Page 158 of Savage Bosses

“Still, if Ife’s friend can sanitize his image, she’ll have our man in line for sainthood in no time.”

As exaggerated as Hal’s observation was, I had to agree. My company was losing investors in the most lucrative markets. With ten high rises in various stages of construction, I needed to stop the hemorrhaging. Unfortunately, I didn’t like who my savior in the wings was. I loved my daughter and respected her insight, but I would never forget how Madison disrespected my wife and my marriage. Having to trust my life’s work to her felt like having my skin punctured by invisible splinters. No pore was safe from the aggravating presence.

“Do you think she’ll find you a famous rockstar like she did with the Arab prince?” Quarren asked.

I shrugged. “I doubt any woman she finds would work. And few women have the all-around appeal of the lead singer for Liquid Obsession. Not that I would be interested, anyway.”

Mal leaned forward in his chair to scrutinize me. “Speaking of your interest, or lack of, how is it you didn’t have an alibi? And don’t give me that bullshit about cancelations. There’s a long list of women biting at the chance to be photographed beside you in the society pages.”

“Mal has a point,” Hal mused. “You haven’t been with a new woman in… damn near six months.”

“Has it really been that long?” Mal began mumbling and counting down with his fingers. “I can’t believe it, you’re right. You’ve shown up single for every fundraiser and office function in the past six months.”

“Are you ill?” Quarran stood and approached me.

I blocked his hand from touching my head with a glare. “Fuck off. I don’t pay you to be intrusive.”

“Maybe it’s the type of women you’ve been going out with. Ever since Oyinlola, your type went in the opposite direction. The number of blondes you kept on your arm had me concerned you were trying to expand the Aryan race.” Quarran shuddered. “Thank God they never last more than two dates. I had Children of the Corn invading my dreams because of you.”

To calm myself, I clenched my fist and imagined crushing Quarran’s face in it. “Isn’t it about time for you all to leave?” I deactivated the privacy setting on the glass walls to shut down the conversation. “I have work to do.”

“Well, damn! Who is she?”

Mal’s outburst caused us to face the office floor. The head of our human resources department led a tall, full-figured woman from desk to desk. From the welcoming smiles of my employees, the newcomer was making a positive impression. I pressed my lips together to prevent a harrumph of disapproval from escaping.

Although I couldn’t see her face, I knew who she was. And based on the suit she wore, nothing changed my opinion about her. She dressed to seduce, but she was wrong if she thought her wiles would succeed with me.

“I hope she isn’t an employee because she’s a sexual harassment suit waiting to happen,” Hal said. “And I’ll be the first one to put the company at risk.”

“Get in line. A sistah like that will be all over what I have to offer, without the conflict, since I don’t work here.” Quarren straightens his tie.

“Like you stand a chance. I’m the only one out of the four of us that’s closest to her in age. The rest of you are old enough to be her father.” Mal patted his hair as if a stray strand would rebel against the product he used to tame his locks.

“Still… I wouldn’t mind her calling me Daddy.” The seriousness in Hal’s voice drove me to end their back and forth.

“She’s off-limits,” I pronounced.

“You’re shitting me,” all three men said in concert.

“Wait! She isn’t even your type. And all jokes aside, you shouldn’t be in the public eye flaunting your new flavor of the week right now.” Hal turned a concerned frown on me. “We’ve lost the trust of our investors in the Asian markets. No need to give them more reason to doubt Luxe Locations.”

“You’ve got the wrong idea. She’s Ife’s best friend, Madison, not someone I’m staking a claim on. And neither can the rest of you.”

“You’re pulling one over on us. Just admit it,” Mal said.

“I’m not and I won’t stand in Ife’s way when she murders you for your dirty thoughts, either.” Of course, as I made my pronouncement, Madison turned to face us.

We all groaned, though I kept mine silent.

The eight years since I last saw her were more than good to her. Even her vitiligo complemented her beauty. Her skin, a beautiful patchwork of dark brown and light areas lacking pigmentation, enhanced her slanted brown eyes and full lips. As a teenager, she had the foundation to surpass most women who met society’s beauty standards. As an adult, she had no competition. Seeing her now posed a serious problem for me.

The reason I hadn’t dated for six months wasn’t by choice. My body rejected every available woman. Until now.

Blood rushed to my dick, reminding me in the most fucked up way possible that I was a man with a healthy sexual appetite, and my new craving was off-limits.

CHAPTER 3

Madison

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