Chapter 8
11.20am, Friday, June 26
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The heat was still unbearable and Kate was feeling uncomfortable within minutes of being back in the newsroom after the morning editorial. The air conditioning was wholly inadequate and she could feel her shirt starting to cling to her. A lot of other things were becoming uncomfortable too; not least Moore's incessant gloating and Josh Hewlett's sycophancy. Worse, was that Moore was like a bitch on heat and the male-dominated newsroom had noticed. Kate wanted to be out of there, but she needed to know what progress Marnie had made with the other CEOs. She couldn't care less about the rest of them, but about Christian, Ana was right; they were Team Grey and Kate wanted to know exactly what Moore knew and be prepared to take her out should there be the slightest chance that she'd stumbled over the truth.

She busied herself writing this week's article, but her fingers were sticky on the keys and the back of her neck felt like it had picked up a layer of grime. As she wrote, her head started to wander, thinking not about what she was writing but about Christian's previous lifestyle. Being who he was how had he met these women? Obviously he didn't trawl the streets of Seattle, but there must've been a contact, or a place where he went? And then it hit her, Susannah Moss would know. Kate clicked on her contacts.

At Grey Construction's tenth Anniversary celebration, Kate had shrewdly asked for Susannah's details, vaguely suggesting lunch sometime and it was about time she made good on the offer. Susannah worked as a lawyer at Lane, Neill and O'Driscoll, only a block from Grey House and it was the work of a minute to arrange lunch later that day. As her phone dropped back into the cradle it rang again. She picked it up.

"Katherine Kavanagh-Grey."

"Hi babe," came the familiar drawl of her husband. If she was feeling hot and steamy now then his voice had sent the temperature even higher.

"Hi." She smiled, thinking back to their deliciously cool shower sex this morning.

"I'm hot, I need another shower."

"Really?" Kate smiled, leaned back in her chair and swung from side to side.

"I'm close by."

"Where?"

"In the lobby of your building."

Kate grinned. "What are you doing here?"

"I've just finished a meeting. Does your building have a shower?"

"No." She sighed.

"Pity. Hey, Christian's does. Shall we see if he wouldn't mind stepping out for a half hour?"

"Elliot!" She said sitting bolt upright, a little shocked by his idea. But a cool shower with her husband in this heat sounded like an illicit slice of bliss. "A half hour? Is that all you can spare me?" She smirked.

Out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of Scott McDowell, one of the photographers. He was working solidly away, the only man in the room who wasn't taking notice of Marnie and for that he'd gone up in her estimation. She speculated about his sexuality being the reason why he could resist the flagrant bitch in the corner. The rest of the men were eyeing Marnie with drooling mouths and frequent visits to their crotches. Kate angled herself away, as if protecting Elliot from Marnie. "Are you going to call him?" She whispered. She was thrilled by the idea.

"Yes."

"OK!" Kate whispered breathlessly. "I'll be down shortly."

She put down the phone and checked her watch. She could have nearly a whole hour with Elliot and still make it to the restaurant on time to meet Susannah. Perhaps this time she'd have the courage to tell Elliot what she wanted.

She got up from her desk, feeling icky as the lining of her skirt stuck to her legs in the heat. All around her desk fans were whirring, men's shirts were being unbuttoned a little more and over in the far corner Marnie looked like she was stripping down to her bra and thong.

Kate collected her purse and walked out of the room praying that Christian would come through. Even if he couldn't she wanted to see Elliott anyway and they could find somewhere to go for an hour. She hurried to the elevator and appraised herself in the gleaming metal as it descended the four floors. She was glowing and the curls of her hair were already clinging slightly around her face. The doors opened out into the busy lobby but she saw Elliot instantly; tie off, shirt open three buttons and looking equally at the mercy of the heat. She reached him. "Anything?" She asked breathlessly. They kissed.

"No, net yet. There was no reply so I texted him."

"What did you say?"

"That I'm in town and could I use his shower to freshen up."

"Did you mention me?"

Elliott wrinkled his nose. "No. He'd put two and two together and knowing him, he'd stay in the office and shout obscenities through the door," he grinned. "It's good to see you. Man, this heat is insane." He stripped off his jacket there were already damp patches under his arms. "I might need to borrow a fresh shirt from him."

"Guess he wouldn't have a fresh set of clothes for me?"

