Page 35 of Scrooge

I need to move. He could open his eyes and see me at any moment. I start to step back, but then I hear it.

“Hayleeee…” he groans out, and I swear my heart stops. Looking back at him, I watch him empty himself into the shower with my name on his lips. I have never been so turned on in my entire life, but as he puts his head under the stream of water, I take the chance to escape. But not before I see a t-shirt on his bed and swipe it, gripping it tight as I run out the door and down the hall, not stopping until I get into my room, where I close the door and lock it for good measure.

Not to keep him out. But to keep me in. Because for the first time in months, my body is burning. And it is burning for him.

15

ALEXANDER

Iwake feeling surprisingly rested, especially since there is someone else in my house. I make quick work of a shower and suit up, then walk out to the living room, laying my jacket across the back of the sofa while I have my coffee.

“Good morning, Mr. Jackson,” Mary says as she organizes my short black for the morning.

“Morning, Mary.” I check my emails on my cell. “I had a houseguest last night, Mary. Miss Tucker. Is she awake yet?” I ask, my head still buried in my phone, looking at what I to take care of as soon as I get to the office this morning. It is seven thirty; I should be there already.

“Oh yes, Haylee. A lovely girl.”

My head jolts up, and I see Mary with a smile and a knowing look on her face. Clearly, she approves. Somehow, I am not surprised.

“You’ve seen her?” I ask, looking around, wondering where she is. It is quiet, as usual, and Haylee is not exactly quiet, so I am surprised I can’t hear her.

“She is already up and gone, Mr. Jackson. She called Dan, who took her to work this morning,” Mary explains.

“Gone already?”

“She left at seven. Said something about getting to the shop bright and early.”

I nod, thinking about last night. Bowling was surprisingly fun. But bringing her back here was equal parts smart and stupid. Smart, because the media will be asking questions if she doesn’t look like she is spending the night with me, and I didn’t want anyone following her home. And stupid, because when she choked on that whiskey and then licked it from her lip, I almost licked it for her. I could have easily kissed her. That’s why I had to retreat to my bedroom and take a shower. Well, that and the fact that her talk of charity had me questioning how I live my life. Something about that made me want to kiss her even more.

My cell vibrates with another email, and I again look through them. But I am unable to concentrate. My eyes sweep the penthouse as I think more about her bringing up my nickname. Scrooge. I remember the slight disappointment I saw in her eyes when I told her I don't donate. I have been asked this question in the past and normally think nothing of it. I wonder what she would think if she knew I cut staff bonuses and canceled their vacation leave.

“Don’t worry, I will wash your t-shirt for you,” Mary says, snapping me from my thoughts, and I see her looking at me with a weird smile on her face. I frown as I see what she is holding.

“T-shirt?” I question, my emails now all forgotten.

“Yes, your shirt that Haylee slept in. She had it folded and on the bed this morning,” Mary says as she wipes an already clean surface of the kitchen. That is a t-shirt I sleep in sometimes. In fact, I had planned on wearing it last night, and I swear I had it on my bed to put on after my shower. But it wasn’t there when I got out of the shower, so I assumed I had forgotten about it. Understanding washes over me. Haylee was in my room last night. My frown changes to one of disbelief. She was in my room when I was showering. I always shower with the door open. From my bed, she would have seen everything.

I lift the short black to my lips and throw the coffee back like a shot. I usually like my privacy, and I think back to the shower and what she could have seen. As I remember exactly what I did in that shower, I swallow roughly.

“Put it back in that room after it is clean, Mary.” I’m not opposed to having Haylee sleep in my clothes. “And I think it’s best I remind you of our signed confidentiality agreement and your obligations as a staff member of mine.”

Mary gives me a tight-lipped smile, her eyes filled with sadness.

“Of course, Mr. Jackson.” She nods. I am about to get going, when I spot a small glittery pumpkin placed on my coffee table.

“Where did that come from?” I ask her.

“Miss Tucker left it. She said the place needed some color. Shall I remove it?” Mary asks as she steps toward the coffee table to do just that.

“No,” I say, sounding harsh, and she stops abruptly.

“Thanksgiving is soon. It is fine for now.” Mary’s smile widens a bit. I look at the pumpkin that has left a small trail of glitter around it, liking having a bit of Haylee in my space.

“Certainly, Mr. Jackson. Dan is waiting for you downstairs.”

I grab my jacket from the sofa and walk out the door, feeling lighter than I did yesterday.

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