“Does it hurt right here?” He touched the spot over her heart.
“Yes.”
“And here?” His fingers slid between her legs.
“Every minute.”
He swept her off her feet and carried her to the bed. “I can make that better.”
Chapter 32
Tina’s cellphone rang at eight in the morning. She rolled over and reached for it on the nightstand. Alex James’s name flashed on the ID and she jumped out of bed, a kernel of fear in the pit of her stomach. She answered.
“Mr. James?”
“Good morning, Valentina. I know I asked you to take a week off, but there’s an emergency situation at the office. Can you be here in an hour?”
“I have plans today.” She refused to kiss his chauvinistic ass again.
“Nothing formal, just a quick chat and I promise you can be on your way.”
“Who is it?” Vincent groaned from the bed.
Tina muffled her phone with her hand. “My boss.”
Vincent sat up. “What’s that asshole want?”
“He asked me to come to the office.”
“Get dressed, baby. This time, I’m going with you.”
Tina nodded, then returned to the conversation with her boss. “See you at nine, Mr. James.”
Dressed and ready to go within a half hour, Vincent drove her SUV to her downtown office. He escorted her upstairs, where the staff looked curiously at them both. Tina had decided to wear jeans, a T-shirt, and boots. Why dress up for another embarrassing conversation with her boss? And Vincent was sporting his usual black jeans, ribbed shirt, and cut. If anyone commented on their appearance, she knew Vincent would take care of it.
Alex’s personal secretary appeared in the waiting area and directed them to the conference room. Tina’s heart almost stopped when she spotted Kline and Mr. James sitting together.
She froze just outside the closed door.
“Tina?” Vincent gripped her shoulders. “What’s wrong?”
“Kline is here.”
“What?” He stared through the glass pane on the door. “Son of a bitch…”
“Can we go?” She absolutely didn’t want to see Kline again, especially paired with his spineless uncle.
“No. I think we need to find out what this is about. And just in case…” He handed her the letter from Caroline Henley. “Thought you might need this.”
She took it. “Thank God one of our minds is working properly. Thank you.”
“Ready?” he asked, opening the door.
She stepped inside first, meeting Kline’s gaze. Dear Lord, a ring of blue dye rimmed his face, his eyes were fire red and swollen, and both of his arms were in casts. And if she wasn’t mistaken, the usual arrogant smile was gone. If she didn’t know him before, she’d have never recognized him now.
“Please.” Mr. James stood in welcome. “Take the chairs across from us.”
Once they were seated, Alex gave Tina a tight-lipped smile. “I invited you here today to officially apologize for the way I treated you before. My behavior was unprofessional and rude. Believe me when I say I have the utmost respect for your talent as an attorney and your record with this firm.”
“I appreciate your confidence in me, Alex,” Tina said. “But the problem isn’t between us; it’s about the man seated next to you.”
She peeked at Kline again, wondering what happened to him. What finally silenced that smug bastard? Or who? That blue dye…From a swimming pool? No. Oh. My. God. A toilet? She gaped at Vincent. He squeezed her hand under the table.
“Kline has admitted to everything. And if you’re receptive to a resolution, we’re prepared to make a generous offer to compensate you for time lost at work, and pain and suffering.”
“You think money can erase the fear and humiliation I endured for weeks?” She found the courage to look at Kline again, adrenaline and anger flooding her system. “You chased me out of my home. Forced me to alter my route to work. I still look in my rearview mirror, afraid you’re following me. You vandalized my SUV. Threatened to rape me. Assaulted me in a fucking bathroom.”
Kline looked away, saying nothing.
“Look at me,” Tina demanded, her hands shaking.
“My nephew has been advised to remain silent,” Alex said. “Here.” He slid a folder toward her. “Take a look.”
Tina eyed Vincent, and he nodded in agreement. She opened the file. A letter of apology signed by Kline and a cashier’s check for fifty thousand dollars awaited her. Then she found a nondisclosure statement hiding behind the letter. She reviewed it a dozen times, then offered it to Vincent.