Seven Nights of Sin (Penthouse Affair #2)

“Attending a B2B conference in Denver. You approved her itinerary several weeks ago.”

I detect a hint of reproach in her tone. Or maybe that’s just my embarrassment talking.

“Oh . . . right. Sorry, I totally blanked on that.” And not only did I forget, I had to make an ass of myself about it too.

“No problem, sir.” Her graciousness just makes my gaffe worse. “Would you like me to call her cell instead?”

“No, that’s all right. I’ll just email her about this, and she’ll see it when she gets back.”

I hang up, feeling like I’m losing my goddamn mind.

Frustrated, I massage circles into my temples. I absolutely can’t let the stress get to me like this. I need about a gallon of coffee—well, what I really need is for those fucking reporters to have kept their mouths shut, but coffee is better than nothing. I almost ask Beth to bring me some, then decide to head downstairs to the cafeteria instead. Maybe getting away from my desk and stretching my legs will help clear my head.

The crowd is at less than half its usual lunchtime peak, and I’m grateful for that, but there are still enough people that the sensation of them staring at me is almost intolerable. I clench my teeth and focus on filling a paper cup with scalding-hot black coffee, and then getting the hell out of there.

Someone walks over to me. Expecting it to be an employee thirsty for details, I reluctantly look up, only to see Oliver.

He gives me a sympathetic smile that I’m really not in the mood for right now. “How you holding up, man?”

about. Everyone who works in this building—maybe everyone in Seattle—has seen that story, and they know it

“Shitty,” I reply sourly.

blame you.” Oliver scratches his head. “So, uh . . . what’re you gonna

that’s not fair of me. I knew I’d have to deal with this

there’s anything I can do

up” applies? I’m the one who told her I wasn’t looking for anything serious and I wanted to stay

now I have to hurt her.

way I like my coffee—midnight black—just like my soul, he’d joked. Only now I’m not even sure it was a joke. It sure as fuck

gives me a wry, sympathetic twist of his mouth. “I know it royally sucks. But for what it’s worth, I think you’re doing the right

his words in Spokane that day when he warned me away from her, warned me that she was a good girl and I was only going to ruin things, I

think it’s the right thing too.” And I really do believe

sense that I’m making the biggest mistake of my life? I didn’t feel

turned way too complicated, way too fast. I promised myself I wouldn’t be like this, wouldn’t let things go this far. And yet I didn’t have the strength to control the situation. One kiss, and I lost all control. One

pulls me out of my caustic thoughts by squeezing my shoulder. “I’m always here for you, man. Anything you

say. “Got a time machine

at least. How about we meet in your office this afternoon