Seven Nights of Sin (Penthouse Affair #2)

Dominic

We touch down at Heathrow around dawn and take a taxi to our hotel, a ritzy affair in the heart of downtown. Once we’re checked in, I disappear into the bathroom without a word, leaving Presley to unpack and wander around the opulent suite.

With only an hour to get ready for a packed day of meetings, I have no choice but to be efficient here. I shave, shower, comb my hair, and dress in a fresh suit without paying much attention to her.

At least, I pretend not to, because I can never stop myself from noticing Presley, no matter how hard I try. I can feel her big blue eyes following me as I move about the suite.

I know I’m being kind of a dick, but the gaping hole where our trust used to be still gnaws at me, and I don’t particularly feel like talking shit out. It’s not something that can be solved with a few words anyway. Besides, I have the excuse of a tight schedule to use in my arsenal of avoidance techniques. So I continue saying as little as possible.

“Hey, Dom,” Presley says quietly.

“What is it?” I don’t look at her, busy tying my shoes.

“Never mind, you’re in a hurry. Let me know when you’re coming back, and I’ll make sure to be here.”

I give her an affirmative grunt. The last I see of Presley is her sitting on the edge of the bed, still watching me. Then the door closes, and I leave her behind, still wondering what she was going to ask me about.

My first stop is breakfast at the very posh Ramsay Terrace with a pair of top real estate agents who will pitch the living hell out of their property before taking me to view it. I order a full English breakfast with all the trimmings—I won’t have time to grab much more than a bagel for lunch—and plenty of coffee. Correction, loads of coffee, because even a first-class pod can’t negate the fact that a bumpy airplane ride is nowhere near as restful as sleeping in my own bed, near Emilia and Lacey.

That’s not the only reason I didn’t sleep well. I was too aware of Presley just down the aisle, of her beauty and our unresolved tensions. It’s too bad I couldn’t have breakfasted with her instead of chattering salespeople. If I weren’t so damn busy this week, I could have shown her around my favorite spots in London . . .

No. I catch myself. Even if my time were my own, I still couldn’t. That’s not what this trip is about. I didn’t bring her along for some fucking romantic getaway.

Still, I feel a little bad about ditching her to fend for herself. I should have at least fed her before leaving.

Oh, for God’s sake. She’s a grown woman. I made sure she knew to charge anything she needed to the room, ensuring she could take care of herself, and beyond that, she’s more than smart enough to figure it out on her own.

Aspen?” one of the

thoughts. “My apologies. I guess

of the meeting and the tour afterward. Which is just as well, because the location is absolutely stunning with a view of the bustling city beyond

taxi bound for my second appointment, I pull out my phone and dial Frank, the head of Aspen Hotels’ legal department. It’s a phone call I’ve been meaning to make for days. If nothing else, I can at least address the problem that started

employees to infect Aspen’s computer systems with a virus. He was working for Genesis Software. I need you to get in touch with Genesis about this. Tell

takes a lot to rattle Frank. “I’ll take care of

my desk, you’ll find a flash drive containing the virus and

the employee

subject Presley to interrogation? She didn’t actually do anything, at least based on what she divulged, and at this point, I think I believe her when she says she never intended to. Just because this whole incident has scared me straight, so to speak—reminding me how important it is not to

to keep

says slowly, in a tone that means

Genesis to court, I’ll talk to her about testifying, of course. But for now, call it an anonymous tip. I don’t want to punish

Anything else

all, thank you.” I hang

rings again, and I glance down as the taxi pulls to a stop. It’s Frank. That was fast. Frowning, I climb out of the car and into a light drizzle of

the awning of a nearby building, my

thought you’d want to be made aware—Austin Champlain isn’t an employee whose employment would be easily terminated. He’s the son

“I see.”

had balls—he’s got a huge stake in making

things on our

see how it would. But I’ll make the call and keep you

Frank. I’m in London all week, so make sure you call my cell, and

Enjoy your trip,” he says

• • •

of sales meetings and on-location visits, until twilight falls and