Page 5 of Tis The Season for Secrets
“Suit yourself,” he said eventually, sliding the manuscript towards her. It felt too easy, but she reached for it, wanting to retch as his hot breath lingered on her neck. “Now that you’ve got your pages, how about you do something for me?”
Juliet ripped his hand away as it settled on her waist. His smile was replaced with a scowl, but the door flying open distracted them both.
“How could you do this to me?!” Margot stumbled in, acting drunk off her ass. Juliet resisted the urge to laugh as her friend grabbed Hugo’s shoulders and shook him like a ragdoll. “You cheating asshole! I’ve been looking for you everywhere, and I find you withher.”
Juliet used the opportunity to get away from Hugo, manuscript tucked safely under her arm.
“Who the fuck are you?” Hugo sneered, removing Margot’s hand. Gone was his false charm. “Get out of my office, or I’ll call security.”
“Pretending you don’t know who I am? You heartless pig.” Margot feigned tears and reached for him, but he recoiled in disgust.
“You’re fucking crazy!”
Juliet was suddenly grateful for the loud music hiding the commotion.
“Never call a woman crazy,” Margot snapped, and Hugo gave a gurgle as she planted her knee in his groin. He sank to the ground, curling into a pathetic moaning ball. Juliet was amazed he even felt the blow, considering the amount of alcohol in his system.
“I thought you’d never show,” Juliet whispered to Margot, patting the manuscript pages to tell Margot she’d got what she needed before putting on false concern. “How dare you hurt him? Hugo, are you alright?”
“Call security!” he cried.
Juliet looked between them; Hugo’s wide pupils pleaded with her. “I don’t think you want to do that. Wouldn’t this be terribly bad for your recovered reputation?” she sighed.
“She assaulted me! If you don’t help me, I’ll make sure you’re fired!” The washed-up rockstar tried to regain his feet, but only got as far as his knees.
Juliet nodded. “Youcouldhave me fired, but then I’d go to the press and explain how you were trying to get into my pants by abusing your power while drunk off your ass. Harley & Rowe have a strict sexual harassment policy, and you’d be forced to pay back that sizeable advance – which I don’t think you have anymore.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he lied. “No one will believe an assistant over me.”
“That’s true. Who am I compared to you? So, how about I go get the hotel security posted outside the suite? I must warn you that they’ll call the cops. With any report of assault you’ll be sent to the hospital, where you’ll have to explain all the drugs and alcohol in your system.” She watched the colour drain from his face as reality sobered him up. “With all the drama, I’m sure the tabloids will get wind of your relapse – and again, you can kiss goodbye to your advance.”
Margot crouched down beside him. “How about we do you a favour instead? We’ll leave, and this never happened?”
“Seems fair,” Juliet added, her hand on the office door handle.
“Get out!” Hugo barked, too embarrassed to look at them.
“Absolutely. I’ll be sure to send Ms Baum your best.” Juliet closed the door behind them, hoping this incident would make him think twice about trying the same stunt on the next assistant sent his way. Her hand shook as she gripped the manuscript tightly, and she followed Margot through the crowd of guests to the door. Hopefully Margot had had enough time to make a few contacts, because she needed to leave.
Leaving the suite, Juliet bumped into a guest heading in. The smell of aftershave filled her senses, and an embarrassedchuckle escaped her. She’d been distracted, glancing over her shoulder to make sure that Hugo wasn’t following them.
“Sorry,” she muttered, before being utterly frozen by a set of dark eyes staring down at her.
The man’s scowl softened, and for a moment he stared at her as though he recognised her. “I—” he started, only to shake his head. His eyes narrowed, as though he was studying every inch of her face. Juliet chewed her lip, waiting for him to speak or let her pass, since his broad stature was blocking her path.
“Juliet?” Margot called from the elevator.
“Excuse me.” Juliet blushed, sure her cheeks matched the shade of her dress.
Thankfully, her friend’s words seemed to break the man from his trance. He offered her a small smile, though the crease in his forehead made her think something was bothering him. The guest, whom she guessed to be in his early thirties, moved aside to let her pass, and she felt his eyes on her back as she did so. Glancing over her shoulder, she noted that security let him in without question.
How strange.Maybe he mistook me for someone else.She didn’t recognise him. If they’d met before, she’d remember such a nice jawline. Still, no matter how handsome he was, nothing would drag her back inside the party.
“What was that about? Do you know each other?” Margot asked, once Juliet joined her in the elevator.
“I don’t know. He didn’t say anything. I probably just surprised him.” Juliet shrugged, hitting the button for the lobby.
“He looked like he knew you. If a man looked at me the way he was looking at you, I’d have swooned!” Margot swayed dramatically.
