“What do you mean?” He pauses and stares at me right inside the front doors of the restaurant as I put on my coat.
“I’m sure I’m fired.”
He tilts his handsome head, squinting his eyes. “Fired for what?”
“Well, it’s clear you think I’m some sort of spy since you were obviously avoiding talking business with him.”
“I was doing my best to be civil and not beat his ass on the spot, but I decided right then and there I wasn’t doing business with him, and it had nothing to do with you being a spy. Petra, you couldn’t be a spy if you tried. You have a bad habit of saying shit out loud.”
“You’ve got a point. Or it could be a tactic,” I offer, not helping my situation.
“That could have had you out on your ass the second you walked into the office this morning.” He pushes the door, leading me out onto the sidewalk.
“Good point.” There’s an overcast right now and I’m getting the best look at him and my heart continues to dance in my chest. Maybe it’s because he’s hot and being nice now.
“Get in.” He holds the door open, silently telling his driver to get back inside the car.
“I’m not a spy. Just in case you had doubts. So why did you punch him?”
“Never mind why I clocked that piece of work, but I can see why you quit. He was leering at you the second we reached the door.”
“Was he that obvious?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“I didn’t sleep with him no matter what he said.” I have to correct it for my own sake more than for my job..
“I didn’t think you did, but it’s not my business.”
“I know, but I still wanted to say that because of the whole thing with Elliot. I’m not, like, going around trying to hook up with every office guy I meet. I swear.”
“That’s fucking good to know.” He tugs at his tie, loosening it a bit, tension flowing through him.
Chapter Four
Jack
Rage pounds on my brain, demanding I get my pound of flesh for Petra. I want to tell her that’s good because I would have done more than punch the fucker. I would have killed him without a doubt. There would be nothing left of that fucking playboy Dickerson. He’s used to bagging chicks who are too afraid to tell him no, but my girl—I mean my assistant—did just that.
Fuck, I can’t be like that asshole now more than ever. No wonder I make her uncomfortable and nervous. She dealt with that bastard and then came to work for me with my rude, domineering ass, trying to stop her from seeing a nice kid like Elliot who would honestly be good for her. Of course, that’s if I let him live for putting his hands on her. God, I’d have to kill him if he kissed her. I’m losing my mind.
We drive back to the office in silence because I’m still heated from the fight with Dickerson. He had it coming. Luckily, he threw the first punch when I took a cheap shot at his little dick size. A man like him who has a nasty habit of forcing or coercing women must have a little pecker, so I called him out on it and he took the bait. He shouldn’t have called my woman, my assistant, an easy lay. I mentally correct myself because I can’t seem to remember that she’s not mine and that we don’t even know each other.
I should pull her records and learn more about my woman, but maybe I’ll coax it out of her as we work together.
“So I’ve finished everything on the list for today. Is there more you want me to do?”
“Yes, there’s a stack of filing that has been building up, but I have no time to work on it.”
“Okay. I can handle that when we get back.”
“Did you eat enough? You hardly touched your food.” I can’t stop myself from following her to her desk like a puppy. If I had a tail, it would be wagging right now.
“I’m fine. I don’t usually eat a lot.” I’m betting it’s because she doesn’t have a lot to eat. She’s working a temp job and is very young, which means she’s probably on the broke side of things right now. I could fix that for her in a heartbeat, but it’s not my place, so I’ll do what I can until it’s my place.
“Get settled, then come into the office and I’ll show you how it’s organized.”
“Okay.” She smiles softly at me. “What are these?” That’s when she notices the stuff I had picked out while we were at lunch.
“Oh, they dropped them off. Good. I thought you could use a new set.” She picks up the matching hat, scarf, and glove set from Macy’s. It goes perfectly with her navy coat.