"Right now is a great time to invest. The books we are planning to release will be huge!" Markus continued to try and convince the man sitting across from us to invest in the company. He was right; based on the transcripts I've read, these books would be huge, and if this guy wanted to make money, now would be the time to invest.

"I can't imagine taking a gamble on books we have yet to see. You are new to this company, yes your father was a smart man, but I don't know you."

That was a nice way of saying, ' why should I invest in your company when you have no accomplishments?'

I was only half-listening since I kept making eye contact with Julian. Yes, we were flirting, and Markus kept 'accidentally' kicking me when I did.

Finally, I spoke up, "' I was furious, my husband was lying in bed with another woman. Prettier, skinnier, younger. How could I compete with that? Before I knew what I was doing, I burst into the room and jumped on top of them both. My husband got away, but the poor girl didn't meet the same fate. Blood everywhere, both my husband and I screaming. Finally, I came back to my senses. I killed her. I killed her, and it was all his fault.'"

No one spoke. Markus stared at me, stunned. This wasn't one of the transcripts; it was one of my own stories, but I thought it would help. " That is the writing these books have; dark, emotional, love, hate. This is something you can't miss out on. These stories are going to be bigger than big; if you want your money to work for you, I'd invest."

***

"I will give you a call by the end of the week with my decision," David said to Markus shaking his hand, then turned to me, "That was a wonderful excerpt you demonstrated for us. I look forward to hearing the rest." With that, he got into his car, and Julian followed.

Markus and I stood there watching them go.

"Where did that come from?" He finally asked. "It wasn't one of the transcripts I gave you. I know because I read them."

"It was one of mine. It started as a short story I entered in a contest in college an-"

"I don't care what contest you entered it into. Why? Why would you use that? Out of all the things you could have used, why that?"

He was angry? I helped. If it weren't for that, he wouldn't have an investor!

"I was just trying to help."

"No, you were trying to get one of your stories published. Now he's going to be looking for that story. You know that, right?"

"I'm sorry, I really was trying to help. You were bombing in there. You honestly think he would have invested in someone who just took over a company his father built?"

"You know what? From now on, do your job. Be a secretary. Nothing more. You are here to look pretty and take notes. That's it."

I was shocked at what I just heard. I don't know why I was shocked; he's said things like that before. I don't know why I expected anything different.

"Also, what was with you and that guy?! This is a business trip. For business. This isn't a retreat for you to go out and flirt all night!"

"Why do you care who I flirt with?! I'm a grown woman, and we aren't dating, so it really isn't any of your business now. Furthermore, it isn't like you planned on just focusing on business this entire trip either."

His car pulled up in front of us, and he opened it for me to get in, but I didn't. "I'll take a cab."

"Janice, get in the car." I walked away and began waving for a cab.

"Are you serious right now? Get in!" He said, following me and grabbed at my arm.

"No! Leave me alone!" By now, people had taken an interest in the situation, and he let me go.

"Fine." He said, getting in the car and driving off without me.

I was finally able to wave down a cab ten minutes later.

"You alright, ma'am?"

"Yes, I'm fine," I said, trying to keep my voice from cracking. I had been crying, and I couldn't help it. I felt stupid and insulted.

Neither of us said anything else about my crying until we got to the hotel. I paid him, "Don't let whoever made you feel like that win, OK?" I nodded and told him to keep the change. I went inside and made my way to the restaurant bar. I needed a drink and to call my friend, who I knew was also probably drinking. I ordered a gin and sat on one of the many stools available. Before I could get out my phone to call Dee, someone sat next to me.

"That dinner didn't count as our date, by the way." I looked up and chuckled. It was Julian. Did he wait for me?

"I didn't think it did," I responded just as my drink arrived.

"That story. It was interesting. I want to hear more."

"You'll have to wait and see." I took a long drink from my glass.

"Are you OK? You aren't as flirty as you were earlier." He sounded genuinely concerned, but it wasn't his problem, so I lied.

"Fine, just tired."

"Then why are you at the bar drinking?"

"Touché... My boss is sometimes a jerk, and I don't want to deal with him just yet."

"Bosses can be that way."

I snorted, "Yea, no shit."

He motioned to the bartender, and he poured two more shots. I smiled and took one. I downed it without even thinking. "Walk me to my room?"

