Darker II The Inquirer - M. S. Parker Page 0,103
me to ask it.
“Whatever you're wondering, just ask.”
I blinked. I'd never had someone call me out like that before. I hoped it wasn't because I was getting easier to read. I didn't address that, however, but asked my question. “Why'd you install software without checking it first?”
He leaned back in his chair. “You mean why did someone who's supposed to be smart not notice there was something seriously wrong with the software before I installed it?” Rylan asked wryly.
I shrugged. “You said it, not me.”
“I trust my employees,” Rylan said. “They check their own work, ask for help when they need it.”
“And how's that working for you?” I closed my eyes as soon as the question came out. Shit. “I'm sorry. That was completely unprofessional.” I opened my eyes, guessing I'd be getting fired if he wasn't on a timetable.
“No need to apologize.” Rylan held up a hand. He crossed one long leg over the other and I couldn't help but admire how well tailored his pants were. “It's worked fine for years, but I suppose it had to catch up with me sooner or later.”
I managed to keep my opinion to myself on that one. Rylan was far too trusting, especially for a CEO. His eyes met mine and I wondered if he knew what I was thinking, if he could read the code that turned into thoughts inside my mind. I tried not to squirm. There wasn't anything inappropriate in his gaze, but it felt like he was seeing deep inside me. I didn't like it.
“Are you able to fix the problem?” Rylan asked, finally breaking the silence. He turned toward the monitor, the personal conversation clearly over.
Grateful for the shift, I nodded. “I'm basically going to have to re-write the code that your tech put in here. He didn't just leave it out. He actually wrote an open door in its place. I'll want to go through the rest of the code too, just to make sure he didn't put in a back door or mess with anything else.” I didn't look at Rylan as I added, “If you have a non-disclosure agreement for me to sign, I can do that now.”
He slid a piece of paper across the desk and I read through it quickly. I'd learned how to skim these things to make sure I didn't get caught off guard without taking forever to do it. I signed my copy and the company's copy and then Rylan initialed both. With that taken care of, I turned my attention to the task at hand.
I let myself fall into the rhythm of work, tuning out everything around me. I was vaguely aware that Rylan was watching me, but pushed it to the back of my mind. I was good at compartmentalizing when I needed to. I didn't realize that Christophe had brought in coffee until I automatically reached over and a mug was there. It was perfect, strong and black. I sighed. Decaf too. That was good. I'd had enough caffeine today. Anymore would leave me on the wrong side of total control.
I didn't know how much time passed, only that I was half-way through my system check when I became aware that Rylan had moved closer and was now looking over my shoulder. I inhaled sharply, catching a whiff of something masculine and spicy. My stomach clenched in a good way. I didn't know what kind of soap or aftershave that was, but I liked it.
“You're doing great work.” His voice was low and near enough that I tensed. He reached over my shoulder and pointed at a line of code. “That backdoor was virtually undetectable and you closed it while allowing for a passcode to grant access if necessary. Always important in case I get shut out of my system.”
I pushed back from the desk, moving away from him. My eyes narrowed. “How'd you know that was there?”
“I am a software designer,” he said mildly.
I looked around, the passage of time now registering. The sky was dark, the light coming in through the window now artificial. We'd been alone in Rylan's office since the beginning, but now I knew we were alone in the building. Maybe there was a security guard somewhere, but I doubted he came up to the top floor when the boss was here. Especially if the boss was up here with a woman.
“Why didn't you fix this yourself?” I stood as my heart started to race. “Why did you hire me to do something you could do yourself?”
I could feel my palms begin to sweat. I told myself that there had to be a reasonable explanation. Logically, I knew that had to be the case. Smoking hot CEO's of billion-dollar software companies didn't randomly hire tattooed and pierced computer techs just to get them alone. The panic that threatened to choke me told a different story.
The panic reminded me that Rylan had admitted to researching me, finding out about my past. He couldn't know too much, of that I was certain. I'd made sure Jenna Lang was impossible to trace to who I once was. But still, he'd looked me up. My mind raced. Was it possible he'd chosen me because I was alone? Did he think no one would believe me if I tried to claim he'd done something to me? Did he think he could get away with… what?
My breath was coming in rapid, short bursts of air now. I needed to calm down. Breathe. My imagination had taken on a life of its own and was running away, taking my brain hostage. If I didn't get control of it, I would hyperventilate. It didn't happen often, but I could feel a panic attack on the brink. It had been a while since I'd had one. I was due.
“Jenna, are you okay?” Rylan looked concerned as he stood.
He reached out, his hand brushing against my arm. Electricity shot through me, followed by a surge of adrenaline so strong I nearly roared. I could do nothing but act on instinct, my brain barely processing my actions.
My hand curled into a fist and my arm drew back. I turned my body like I'd been taught, putting everything into the punch. Pain flared through my knuckles and up my hand as I connected with the side of his face.
Then I did the only thing I could do. I bolted. I heard him call my name as I hit the elevator button and prayed it would close before he got too close. I didn't know if he wasn't chasing or if I was quick enough, but either way, I made it to the lobby without being caught, and then headed for the front door. It wasn't until I was halfway down the side that I finally slowed. Thank God, a bus. I picked up my pace and jumped on. I dug four quarters out of my pocket, tossed them in the collector and collapsed on a seat. I didn't realize I'd forgotten my backpack until I was at my apartment and had to use my spare key.
Fuck.
I would have to go back to Archer Enterprises and get it.
Double fuck.
End of Preview. Continue reading in the complete series: The Pleasure Series
The Club Prive Series
Thank you for reading a book in the Club Prive series. Each collection can be read stand-alone, but if you’d like to read the entire series, I suggest reading them in the following order:
1. Club Prive (Carrie’s Story)
2. Chasing Perfection (Krissy’s Story)
3. Unlawful Attraction (Dena’s Story)
4. A Legal Affair (Leslie’s Story)
5. Collide (Bryne’s Story)
6. The Hunter Brothers Complete
7. The Darker Trilogy.
Acknowledgments
First, I would like to thank all of my readers. Without you, my books would not exist. I truly appreciate each and every one of you.
A big THANK YOU goes out to all the Facebook fans, street team, beta readers, and advanced reviewers. You are a HUGE part of the success of all my series.
Also thank you to my editor Lynette. You make my ideas and writing look so good.
About the Author
M. S. Parker is a USA Today Bestselling author and the author of over fifty spicy romance series and novels.
Living part-time in Las Vegas, part-time on Maui, she enjoys sitting by the pool with her laptop writing her next spicy romance.
Growing up all she wanted to be was a dancer, actor and author. So far only the latter has come true but M. S. Parker hasn’t retired her dancing shoes just yet. She is still waiting for the call to appear on Dancing With The Stars.
When M. S. isn't writing, she can usually be found reading– oops, scratch that! She is always writing.
For more information: