Chandler: A Standalone Contemporary Romance by Laurelin Paige Read Free Book Online

business, and I’ve only been working full-time since I finished my MBA last year. So it’s feasible that we have deals that I’m not quite caught up on.
    If what she’s suggesting is true, it would explain Hudson’s interest in Werner Media forming a partnership with Accelecom. And why he wanted me to make a good impression at the gala.
    Actually, it makes a lot of sense.
    It’s my turn to study her. “How do youknow all this? If this information hasn’t been made privy to the public, I don’t understand how you know about it.”
    “Well, I know about it from my father.”
    “Who’s your father?”
    “Edward Fasbender.”
    I drop my leg to the floor and sit forward. “Your father’s the head of Accelecom?”
    “Yes. Didn’t you realize? You saw me with him.”
    Exactly the man my brother was hoping I’d impress. And I went ahead and banged the guy’s daughter. And his daughter wasn’t satisfied. This situation is starting to look bad.
    I ball my hand in a fist and run it along my forehead. “I didn’t realize he was Edward Fasbender. And that still doesn't explain how Accelecom knows about Pierce Industries’ silent share majority.” The pieces aren’t coming together, but I’m starting to sense that when they do, it’s going to be even worse than it is now. If that’s possible.
    “Oh. I see. But of course we know about Werner Media from my stepmother.”
    “Your stepmother?”
    The intercom sounds before she has a chance to answer. Three solid beeps and then Trish’s voice fills the air. “Chandler, I thought you’d want to know that Hudson just called and he’s on his way up with Edward Fasbender.”
    Yep, I knew it was going to get worse.
    Genevieve bolts up from her chair. “Oh shit. My father doesn’t know I’m here. If he finds out, he’s going to be mad as hell.”
    Way worse.
    I stand and move toward her. “Then we better get going before they get up here. Come on. We can slip out to—” I’m about to say my office when I remember I’d led her to believe this was my office. “To my other office.”
    She seems confused—naturally—but doesn't hesitate when I put my hand on her shoulder to direct her out of the room. My skin feels instantly charged. How the hell can she say she didn’t have a good enough time?
    Probably shouldn’t be worrying about that right now.
    I open the door, but instead of moving out, her eyes double in size. “Fuck!” She scurries to hide behind me, urging me to close the door again.
    I don’t have to ask why because I spotted them myself—Hudson and the man from the gala stepping out of the elevator.
    I shut the door and press my back against it. Running a hand through my hair, I will myself to think of something. And quick.
    Looking even paler than normal, Genevieve begins pacing and cursing. “Shit, shit, shit!”
    There is another escape route from this office—the single elevator that leads to the loft above. It used to be where Hudson lived when he was a bachelor. Now I live there, but since my brother doesn’t particularly like the idea of me having free rein to just drop into his office whenever I like, he’s removed the access key.
    As if the loft is the only way I’d drop into his office uninvited.
    I also know where he keeps the key. I’m not sure if we have time to grab it, but we can try.
    “This way.” Grabbing Genevieve’s hand, I pull her toward the closet by the liquor cabinet where Hudson’s got the key stashed. Then, when I realize we absolutely don’t have time to grab the key, cross the room, call the elevator, and get out of the office before my brother walks in, I pull Genevieve in with me and shut the door.
    And that’s how I end up hiding from my brother in his office closet with the one girl on earth who doesn’t want to repeat fuck me.
    God, my life sucks.
    Did I mention the closet was small?
    Really small. Tight. Cozy. So cramped we practically have to press up against each other to fit