Let's Play A Dirty Ass Game, Mr. CEO

Chapter 31: HE’S BAD FOR YOU

LAURA

This morning, Harlan and I shared our first awkward car ride. It was horrible.

I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It was on my mind the entire night. I tossed and I turned in bed, thinking about how I could have handled things differently. I wasn’t sure if I should apologize for slamming the door in his face. I mean...that was nothing. My room, my rules, right?

"You know, for what it’s worth, I’m sorry," Harlan’s voice broke me out of my thoughts.

I glanced at him, surprised. "Sorry? Why?"

"I was a total jerk last night. What I tried to do...how I followed you to your room...it’s.."

"Forgotten, Harlan." I flashed him a brief smile. "It’s a new day, we’ve moved past it."

He brows knit into a small frown. "You sure?"

"Yes."

His lips curved in a small smile, and he lightly brushed the back of hand.

The car fell silent afterwards. We both had things to say, undoubtedly. But somehow, staring out the window and just keeping it in seemed like the easier thing to do.

We parted ways half an hour later with an awkward side hug. He couldn’t come in because he had an urgent business appointment to catch up to.

Then Eli came bouncing down the steps, squealing his favorite word in the world.

"Mama!"

I squatted, grinning. "Come here baby." He crashed into my arms with a force that almost sent us toppling to the ground. But I’ve got some strong knees.

"Welcome home, mama."

"Thank you, baby." I pulled away and ruffled his hair. "How’s my favorite human?"

"Great!"

I ruffled his hair some more and looked up to see Hana strolling out with a flour-dusty apron over her body. She looked a pretty mess, like she’d been at war in the kitchen.

"Welcome back, ma’am."

"Thank you, Hana. Thank you." I strolled over and took her hand. "For taking care of Eli in my absence."

"It’s been a pleasure," she scrunched her nose at Eli, who giggled like he was being tickled. "You have such a sweet little boy."

"Yeah, right?" Laughing, I headed for my room.

"I think I’ll be leaving soon, ma’am!"

"Why?" I called back. "You got classes?" I was too exhausted, emotionally and physically. I wasn’t sure I could deal with my five-year old son at the moment.

Moreover, I had to drop by the office real quick and know what was going on.

"Uhm...not really?"

I tossed Hana a smile. "So stay. Feel at home."

Once I got into my room, I went straight for the bathroom and soaked under a warm shower for long minutes, trying to clear my head of the events of the previous night.

Madison would not stop. Harlan would not stop feeling sorry. And Tristan? He wouldn’t just stop looking at me in that way that got under my skin.

"God," I whispered as my thighs clenched in need at the thought of Tristan. "Can I really do this?"

We would be making an official announcement the next day. A press conference to clear the air. And somehow, all I could do was count down the seconds until I could feel his eyes on me again.

°°°

I powered into Phoenix fashion house about forty minutes later. Settling for a simple flannel shirt and tailored pants had been more a lazy choice than a thoughtful one. I didn’t expect heads to turn without control in my direction as I strutted through.

"Ouu, you look fucking beautiful in that," Mara crooned as she slid into my office five minutes later. Her eyes twinkled with delight as she leaned against my desk. "Look at you, a freaking goddamn fashion CEO."

Leaning forward on the desk, I clasped my palms underneath my chin and peered closely at her. "A compliment. I take it that I’m forgiven?"

She rolled her eyes and pulled away. "That goes on the record, you know. How you went behind my back and—"

"It was out of my hand, Mara. I’m sorry."

"You’re sorry?" She laughed. "You’re the CEO, Laura. You can do whatever you want." There was something about the way she said those words. It did not sit right with me.

But she did not look pissed or hurt. She only had a serious air about her. "You have to promise me one thing though."

Here we go.

I lifted my shoulders in a careless shrug even though I very much cared. "Name it."

"Try to stay away from Tristan while you work with Pierce Holdings. He’s trouble. He’s bad for you."

I smiled. "How can I possibly stay away from him when we would be working in the same company? He is Pierce and we’re partners now, Mara."

She started to say something else when an urgent knock came on my door. Charlotte walked in a second later.

"Ms. Hayes, Pierce Holdings just called in with a request for your presence at the conference rehearsal."

"Conference rehearsal?" I frowned.

"Yes ma’am," Charlotte did not bother to elaborate. She didn’t seem to understand what it meant either.

I considered it for a moment. Whatever it meant, one thing was certain. I would have to see Tristan. Was I ready to be in the same space with him again? Could I handle it?

Mara watched me intently the whole time. Finally, I waved my hand dismissively. "My schedule is packed. Please ignore it if they happen to call again."

Mara smirked, like she could tell I wanted something else.

"Good call," she said as soon as Charlotte left. I wondered if Mara was right.

"Here, check this out," she pulled out her phone and showed me a photo of a wedding dress. "Recognize the legendary Mia Callahan design worth millions of dollars?"

I blinked, trying to understand where she was headed. "Yeah, so?"

"Guess what?"

"We’re working on something better than that?"

"No," she laughed. "Word on the street is Madison Steele has picked up this design for her wedding. Can you believe that?"

I rolled my eyes and pushed back from the desk. "You seem to have a lot of time on your hands."

"Someone’s got to do the snooping."

"How about you just focus on being my Chief Operating Officer?"

Silence hung between us for an awkward moment. I could hear Mara swallow behind me. "And when can I be your best friend?"

I heaved a sigh and slid my fingers into my hair. "You’re my best friend all day, every day, Mara. Nothing can change that."

She cocked her head and observed me coolly. "You’re sure about that?"

"I am!"

The phone on my desk rang and I grabbed it, frustrated. "Laura Hayes, Phoenix fashion house."

Silence hung on the other end for a long moment that quickly filled my veins with ire.

But the voice that filtered through the speaker the next second had me freezing.

"You’re making me run after you, Laura. Tell me, does it turn you on?"