"No, but his office could probably get some couriered over from any store in the city," Elliot smiled. "So if we can't do this, are you going back upstairs?"

"No, I'm sure we could find a quiet corner." She put her arms around him. "It's always lovely to see you, especially today. I am this close to clubbing that woman to death."

"I don't get why you're so uptight. I think Christian's difficulties during his teenage years are well known. It's hardly going to be an exposé. The revelation that he wasn't gay was more of a surprise." Elliot smirked. "Other than that, he's had some out-of-place hair and that's about it."

Oh Elliot, if you only knew what's in your brother's closet, you'd know why I'm so uptight.

"People love to whine about their issues," she said. "If he's pissed someone off, they'll talk."

"Well I'm going to whine about him about not replying to his…" Elliot's phone beeped. "Ah!" He checked the message. "Yes! We're in! He's down in Portland." Elliot grabbed Kate's hand. "Let's get a cab."

xXXx

The elevator doors slid open and as they approached the large desk, Kate could see exactly what Ana meant by not working out with Megan. On the counter behind the desk, where Andrea kept a few, neatly stacked files at most, it was a scene of devastation. There were open files and papers everywhere and Kate could understand why Christian wanted Andrea back so badly. He detested disorganization and she could only think it was this bad because Christian was out of the office. Elliot too seemed to sense that things weren't right and he gave a couple of worried glances to Kate.

"Hi." He said. "I assume my brother told you I was on my way?"

"Yes, Mr. Grey." Megan looked hot and disheveled but the air conditioning was working fine at Grey House. She gave a quick glance to Kate, no doubt questioning why she was here. "You can go through."

Elliot pushed the door open on Christian's empty office. "There's something off about her." He muttered. "Did you notice her eyes?"

"Not particularly."

"She's taken something."

"Are you sure?"

"I've been around enough users to know. Christian won't like that."

"Are you going to tell him?"

"Yes."

"Elliot, she could lose her job!"

He turned to her. "Do you know what happened to Christian's birth mother? Do you know the issues he has with drugs because of that? He has a published policy here, she'll know the rules and she's breaking them. She should quit if she can't do the job without drugs. He needs to get Andrea back, and fast."

"Andrea's just had a baby."

"Well, that woman behind the desk should not be Christian's P.A." Elliot snapped, he was angry.

"Why are you so mad?" Kate asked. "This isn't your company. This is Christian's business, these are his staff and it must be working enough for her to still be here. If she wasn't, she'd be out. Christian doesn't suffer fools. Anyhow, I thought we came to use his shower not snoop on his staff?"

"We did, but even so, I need to let him know. She could fuck something up and cause a problem. This Singapore deal is huge and if it were me I'd be giving Andrea suitcases of cash just to come in."

"He already offered that. Ana pulled him up on it, said he'd have to cope."

"Well I suppose Ana's the one who'll have to cope with him if it goes tits up because of something that woman missed."

"I don't believe for one minute that Christian will be anything less than one hundred percent prepared for this. He'll know what he needs even if Megan doesn't." Kate undid another button on Elliot's shirt. "Now you're even more steamed up and in need of a shower." She kissed him.

"Sure am," he drawled and pulled her into Christian's bathroom.

It was more than a bathroom. There was also a large dressing area which included a reclining armchair. Kate pulled open a door and found a modest closet kitted out with several sets of Christian's clothes. Off the dressing area was a bathroom with a vast walk-in shower. It had everything a CEO needed to rest and freshen-up during a busy day.

"When I get myself new premises, I'm going to ask the architect for one of these. I totally get the sense of having them now." Elliot turned to Kate. "You need to be anywhere soon?"

"I have a lunch with someone at one, but I'm at your disposal until then."

"At my disposal?" He narrowed his eyes and started on the buttons of her shirt, removing it carefully and draping it over the back of a chair. Kate stepped out of her shoes, immediately dropping four inches off her height, bringing her eyes level with Elliot's chest, a view she was more than happy to look at. He reached behind her and undid her skirt, sliding it down her thighs. Kate stepped out of it and Elliot lay it carefully on the chair.

What she really wanted to do right now was talk to him. Her head was becoming the driving force for sex and Elliot wasn't really getting the message that, for her, a little anticipation was a very good thing. He had a great body and Kate loved what he could do with it, but her needs were getting more cerebral. She wanted to know what he was planning, but Elliot wasn't a great talker and was quickly on her mouth, any chance to explain what she wanted, gone.

