Page 131 of Sinful Blaze

I weigh the costs and benefits of barging in. Can I wait until another, better opportunity arises? Preferably when the senator is alone?

Then a mental image of Daphne on my arm, wearing something slinky that accentuates her swollen womb, makes the decision for me.

I slap the entire roll of cash onto his desk right in front of him. “Get me in. Plus one.”

“Close out everything after 4:00 P.M. and move my morning appointments tomorrow to early afternoon. Anyone who doesn’t want to reschedule can kiss my ass.”

Paris scrambles to carry out my barked orders. “Is everything alright?”

“Perfectly fine.” I slip off my tie and undo the top buttons to let Daphne’s mark breathe again. “Last-minute invitation came through for a state dinner. I’ll be in attendance, so make sure that’s notated on the calendar as well. Seven o’clock until… when the fuck ever.”

With any luck, I’ll tidy up Brennan with minimal effort, then sweep my woman off to some luxurious hotel nearby for a far better night.

Just thinking about Daphne in a glittering dress, enough of a slit up one side to bare her creamy leg, has me hard as a rock. I don’t want to stay at the dinner any longer than absolutely necessary.

I have more pressing matters to attend to.

“I’m available,” Paris chimes in through my heady thoughts. “If you need a date for the dinner, I mean. Or dessert.”

I sigh. She was doing so well up until that point.

I turn to face her. “Your services are no longer needed. So no, I do not need a date. I already have one.”

Paris slowly stands, anger simmering beneath her skin. Hurt, too, and I know at some point I might have to address that. Right now, though, she’s leaning into the anger and I’m ready for a fight.

“I don’t understand. You’re single; I’m single. And unless you hired someone else?—”

“I’m going to stop you right there before you say something we’ll both regret.” Like accusing Daphne of being an escort. “I am not single. Not only have I made that exceptionally clear for quite some time, but I wouldn’t choose you even if I was.”

She sucks in a sharp gasp. “Are you kidding me? After everything we did?”

“What we did was mutually beneficial. You fully consented, we blew off some steam. That was it.”

“But—”

“Did it never occur to you that all we ever did was have sex? I never asked you for anything more. I never will.”

Paris clenches her fists at her sides. Her bottom lip trembles, but she’s determined to hold her own ground. I can almost admire it. “You used me. You… you used me!”

“No more than you used me. No less, either. And before you get any ideas about filing lawsuits, don’t forget how shamelessly you’ve been throwing yourself at me in front of witnesses. The fact that I haven’t fired you for inappropriate conduct is a mercy you won’t get anymore. I’m happy to discuss an enhanced salary and benefits package, if that will help you move on. But I don’t pay you for what’s between your legs—I pay you for what’s between your ears.”

She’s fuming, but she remains silent. Thank God. I get that she’s hurt, and I recognize that on a logistical level, she probably has every right to be.

But she’s also vindictive as hell. If I don’t keep a close eye on her, there’s no telling what she might try to do.

Makari may have been right. It might be time to fire her.

On the other hand, I need to keep all my enemies close at hand. Even the potential ones.

Especially the potential ones.

I’m greeted with Daphne’s smiling face the second I walk through the door. “How was your day?” she asks cheerfully.

It’s not her fault that that question irks me. Shit, it’s not even my fault. I’m just irritated with the rest of the world for being so fucking difficult. “It was a day.”

“Ah.” Her smile fades a bit, which I despise in its own right. “I was wondering, whenever you’re settled in… could we talk?”

“I’d rather not.” The words fly out in the worst way before I can stop myself. “Not in the mood. Too annoyed with people. Things. The universe.”

---