Page 43 of Rekindling Desire

“Ella, we need to talk.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Millie, it’s very complicated. Not only did I work for Damien, but the reason I never mentioned my connection was that we had a personal relationship.”

“Why didn’t you tell me when I suggested this campaign?”

I covered my eyes with one hand and lay back against the chair, my temples beginning to throb. I practically begged her to assign someone else. Nevertheless, I pushed forward, not backward. “The past is insignificant. We’re married. I want to continue my work with Beta Kappa Phi. I don’t believe marriage is a ground for firing.”

“No one is talking about firing you. There is an obvious conflict of interest.”

“There isn’t,” I protested. “I want what’s best for Beta Kappa Phi and what’s best for Sinclair Pharmaceuticals. The coalition is comprised of non-competing companies that were aligned for the purpose of supporting one another. My work with the campaign will benefit all the companies, yes, including Sinclair.”

Millie’s voice filled with exasperation. “I need to call legal.”

“Don’t kill the campaign, Millie. Let Niles spearhead it. I’ll take a lesser position.”

“The compensation—”

“I don’t care.”

“Come to my office tomorrow. I’ll be here at 8:00 a.m.”

Telling her no was on the tip of my tongue. Then again, Millie Barns was still technically my boss. “What can I bring to assure you that this campaign is worth our effort?”

“At this moment, I don’t know. Be here tomorrow.”

“I will.”

The line went dead.

“Shit,” I sighed, tipping my head back against the desk chair.

I typed out a text message to Damien.

“Dwain Welsh contacted Millie yesterday.”

Next, I opened a text message from Niles.

“Leaving soon. I’ll call on my way home. How was your weekend? All work and…any play?”

I shook my head. He had no idea.

My phone dinged. The message was from Damien.

“On my way to your office. We need to talk and I’m guessing alcohol might be a good addition to this discussion. Let’s get out of here. Tomorrow is another day.”

I texted back.

“Bodyguard?”

He replied.

“They start tomorrow. Tonight, you’re all mine.”

I wasn’t sure how he’d done it. Yet looking down at my left hand, I knew that being all his was where I wanted to be. I turned off my computer and retrieved my purse from the desk drawer. It was only a little before five.

Playing hooky was acceptable when you did it with the boss.

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