LITMIR.BIZ

       Three

      Kirk’s head was still reeling. At the emergency board meeting, everyone had been shocked to hear the news of Orson’s heart attack, but all had agreed that the company could show no weakness, especially when Orson’s confidential report on his reasoning behind the merger had been presented to them. Therefore, they’d appointed Kirk interim chairman.

      The new responsibility was a heavy weight on him, along with worry for Orson Harrison’s health. And on top of all that, he still had to tell Sally about the possibility she might be pregnant. He closed his eyes for a brief moment. He’d been such a fool to allow desire to cloud his judgment. It was the kind of impulsive emotion and need-driven behavior he’d always sworn he’d never indulge in. And now look where it had landed him.

      He was investigating her, just as he was investigating every staff member here—he never should have allowed sex to muddy the waters.

      He had no doubt she wouldn’t be happy to hear his news. Who would be, especially while her father’s life hung in the balance? So far the hospital had released very little information—only that Orson was in critical condition. Even Marilyn, who’d known Orson for almost thirty years, had been trying on the phone all morning, and remained unable to get past the gatekeeper of patient details at the hospital. To be honest, Kirk had been surprised to see the woman at her desk this morning and he’d expressed as much. She’d curtly informed him that someone had to hold the place together in Orson’s absence and had been ill-pleased when she’d been informed of his appointment as interim chairman.

      Kirk flicked a glance at his watch. Perhaps she’d gotten ahold of Sally again by now. He hit the interoffice button to connect with the prickly PA.

      “Any updates regarding Mr. Harrison?” he asked.

      “No, sir.” The woman’s voice was clipped.

      She’d made it quite clear that she wasn’t happy about him using Orson’s office—interim appointment or not. She was even less impressed when he’d ignored her protests and taken up residence. It made sense to him to stand at the helm right now, when he was supposed to be steering this particular ship. It would help the staff to see someone visibly taking charge. Well, the staff except for Marilyn.

      “Thank you, Marilyn,” Kirk replied, keeping his voice civil. “And Ms. Harrison? Has there been any communication with her yet?”

      “I believe she’s in the building but I haven’t spoken to her myself, yet.”

      Kirk looked at his watch. Two thirty. They were going forward with the planned announcement of the merger—it was, after all, the only thing that would explain why Kirk had taken temporary leadership—and the video link announcement was scheduled to commence at three sharp. Did Sally still plan to be there? He knew her father had wanted her by his side, but in light of recent events, he wouldn’t blame her for skipping out. Coming into the office at all couldn’t have been an easy decision to make with her father so desperately ill.

      “Could you get a message to her and ask her to come to my office as soon as possible? I want to brief her before the video link.”

      “Certainly, sir.”

      Again there was that brief hesitation and slight distaste to her tone as she said the word sir. He’d already asked her to call him by his first name, but it seemed his request had been ignored. That, however, wasn’t important to him right now. He had a far greater concern on his hands. Like, how the hell did he tell Sally about the condom?

      It was only a few minutes before he heard women’s voices outside the office door. The double doors began to swing open, and he heard Marilyn’s voice call out in caution.

      “Oh, but there’s someone—”

      And there she was. Sally Harrison appeared in the doorway, her head still turned to Marilyn, a reassuring smile on her face. A smile that froze then faded into an expression of shock when she saw him rise from behind her father’s desk.

      “K-Kirk?” she stammered.

      Her face paled, highlighting the dark shadows of exhaustion and worry beneath her eyes that even makeup couldn’t disguise. Kirk moved swiftly to her side, aware of Orson’s PA coming up behind Sally. He gently guided Sally into a chair.

      “A glass of water for Ms. Harrison, please, Marilyn,” Kirk instructed the PA, who raced to do his bidding.

      She was back in a moment, and Kirk took the glass from her before pressing it into Sally’s shaking hand.

      “Mr. Tanner, it’s really too much to expect her to attend the video link,” Marilyn began defensively. “She shouldn’t have to—”

      “It’s entirely up to Ms. Harrison. Marilyn, perhaps you could get something for her to eat. I bet you haven’t had anything today, have you?” he asked, looking at Sally directly.

      Sally shook her head. “No. I couldn’t bear to think about food.”

      She tried to take a sip of the water. Her hand was shaking so much Kirk wrapped his fingers around hers to steady her and keep her from spilling. She flinched at his touch, a reaction he was sure Marilyn hadn’t missed.

      “You need to eat something,” he said. He turned to the PA. “Could you get a bowl of fruit from the executive kitchen for Ms. Harrison and perhaps some yogurt, as well?”

      “Is that what you want, Sally?” Marilyn asked, moving to Sally’s other side. “Perhaps you’d rather I stayed here with you while Mr. Tanner got you something to eat.”

      Kirk bit back a retort. He wasn’t about to enter into a battle of wills with Marilyn here and now. And given the time constraints that now faced them, he wouldn’t be able to have the discussion with Sally that they really needed to have. He studied her from the top of her golden head to her sensibly clad feet. Even in a demure pale blue suit and with her hair scraped back into a ponytail that gave him a headache just looking at how tightly it was bound, she still affected him.

      Could she already be pregnant with his child? The thought came like a sucker punch straight to his gut.

      “Good idea,” he said, making a decision to leave their discussion until they could be guaranteed more privacy and uninterrupted time.

      Of greater importance was letting Sally come to terms with his presence here—and the fact that he’d kept it from her last night. Once the shock wore off, he had no doubt matters between them would be less than cordial, especially once she discovered that he’d known exactly who she was all along.

      Sally looked from him to Marilyn. “It-it’s okay, Marilyn. You know what I like. Perhaps you could get it for me? I really am feeling quite weak.”

      “Of course you are,” Marilyn said in a more placatory tone and patted Sally on the shoulder. “You’ve always had a delicate constitution. I’ll be back in a moment.”

      Marilyn closed the door behind her with a sharp click, leaving Kirk in no doubt that even though Orson’s PA had left the room to do his bidding, she certainly wasn’t happy

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