“Oh, no more than usual,” I said. “Pretty boring, actually.”
His smile didn’t falter. “You don’t strike me as someone who would travel this far merely to sit in her hotel room.”
I shrugged. “Shall we dive in? Did you want to discuss something specific, or shall I give you an update?”
“By all means,” he said, leaning forward and folding his hands on the desk. “Let’s have it.”
I opened my laptop and pulled up the slide deck I had prepped earlier that morning. Familiar ground steadied me. I walked him through the highlights—creative direction, rollout cadence, audience strategy—keeping my tone crisp and neutral. He listened attentively, nodding at the right moments, asking just enough to demonstrate engagement.
“Stunning.” He let the word linger.
Something in his gaze made heat creep up the back of my neck. I shifted in my chair and advanced the slide.
“And we’re fully optimizing your SEO.”
He reached across the desk and rested his hand on the back of my wrist. The contact was light, almost casual, but it froze me in place.
“Be gentle with me,” he said with a faint smile. “I haven’t a clue what SEO is.”
I eased my hand free and folded it into my lap, my pulse beginning to thrum behind my ears. “Search engine optimization,” I replied evenly. “We’re positioning your brand so that when anyone in your target market searches for related services, your name dominates the results.”
His eyes sharpened. “So we’re conquering the market digitally.”
“Your business already does that in person,” I replied. “This just ensures the internet reflects it. That’s why you hired me.”
“Mm.” His smile tilted. “There’s that fire. I do admire conviction.”
I glanced at my watch. Just after ten. “If that’s everything,” I said, straightening in my chair, “I should get back. I’ve got a call with our web designer at one and need to prep.”
Before I could stand, Richard reached forward and pressed the laptop lid closed with a quiet, decisive click.
“That’s quite enough business,” he said.
My stomach tightened, a low, uneasy churn. “What else is there?”
He leaned back, studying me with unhurried interest. “You’re alone here for the next six weeks.”
“I’ll be fine,” I said, sitting straighter. “London’s a big city. I’m not exactly helpless.”
“No,” he agreed mildly. “You’re not. In fact, I understand you’ve already been rather…adventurous.”
My throat went dry. “I’m not sure what you’re implying.”
He rose, walked to the door, and pushed it shut. The lock clicked. “This is a conversation best had in private.”
He moved behind me, the faint scent of cologne and starch closing in. The air felt denser, sealed. My spine stiffened against the back of the chair.
“Wouldn’t want anyone overhearing and drawing the wrong conclusions.”
I curled my fingers into the chair arms. “Is this about my work? Because if there’s a concern?—”
He waved a hand, dismissing the thought. “You’re a clever girl, Alex. Let’s not insult each other, shall we?” He settled on the edge of his desk, facing me. “It’s about how you chose to spend the weekend. The…establishments you visited.”
I held his gaze, forcing my expression to appear neutral and unbothered.
He smiled—thin, satisfied. “I suspect your employer would take a dim view of the…clubs you frequent. Particularly whilst representing the firm abroad.” His voice stayed level, almostbored. “That sort of thing can create unfortunate optics.” A pause. “For you.”
I stared at the framed photographs on the wall—all of Richard with various influential people. I forced my breathing to even out.