Bet On It: An Age Gap Billionaire Office Romance(43)

I made it to the lower level. The crowd was thick and full, making it difficult to find a quick exit. I wound my way through the crowd trying to find an exit, ending up near the locker rooms.

"You're not supposed to be down here," a security person said to me.

"I'm sorry. This is my first time at a hockey game, and I guess I got lost."

"I'll show her out."

I looked over the security guard’s shoulder and saw Bo sauntering toward me. He was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt with a coat over it. His hair was wet, suggesting he’d just come out of the shower.

"Great game today, Mr. Tyler."

Bo patted the security man on the shoulder. "You didn't expect anything less, did you?"

The security guard grinned. "Not at all."

Bo looked at me. “Did you see that score I made for you?"

I hoped the warmth of my cheeks didn't give away that I had missed the score because I was having sex with Reed on the couch. I didn't like to lie, but I didn't feel like I had any choice. "It was impressive."

"Nah. All in a day’s work." He tilted his head to the side. "Are you alright?" His gaze scanned the area behind me before returning to me. "Where's Reed?"

"We came separately. Like I said, he invited me as his employee." That wasn't a lie, and yet it still felt like one, considering what I'd just done with him.

"How about we grab a drink, and you can tell me what the old man said that got you so upset?"

I pressed my hands to my cheeks, wondering how he could tell I was upset. "Oh, I'm sure you want to go celebrate with your friends."

"Not at all. You're much prettier than them. And probably more interesting."

"The press is outside and waiting, Mr. Tyler," the security man said.

The press?

Bo draped his arm around my shoulder. "Come on, let's give them something to talk about."

That didn't seem like such a good idea.

"Maybe when they see me with this beautiful, smart woman, it will improve my reputation."

The security guard snorted. "Good luck with that."

"What does that mean?" I asked.

"I have a bit of a reputation for getting into trouble. But I'm confident you're going to keep me out of it tonight. Maybe tomorrow, I won't be getting a call from Pierce yelling at me for one reason or another."

I wondered if exiting with Bo could help me as well? If I left with him, nobody would think to believe that I had just had sex with my boss. They wouldn’t think that my coming here with him was anything more than just a workplace event.

"A drink would be nice."

He grinned. He was a grown man, but there was something in his smile and his attitude that reminded me of a boy. It was charming, even as I imagined it was annoying to his coach.

He led me out the doors, and we hadn't gone far before there were cameras and flashes going off. They were blinding, and to protect myself, I curled into him.

"Obnoxious, aren't they? Don't worry. I'll keep you safe." His arm wrapped around me tighter as he led me toward his car.

It wasn't until Bo had driven out of the parking lot and away from prying eyes that I was able to take a breath. It was also when the feelings of guilt burned deep in my gut. It felt a little bit like cheating, but it wasn't, was it? Reed and I weren't a couple. Yes, on occasion, we let our lust take control, but he was my boss. We had no personal commitments to each other. And in fact, even though I was going to have a drink with Bo, I had no intention of letting something grow between us. It was just drinks between new friends.

My conscience reminded me that it had been just drinks with Reed when we met. But as interesting and charming as Bo was, that spark that I had felt from the moment I had sat down next to Reed wasn't there with Bo. Bo would be safe. And it would take the attention away from anyone thinking something was going on between me and my boss.

No. I had nothing to feel guilty about.





23





Reed





I wanted to go after her and stop her, but what use would it be? She was right. We always ended up in the same place. Our passions would get away from us and then she’d run off regretting it.

What was the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome.

Analyn wasn’t going to risk her career or reputation for me. I had to accept that. So I let her go and instead went to the bar, pouring myself a straight shot of bourbon. I downed it and poured another one, taking my glass and sitting in the chair. I pulled out my phone to scroll through email and news while I waited until Pierce arrived.

It was a habit of ours that we would meet after a game, and I would share any insights that I saw during the game. There was nothing pressing in my email, so I went to my newsfeed and then to social media.

I was just about to close it down when a picture of Bo with his arm wrapped around Analyn, who was cozied up against him, appeared on my feed. She was wearing the same clothes as tonight, and I recognized the area of the rink.

Who is Bo Tyler’s Mystery Woman? Read the caption.

What the fuck! This was right outside. Going on right now.

I scrolled a bit further, and there was another photograph of Bo helping Analyn into his car. What was she doing? Was this some kind of joke?