Chapter 7: Filthy Rich Bosses: Chapter 7

I grip the steering wheel tighter as Morgan’s shrill voice fills the car. The familiar skyline of the city comes into view, but instead of feeling relieved to be home, I’m already exhausted.

‘Cole, are you even listening to me?’ Morgan demands through the speakerphone.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. ‘Yes, Morgan, I hear you. But I don’t understand why you’re calling me about this.’

‘Because it’s important!’ she snaps. ‘You can’t just ignore me. Do you have any idea how embarrassing it was for me when I walked into the party alone? Everyone was asking where you were.’

The light turns red, and I ease to a stop, closing my eyes for a brief moment. The scent of leather and my fading cologne fills my nostrils, a stark contrast to the sterile hotel rooms I’ve been living in for the past week. I rub at the tension between my brows.

‘Morgan, we’re not together anymore. You don’t get to demand my attention like this,’ I say, trying to keep my voice level, but there’s a tight edge I can’t hide.

She scoffs, a sound so dismissive it makes my teeth grind. ‘Oh, please. You think just because you dumped me, you can pretend I don’t exist? It doesn’t work like that, Cole. We have history. People expect to see us together. Do you really want to ruin my reputation?’

I watch a couple stroll by on the sidewalk, hand in hand, looking carefree. A pang of envy hits me, followed quickly by irritation. This crap with Morgan is exactly why I’ve sworn off relationships.

‘Actually, I can,’ I reply, my patience wearing thin. ‘And I’m going to. I don’t owe you anything, Morgan.’

There’s a beat of silence, then a sharp intake of breath on her end. ‘Wow. So that’s it? After everything I’ve done for you, you’re just going to throw me away like yesterday’s trash? You’re the most selfish man I know, Cole.’

My grip on the steering wheel tightens, knuckles going white. ‘Everything you’ve done for me? You mean the constant drama, the public scenes, the guilt trips? Yeah, thanks for all of that.’

She lets out a high-pitched laugh, but there’s no humor in it. ‘You think you’re so much better than everyone, don’t you? Just because you’re some bigshot now, you think you can treat people like crap.’

The light turns green, and I press down on the accelerator, wishing I could drive away from this conversation. ‘This conversation is over, Morgan.’

‘I’m not done talking!’ she practically screams. ‘You can’t just hang up on me, Cole. I still have your things—your watch, your cufflinks. If you ever want them back, you’ll have to deal with me.’

I bite back a curse, my jaw aching from how hard I’m clenching it. ‘Keep them. Consider them a parting gift.’

‘Cole, don’t you dare—’

But I don’t let her finish. With a swift motion, I end the call, the line going blessedly silent. The car is quiet except for the hum of the engine and the sound of my heavy breathing.

Knowing Morgan, this won’t be the last I hear from her. I just hope I can make it through my front door before she finds another way to intrude on my peace.

This is exactly why I’m done with her—and anyone else like her.

As I pull up to the house, I let out a long breath, feeling the tension in my shoulders start to ease. The house looms before me, a welcome sight after days of hotel rooms and endless meetings.

‘Home sweet home,’ I mutter, killing the engine.

I grab my briefcase and step out of the car, the gravel crunching beneath my feet. The morning air is cool against my skin, carrying the faint scent of jasmine from the garden. It’s a small comfort, but right now, I’ll take what I can get.

Inside, the house is quiet. I drop my keys in the bowl by the stairs, the soft clink echoing in the foyer.

‘Chase?’ I call out, but there’s no response. Probably still in bed with his latest thrill, I think, shaking my head.

I make my way up the stairs, my footsteps muffled by the plush carpet. My room is exactly as I left it, and I can’t help but smile. At least some things don’t change.

Dropping my bags on the bed, I loosen my tie and kick off my shoes. I’m more tense now than when I was closing that unbelievably complicated deal. Fucking Morgan…I would just block her number if I could…but I’ve already tried that. She just found a way around it. The second time I tried it, she showed up at the office ranting like a lunatic.

I contemplate a restraining order, but I’m sure she’d find a way around that too. What the hell did I ever see in her?

Fuck, I need to release some of this tension.

The sauna calls to me, promising relaxation and a chance to cook away the stress of the past week—hell, the past hour thanks to my psycho ex-girlfriend.

‘Just what the doctor ordered,’ I murmur, grabbing a towel from the ensuite bathroom.

As I head toward the sauna, I can already feel the day’s tension starting to melt away. Maybe I can finally have a moment of peace.

I push open the sauna door, a wave of steam enveloping me. Through the haze, I catch a glimpse of something unexpected—or rather, someone. A woman sits on the bench, her eyes wide with shock.

‘What the—’ I start, but I’m cut off by her piercing scream.

My heart races, adrenaline flooding my system. ‘Who the hell are you?’ I demand, my voice echoing in the small space. ‘How did you get in here?’

The woman scrambles to cover herself with a towel, her face flushed from more than just the heat. ‘Who am I? Who the hell are you!?”

“I live here!”

“Look, I can explain.”

But I’m not listening. My mind is racing with possibilities, none of them good. ‘You broke in, didn’t you?’ I accuse, my temper flaring. ‘Do you have any idea whose house this is?’

I hear footsteps pounding down the hall. Chase bursts into the room, his hair disheveled and chest heaving. ‘What’s going on? I heard screaming.’

His eyes dart between me and the intruder, and I can see the gears turning in his head. Knowing Chase, he’s probably conjuring up some wild fantasy scenario.

‘Call the police,’ I tell him, not taking my eyes off the woman. ‘We’ve got an intruder.’

The woman’s eyes widen even further. ‘No, please! There’s been a misunderstanding!’

I shake my head, frustration building. So much for a relaxing morning. ‘Chase, why are you just standing there? Do something!’

Chase’s face breaks into a wide grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief. It’s the kind of look that usually means trouble. ‘Oh man, this is too good,’ he chuckles, not moving an inch to help.

I glare at him, my patience wearing thin. ‘What’s so funny?’

“With that winning personality, I’m sure you’re just rolling in women who can’t get enough of you,” the little trespasser scoffs.

I growl, but Chase holds up his hands, still grinning like an idiot. ‘Whoa, slow down there, Cole. This isn’t an intruder. This,’ he gestures to the woman, who’s now clutching her towel like a lifeline, ‘is Tessa, our new dog trainer.’

My jaw drops. ‘Dog trainer? Since when do we need a dog trainer?’

‘Since Grayson decided his precious pup needed professional help,’ Chase explains, his eyes never leaving Tessa. He turns his focus to me. ‘The neighbor is pressing charges after the dog bite. The lawyer said if he can’t get Zeus under control they’ll have to put him down.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah.” His attention turns back to the girl. “But I’ve got to say, Tessa knows how to train a dog. Among other things.’

I roll my eyes, feeling a headache coming on. Of course Grayson would hire someone and move her into the house without telling me. And of course Chase would turn this into some kind of sexual fantasy scenario.

‘Look,’ I say, pinching the bridge of my nose, ‘I don’t care who she is or why she’s here. I’ve had a long week, and I just want to unwind in peace.’

Without waiting for a response, I turn on my heel and head for the door. I can hear Chase starting to apologize to the girl—his voice taking on that flirtatious tone he uses with every attractive woman he meets.

As I make my way to the home gym, I can’t shake the image of her startled face from my mind. She was young and absolutely stunning from what I saw. But there was more to it.

There was something about her eyes, a mix of defiance and vulnerability that tugs at my insides. But I push the thought away. The last thing I need right now is more complications in my life.