She started on his shirt buttons and found herself caught up in running her hands over and kissing his broad chest. Damn, he was too much to resist! As she moved her hands lower and unfastened his pants she discovered that he was naked under them. She looked up at him and he shrugged. "Guess I forgot this morning," he said with a grin and then sighed as Kate took him in her hands.

Their clothes neatly folded, they stepped into the shower and unleashed a torrent of water that had all the power of Niagara Falls.

"Woah!" said Elliot. "Are you supposed to wash in this or drown yourself? I was expecting something a little less fierce."

Kate fiddled with the controls, brought it down to a gentler stream of water and stepped under it. As she'd imagined, it was cool bliss and Elliot was instantly there, the water cascading over them as they kissed. His hands explored her body, skimming lightly over her curves until they found their rest in the small of her back and he pulled her close. Kate desperately hoped Christian had a hairdryer. Post-coital drowned rat was not her best look

It hadn't occurred to her to ask Elliot how much time he had; less than her, judging by how quickly he had her lifted and pinned up against the wall. As he filled her she arched her back relishing in how sexy it felt to be doing this somewhere unexpected. To seize the moment and make the most of opportunities that presented themselves. This was also something she loved.

Elliot suddenly stilled. "Do you have to go to this lunch thing?"

Kate was uneasy, she really wanted to speak to Susannah, but more time with Elliot was tempting. "I don't have to, I could re-schedule. Why?"

"There's a fold-out bed in one of the wall panels here."

"You want to use the bed instead?"

"Not instead, as well."

Kate smoothed Elliot's wet hair back from his face and kissed him. "Who are you and what have you done with Elliot Grey?"

"That's my line to you. What have you done to me? I can't get enough of you! It's like when we first met all over again."

"I'm not complaining." Kate sighed as Elliot started to move. If only he would give her an audio commentary this would be off the scale for her. Why did she find it so tough to talk intimately to him?

"So, you got time for more?" Elliot asked when they'd finished and were washing one another. Kate didn't reply immediately. Elliot took a closer look at her face and saw a familiar look. "Ah, don't worry; I see you're on to something. Or someone."

"Sorry, I'd love to stay but the woman I'm meeting has some information and I really don't want to leave it over the weekend. Can you ask Christian if we could come back another time?" Kate was angling to use more than his office, but she knew any request to use the room at Escala would be met with an emphatic 'no'. She dashed the thought of it from her mind and moved back in to enjoy some final moments of sweet stolen time with her husband.

There was a hairdryer and as Kate finished getting dressed, Elliot pulled open every drawer and cupboard in the bathroom, just to be nosey. He'd used a squirt from every bottle, borrowed Christian's electric shaver, swiped a pair of his brother's shorts (a snug fit) and put on a clean shirt which didn't do up at the neck, but that was no big deal in this heat. Now he was rifling through what his brother kept in the bathroom.

"Band-Aid? Boring. Vaseline? Mildly interesting. Handcream? What a girl…"

"Elliot…"

"Bingo! Condoms. Huh? I thought Ana got shots?"

"She does. Elliot, you really shouldn't…"

"Urgh!" Elliot pulled a used condom out of the drawer. "No way. Seriously, no fucking way is that him." Elliot inspected the contents. "That's fresh."

"How do you even know?"

Elliot looked at his wife ruefully. "I've left a couple lying around in my time."

"Thank you for that lovely image, darling."

"You did ask. But, seriously, Christian hasn't been here today and this looks far too liquid to be anything other than fresh. I think we have more than a P.A. on some illegal substance to tell Christian about. He'll go fucking nuts."

"Well, I'll let you handle that." Kate's lovely time with her husband was ebbing away.

Elliot frowned. "Wouldn't you want to know if someone was using your office without your permission?"

"What if it's Christian?"

Elliot stared at her. "No. I would stake my life on that not being Christian, on one reason alone; he's a neat freak. He wouldn't do something as gross as that. It's not even tied off. No, I think someone's coming in here when he's not around and using this place for the thrill of it."

"Hmm… Like us then?"

"That's different, I asked. Besides, it's not a thrill. It's Christian. How thrilling can Mr. Corporate be, for fuck's sake?"

