Bargaining with the Boss (Honeybrook Love, Inc. 2)

He was sitting behind his desk, phone in hand and his feet kicked up on his desk. For all she could tell, he could have been napping. Like he didn't have anything on his mind.

Like, say, the wild sexual chemistry that had coursed through both of them like rivers of fire.

She clicked the door closed behind her and he zeroed in on her, smiling as his icy eyes glinted in the afternoon light.

"Hello there," he said. Casually. Like he hadn't been all up on her lady business.

"What the hell," she spluttered.

"Sorry?" He sat his feet back on the ground, and then motioned for her to sit in one of the leather chairs opposite him.

"You want me to just sit there like this is some kind of meeting?"

"You're welcome to sit on my desk if that would make you more comfortable."

He patted the wood and she opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. "Don't be dumb with me. You could have at least had the courtesy to say something."

"And what is it you would like me to say?"

"I don't know...that it was weird. And it'll never happen again. And we can forget it."

He knitted his brow. "So...you want me to lie to you?"

"No-not lie. It's not a lie."

"But, it is a lie." He nodded. "At least, it is for me. It's going to happen again and I definitely won't forget it."

His gaze became molten and suddenly she felt even more exposed than she had last night. The memory of his kiss still seared her lips, and she might have reached up to touch them if she hadn't felt like she was a specimen on his observation block.

"Bu—I left and..."

"Obviously I'd like things to end differently next time, but I like that you didn't jump right in. I respect it."

"And the bargain is...?"

"Still on the table."

She pursed her lips. Something about the bargain, about the whole of the conversation, was different now. And still—

No. This was just another part of his master plan. She couldn't let herself slide back into his clutches. He was her boss and this was wrong and she wasn't ready.

"You know what, never mind. I should have just gone on with my day and hoped you really weren't here. At least then I could get a little peace." She opened the door, but then, in that maddening way of his, he said, "Okay, I'll see you tonight."

"Tonight?"

So soon? Or...ever?

"You were just angry I didn't say anything to you, now you're angry I want to see you again? Make up your mind, woman."

Just say no.

Just say no.

It doesn't matter how gorgeously heart-shatteringly blue his eyes are. Just say no.

"No, it's just...I have plans." There. That wasn't so hard.

"No, you don't." He picked up a piece of paper from his desk, and then strode toward the door. "Sorry, but I have a meeting with Garret. I have to run. See you tonight."