Page 9 of His Plaything (Slade, Inc.)

Chapter Nine

Morgan nervously turned her head, looking at her door to make sure it was still closed. As she turned her attention back to the file in her lap, her stomach did a somersault. She almost felt like a peeping Tom as her shaking hands started to pick up the papers.

To her surprise, there weren't hundreds of different personnel sheets in the file, but there was much more than just hers. Her stare bounced from names to birthdates. As expected, all the women were young.

Wendy Pearson, Shay Wilson, Tina Wolfe, Angel—

Morgan's mental dialogue was cut off when a noise had her stiffening. Mr. Slade's door had closed. She hastily shoved the papers back into the file and returned it to the box. She stood up clumsily, kicking the box back toward where she had found it.

She heard her door open, and Morgan spun around to find Mr. Slade standing in the doorway. His expression started as causal but soon turned into a scowl. Morgan realized that she was panting nervously. She ran her hands down her skirt, trying to calm herself.

"Hello. Off to your meeting?"

His scowl didn't fade. "Yes. What are you doing?"

Morgan clenched her hands into fists, trying to stop them from shaking. "Oh, I'm going through the artwork Marcie dropped off. Do you want to see one that I picked out?"

She turned away from him and exhaled. Morgan bent down to retrieve the photo of the storm at sunrise. She felt calmer as she turned around, presenting it. "Like it?"

Mr. Slade's stare moved from her face, to the picture, and then back. "Yes. It's very intriguing. Are you all right, Ms. White?"

"Yes, I'm good."

"You're shaking." He pointed at her hands on the picture frame.

"Am I? Oh, you know what? I think I've had too much coffee this morning." Morgan prayed that he wouldn't walk farther into her office. He would be able to see that her coffee cup was clean and unused.

"Well, go get yourself something to eat. Do you need me to find you something in my office?"

Morgan set the picture down in her chair and walked to him. "No thank you, Sir." She managed a small smile. "I'll get a bagel from the break room."

His expression softened. "Ok. I'll see you later. If you need help moving anything, you need to ask Marcie to send in maintenance or even one of the men on this floor. I don't want you moving anything heavy on your own. Understand?"

Morgan almost forgot why she was upset as his gorgeous face lifted into a lopsided smile. His green eyes looked so alive. It was sweet that he seemed genuinely worried about her wellbeing. Her smile grew as she tilted her head to the side. Morgan lifted a hand and rested it on his forearm.

"Yes, Mr. Slade."

"Good." He lifted a hand to her chin and lightly and playfully pinched it. He then turned and started off down the hall.

Morgan inhaled roughly and held the breath for a moment. When she let it rush from her, she braced herself against the wall.

Now what? She couldn't justify being angry. She was already aware that he had been with other secretaries. Mr. Slade hadn't lied about that. Having the names in her face was another matter, though.

She walked back over to her desk and leaned up against the edge. Why is that box in here? But then again, where should it be? Morgan would be more upset if she had found the file in his office. That might mean that he planned on contacting them or maybe missed them. And she guessed anywhere else in the office would be too "public", even though everyone already knew.

Morgan stared at the box debating. Did she want to continue to torture herself and keep investigating the women who had been his playthings before her? Or should she let it go and just be happy in the present? After all, Mr. Slade had never made a true office for any of them.

She stood and walked back to the box. Morgan tidied up the papers and folders and then pushed the box back behind the shelf. She then headed out to find Marcie. She wanted someone to move the shelf and maybe permanently hide that box.

Morgan was more determined now to make this space hers and hers alone.

****

When Connor reached his Lexus, he grabbed the door handle but paused, thinking. Something just didn't feel right. What the hell is going on with Morgan? He absentmindedly stared up at the Slade building. She had been off. Her coffee excuse was bullshit. Connor shook his head and then finally opened his car door.

The question was, what was he going to do about it? If this had been another of his playthings, he wouldn't have been overly concerned. As long as her jobs didn't suffer, he didn't care. Besides, they were never around long. This was different, and he knew why. Morgan was special to him even if he tried to downplay that from time to time.

He climbed into his car and started the engine. As he pulled out of his parking spot, Connor's mind was whirling with possibilities for her odd behavior and what his response should be. Was she feeling angry or unsure about the arrangement? Should he be irritated with her or consoling?

Connor hated being uncertain. He rarely was.

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