Page 31 of Under His Touch

WITH THE MORNING board meeting finished, I tug on my jacket and I’m about to push from my chair and leave the boardroom when Malcolm Blake, CEO and chairman of the board, holds his finger up to me.

“Can you hang back a moment, Alec,” he says, and I give a curt nod as everyone exits the room.

“What can I do for you, Malcolm?” I ask when we’re alone.

He crosses the room, leans against the massive table and puts his hand on my shoulder. “I had a drink with your grandfather on Sunday.”

“I’m sure he enjoyed the visit. Was he his usual pleasant self?” I ask, thinking about how he grumped about the stock market after my last visit. He might be in his nineties, but he keeps up with the news, and watches his investments closely. I’m pretty sure he’s on the ball way more than he lets on. He might fool the other grandkids, but he’s not fooling me.

He laughs, like he’s privy to some inside joke, and says, “He told me you’re getting serious with a woman. That we should be hearing wedding bells in the near future.”

“He did, did he?” What. The. Fuck.

“You know, James never was much good at keeping secrets.”

Or keeping his nose out of his grandkids’ business. But it’s best I don’t say that.

“We’d love to meet this girl,” he says. “Stability goes a long way with the board of directors, and that will definitely come into play when we choose the next CFO. Karl will be retiring in the fall, and of course we have a few other candidates, but marriage will definitely give you a leg up. You’d be the youngest CFO in Blackstone’s history.”

I grin. “It would be my honor.”

He slaps my shoulder. “Summer is just around the corner and you know what that means.”

“Blackstone’s annual golf tournament.” Every year the event is held at Malcolm’s own personal golf course, and the members and their families all convene, eat and drink. I usually play a round of golf and hightail it out of there before every grandmother tries to set me up with their granddaughter.

“That’s right, and we expect you to bring your young lady.”

“We’ll be there,” I say.

“That’s what I wanted to hear,” he says. He pushes off the table and I stand. He walks me to the door and I can’t help but want to strangle Granddad for telling him I was getting serious. Well, not really, but shit, did he have to tell Malcolm?

I nod to my assistant, step into my office and close the door. Circling my colossal desk, I sit, and stare out the window to take in all that is New York. The sun is warm today and getting warmer as summer approaches. I tug my phone from my pocket and it buzzes in my hand. My heart leaps, hoping it’s Megan. When I see her name, I want to kick my ass. I shouldn’t be this happy to hear from her, and agreeing to sleep together the other night, yeah, not my brightest moment. But I can’t seem to keep my hands off her. Maybe this is for the best. Keep having sex with her and get it out of my system once and for all. Like I actually believe that’s goin

g to happen. But what choice do I have? Keeping my hands to myself clearly isn’t working.

Megan: I hate to ask, but can you help me with something?

Alec: Does it involve getting you naked?

Megan: Is that all you ever think about?

Alec: No sometimes I think about other things too. Want to hear?

Megan: I bet and no, I don’t want to hear.

Alec: Hey, what is it you need help with and why do you hate to ask?

Megan: I am trying to secure Skylark as the venue for my aunt and uncle’s anniversary party, but I keep getting the answering machine. Time is short. I was wondering...

Alec: Yes, I know the owner, but it’s going to cost you, and if you think I’m talking about the venue being expensive, you’d be wrong.

Megan: That’s blackmail.

Alec: That’s right.

Megan: You didn’t forget about your date tonight did you?

Alec: How could I when you keep reminding me. What should I wear?

---