Page 121 of For One Night

I dig my fingers into Lennox’s arm as he steps forward. “You’re exactly right, although some of us can think and are perfect for kicking ass.”

“Lennox.” My voice quakes. “Please.”

His head whips around, staring at me. “You’re not seriously going to allow him to talk to you that way, right?”

I lay my hand on his chest. “Please, go. I’ll handle this.”

“Son of a bitch,” Carter’s face distorts with disgust. “you’re fucking your boss?”

“Excuse me? You will not talk to her that way anymore.” Lennox’s face reddens with Carter’s every word. My money’s on Lennox, so I can’t let him kill Carter, I could be an accomplice. And somewhere there’s not witnesses.

Carter leers. “I can’t believe how far you’ve let yourself go.”

“I will walk through you, mother fucker.” Lennox steps into his face.

I try to get in front of Lennox, pleading with him. “Please, go. I can handle him, I promise.”

“I don’t trust him.” His venom for Carter is palpable.

Carter chuckles. “Trust me? Oh, my Lola, what lies have you been spreading?”

Lennox tenses and I begin to beg. “Lennox, please.” I tug at his arm.

He turns on me, shocked. “Are you kidding me with this shit?”

“I only need a little more time, I’ll be fine.” I reassure him.

He glowers at Carter. “You have a meeting in five minutes.”

“I’ll be there.”

His eyes dart to mine. “Five minutes, I promise nothing after.”

“You’ve got it.” I know his ire isn’t meant for me, Lennox would never talk to me the way Carter does.

Lennox stalks toward the door, leering at Carter on his way out. My head snaps to Carter’s. “What in the hell are you doing here?”

“Since when do I need a reason to see you?” He settles in at my desk.

Bile rises as I round on him. “This isn’t your office, get out.”

“Lola, we discussed this, I’ll come visit you anytime I choose and if you plan on sleeping with him, I’ll have no choice but to mark my territory as often as needed.” He narrows his eyes.

“You can try to mark it, but don’t bitch when that man beats your ass.” I smirk.

He stands, walks over to where I stand, inches from me. “I wonder if he would be as appealing to you, if he didn’t have money?”

“Sixteen years, and you never knew me.”

“Thirty-six years, and you still don’t know yourself.” He backs me against the wall, pressing his forehead to mine. “Never underestimate me, Lola.”

“I’m not, Carter.” I turn my head to the side. “I’ve re-appraised myself.”

He releases a held breath. “We’ll see.” He places a kiss beneath my ear, and all I can think of, I hope he can smell Lennox on me.

“Goodbye, Carter.” I force a fake smile, anything at this point to make him leave.

He spins and marches out of the door, I slump against the wall, and try to pull myself together. Why I’m worried about keeping him around is beyond me. I suppose I thought it was better to do it, than to fight.

I may just need to fight.

“Miss Turner?” Alice’s voice startles me.

I spin, forcing a smile. “Yes, Alice?”

“Your files are here.” She holds up a stack of papers.

I take a deep, steadying breath. “Thank you, I’ll take them.”

“Is there anything else, anything I can do?” She rubs my arm, smiling sweetly.

“No, thank you.” She steps away. “Really, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I close my door, hurrying to read over these to make sure everything is set for Lennox. I want him prepared to back his decision, in case he comes against opposition. You never know where it comes from or how high reaching these things can go.