14. Jack

CHAPTER 14

JACK

I scan the boardroom, quickly assessing who's shown up for the morning meeting.

It's everyone — except for Leah.

Turning away from my employees, I hide my face. One day out of work is fine, but two is suspicious.

Is this her new tactic? Because I wouldn't give into her temper tantrums, is she just choosing to play hard to get?

Well, I sure as hell won't be chasing her, so she's wasting her time.

At least there's been some peace around the office without her here. The problem is, it's also been boring.

As annoying as Leah can be, I look forward to her barging into my office with whatever the newest complaint is. No one else around her has the guts to verbally spar with me.

Collecting myself, I turn back to the GourmetGlobal team and take a seat at the head of the table.

"Good morning, everyone." I smooth my tie.

I'd rather not have this many meetings, but the board has been insistent. With the new acquisition, they want me to be more hands-on. Although this is, I admit, a boring way to handle things, it's a necessary evil.

"I'm glad to see you've all been hard at work," I say, looking at my COO, David. I can tell he's sizing me up, and he's showing signs of stress. I'll have to examine that more closely over the weekend.

"The relaunch is coming up soon, and we need to be ready," I say. "We've put together a short video to make sure everyone is on the same page."

The lights dim, and the screen at the front of the room turns on. It's a video about GourmetGlobal and a rundown of its rebranding and our target audience.

I take the opportunity to zone out. Inevitably, my thoughts shift to Leah.

I know she's probably just making a big scene, but something seems off with this whole thing.

I should track her down and get an explanation out of her.

Or maybe I should just let her be. Prove to her that her childish behavior won't get a response.

Or maybe I should spank her.

The thought makes me grin.

If only.

The video ends, and I'm the first one to speak. "Any questions?"

Everyone either looks at their phones or at each other. Which is a good enough answer for me.

"All right, that's it for the meeting. Let's get back to work." I stand and push my chair back, then lead the way out the door.

I don't know why, but I'm in a shitty mood. Like I need to punch something.

Or fuck someone.

No. I need to fuck Leah.

Suppressing a growl, I storm into my office, not caring that the door slams behind me. My secretary and assistants are used to my moods.

Damn Leah. I've done everything I can think of to get her off my mind since our night together, and nothing has worked. I can't even look at other women the same way anymore.

I've been single for a long time, and I'm fine with it. I'm too busy to date beyond anything casual, and I have no interest in relationships.

Sleeping with Leah was a mistake. She's a pain in my ass, and I don't like her.

And yet I can't get her off my mind.

I wish I could just tell my cock who it can and can't fuck, but the damn thing has its own preferences.

So now here I am, stuck like this, aching for someone I have no business being with. She's a distraction I don't need.

As it's too early to pour a cocktail, I settle with a cup of coffee and then take a seat at my desk. My fingers have barely touched the keyboard when my phone rings.

"Yes?" I ask Nancy, my secretary.

"Mr. Leadsom, Leah Woodland is here for you."

My jaw drops. So Leah is asking for permission to come into my office now? What happened to storming through my door whenever she pleases?

I consider turning her away just to mess with her, but then I wouldn't find out what she's here for.

"Send her in." I hang up the phone. This should be good.

The door opens, and Leah enters. Instead of her usual ball of fire, though, she's more subdued.

I lean forward in my chair. Something is wrong.

For a long, quiet moment we just look at each other. We both know that this morning is different, but we're each waiting for the other to make the first move.

"You weren't in this morning's meeting," I say.

She frowns. "You're not even going to ask if I'm feeling better?"

"I assume you are, since you're here." My voice is calm and collected, but a part of me knows I'm saying the wrong thing. Clearly, she's going through something, and I'm just making it worse.

But it's like I don't know what to say except for exactly what's coming out of my mouth. I don't know how to switch gears and be a nice, supportive boss.

I clear my throat, knowing I need to try. "So how… how are you feeling? Any better?"

"I'm pregnant. With triplets. And they're yours."

I couldn't be more shocked if an elephant were to appear on my desk. I stare at her, the words sinking in.

"Didn't you hear me?" She bites her bottom lip. "It's triplets, Jack. I had my first prenatal this morning, and they found three heartbeats."

A guffaw slips from my throat, and it's like a landslide. I can't stop laughing.

Her face turns red. "I'm glad you think this is funny."

I shake my head, still laughing. "You must think I'm really stupid."

"Condoms fail," she hisses.

My laughter dies down. "I don't know what your game is, Leah, but you won't pull one over on me. I can't have children. I had a vasectomy years ago."

She blinks at that but doesn't seem defeated. "Vasectomies fail too."

"And it's extremely rare." I fold my arms over my chest, surprised to discover my heart is beating unusually fast. "So if you are indeed pregnant, you've come to the wrong guy. The father must be some other man."

"I haven't been with anyone else in months," she snaps.

My ears ring. She hasn't been with any other men?

I like that news. A lot.

Which is odd, because I'm not typically possessive, and it's not like I want Leah to be my girlfriend.

But she has to be lying. My vasectomy has been good as gold, and the chances of it failing years later are next to nothing.

"We'll have a paternity test taken," I decide. "That way we'll know for sure."

I expect Leah to snap at me again, to get angry, but that doesn't happen. She just stands there watching me, looking…

Sad.

"I'll take a paternity test," she says, "but I have to say, I had a bit more hope for you."

Her insinuation that I'm doing anything other than what's completely inappropriate is low. Below the belt low.

"What is it you expected out of this?" I demand. "Money? Is that what this is about? You're trying to get child support for some kids who aren't even mine?"

Her eyes snap in anger at the accusation, and she takes a step forward, like she's going to come at me.

But I don't back down. I stay seated, glaring right back at her. If she wants to take the gloves off, then fine. We can fight this way, but she better be ready for what comes her way.

She stares at me for a long time, making me feel like I'm being appraised in some way. Like I'm being judged.

Which is laughable. I haven't done anything wrong here. Once the test comes back, her lie will be exposed. She knows this, and she's just trying to intimidate me and make me back down.

But then the fire leaves her eyes, and she looks away. "I'll take the paternity test. But we both know the truth, Jack. The results will show that you are their father."

Then she turns and walks out, leaving me shaking in anger.

And fear.

Because I'm fucking freaked out.

Leaving my desk, I go to the private bathroom adjacent to my office and splash water on my face. God, this is a clusterfuck.

I've never wanted kids. Which is why I took extra precautions to make sure I'd never have them.

Even though Leah is lying, the mere thought of having children makes me feel sick.

The whole family thing doesn't work out. You might see smiling photos on people's desks, but the reality of the situation is something completely different.

A man like me doesn't have time for something like that. I can't afford for anyone to weigh me down.

Heading back to my office, I stand at the window and stare at the street below, trying to figure out the next steps. I can't fire Leah without the board's approval, and I'm not sure I even want to do that.

She's an asset to this company, and technically, she hasn't done anything wrong.

Except for try to scam me.

I close my eyes, disappointment and anger washing over me. This situation is a mess, but I'll make the best of it. After the test comes back, she'll be so embarrassed she'll probably never talk to me again.

Which is good. Considering how much she's disrupted my life, that's probably exactly what I need.