I stand still trying to process what the hell just happened.

"Darren!" Charles throws a pen at me. "What the hell!?"

I can immediately tell Charles is pissed. After fifteen years of knowing her, I've become accustomed to what makes her tick. My eyes close as I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. I know I need to find that candidate and bring her back here. She is more than qualified for the position, we purposely wanted to interview her together—no not an interview, but to let her know she got the job. And at this point, I don't really expect her to take it. I mean, how could she? We fucked all night long into the morning. I know what she looks like as she came all over my cock. I know what she tastes like and vice versa.

"Uh, I think we should get going. I have a meeting with Priscilla from HR."

"Everett, don't you think that's a bit much?" Charles could be scary when she wants. We all know this look. It's the mama bear coming out. Grabbing the collar of Everett's shirt, she brings her face mere inches away from him. "Why would you tell HR about this? Clearly, the two didn't know who the other one was. So what if she asked him for a baby it's not like they slept together."

Only if that was true Charles.

Everett raises his hand in surrender. She lets go of him and he stands up, fixing himself.

"I need to go to HR because Tameka has yet another complaint. This time she told the receptionist some things, even I don't want to repeat." He walks towards me patting me on the shoulder. "Also, Charles, he did sleep with her."

I leave the meeting room, not wanting to hear Charles' mouth. I already feel like shit, don't need her to rub it in. Entering my office, I'm greeted with the family portrait that should have been tossed away years ago—seven years to be exact. I just don't have it in me to throw it away. Also, clients love to see that our company values family above all. The guys and I went from opening several hotels after college to dipping in restaurants, tech, beauty, and now investments. The main reason I need a counterpart in the finance division of the company. The guys and I are at the top of our careers, some of us are just missing the family part.

Her blue eyes feel like they're taunting me. I can hear her voice, I never loved you and Zoey isn't yours. Maybe that's why I never took the photo down of my ex-fiancé, our—no her then five-month-old daughter, Zoey, and myself. A reminder that I will never open my heart to another. Happily ever after didn't go hand in hand with me. I wasn't Chase and Selena wasn't Charles. Selena was and for the rest of my life be a bitch to me.

"Caroline!" I snap. I hear her heels moving quickly across the marble floor. "Get in here!"

"Good afternoon, boss."

"I need Alsie Alexander's file."

She looks at me, with those intense brown eyes. If Caroline wasn't such a great assistant I would have probably fucked her into submission by now. I hated that she would challenge me. Me out of all people. Taking a seat behind my desk, I thought Caroline would get the hint to do what I asked. Leaning her curvy body against the doorframe, she crosses her arm at her chest.

"What?" I'm not really in the mood today.

"Hello, Darren." She flashes me a fake smile. "We didn't wake up in the same bed. And if I have to remind you every day it's customary to greet people before you demand things...I will start demanding a raise. So, let's try this again." She pauses walking into my office. "Good afternoon, boss. How can I help you?"

I roll my eyes. "Good afternoon. Now get me Alsie Alexander's file."

She glares at me.

"Please," I add.

"Sure thing. Coming right up boss." She winks at me walking out of the office. Somedays I was itching to throw her over my knees.

Speaking of knees, Alsie—last night was one of the best nights I have had in a long time. Alsie. Seeing that fire in her eyes at the club last night demanding a dance than a baby. I should have left her alone; I knew it was for the best. Yet, I couldn't stop picturing her underneath me, coming undone over and over. The guys' protest fell on deaf ears as I made my way back to her table. We danced and she told me about her problems, it had to be because of the alcohol. I just listened, pulling her closer. Her mother had been harassing her to settle down. Get a husband and make some babies, she wasn't getting any younger. It reminded me of my mother as well. She wants me to get back out there—find love. It's been seven years after all.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Miguel walks in.

"I fucked up."

"That I know." He chuckles. "How are you going to fix it? The company will be going public in a month. You need to get her on board. Whatever you need to do to fix it, don't do anything stupid." Over the years Miguel has become the voice of reason for the guys and I. Very observant and knew when problems might arise and already had a plan a to z to fix them. Funny how now it's me who has to do the fixing.

"Any ideas?" I was desperate.

"For starters...clarify what happened last night, apologize—tell her it will never happen again and then convince her she needs to be here. If things don't go well and Chase starts pillow talking to Charles...you're in deep shit." He was helping me indirectly and I appreciate it.

"What does Charles have to do with this?"

"A lot. She gave that girl the clothes off her back for this interview--welcome party."

"Fuck." I run my fingers through my hair. This is seriously the last thing I need. "Caroli—"

"I'm right here." She walks in slamming the folder on my desk. "Hey Mr. Jackson, how are you?"

"Hello, Caroline. I'm good just leaving." He smiles at her. "Remember what I said." He points at me walking out.

"Miguel is so hot. I wonder if he is seeing someone. Do you know?"

"Caroline get back to work. Now."

"Such a dick." She mumbles slamming my office door.

Ignoring Caroline, I open the file. Jotting down her address and texting it to my driver, I'm not sure she would be heading home, but it doesn't hurt to try. It was amazing what a man of my position and appearance could get away with. No one in her building lobby questioned me as I walk past them to the elevators. I ring her doorbell, silence. I ring it twice growing impatient then I hear something drop and her voice calling out, she'll be right there.

"Sorry," the door swings open. "What are you doing here?"

"Hello to you too."

She looks at me warily. "Again, what are you doing here?" The clothes she wore earlier are gone. From the look of her wet glistening skin underneath the oversized shirt, she was wearing. Alsie just finished taking a shower or was in the middle of taking a shower. Before I even knew what I was doing, I reach out tucking a wet strand of hair behind her ear. Taking a step back Alsie shakes her head. Probably having a hard time believing what the hell is happening now. Trust me so do I.

"Stop it." she ground out. "Just stop. Why are you here Mr. Reed?"

"May I come in?"

"No."

"No?"

"That's right. I already said the job wasn't for me. Wait you must be here to grab Charlotte's clothes. If you give me one minute I can go grab them."

Wrapping my hand around her wrist, I stop her from walking off. "I came here for you."

"You wasted a trip. If there is nothing else, let go of me and leave."

"I came to apologize for today and say from the bottom of my heart, I'm truly sorry for everything." Whatever everything may be. "I wish we could start over. I don't think you should walk away from this job position because of what happened between you and me. You're the best person for the position." I hope Miguel is right about this. If not I'm punching him in the balls for making me look like a total A-grade idiot.

"I already came to the realization I wasn't ready to apply for that job."

She's lying.

"But thank you for coming all this way—to apologize." Removing my hand off her, she smiles one more time before closing the door in my face. The fuck?! I'm not going to stand out here and beg no one. If she doesn't want it then fine. I will have to work extra hard to pull more applications. There has to be someone out there with some of Alsie's qualifications and educational background.

I did what you said. No way am I listening to you ever fucking again.

Trust me it will work. She will come around. You're Darren Reed!

Don't try to blow smoke up my ass.

Slipping the phone into my pocket, I look once more at her door and walk away.