Fresh Temptation

when he heard a voice calling his name from the grand staircase behind him. He groaned inwardly as he turned around to see Alexis descending the stairs.
    When he caught a glimpse of her short lacy form-fitting nightgown, he stared away from her, at the wall. “Good morning, Alexis. I was just paying my condolences to your mother. I have to go.”
    “Leaving already?” Her bare feet were light as she raced to the bottom and walked up to him. “Weren’t you going to say anything to me?”
    “I really need to get to the office. And I think you probably need to put some clothes on.” Victor glanced around the large entryway, looking for the butler. “Where’s Clifford, by the way?” Surely Alexis didn’t usually walk around the house in such skimpy clothes where the help could see her. She had to be doing this for him.
    “He’s probably helping Mother in the kitchen. What? Am I making you uncomfortable?”
    Victor cleared his throat and set his eyes on hers, careful to look nowhere else. “I’m deeply sorry for your loss, Alexis.”
    Tears filled her eyes, her voice cracking as she spoke. “Thank you. It doesn’t seem real to me yet.” She quickly wiped her tears away with her fingertips. “So, will you be taking the private jet to the memorial service?”
    “No. I won’t be attending.”
    “What? Why not?”
    “I just can’t work it out. I already explained it to—”
    Alexis inched closer. “But I need you. Remember? Daddy asked you to take care of me.”
    “He wasn’t in his right mind. You know that. I need to—”
    She interrupted by launching her scantily clad body against his, her arms tight around his back. “Please stay.” She cried against his suit. “It’s been so nice to be with you again. I need you.”
    Victor stood completely still, arms at his sides. “Let go of me, Alexis.”
    “Please, Victor!”
    He lifted his hands against the front of her shoulders, pushing her away. He stayed there for a moment longer as he looked in her eyes to make sure she heard him. “Don’t test me. I’m sympathetic, but nothing’s changed. We’re over, and you need to leave Cara alone.” He let go of her and straightened his tie as he prepared to leave.
    “Cara.” Alexis let out a disgusted huff.
    “You apologized yesterday. Remember?”
    “Yes. But that doesn’t change how I feel about you. I’ll always want you back.” She stared at him, pleading. “I know you got involved with her after I got her fired. If you’re trying to prove a point, consider it proven. I’ve learned my lesson. Please, stop punishing me.”
    “Punishing you?” Victor chuckled as he turned to exit. “Cara is not your punishment. She’s my reward.” He opened the door.
    He had only taken a few steps outside when he heard Alexis behind him.
    She said, “You may want to ask your reward why she didn’t tell her baby’s father she was pregnant.”
    Victor stopped. “Excuse me?” He looked back at her, one eyebrow raised.
    She took a flirtatious stance in the open doorway, a hand on her hip. “Yeah. I’ll bet she’s never mentioned that, has she? I think it’s terrible when a mother keeps a young boy from knowing his own father, don’t you?”
    In his calmest voice, Victor replied, “I’m sure she had her reasons. Now, leave us alone or there will be consequences.” In no mood to ask how she had obtained such information, he walked to his car without looking back.
     
    * * *
     
    It was almost lunch time, and Cara hadn’t heard from Victor all day. No text message, no email. Just silence. And every time she caught herself wondering if he was somewhere comforting Alexis, she distracted herself with thoughts of Chicago. Usually, she restricted her personal Internet searches to her phone, but today she didn’t care. The search history from her computer would clearly show a person who was contemplating a serious move.
    The clock struck noon and Cara was seconds away from reaching for her purse to go to lunch when Rhonda appeared at her door. With a blank look on her face, Rhonda waved and said, “Hey.”
    “Hey there. You okay?”
    “Yeah. You got a minute?”
    “I guess so. Have a seat.” Cara motioned to the seat beside her desk.
    Rhonda looked outside for Gary, who was nowhere to be seen, then closed the door and sat down. “Do you know Sally in accounting?”
    “I don’t think so.”
    “Well, anyway, she sent me something and told me to show it to you. It’s in my personal