Page 14 of Seducing the Billionaire

If Dad can wait that long.

Chapter Six

Connor

The shadows on the wall gradually shift as the sun rises, and I rub my eyes, sitting up to lean against the headboard. My plan to fall back asleep after waking at four didn’t happen, but it’s not any different than the last few mornings.

I grab my phone off the nightstand, pulling up my calendar only to sigh. Emma has each minute scheduled, from my meeting bright and early at eight to the full hour at the end of the day dedicated to authorizing various projects and signing my approval. A never-ending parade of tasks to check off my list, only to do it all again tomorrow. If this is how Dad spent every day, no wonder he was in such a crabby mood all the time.

I get ready on autopilot, dressing in the same variation of suit and tie as all the others, eating the same breakfast room service sends up every morning, dragging my feet down the same set of stairs to my waiting town car.

Traffic is lighter than usual as my inherited driver, Allen, navigates through the streets to Bishop Tower, the knot in my stomach tightening the closer we approach. Did Archer have this same sense of dread coming to work? Or was it different for him since he wasn’t in charge of everything?

It was never like this when I worked here during the summers while I was in school. Even after graduating and starting here full-time, it wasn’t bad. Then again, I was only in the office when I was in-between projects overseas.

I nod at the few employees milling about the lobby as I trudge toward the elevators, letting out a long breath as I press the call button. Who is it I’m meeting with first? Legal? Or Marketing?

The silver doors slide open, and I get on, pausing as I turn and catch a flash of red.

“Can you hold that?” Emma calls out, her hair streaming out behind her as she makes her way to join me, clutching her purse to her side. Her breaths are slightly labored as she steps in next to me and presses the button for floor sixty, fanning her face. “I need to start doing cardio.”

She smiles up at me, the action knocking me askew. I’d comment on how she looks to be in great shape, but not after what I told her about staying professional.

After that initial day together, there have been no more innocent touches, no cleavage on display, no bending over in front of me. She’s being respectful of my request, but there’s a terrible part of me that… misses it. That wishes I could have acted on those urges. That the situation was different.

But it’s not.

“At least we don’t have to take the stairs,” I comment, looking straight ahead so I won’t admire the scarlet dress that hugs her figure like a second skin.

“Oh my gosh, can you imagine?” She chuckles, the sound all husky allure. I shut my eyes, blocking it out as best I can even as I find myself leaning in, wishing for more. She’s stopped the blatant displays, but it’s the smaller things that hold me captive now. Her scent lingering in my office long after she’s left. The curve of her lips as she smiles. The porcelain skin of her neck as she tucks her hair behind her ear.

Fuck. I have to stop thinking like that. She’s my employee, not someone to lust after.

The elevator pauses on the fifth floor, and I welcome the opportunity to turn my attention, focusing on the digital readout of the floors as we ascend.

Okay, so meeting with either Legal or Marketing first, then a meeting with the board of directors, then… I rub at my jaw, drawing a blank, and realize I forgot to shave this morning.

“What is it?” she whispers.

“I’m trying to remember my schedule for the day.”

“Your meeting with Legal is in fifteen minutes, then you’re addressing the board of directors at ten. At eleven-thirty, Angelina’s coming to prep you for the CNN interview at noon. I have lunch set to be delivered at one, then time set aside for you to go over the proposed changes to the Vancouver project you requested.”

She goes on detailing the afternoon’s schedule, my stomach sinking with each additional thing to do. When does it ever let up? When is there a break? At least tomorrow is Saturday. I’m not expected to work then, am I?

“Oh, and I was checking my email on the subway and saw Dave asked for a meeting. I think I can fit him in if I rearrange—”

“No,” I interrupt her, unable to bear one more thing to do today. “I mean, just make it for another day. I’m already worried that going to the bathroom will throw off the whole schedule.”

I meant it to come out as joking, but it only sounds bitter.

The corners of her lips dip down, and I wait till the other elevator rider exits on the twenty-seventh floor to tell her, “I didn’t mean that as a slight toward you. You’re doing an amazing job. I wouldn’t have the first clue about where I need to be without you.” Emma’s really stepped up over the last few days trying to fill Vivian’s shoes.

Now if only I could do the same regarding my predecessor. Every time I even think about doing something differently, someone is quick to tell me that’s not the way Dad did it.

She nods, turning toward me. “I know your schedule is ridiculous. But you’re allowed to turn down some of these things. Or delegate them.”

“No, it’s my responsibility.” If Dad could do it all, so can I.

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