Conflict of Interest (Employee Relations Book 1) (49 page)

“That’ll be
£
3.12.”

I hand the clerk my card and glower at the three pack of condoms. Will that be enough? Maybe for now. Tomorrow’s a whole different story. First thing in the morning I’m finding a pharmacy and getting the economy pack. She’ll have to see the sights another time. If I have my way, we won’t be leaving the hotel room. Maybe ever.

With a shit-eating grin stretched across my face I grab the small brown paper bag and jog to the elevator.

Cloud nine has nothing on me. Tonight has been hands down one of the best nights of my life. I’ve tried like hell to avoid what’s going on but now that it’s happening I have no plans of stopping. I just need to convince her of that.

“I thought that was you.” A familiar voice stops me dead in my tracks.

Like a child I want to pretend I didn’t hear my father’s words and continue on upstairs. It’s not like he could do anything about it. I’m an adult. Not being a part of my life was his doing, and I shouldn’t have once ounce of allegiance.

Shouldn’t.

I spin to face him, wanting him to see that I’m not the kid he gave an ultimatum to; I’m a grown man making my own way in life, no thanks to him.

“Are you so desperate you need to scour hotels for your latest fix?” I pose.

He throws his head back and cackles. “My boy, I do miss your sense of humor.”

“I’m not your boy. What are you doing here?”

“I’m on business. Saw you having dinner with a lovely woman and felt compelled to find you.”

“Yeah, well I’m on business too. In fact, I need to get back.”

“Ahh, mixing business with pleasure?” I don’t have to follow his gaze to know that he’s connected the dots. What else would a man be buying at nearly midnight in a hotel lobby store anyway? If anyone would know it’d be him.

“Something tells me this is more than a coincidence.”

He smirks. Some well-paid crony of his probably updates him on my every move. No wonder he knew I’d moved to Boston.

“I’ve been calling you for months.”

“You’ve got one minute to tell me what you want and then we’re done. No more calls, or stalking me in a hotel lobby. We’re done.”

“Start the clock.”

The doors to the elevator open and I step into the hallway. Twenty minutes ago I rushed to the lobby, hating that I had to leave the room. Now I’m dreading what waits for me when I cross that threshold.

I can’t do it.

I let myself into my room and quietly shut the adjoining door. Then I take out my phone.

“Where’d you go, back to Boston?” Gabriella giggles.

My head thuds against the door connecting our adjoining rooms. “Not quite.”

“Was that you?”

“Yes. I’m in my room.”

I can hear the mattress dip as she gets off the bed. Christ, I told her to stay put and she did.

Her footsteps get closer. “Don’t,” I grab the handle as it starts to turn.

“What’s wrong?”

I sigh and look down at the box of condoms.

“They were out,” I lie. “And I know myself well enough to realize my limits, Gabriella. If you open that door we both know what’ll happen and the risk isn’t one either of us should take.”

Gabriella exhales so loud I’d hear it through the door had we not been on the phone. “It’s fine, Lucas. Just because sex is off the table doesn’t mean you can’t open the door. Did you consider I might want to reciprocate?”

My dick perks up immediately begging me to change my mind. I want to punch my father more for fucking up my night than I have for all the shit he’s done in the past.

“We’ll talk tomorrow, alright?”

“Lucas?” she asks and I hate the uncertainty in how she says my name.

“Yeah.”

“Are you sure that…I mean…did I do something?”

“If I could go back in time I’d be more prepared. I promise you, this has nothing to do with you.”

She’s silent long enough for me to know she’s not convinced. If I’m lucky enough she’ll let me make it up to her tomorrow.