Page 22 of Twenty-Three Years of Longing

“To meet with President O’Connor,” I replied.

Mayson burst out laughing. “Yeah. Okay. I get it. You're not telling me. But I’ll have my suit ready.”

“Good. I’ll text you with the time and address tomorrow.”

“You could save time and tell me tonight over dinner,” he stated.

“I can’t.”

“Why? Tired from spending the day at the beach again?” he teased.

“Very funny. No. I have a dinner meeting,” I replied.

“Ah. With your smoking hot replacement, I take it?”

I hated hearing him refer to Raya in that manner. “She has a name. It’s Ms. Davison. And yes, we meet so we can continue her training.”

“What are you training her on?” he joked.

I didn’t miss his hint that it was something...sexual. I didn’t care who it was, I was not going to allow anyone to imply that. This was Raya’s reputation on the line. “Mayson, this is purely professional. Understood?” I said in a firm tone.

“I understand. It’s you that doesn’t seem to. She’s gorgeous. You act as though you haven’t even noticed. Maybe you need glasses. Or maybe you just work too damn much,” he stated.

He wasn’t wrong on the last part. I was working too much. But not so much that I hadn’t noticed every single lovely thing about Raya. She was curvy in the sexiest way, but what I found most attractive was her confidence. She met my gaze as she put me in my place. And if she knew the thoughts I was having about her, she’d probably tell me off. And rightly so.

“Mayson, she’s taken, remember. The only thing between her and me is business. Nothing more,” I said.

“Damn shame. I mean, you finally are going out with a beautiful woman, and you can’t even hope that it will lead somewhere. Might as well have your meeting on the phone.”

“It’s amazing that we are related,” I grumble.

“I know. I think the same thing. What is wrong with you? I wonder if our mother dropped you on your head or something,” he laughed.

“If she did, then I’m glad. I don’t think I’d want to live my life driven by my hormones,” I stated honestly.

“Maybe not driven by it, but it’s okay to take it for a ride every once in a while,” he said, laughing. “Okay. Go and enjoy your boring dinner. I’ll go dig out my suit and see you tomorrow.”

He ended the call, still laughing. I hope I don’t regret having Mayson there for the announcement.

I wasn’t so worried about what he would say when he learned about me being vice president as much as I was that he was going to say something stupid in front of Raya.

Damn. What have I gotten myself into?

It was too late. I already told Reesa about wanting Mayson there, and she wants Raya too. I could see so many things going wrong with the two of them in the same place. But I needed to make it work.

And as I pulled into New Hope, Raya was standing outside waiting for me. She wasn’t wearing her normal business attire. Instead, she was dressed in a pale pink dress with a white belt that accented her curves even more.

Fuck. This is going to be a long dinner.

She didn’t even wait for me to get out and open the door for her. Instead, when I pulled up, she climbed inside and buckled up.

“You’re right on time,” she said.

“I like to be prompt. How was the rest of your day?” I asked, pulling out of the resort.

“Not bad at all. I think they are getting used to me being there. But I must admit, I get the strong feeling that they miss you. You should try to drop in and visit with them when you can. I’m sure your new job, whatever it is, keeps you busy though,” she said.

“I was just there this afternoon,” I reminded her.

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