Bet On It: An Age Gap Billionaire Office Romance(16)

I shrugged as I took another long gulp of water. The truth was, with Analyn coming to work for me on Monday, it felt like things were looking up.

When I finished my drink, I realized Pierce wasn't talking. I turned to look at him, and his eyes were narrowed, scrutinizing me.

"What?"

"What the fuck has gotten into you? You've been like Oscar the Grouch for a decade, and now all of a sudden, you almost seem happy. What's going on?"

"I ran into a former flame of sorts." I didn't want to call Analyn a hookup because it felt like there’d been more to it, even though there hadn't been. "I just hired her to work for me."

Pierce was taking a large gulp out of his bottle, but it didn't prevent me from seeing the way his eyebrow quirked up. Once he swallowed his water, he said, "You hired a woman you slept with?"

I smiled, a wave of happiness filling my chest. "Yeah, I did."

"Jesus, Reed. What’s with this woman? Seriously, dude, I don't think I've seen you smile like that since last time you played hockey."

I hadn't told Pierce anything about Analyn. It wasn't that it was a secret. I just wasn't the kind of man to kiss and tell. Besides, after she left, there really wasn't anything to tell.

"She picked me up at the Golden Oasis."

"No shit. She picked you up?"

The memory filled me with another wave of happiness. "We got to talking, we got the dancing—"

"And you got to fucking?”

I flinched because it sounded sordid even though that was exactly what happened. "Yeah, we did. But it was more than that. She wasn't one of those women who was all teased up and pushed up.” Usually at the club, women's tits and hair were both lifted for optimal appeal. “She was real, you know? Sexy, yes, but more than that."

Pierce narrowed his eyes at me. "Do you think it's a good idea to hire a woman you fucked? Especially since it looks like there's still something going on there?"

"There's nothing there really. The next day, she took off. Story of my life. The woman is there one minute, and then she's gone. Until the other day when she walked into my office wanting a job."

"Let me ask you again, do you think it's a good idea to hire her? I mean, you still want to fuck her, don't you?"

I fucked her nearly every day in my fantasies. It would have to be enough. "I suppose I do, but I won’t. It will make life interesting. And as you pointed out, my life has been pretty dull."

Pierce gaped at me. "Most people with dull lives get involved in an extreme sport or travel to Peru. They don't purposely put temptation in their way at work."

"I like the challenge of it. Besides, I made a bet with her. If we can go a year without me sleeping with her, I’ll have a big blowout party. You're invited. She's going to be there to clean up afterward."

"And if you lose?"

"I double her salary."

This time, his expression went from shocked and concerned all the way to have you lost your mind? “What's to keep her from shaking her ass around you so that you lose that bet?"

"Integrity."

Pierce looked at me now like I was being na?ve. Who knew the guy had so many expressions?

"No, really. She wasn’t going to take the job because she wants to earn it on her own merit, not as payback or for favors. I respect that. I have no doubt that she wants that more than she wants more money." It was a bit of an ego-buster, but I still admired her for it.

Pierce shook his head. "You know this arrangement skirts all sorts of ethical lines, don't you? I don't know what the policies are at your company, but generally, it's not a good thing for a boss to be lusting after one of his employees. You’ve set yourself up for potential sexual harassment problems. And worse, what if this goofy smile I'm seeing on your face is reciprocated by her? What happens if you wind up getting together and falling in love?"

I shook my head. As nice as it would be to find a woman to love, I knew my history. "Look, we both know that I have zero luck with women. Would I like to fuck her again? Yes. But I also like her as a person. She’s refreshing. She’s herself without any guile or pretense. And she's smart. I'd be an idiot not to hire her. I don't think temptation is going to be a problem.”

I didn’t need Pierce's dubious expression to tell me I was probably lying to myself. But my intentions were good.

"Sounds like you've thought it all through." It was clear that he thought I was playing a dangerous game.

Maybe I was, but that was the allure. I’d felt so fucking dead inside for so long, and this little challenge had lit me up.

"Oh, ye of little faith.”

He rolled his eyes. “I want to get in on the wager. I haven’t met her, but seeing you like this, I have no doubt that you’ll fail.”

“Sorry. I’m not taking that bet.” Clearly, I didn’t think I would succeed either. But I’d try. I’d count on Analyn to put the kibosh on anything that could lead to my losing.

“How about I make you a bet that I can beat you to the bottom?” He gripped his handlebars and took off, pedaling full speed toward the Red Rock Canyon parking lot where we left our cars.

That was one bet I would take. I started after him, determined that I would win. I’d win this bet and the one with Analyn.