Page 12 of His Plaything (Slade, Inc.)

Chapter Twelve

"Ms. White, I asked you a question." Connor scowled down at Morgan.

She was sitting in one of his office chairs, just staring out the window. She had been in his office for the last twenty minutes and had done virtually no work. She was obviously distracted by something. Connor couldn't read her emotions, though. Morgan seemed so distant.

"Sorry. I'll go get my laptop." Morgan stood from the chair with a sigh.

When she was gone, he swore under his breath. Connor wasn't an idiot. He understood that the presence of another woman in the office, especially a secretary, could be worrisome for his sweet, but he had no idea why she was acting so dramatically. Marcie worked closely with him, and Morgan had never acted quite like this. There's no way she knows that I'm familiar with Shay.

"Mr. Slade?"

Speak of the devil. "Yes."

He turned around to find his old temp standing in his doorway. "Just a quick question." She sauntered into the office. "I can't find that list of contacts you mentioned."

As she neared, her familiar perfume filled his nostrils. Connor had no feelings for her, though. She was a good fuck buddy, but that had been a while ago. Shay had been very willing to play his games, and when her time was up, she had left on good terms. There were no tears or pleas to stay. It had been perfect.

"I can have Ms. White email them to you. She should have them." He eyed her suspiciously as she came to a stop next to him and cocked her hips from side to side.

"Yes, Ms. White." Shay lifted her hand and trailed a finger down his arm. "Why is her office so big? Is the boss getting soft? Can't handle the game anymore, or was this HR's decision?" She snorted, and then a mischievous smirk lifted her lips.

"Ms. Wilson, that's none of your business." He mirrored her smirk.

A sudden, loud noise had Connor turning his attention to his doorway again. Morgan was standing against the open door, and for a second time, the door banged against the wall as she stumbled.

Shit.

****

Morgan almost dropped the laptop in her hands as stress and misery ran up the back of her throat. She felt like she could vomit. With shaky legs, she stepped away from the door and started to walk farther into Mr. Slade's office. Morgan tried to look as normal as possible, but the scowl on her boss's face told her that she wasn't.

Shay took a step back from Mr. Slade with an odd expression. Morgan expected her to have a look of snotty triumph, but it didn't seem that way. Was Morgan mistaken about her role here?

"Sorry, Mr. Slade. My shoe slipped off my heel, and I fell into your door." Morgan felt like she was rambling. She set her laptop down on the end of his desk. "I can look that file up for you now."

Morgan moved her stare down to the computer, and she made herself stay that way. She refused to look at him. She didn't think she could hold back her tears if she did. Another threat was making itself known, also. A small ball of anger was starting to grow.

Her fingers trembled against the keyboard making it difficult to type correctly. She had to erase the same word multiple times, misspelling it over and over. Morgan huffed out an irritated breath. That ball of anger was still growing.

Shay stepped up behind her, and Morgan cringed. "I need that contact list. Do you have it?"

Her words flew out quickly. "Is that what you need?" Morgan couldn't hide the contempt in her tone.

"Yes." The other woman's response was more irritated, too.

"Then I'll get right on it. I am a secretary after all." Her hands were shaking so badly that Morgan had to stop her attempts to type for several seconds. She took a deep breath, flexing her fingers.

"Ms. Wilson, I think it's close enough for you to take an early lunch. By the time you return, Ms. White will have sent you the information required."

"All right." Morgan sensed the woman walking toward the door. "I'll be back in an hour."

Her voice grated against Morgan's nerves. She waited until she heard the office door close before she moved. Morgan turned to double check that Shay was indeed gone and then turned her glaring eyes on Mr. Slade. She could see that he was in no mood for her problems, but she was starting not to care. Morgan slowly stood up straight, holding the eye contact.

"Ms. White, you are being unprofessional, and this isn't the time. We have numerous things to accomplish before this merger is final."

"Unprofessional? Ha! Why don't you just fuck her right in front of me and get it over with?"

His body language changed immediately. There was resentment mixed with dominance in his facial expression as his back got stiffer. Mr. Slade's jaw clenched before he finally spoke to her.

---