Kate didn't want to dwell on that. She picked up her purse. "I have to go." She said.

Elliot stood up, holding the used rubber out in front of him as if it was toxic waste and tied it off. Kate backed away from him. "Will you put that thing down," she griped, but Elliot didn't listen, holding it up and inspecting the contents.

"Do you think he'll want to DNA test this?" he asked. Behind him the door opened and Christian himself walked in. Elliot turned around and held the condom out to him. "Not one of yours I hope?"

"What the…?" Christian's face emphatically said no. "Where the fuck was that?"

"In the bottom drawer, with your condoms."

"Condoms? I don't use condoms."

Elliot bent down, yanked open the bottom drawer and two boxes of them slid forward.

"What the fuck?" Christian exclaimed and Kate saw her brother-in-law's face turn from confused to incandescent in a nanosecond. He turned on his heel and strode from the room. Elliot hurried after him and grabbed him by the shoulder just as he reached his office door.

"Christian. If you're going to blow off at Megan, there's something else you need to know before you do. Look at her eyes."

Christian checked himself and looked seriously at Elliot. "You think she's taken something?"

"Yes." He said quietly. "It's like looking at Sandy all over again."

'Sandy? Who's she?' thought Kate.

"OK." Christian exhaled. He took the condom from Elliot and held it up. "Of all the things…" He shook his head sadly and then glancing at Kate a sardonic smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. "You look freshly showered. Don't tell me… you were passing?"

"No, we intentionally came down here to have sex in your bathroom." Kate smiled innocently. "I thought you were in Portland?"

"I was just about to fly back when Elliot contacted me." He turned to his brother and smirked. "When you move offices, Ana and I will pitch up and fuck in your bathroom, OK?"

"Deal." Elliot shrugged.

"And is that my shirt?"

"Yes. I'm wearing your shorts too."

"You can get your ass in them?"

"Ass, yes. Dick, no."

"That's not something I want to imagine," said Christian. "Now if you've quite finished going through my stuff, I have an employee to drug test and possibly fire." He turned back to the door.

"Christian?" Said Kate and he turned back to face her. "Do you think that's a good idea? If she's not coping and you fire her then what's to say she won't go speak to a friendly person at the Seattle Times and tell them what a tyrant of a boss you are?"

"Megan knows my zero tolerance towards drugs and the consequences of testing positive are clearly stated in the company's policy. I have asked her many times whether she needs extra help and she's always said no, she was fine with Beth."

"Just don't go in all guns blazing, please. She looks very fragile. Help her."

"Kate, I don't have the time to play nursemaid to my staff. Right now, I'm this close to losing it with her and if she is taking drugs that's the last straw. I know Ana insists that I don't ask Andrea back yet but I need her. I don't have time to go through this yet again with someone new and I don't want Megan in this building if she's on drugs."

"Look," Kate tried to placate him. "Why don't you call Andrea, and explain what you suspect. Ask her if she'll consider part-time, even just to get you through the Singapore deal? She wouldn't see you stuck and we'll agree not to tell Ana."

"OK. But there's still this to deal with." He held up the condom. Christian opened the door and the three of them trooped out into the outer office. Kate hadn't noticed it earlier, but now she did. Megan's pupils were pinpricks.

"Megan. Can you explain to me what two boxes of condoms and, more pertinently, this is doing in my bathroom?" He held up the used rubber. Kate could hear the ice in his voice, knowing now what Ana meant when she'd called him mercurial. The girl behind the desk went puce. "Have you been using my bathroom?" He asked.

"Yes, sir."

"With whom?" Christian snapped.

"My… boyfriend." Megan replied. She could not meet Christian's eye.
"Does he work in this building?"

"Yes sir."

"I want to see both you and him in my office at two. In the meantime, get yourself down to the med center and ask for a drug screening test. I want the results emailed directly to me within the hour and I'll deal with what that report says when I see you both at two."

Megan went a deeper shade of puce. "Yes sir."

"Get rid of this!" Christian flung the condom at her. She tried to catch it, but missed and it landed with a splat on the desk in front of her. Christian was furious. Elliot clasped him briefly on the shoulder but he shrugged it off, strode back into his office and slammed the door. Elliot took that as the cue that it was time to leave and guided Kate quickly into the elevator.