Page 49 of Desire
Chapter Seventeen
Shit, I should’ve taken Jasper’s car. The Uber driver must have been new to the city. The scrawny kid kept getting us stuck in traffic. He talked a lot about his parents and, after he learned I wasn’t a permanent New York resident, all the parts of Manhattan hethought I should visit. The drive from Midtown to Lower Manhattan took three fucking hours. I couldn’t believe it. I was pissed as I raced through the building and up the elevator. I already knew Jasper would reprimand me for not putting away my pride and getting into the car he’d sent, which had a professional driver behind the wheel.
Sweat glistened on my forehead and the rest of my bodyas I made it to the concierge and told him I had an appointment with Jasper Christmas. He asked my name, and once I told him, I was put in a special elevator without delay that opened to Jasper’s office.
He was on the phone when I stepped out of the elevator. I hadn’t seen him frown that way since the early days of our time spent in the Christmas mansion. He pointed sharply at an emptychair across from his executive’s seat as he said, “Shit, just deal with it now.”
I felt my head float due to worry as he slammed the phone back on the base and scowled at me as though his mood were my fault.
“What is it?” I asked, still adjusting my butt in the seat.
“I tried to be nice to your friend. For your sake, I tried.”
I pressed my back against the chair. “Doyou mean Kylie?”
“Yes.”
“What did she do?”
“She told Kathy Donovan about the sexual misconduct allegations. Kathy was given names, dates, times, and she called me to get my side before going to print unless I—” He pressed his lips together as if he had said more than he wanted.
“Unless you what?” I asked.
“Forget it. I’ll handle it from here.”
I threwup a hand. “Wait, Jasper. Just calm down.”
“I am calm, Holly,” he said even if the fire in his eyes could scorch ice.
“No, you’re not, Jasper. Just let me handle this, okay?”
“No. Absolutely not.”
I got up out of my chair and approached him. He was still pissed as I wrapped my arms around him. “Jasper, you’re good at what you do. Well, so am I. Give me a chance to makethis right.”
He grimaced while rubbing his chin.
I smiled slightly. “I can see all the tension I massaged out of your body is back in full force.”
“This is not a fucking laughing matter, Holly. That woman is going to ruin everything.”
“I’m not laughing, Jasper. I’m just trying to help you return to your senses.”
“I am in my senses. Get used to it.”
Mymouth opened as I struggled to find the right words. I’d always been made of Teflon, but the way he’d spoken to me hurt. I let go of him and silently walked toward the elevator.
“Holly?” he called.
I pressed the open button. I was never going to let a man speak to me that way, never.
The door slid open, and I stepped inside.
Jasper rushed over and put his outstretchedarm between the doors to stop them from closing. “Baby, I’m sorry.” He took me by the hand and guided me back into his office. “Forgive me?”
“Jasper, the way you spoke to me is never going to fly. I respect you, and you respect me.”
“I have nothing but the utmost respect for you. You know that. I’m angry because my instincts told me not to trust your friend, but I did, for you.”
