Page 86 of Unleashed

Can we talk?

I hesitatedfor a moment before typing back.

I’m busy right now. I have guests. Maybe tomorrow.

Michael’s response came quickly.

Are you upset with me?

I rolled my eyes.Duh. If he couldn’t tell, he really was oblivious. He’d ignored me all week, and now suddenly, he wanted to talk? Instead of responding, I silenced my phone and set it back down. If Michael wanted to discuss things, he could do it at work.

Pushing the distraction of Michael from my mind, I focused on Slade. We spent the rest of the evening cooking spaghetti together, the atmosphere relaxed as we laughed over glasses of wine. And when it came time for him to leave, I gave in to his request and let him stay the night.

We were lounging on the couch, my legs stretched across his lap, when he began massaging my feet. His hands were strong but gentle, kneading away the tension in my arches.

“Mmm, that feels good,” I hummed, sinking deeper into the cushions.

“I like this polish,” he remarked, lifting my foot slightly to examine the shimmering pink on my toes.

I raised an eyebrow at him. “You like pink?”

He smirked. “It looks good on you. Very feminine.”

I playfully wiggled my toes, enjoying the attention. “So, are we leaving tomorrow or Saturday?” I asked.

“Whichever you prefer,” he said, his fingers still working magic on my feet. “I thought Friday afternoon might work. Didn’t you say you were getting off early?”

“That depends on Michael,” I said, trying not to let my voice waver. “He mentioned something, but it’s not set in stone.”

Slade raised an eyebrow, his tone casual but curious. “Elliott’s really putting you through your paces, huh?”

If he only knew. “He’s hard but fair,” I said, catching myself before I laughed at the double meaning.

Slade grinned. “I’m not hard, but I’m definitely fair. You should come back and work for me.”

“Slade...” I sighed. “It’s better this way. Michael pays me more, and it would look bad if I went back.”

“My father would pay you anything you wanted.”

“You know that’s not the point,” I said, shaking my head. “Your father never appreciated me like you do.”

Slade’s expression softened. “I appreciate you in more ways than one. You’re brilliant.”

I met his gaze, feeling the weight of his words. “Did you finally get rid of Thomas?”

Slade’s jaw tightened. “He’ll be demoted after the holiday.”

“Demoted?” I raised an eyebrow. “He should be fired.”

“He was one of the men that harassed you, wasn’t he?”

I nodded, the memory souring my mood. “Yes. And there were others. I’m sure other women are dealing with the same thing. Eventually, there’s going to be a lawsuit.”

Slade looked troubled, his hands stilling on my feet. “That upsets me. No one’s reported anything.”

“Because it’s a boys’ club there,” I said quietly.

“I told my father we should start harassment training.”

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