Serena sat on the bed after Henrik's departure, her face flushed with a mixture of anger and humiliation. How could he think that? How could he possibly think she would sleep with him in an attempt to gain some kind of influence at Holby? It was preposterous! Not to mention insulting to suggest that she needed to play games like that in order to get ahead.
Stupid, stupid move Serena, she berated herself. Why had she let herself go like that? She'd had the upper hand all evening. She knew he was attracted to her, she had noticed the little looks, the sharp intakes of breath whenever she brushed against him. She had him on the hop but instead of keeping him there, instead of maintaining the upper hand she had stupidly lost hold of herself.
She'd had too much wine, she told herself. She really needed to drink less. Starting tomorrow she was giving up alcohol. During the week anyway. And definitely whilst at conferences and other work occasions.
She sighed and covered her face with her hands. Henrik Hanssen! Of all people to make a move on. God, it would actually be less embarrassing to have thrown herself at Michael Spence. How could she ever face Hanssen down now? Dealing with the smug, detached Swede had always been difficult. She had always known he didn't quite respect her. He hired her because he had a use for her at the time, she was supposed to do his dirty work, improve efficiency, shakes things up. Once he realised she would not simply be a lapdog to do his bidding, that she had ambitions of her own he had cooled towards her. She could hear the distrust and slight mocking in his tone whenever he spoke to her. Admittedly, she had given him some reason to distrust her, she thought. She could only imagine what he was going to be like after this.
Now that he had seen beyond the composed, unflappable façade he would know what a mess she was. Why did it have to be him? The first time in two years that she allowed herself to simply feel and want to bring a man to her bed and it had to be Henrik bloody Hanssen.
Hanssen stood by the lift. You idiot, he told himself. What a bloody mess. His heart was still pounding rapidly. He didn't know how to deal with situations like this. What was the protocol? Perhaps he should have stayed and explained his thought processes leading up to that rash statement. He should have made a greater effort to apologise. She had been so angry. It was not the first time he had witnessed Serena Campbell's anger… Actually, now that he thought about it, perhaps it was. It was the first time he had seen her truly angry, he realised. In the past he had seen her frustrated, he had seen her get annoyed and had seen her act arrogantly. Not unlike himself, Serena Campbell was a master of self-control. Tonight had been different. Tonight she had been furious and… hurt. He had hurt her.
He realised the lift door had opened and closed again.
Serena heard a knock at her door. She checked the time, it was almost 11.30pm. Who could that be? She opened the door and found an uncertain looking Hanssen standing there.
'Lost your way?' she asked sarcastically.
'I need to apologise.' He said.
'Consider it done.' She snapped and began to shut the door again.
Henrik pushed against the door. 'May I come in?' he asked. 'I feel I should… explain.'
'Explain?' Serena asked, arching her eyebrows. 'Oh this should be interesting.'
'May I come in?' he repeated his question.
Reluctantly, Serena stepped aside and allowed him in.
Once inside Henrik realised he should perhaps have given this more thought. Despite offering an explanation, he had not in fact worked out what the explanation was.
'Well?'
He turned to find Serena looking at him expectantly. He could see the anger still simmering in her eyes. He swallowed.
'I was foolish.' He said quietly.
Serena continued to stare at him. She really was quite formidable, he thought. He averted his gaze as he was beginning to feel quite uncomfortable.
'Why don't you come back tomorrow Mr Hanssen? When you've had time to come up with an explanation for why you are such an insensitive arse?' Serena asked coolly.
Henrik's mouth twitched as he felt the urge to smile. 'I'm afraid Ms Campbell that I must admit to not being very practised at this sort of thing.'
'This sort of thing?' she asked. 'Accusing women you are about to sleep with of only doing so to gain a career advantage?'
'Well,' he tilted his head. 'That was an unfortunate first for me.' He admitted.
'And for me.' Serena added stony-faced.
'I am sorry.' Henrik said sincerely.
'Do you really think that's why I…?' Serena couldn't finished the sentence.
'No.' He shook his head.
'Good. Because if you haven't realised yet that I don't need to resort to…' Serena fumed.
'I do.' Henrik cut her off. 'More than anyone, Ms Campbell, I know exactly what you are capable of.'
Serena turned away and sat on the bed. 'Then why?'
Henrik shrugged. 'I could not think of any other reason why you would want to.' He said simply.
Serena narrowed her eyes as she scrutinised him for any sign of sarcasm. 'Obviously these things happen differently in Sweden then.' She said flatly.
'I cannot blame cultural differences for this, alas. It's all my own neurosis.' Henrik's eyes darted around nervously under Serena's intense gaze. He attempted a weak smile and risked a question. 'Why… did you? Want to…?' he lowered his eyes again for a moment as he asked.
'Let's blame it on the wine.' Serena said briskly.
'Ah.' Henrik nodded.
Was that a flash of disappointment, Serena wondered in surprise at the look on Henrik's face.
'Perhaps a better question might be – why did you?' Serena purred.
Henrik looked at her in surprise. He had not expected that. He didn't know what to say. 'Oh my motivation was fairly simple and straightforward Ms Campbell.' He said airily and stepped further into the room. 'May I?' he asked, gesturing to an armchair and hoping to distract from her question. She nodded her permission.
'I find it difficult to believe anything about you is ever simple and straightforward Henrik.' Serena told him.
She had a point, he admitted to himself. He never made things easy for himself. 'For once, it almost was.'
'And then that mind of yours started working overtime.' Serena said. beginning to realise how unsure he was.
He nodded. 'Perhaps it saved us from an awkward situation.' He said trying to look on the bright side.
'You don't consider this an awkward situation?' she asked, eyebrow arched.
'Yes, but at least we're fully clothed. Awkwardness takes on a whole other meaning when you're naked.' He replied. 'Especially if you are a tall, gangly Swede.'
Serena laughed. Henrik smiled.