my car after we spoke. Didn’t want to call you in case you were still with your boss.”
“He said I should take the day off, but if you want to talk about the next steps—”
“I don’t give a fuck about the next steps. I want to know how you’re doing.”
“I’m honestly just.... I can’t even think. This hasn’t happened to me before.”
He opened the door for me. “In you go, beautiful. Let’s get out of here.”
I couldn’t find a single reason to say no, so I just climbed inside.
On the drive, I started to regain some of my focus, but still felt pretty beat up.
We were silent for the most part, until Reid asked, “Cheesecake? Ice cream?”
I laughed. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to find a quick fix to lift your mood.”
“Ah, and with your amazing powers of observation you noticed these two are a staple in my diet.”
“Something like that.”
“Well... I’ll never say no to sweets. No offense to your chefs at the hotel, but they don’t make the best cheesecake in town. That honor goes to Sweet Spot. Want to make a pit stop and grab some?”
He smiled wolfishly. “One step ahead of you, love. All you have to know is that it will be waiting for us at the hotel.”
Part of me thought he was bragging, but when we arrived at the hotel, two plates of cheesecake were set on the bar counter.
“Well, damn. You’re growing on me, Mr. Davenport.”
I climbed on a chair, focusing on each spoonful. Reid sat next to me, and astonishingly, that calmed me. Even though I still felt as if I was losing my grip on the situation.
After I practically licked the plate clean, Reid spun my chair so that I was facing him. He slid out of his, leaning into me, propping one hand on the counter, the other on my thigh. He looked down at me with worry and so much warmth that I just wanted to tell him to wrap his arms around me and hold me tight.
“How was the meeting with Cameron?”
“He was just concerned about me. He’s a great boss. I don’t want to let him down.”
I bit my lips, staring at my hands.
“There’s more,” he whispered. “Tell me.”
“Tell you what?”
“What are your fears? I need to know them. It’s the only way I can fight them right along with you.”
“I don’t know exactly. Not being able to fix this. Disappointing Cameron—he’s been more than a mentor to me. And what if I lose my job? What if I won’t find another one in the industry?”
“I will not let this affect anyone I care about. I will protect my family, and I will protect you. Do you understand?” He spoke against my lips.
“Yes.”
It humbled me to be among those few people important enough for him to want to protect.
“I’ll protect you the same way I protect my family, Hailey. No matter what. I won’t let you get caught in the crossfire. If I have to buy every PR company in this town so you have someplace to work, then I will. See? Sounds like the only way I can get you to work for me. Win-win.”
“Oh.”
“Why is that a surprise?”
He watched me intently, but I didn’t reply. What could I say? That I’d never been with someone who gave me so much thought? Who wanted to protect me from crossfires? Ever since I was a kid, I’d never wanted to burden anyone with my issues. But this feeling here, having a partner, was exhilarating, but it also scared me.
The situation with the pics wasn’t the only thing getting out of control. So were my feelings for him. My heartbeat intensified, and I pinned my gaze on the counter.
“What’s on your mind, Hailey?”
I drummed my fingers on my thigh, gathering my courage.
“When we were at your parents’ house, I was thinking about the Friday dinners I have with my family, and I realized that you’re the first man I imagined bringing to Friday dinner forever.”
Oh God, I’d said it out loud, hadn’t I? I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. The perplexed look on his face sent my heart into overdrive, and not for good reasons. I dropped my gaze back to the counter and spoke so fast that I practically jumbled the words.
“And I know this is out of the blue. I’m not expecting.... That’s not—this is all on me.”
“Hailey. Stop talking as if you’re doing something wrong.”
“It’s not that, but I don’t want you to feel pressured.”
“I don’t feel pressured. I feel honored.”
My muscles loosened. I hadn’t even realized I’d been so wound up. I glanced up again.
“I want to be everything you need, Hailey. Fuck, you have no idea how much I want that. To make you happy. To make you mine.” He kissed my cheek, my temple, pulling me to the edge of the seat. “I want all that with you, understand?”
