“Are you okay, Mr. Langley?”
“Peachy. Just peachy.” He rubbed his forehead.
“Sir, did you need me to sit in on the meeting today?” Maybe she could ask why he didn’t want her there.
“Oh, there was no reason for you to be there. You’re too pretty to bother with that lot.”
She swallowed hard as anger coursed through her. Ready to push her curiosity, she opened her mouth, but his next words gave her pause, “I think you’ve been keeping a secret.”
There it was. She was busted. Just tell him the truth. “Mr. Langley, I can explain—”
“You’re quite clever, aren’t you? You said you didn’t have any prior skills in politics but your ideas on reaching single mothers has worked. I’m up three percent in polls among women voters. You’re a genius.”
Relief made her sigh. “Good. I’m glad, sir.”
“I guess I’m a bit rusty with women these days.” He snorted.
Unsure of where this was headed, she took a step toward the door. “If that’s all, Mr. Langley, I’ll leave you alone.”
“My wife is having an affair,” he blurted.
“Okay—wait, what?” She blinked. Egan had told her this already, but she didn’t expect to hear it from Langley.
“With one of the members of my security detail.” He poured another drink, spilling some of the scotch over the side. He used the sleeve of his shirt to clean it up.
Her heart plummeted to her feet. “Sir, I don’t know—”
“I know you didn’t. I need to bounce my thoughts off someone. You know how women think.”
“Well, I’m a woman, but that doesn’t mean I’m an expert in what all women are thinking.”
“I admire you, Novah. You seem like someone who has her head on straight.” He swirled the scotch around the inside of his glass. “I can’t say I’m surprised when it comes to my wife. I mean, I know Shy has had her fun outside of our marriage for a few years, but she’s not thinking like you do. She’s never been what you might call a thinker.”
Maybe he did know about Novah and Egan because this conversation was growing more awkward by the second. Feeling a little wobbly-kneed, she asked, “May I have a seat?”
“Sure, sure.” He waved a hand through the air.
Stepping over to the brown leather sofa, she sat on the corner cushion and laid her hands in her lap. Sweat beaded between her breasts and her stomach tensed.
“She understands how important this campaign is for me,” he groaned and came to sit down on the sofa next to her. His hair looked messy and the dark circles under his eyes were stark against his olive skin. He smelled like a brewery. “How much I’ve worked for this chance.”
“Sir, I’m not sure why I’m here.”
“Sorry, I just needed someone. I’ve known you what…a year?”
“I’ve worked for you six months.”
“And you’re levelheaded, smart, and of course, very beautiful.” His gaze dropped to the front of her blouse.
She shifted on the cushion, uncomfortable. “What can I help you with? It’s late and I have to get up early.”
“You’ve been married before. Why did you divorce? Did your spouse cheat?”
Feeling the unnecessary spotlight on her, she gave a partial shake of her head. “No, neither of us cheated. We just grew apart.”
“ShyAnne and I grew apart a long time ago, or maybe we just never had that strong love that two people need to persevere. You know what I’m saying?”
“I’m probably not the best one to answer this.”
He smoothed his hand down his jawline. “You’re loyal, aren’t you, Novah?”
Was he asking or insinuating? Swallowing the growing lump in her throat, she tugged her skirt down her knees, wishing it were two inches longer. “I believe loyalty is important in everything.”
“I really can’t understand,” he slurred.
“Understand what?”
“How a man could have someone like you in their life and not do everything in his power to keep you.”
“Thank you.” She moistened her lips. “I appreciate that, but it takes two people in a marriage to make it work. I had my flaws too.”
“Cheers to that! Two people both working toward a shared goal.” He gulped down the scotch and placed his emptied glass on the sleek metal and glass coffee table. His smile had faded, exchanged for a look she couldn’t quite decipher. “I loved her when I married her. I really did. We all go into marriage thinking we will stay together forever. We can survive the test of time.” He leaned back and crossed his legs.
“True.”
“Maybe I just need the right woman in my life.” He placed his hand on her knee.
“Sir!” She jumped up, flinging his hand away.
He stood too, but it took great effort. “Come on, Novah. You can’t deny that we have something between us.” He touched her cheek with a cold, clammy hand. She swatted his wrist, taking a fast step back.
“You’re wrong, Mr. Langley. We don’t have anything between us outside of business. You’re married.”
“In name only.”
“It’s the same to me,” she blurted, taking another shaky step back. The backs of her knees bumped the chair and she dropped down into the plush cushion. He was in front of her now, on his knees, blocking her.
“Let me show you how good I can make you feel.” He placed his hands on her thighs and leaned over her, using his weight to imprison her. “I can eat a woman out like
