Devon enters my office as I’m hanging up with the hotel. They changed the charges from her cards to mine and apologized for not contacting me. Apparently, their system was down while she was checking out, and they felt it was easier to ask for her payment.

I took it too far. She wasn’t Mrs. Archer, but it felt right at the time. Claire is like a high-end drug that makes me forget about everything, even my name. I can’t afford losing myself. Relationships only cause chaos.

“Milo?”

“I told her to take the week off,” I say brushing him off.

“She told Gary she’d rather eat shit than work for him,” Devon says, dragging my attention away from the lace panties I’m fidgeting with.

Obviously, I put them away in my drawer and focus my attention on him.

“What happened?”

“She accused him of stealing her work. He fired her, to which she said, ‘Funny but I just handed over my resignation to Mr. Archer. You know, the real boss. Not one of his stupid minions.’”

“Give her a couple of days,” I say impatiently. “She’ll be back.”

He walks toward the door, stops by the doorway, and turns around. He arches an eyebrow. “After what just happened?”

I nod but say, “Just give her time. Her position in the company is solid. If anything, we can transfer her to another team.”

“After the little show she just put on, you still want her to work for us?” He glares at me. “Why are you so interested in her?”

“She’s your little superstar. I like her work and she landed several accounts. Everyone deserves a second chance.”

“Did you fuck her?”

I laugh and shake my head. “That wild imagination of yours is great for business but painfully wrong when it comes to people.”

He nods and leaves me with a fist squeezing my throat as I learn she left. Bringing her back is going to cost me.

Who are you fucking kidding, Miller?

What hurts is knowing you can’t have her and, fuck if I don’t feel more than I should for her.

Twenty-Two

Claire

My worst nightmare is arriving late at work, unprepared, and naked.

I achieved all of them yesterday. I arrived a week late. Nothing could’ve prepared me for what happened. Why did I wear a fucking skirt?

I felt naked. Jesus, I actually left without my panties and let Miller fuck me.

So now, it’s Tuesday morning, I have a killer hangover and a lot of questions.

Why do I feel like my entire world exploded? No, the most pressing question is, did I seriously quit my job? Why did I buy wine in a box?