Page 12 of The Swap After Hours

Typically, I loved being alone at the office, with no one to interrupt my work or need my attention, but for some reason, this time felt different. The silence felt oppressive, cold. Like all the warmth had suddenly been sucked out of the building. It was unsettling and I quickly gathered my things, deciding to do the rest of my work at home.

The underground parking garage was dimly lit with only a couple of cars remaining. I made my way over to my reserved spot near the door and climbed behind the wheel of my black Porsche GT3.

This car was my baby and I smiled as I started her up and the low growl of her engine echoed throughout the cavernous space. My hands tightened around the cool leather steering wheel, longing to take her out and really open her up.

Unfortunately, it would have to wait. The city streets were much too congested, and I still had too much work to do to go out joyriding. Instead, I got some take-out for dinner and drove home, which for me was a penthouse condo in one of the most elite areas of New York. Nestled high above the bustling streets, it provided the best in luxurious living.

The living room was furnished with a buttery soft leather couch and matching chairs, and a beautiful stone fireplace. Two walls were made entirely of glass which bathed the space in natural light during the day. Sliding doors led out to an enormous balcony with comfortable outdoor furniture and an amazing view of the city.

Directly off the living room was a gourmet kitchen, equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and marble countertops that gleamed in the soft lighting above.

The rest of the lower level included a guest room with en suite bathroom, home office, fully equipped gym, and a home theater. My bedroom was located in a spacious loft and had its own private balcony with a hot tub which I sometimes liked to unwind in at the end of a long, hard day.

It was quiet as I set everything on the kitchen counter and ran up to my room to change. I came back down a few minutes later wearing a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and my dinner off the counter then headed out to the balcony. I looked at the nearby condos as I ate.

A few of them had their curtains open and I could see families eating dinner around the table, a couple watching TV together, and what looked like a couple of teenagers making out on their living room couch.

A heavy feeling settled over me as I continued to observe my neighbors—except for the two teenagers because I wasn’t a creep. The feeling had become familiar lately. This feeling of wanting…more. But what?

I’d considered adopting a dog or a cat, something that might be a little company when I came home, but my busy schedule wasn’t exactly ideal for having a pet. And I certainly didn’t have time for a relationship, not with all the traveling I did for work.

I’d tried. I’d dated a few men, but they were usually put off as soon as I asked them to sign a non-disclosure agreement, a tool I used not only to protect myself but to weed out the people who only wanted me for my money. The few relationships I’d actually been in had quickly fizzled out once they realized how often I’d be gone, working late at the office and traveling on business trips.

I was proud of what I’d accomplished over the years, the company I’d built from the ground up, the blood, sweat, and tears I’d poured into every inch of my business. I’d sworn to myself at an early age that I was going to become someone, do something, so I could repay the one person who had always loved and cared for me.

I’d studied hard all through school, graduating from high school with honors and college at the head of my class with a master’s in business. After that, I worked tirelessly for other companies, learning how they did things and which things to avoid.

Finally, I’d applied for my own start-up business loan and my dream had taken off from there. I’d paid back my loan in just three months as my business quickly grew and within the second year, I’d made my first million dollars.

Marshall Industries had continued to grow ever since, but it had all come at a steep cost. I lived in one of the nicest homes in the city but had no one to share it with. I could afford to travel anywhere I wanted in the world, but there was no one to see the sights with me.

I stood up abruptly, refusing to let the melancholy take over. Not tonight at least. Perhaps I just needed to get laid. That was probably it. It had been quite a while since I’d gone out and had a little fun.

Pulling out my phone, I did a quick search through my messages until I found one marked private. A smile spread across my face when I saw the invitation was for this weekend. Excellent! I needed to relax and unwind, and I had the perfect idea how.

I went back inside to throw away my trash then grabbed my briefcase and headed to my office. It was after midnight by the time I stumbled up to my room and fell face first onto my bed. Four o’clock would come early and then it would be time to do it all over again.

CHAPTER 5

TREVOR

I glanced up from the cutting board where I’d been chopping vegetables and smiled. Being in the rented kitchen space with Doug and his staff always felt like stepping into a whirlwind of activity. But what should have been total chaos looked more like a well-choreographed dance, each member executing their part with graceful precision.

“How’s it going? Need any help?” Doug tried to look conspicuous as he sidled up next to me and assessed my work, but there was a tightness around his eyes that wasn’t normally there.

“It’s chopping vegetables. I think even I can manage to do that much without messing up.” I bumped his hip with mine to let him know I was teasing.

A ghost of a smile flitted across his face before disappearing again. “I’m sorry. I’m just nervous. This is a huge opportunity for me. I really need tonight to go well.”

I set the knife down and turned to him, placing my hands on his shoulders. “Hey, it will. Tonight, will be perfect. The food looks and smells amazing, and you have an incredible staff. Plus, you have a secret ace up your sleeve.”

“Yeah? What’s that?”

I grinned widely. “Me, of course!”

Doug barked out a laugh. “Thanks. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

I tapped my finger against the tip of his nose. “Lucky for you, you’ll never have to find out. Seriously though, creating delicious dishes is what you were born to do. These people would be fools not to hire you for all their parties. So, relax. You’ve got this.”

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