Free Hotshot by Julie Garwood

door. Mimi didn’t complain. She took one look at Peyton and knew something terrible had happened.
    After Peyton told her everything, Mimi was horrified. “If he had gotten in . . .” She squeezed her eyes shut, took a breath, and said, “He would have raped you. My God, I knew he was a womanizer, but this . . . You should go to the police. I’ll get dressed and go with you. You should file a report.”
    “And what do I tell them? That a man I’m afraid of banged on my door late at night and wanted to come inside. He didn’t break any laws. He made a lot of noise; he was told to go away, and he left.”
    “It’s not right. It’s just not right.” Mimi sounded as though she was going to cry. She put her arm around Peyton and led her to the bedroom. “Come on. You need to sleep. When you’re clearheaded we’ll figure out what to do.”
    “It’s okay,” Peyton said. “I’m going to stop him. I know what to do.”
    Afraid that Drew might come back to the motel, she stayed with Mimi all weekend, and on Sunday night she returned to pack up her things. By Monday morning, her car was loaded and ready to go. And so was she.
    Drew didn’t come into the office until eleven, and Peyton grew more and more anxious, wondering what his demeanor would be when he saw her. Would he show any remorse for what he had done? Or would he ignore it? She was just checking the time on her watch when she heard the elevator doors open. She looked up and saw him head to the receptionist and greet her with a wide grin. After a few friendly words with her, he walked over to Peyton’s cubicle and cheerfully said good morning, then proceeded to his office. Peyton wasn’t really shocked by his behavior. In fact, she rather suspected Drew would be his usual smarmy self, and she was glad he was exactly that because it played into her plan.
    With all the sweetness she could muster, she got up from her desk, knocked on his door, and asked him if she could have a moment of his time. Responding to her smile, he quickly agreed. He even pulled out a chair facing his massive desk for her.
    She waited until he had taken his seat, then leaned forward and placed a digital recorder in the center of his desk.
    “Do you mind if I record our conversation?”
    He raised an eyebrow. Then he laughed. “Sure, go ahead.”
    He leaned over the desk, pulled the recorder closer to him, and said, “I’ll even turn it on for you.” He pushed a button, sat back, and casually asked, “Have you decided to warm up yet?”
    Instead of answering the question, she asked, “Aren’t you curious to know why I’m recording this conversation?”
    “Not really,” he replied. “Now answer me. Are you going to warm up? Don’t you feel the electricity flowing between us? You want me as much as I want you.”
    The man was certifiable.
    “No, I don’t feel any electricity. What I want is for you to leave me alone.”
    “That’s not going to happen,” he told her, smiling.
    “We are not going to have a physical relationship, and as far as traveling with you, that’s out of the question. I don’t feel safe with you.”
    He shrugged. “I’m your boss. If I say you go with me, then you go with me.”
    “Haven’t you ever heard of sexual harassment?”
    “That doesn’t mean anything here. And you will travel with me.”
    “No.” She didn’t expound.
    “No?” The smile was gone.
    “That’s right, no,” she repeated calmly.
    “You have a choice, Peyton. Either play ball with me or get fired. Don’t even think about asking for a transfer. I won’t let that happen, and I’m the one with all the power, not you.”
    “What exactly does play ball with you mean?” She wanted to get it on the record.
    “You know. Spread your legs for me. Whenever I want and as often as I want.”
    She wanted to gag. She tried not to react.
    Despite her efforts, her disgust must have shown because Drew looked displeased with her response. He leaned forward, frowning,