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Fear gripped me, and I felt bile rise in my throat. “Absolutely not. You really have some suave way of persuading women. How dare you. It’s sexual harassment. Now let me go.”
JJ released me and stepped back so I could pass. I assumed women fell for his bullshit by the shocked look on his face. My heart was beating so fast as I approached our table, and I took a few deep breaths to calm myself.
“Samantha, do you feel like dessert?” Hassan asked.
My stomach churned as I sat down. “I need to leave.”
“Stay a few minutes longer. Jameson was telling me about the inner workings of the animation department.”
“I really can’t stay. I’m sorry.”
I stood up and grabbed my purse from the booth. Hassan scowled at me, but both he and Jameson rose to tell me goodbye. JJ didn’t come back to the table, and when Hassan hugged me, he whispered in my ear.
“We need to have a discussion tomorrow.”
I gave him a tight smile and texted my driver to bring the car around to the front entrance. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I only wanted to be in Austin’s arms. I felt slimy and disgusted that JJ put his hands on me. I told my driver to take me to Austin’s and bit my cheek to keep from crying.
In the years I was CEO of Spotlight, I’d been disrespected and treated poorly by my male counterparts, but not lately. I wasn’t too keen on working with the Wentworth family unless JJ was out of the picture. This was exactly the reason why I wore frumpy business suits and little makeup. I didn’t want to be objectified because of my looks.
The drive through Los Angeles to Austin’s house took over twenty minutes, and I could taste blood as I chewed on my cheek. I didn’t wait for my driver to let me out, instead, throwing the door open and running up to Austin’s door. I banged on his glass and pressed the doorbell several times just wanting to get inside. I needed his comfort. He yanked the door open and took one look at my face before he pulled me into his arms and led me to the living room.
Austin’s voice was distressed. “What happened? You’re white as a ghost?”
“Dinner was a clusterfuck,” I choked out before I began to cry. Sobbing was a new experience for me because I did it so rarely. I couldn’t stop myself and pressed my face against Austin’s chest.
He embraced me in a tight hug. “Jesus Christ, Samantha, what the fuck happened?”
I couldn’t speak because I couldn’t breathe. I was crying so hard that I gulped for air. Austin rubbed my back and whispered soothing words into my ear.
“Shh, baby. It’s okay; I’m here.”
I was glad he was because if this happened weeks ago, I would’ve gone home and bawled my eyes out without anyone to comfort me. He held me for as long as I cried, and when I finished, he used the hem of his black t-shirt to dry my tears.
Austin placed his hands on my shoulders. “Want to tell me what happened?”
I nodded, averting my gaze from his eyes to his chest. “It went well. Everything was fine until I went to the bathroom.”
He knitted his eyebrows together. “What happened when you got back?”
“It was before I got back. The son of the CEO cornered me and started to make lewd overtures.”
Austin practically yelled as he tightened his hold on my shoulders. “He what? Who the fuck does he think he is?”
“I’ve been treated this way before, but not lately. It was a shock to be so disrespected.”
He ground his teeth. “I should kick that bastard’s ass.”
I sniffled back more tears. “I wish I declined to go.”
“It’s your job.”
“Hassan Jindal, the chairman of the board, was not at all pleased at my abrupt departure. He wants to have a discussion tomorrow.”
“Are you telling him what took place?”
“I should.”
He pulled me against him. “You will. If it blows up the deal, then too bad.”
