Page 25 of Defensive Hero
“It’s disgusting if that’s how far she is willing to go just to keep her job.”
My heart stops at those words, and my mind begs me to walk away, but my feet stay rooted on the ground.
“Two weeks, she’s been here for only sixteen days, and she’s already fucking the boss’s son. Do you think she’ll go for the senior Mr. Hile next?”
“With girls like that, you never know. She’ll do anything to make sure she gets what she wants.”
I…I brought this on myself. I don’t believe I deserve such cruel words from people who barely know me, but what they’re saying is sort of true. Except for the part about Wilson’s dad. That man is in his seventies. Gross. Not to mention, it’s Wilson who I’m in love with. But they don’t know that.
Someone taps me on the shoulder, and I turn around to find Martha watching me, concern etched on her kind face. “Hey, are you okay?”
I don’t even realize I am crying until she brushes her fingers over my cheek, her touch gentle and motherly. “I’m fine.” I crack a smile I don’t feel and go to walk past her, but she grabs my arm before I can leave.
“Everyone knows, Sandy,” she tells me. “One of the interns was in the hallway last week, and she heard you in his office and told the others. You know how fast news like this spreads.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. There is no use denying it, but Christ, as the head of HR, I wonder if she’s going to fire me.
“You could deny it,” Martha tells me, rubbing my arm. “She had no right to spread your business like that. If you deny it, then it will be your word against hers. She would be reprimanded for starting false rumors.”
But I would be lying, and…I won’t lie. I knew there would be consequences if I was caught having sex with Wilson in his office, and yet, I couldn’t wait a few hours until we were away from the firm. This is my fault, and now, everyone will think the only reason I have kept my job even this long is because I am sleeping with my boss.
Oh my God, Wilson’s reputation will be dragged through the mud as well.
I need to leave.
I don’t know what I’m going to do next, but I can’t think in these suffocating walls. I can’t face anyone right now. Not when I know what they think of me now.
“I’m sorry,” I tell Martha again, apologetic for putting her in this awkward situation, but I don’t wait for a response before running off. I don’t even bother to grab my stuff as I flee the place.
Sixteen days.
That’s how long I was Wilson Hile’s assistant. Whoever bet on that can now collect their money.
***
Four hours.
That’s how long it takes for someone to come knocking on my door. It’s like a clap of thunder with how insistent it is.
“Sandy,” comes a low voice, followed by another loud knock. “Open the door for me.”
I burrow deeper under my covers and wish the man away. I don’t want to see him or anyone else right now. I am already feeling like hell, and I just need a few days, a week maybe to come to terms with what happened.
I made a mistake.
And no, I don’t consider sleeping with my boss a mistake. I could have been discreet about it, but I was too horny and needy to realize I was damaging the man’s reputation.
Does he hate me?
“I will break this door down if you don’t unlock it.”
He is bluffing. He is a criminal defense lawyer, and he knows it would be an offense to break down the door, but then Iremember that the man represents some of the worst criminals. Breaking down my door would be one of the lighter crimes he’s ever defended against. He would find his way out of legal trouble easily.
“Sandy,” his voice is low, dangerously so. “I am giving you five seconds.”
Damnit!
I kick off the covers and climb out of the bed with an annoyed sigh. Can a girl not get a few moments to mope around without her lover interrupting her self-loathing session? I was about to grab ice cream from the freezer, play some sad music, and feel sorry for myself before my boss rudely interrupted me.