“I can start calling some of the investors for you,” she said. “But maybe it’s best we leave it until after lunch. If you get a break and have something to eat, you’ll be fresh enough to talk to them.”
The concern in her tone made his body tense. She was being caring and considerate. Thinking about his well-being. And he wasn’t sure if it was because of what had taken place in their personal lives or if it was just the concern of a professional and seasoned assistant. They couldn’t afford for him to have to wonder what her motives were.
“No. Start making the calls now,” he said flatly. “Better yet, you go to lunch and I’ll do it myself.”
“But—”
“You heard me.” His narrowed his eyes. “I’m in charge here, Heather, not you. We can’t afford to negotiate right now. If I make a reasonable request, I need you to follow through with it. Now, go to lunch.”
“Okay.” She grabbed her laptop and brushed a stray strand of her dark hair out of her eyes.
Heather looked utterly beautiful in her glasses and her usual conservative dress. Her skirts always fell just below the knee, but memories of kissing her inner thigh made his blood run hot.
“If you’re sure,” she continued. She gazed at him, as if she was expecting him to relent and let her concern for him dictate his professional choices.
“I won’t repeat myself,” he warned.
Surprised sadness flickered in her eyes for a moment, but it disappeared so fast he wasn’t sure if he was imagining things.
What he wouldn’t give to be able to walk across the room and kiss her until her sadness vanished. Until she was melting in his arms and begging him to take her again.
Hell, he would even settle for a civil, friendly conversation. But they weren’t friends. Not anymore. And showing even a slight amount of concern for her beyond work was liable to destroy them both. He had to keep his reaction to her in check. No matter how mouthwatering her long legs looked in those heels this morning.
If she wanted to defy him, she didn’t. Her only response to his words was to lift her chin, avert her gaze, and march silently out of the conference room.
The only thing she left behind was the scent of her seductive perfume and the cold tension that had settled over them all morning.
SIMON WAS ICING HER out.
She could sense it. He had been distant all week, and now that the work week was winding down she only felt it more intensely.
“I’ve got the new reports you requested,” she said as she reluctantly stepped into his office.
He grunted an acknowledgement, barely looking up from signing his name on a stack of documents.
“Where do you want them?” Her arms were dull with pain as she held on tightly to the binders she had lugged up here.
“On my desk.” His face was still buried in the pile of papers.
Simon might not be the most social man, but usually he spoke more than a handful of works to her. At least, he had before they had come back from the conference. Ever since he had left her on her front porch the night they got back to Seattle, he had been cold and distant.
Heather knew it was best to keep things professional, but it still stung. With a sigh she set the binders down on the desk. His usually-ordered office was becoming a mess. Mostly because when she had offered to tidy the place up, he had refused the offer.
“Anything else?” she asked. “I have about an hour to spare, so just let me know if you need me to do something.”
“No, thank you.” He reached for a bottle of painkillers and opened it.
She watched him down a couple of pills. Probably for another one of his headaches. Usually she’d take care of something like that. Remind him to take some pills when he stubbornly tried to tough out the pain. Or she’d go to the medical station and get a stock of painkillers for him. Now he was taking the pills without her prompting. The way he had the day of her interview. On the day he had fired his previous assistant.
Damn, it felt like she wasn’t even here.
Even before she had first kissed him, they had been able to talk while they worked together. The silence that was enveloping his office just set her on edge.
“Simon, I’m here to help you. If you don’t want my help, then why am I still working here?” Where had that come from? It was probably better to keep her head down and collect a paycheck. Instead, here she was, reminding him of how useless he was making her feel.