I nodded, and when he kissed me, one large hand already lowering the zipper at my back, I all but melted from the sheer heat radiating from his body. And when we paused, just for a few seconds to regain our breaths, my pulse skittered at the warmth in his eyes. Not just warmth: determination, even a hint of domination.
He was demanding surrender, and I wanted to do just that. I wanted to please him. I wanted to let him rock my world. Everything I felt when I was with this man was just surreal.
He made me feel wanted and worshipped and important.
I slid off the chair and practically mauled him before my feet even touched the floor, taking off his shirt, pushing down his pants, everything, until he was completely naked. Then he kissed me hard, yanking down my dress. I gasped, tugging at his hair in protest.
“I’ll buy you another one. I’ll buy you a whole damn wardrobe.” He said something more, but his words were unintelligible. He spoke as he kissed down my body. He brought a hand between my legs, pushing the fabric to one side, stroking me. A wave of pleasure exploded through me, making my toes curl. His touch would relieve the ache, but Reid was kneeling before me, blowing cold breaths over my exposed, slick flesh. He slid two fingers inside, keeping his thumb on my clit, driving me crazy.
“OhGod, OhGod. I’m so close,” I whispered, feeling the pressure build and build until I was sure my knees would give way. Reid showed me no mercy. He worked me up with his fingers until my vision faded at the corners. When I climaxed, I held Reid’s shoulders so tightly, I was sure I’d leave marks. I was faintly aware that he stood up, cradling me with one arm, holding me close, steadying me.
“You’re so fucking sexy. I’ll never tire of watching you cry out, making you come.”
He kissed my cheek, moving to my earlobe, biting the shell softly. “Don’t be afraid of your feelings for me, Hailey. We’ll work through everything together. I promise.”
My breath caught as his words sank in. I mapped his chest with my mouth and my hands. His cock was wedged between us, hard and hot, and knowing he wanted me so much spurred hunger inside me, even though I’d just climaxed. I was insatiable, and I wanted to give him just as much pleasure. I lowered myself on my haunches, swiping my tongue over the tip before licking all the way to the base.
“Fuck, Hailey.” He propped both hands on the wall behin
d me, looking down, watching my every move. I took him all the way in, inch by inch, driving him crazy. He moved his hips gently back and forth, and then he made a sound that seemed a lot like he’d scratched the bar counter before pulling out.
“Inside you. I need to be inside you, Hailey.”
He helped me to my feet before kissing me hard and putting his hands on my lower back. His cock pressed against my entrance and my clit, sending a small shockwave through me.
I couldn’t breathe from the sheer desire I had for this man. We didn’t even make it to the bedroom. He took me right there, on the counter.
***
Reid
Much later, I carried Hailey to the bedroom. She fell asleep on the couch, right on my chest. She snuggled adorably when I lowered her on the bed, pulling me next to her, using my chest as a pillow. Every time I tried to move, she’d just snuggle tighter, even throwing a leg over me. I chuckled, stroking her hair. My mind was racing, searching for a solution. I’d already taken steps to deal with this mess, but clearly, I hadn’t moved fast enough.
I wasn’t a vengeful person, but Marion just signed her own demise by having someone tail us and take those pictures. This wasn’t a pap’s work. It was hers.
I wasn’t going to allow anyone to hurt Hailey. Ever. I wanted to protect this woman from anything there was. I didn’t sleep the entire night, and by morning, I’d made up my mind about the next step.
I ordered breakfast to be brought up, along with paper and pen.
After scribbling a note to Hailey, I tucked it under her coffee cup and went with the tray to the bedroom. She was still asleep.
My girl was a force of nature, and yet yesterday she’d been so beat up. To know I had caused that made me angrier at myself than I’d ever been.
If I had my way, I’d talk her into taking today off too, but I knew when to push and when to take a step back.
“I’ve got coffee here for you,” I said, setting the tray next to the bed.
She stirred.
“And pancakes.”
She stirred some more, even opening her eyes.
“Oh, shit. I fell asleep here. What time is it?”
“Relax. Early enough that you have time to go home and change.”