His smile was answer enough. I slid off the stool and grabbed my clutch, and lead him to the elevators. I silently thanked God that our rooms were on the same floor. The elevator opened and a couple of people filed in after us. Thanks to Markus, my floor was the floor underneath his, which was the top floor, and all of these people got off well before then. As soon as the last person left and the doors closed, we collided. Julien pinned me against the back wall, my arms around his neck while his hands explored my waist and ass. Our lips fought for control which I eventually gave him. His tongue slipped between my lips and wandered my mouth as if looking for something. He lifted me slightly off the ground, holding me by just my cheeks. It caused me to giggle and smile into the kiss. I pulled back and playfully nipped at his bottom lip.

He must have been listening for the ding, telling us that we reached our floor because just as I heard it, I was dropped gently back on the ground, and we were on separate sides of the elevator. Both of us breathing heavily while realizing we actually stopped a few floors below ours, and a bell boy entered. We smiled but said nothing. The ding came again, and we were on our floor, finally. Julian walked me to my door, "That was close."

I laughed, "Yea. It would have been awkward."

"Maybe we can do it again soon."

"Maybe."

"Goodnight, Janice."

"Goodnight." With that, he made his way down the hall. I waited until he turned the corner before taking out my room key and sliding it in the door. I walked inside, and the lights were off, weird because I was sure I left at least one on. I shrugged it off and proceeded to take off my heels as I made my way to the bedroom. I tossed my clutch on the dresser and flicked the light switch to find Markus sitting on the chair at the small desk near the window.

Needless to say, I screamed before realizing who it was. "What the fuck, Markus?!" My hand on my heart, I could feel it practically beating out of my skin. "What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you do that?"

He didn't speak. He only stood up and moved closer to me. He has a strange expression on his face. He looked guilty? I couldn't point it out, but I really didn't focus on it. He had pinned me against the dresser, both arms blocking my only exits. Then he kissed me. It wasn't a forced kiss, but it wasn't gentle either. My heart skipped, and butterflies flew around in my stomach. I kissed him back. Then I thought of Julian; I was kissing him. I really like him, and he wasn't complicated.

I pushed Markus away, and he let me. "I can't. Not again. You told me that night wasn't going to end up as anything. You can't keep doing this, you either want me or you don't. All of me, and all the relationship baggage that comes with me or nothing at all."

He still didn't speak, his eyes looked somewhat hurt, but I wasn't sure if that was because I pushed him away or because I had just given him an ultimatum. After a few silent moments, he moved on for the kiss again, but I held out my hand, it landed on his chest, and I felt him stiffen. "I'm serious, Markus."

Finally, he spoke, "I know. I didn't like you flirting with him. I want this." This time I let him kiss me.

***

I woke up with a mild headache. I rolled over to find no one in bed with me. I wasn't that drunk or drunk at all. I know Markus was here when I fell asleep. I sat up in bed and looked around the room. Nothing, not his clothes and not him. Maybe he went back to his room to shower, or maybe he got a call. I got out of bed and put on the robe provided by the hotel just as I heard a knock at my door.

I opened it, and it was room service. "Mr. Turner has sent this to your room." I let him in, and he rolled in the cart and uncovered the food. The guy smiled and left quietly, not even waiting for a tip; Markus probably handled that beforehand.

Eggs, bacon, hash browns, orange juice. Pretty much all you could think of having for breakfast was there, plus a neatly folded piece of paper sitting next to all of that. I picked it up and read it, 'Had fun. Enjoy breakfast on me. -Markus' Okay? So he was here last night, but why would he leave?

Then it hit me. He lied. He fucking lied to me! He didn't want me, not the way I wanted him to. I can't believe this. Tears streamed down my face; I'm such an idiot! I picked up a plate of food and tossed it across the room. One after another until there was no food left on the cart.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

I turned toward the door, hoping it wasn't Markus. But what if it was Julian. I slept with my boss, again, on the same night we made out in an elevator!

I slowly opened the door, "Surprise!! I figured you couldn't survive a weekend without your bestie, so-- What's wrong, babe?" She saw my tears. I shook my head and walked further into the room. She followed, closing the door behind her. "Oh my god! What happened?"

"He lied to me, that's what happened, and I was stupid enough to believe him!" I yelled, pushing over the cart. Dee wrapped me in her arms and let me cry.

I must have been crying for over an hour. I could finally tell her what happened, which only got her blood boiling, and I had to calm her. Knowing her, she'd try to kick his ass, but I didn't want that...OK, I did, but it wouldn't be worth it... OK, it would, but my job was more important to me.