Guarding His Heart

“I’m sorry son.” My dad shrugged. “But at least we got the deal with Martin Corp.”

I stared at him wordlessly, not sure what to say.

“Remember next time, don’t shit where you sleep or eat.” His eyes narrowed. “There are plenty of girls out there son.”

“I’m not worried about it.” I shook my head as I felt my heart hardening. I was done with Hannah and I was done with even thinking about being in a relationship. I knew then that I’d wanted more than friends with benefits with Hannah. I was glad I’d never told her that though. I was done letting women into my heart. I was done being used. I was done with Hannah once and for all.

Chapter Fourteen

Hannah

It had been a week since I’d heard Leo and his father talking about his deliberate plan to take me to New York in an attempt to get Rob Martin to make a move and ruin the deal, so they could get a lower price for the company. To say I was devastated was an understatement. I’d been in such shock that I hadn’t even wanted to go back to the office, but I had. I’d gone back to my desk and waited for Leo to come out and tell me some lie about how he’d never intended for any of it to happen, but he never did.

I think that hurt me more than anything. He didn’t even try and explain it to me. He didn’t even try and make me feel better. He’d been successful with his plan and he’d gotten some sex out of me and now that he’d been found out, he was cold and uncaring.

He looked at me with such dismissive eyes that I wanted to slap him. I hated him so much. I wanted to quit so badly. I had applied to several other jobs already, but hadn’t heard anything from anyone yet.

“Hannah, please come into my office.” Leo’s voice sounded cold through the intercom.

“Coming.” I grabbed my pen and pad and walked into his office silently. I stared at the desk we’d made love on the week before and looked away. How had everything gone south so quickly? How could he have used me like that?

“I need you to go and get some sandwiches for a picnic I’m going on tomorrow.” He stared at me unblinking.

“What sort of sandwiches, Sir?” I asked politely, while screaming inside. He’s been giving me menial tasks since that day and I hated him for it.

“You can decide. I know you like to have a sense of power.” He said snidely.

“I guess that’s all I’m good for.” I responded tightly. “Sandwich orders and short skirts.”

“That one could be a little shorter.” He stared at my legs. “Pull it up.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said pull it up a bit higher.” He paused. “Or do you need to go and get a tape recorder first? Will you hear me if I say it into a recorder?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I bit my lower lip to stop myself from crying. How had I ever thought he was a nice guy?

“Get your tape recorder and I’ll you let you record all the things you want to hear.” He stood up and walked over to me. “I’ll tell you that I’ll give you a $100 if you sit in my lap. A thousand dollars if you take your top off and push your br**sts in my face. Better yet, I’ll give you ten thousand dollars if you let me f**k you in my chair. What do you say to that?”

“You’re a pig.” I gasped. “How dare you?”

“Sorry, would twenty thousand work then?” He shouted. “I’ll pay you twenty grand to give me a blow job right now.”

“How dare you.” I slapped him across the face. “You son of a bitch.”

“Me?” He laughed. “Me? I’m the bitch?” He pushed past me. “Get out.”

“I’m going, you don’t have to ask me twice.” I left the room close to tears and ran down the corridor. What was his problem? Why would he treat me like this? He was the one that had hurt me. He was the one that had used me. I hurried into the elevator and a girl stopped and looked at me.

“Hannah?” She surveyed my face and paused.

“Yes, do I know you?” I frowned and looked at her in confusion.

“Not yet.” She walked back into the elevator. “Can I go down with you?”

“Whatever.” I sighed as I stared at the pretty girl in front of me. Who was this? If she said she was Leo’s girlfriend, I was going to scream.

“You look upset.” Her voice was soft. “Has Leo been rude today?”

“So you know Leo?” I looked at her long curly hair and searched her first.

“Yes, I’m afraid I do.” She smiled. “I’m Lucky, by the way.” She held her hand out for me to shake.

“I’ve heard your name before.” I tried to remember from where.

“I’m Zane’s wife. Zane is Leo’s best friend.” She rolled her eyes and sighed. “And when Leo’s down, Zane feels like he has to be there for him.”

“Well bully for him.” I gave her a weak smile. “Can I help you? I have work to do.”

“I was hoping we could chat.” She paused. “I shouldn’t be here. If Zane knew I was here, he’d kill me and Leo too.” She reached out and touched my arm. “But I think that I can help.”

“Help what?” I shook my head. “Are you here to ask me to quit?” My voice rose as we left the elevator.

“No, no, no.” She looked at me horrified. “I think I need to explain some stuff.”