Absolutely Mine

“Mr. McCabe, your wife is here,” I said, trying to disguise my voice in a tone two octaves higher than my normal one.

I didn’t see him turn, but when she grinned and waved, I figured he was looking in our direction. The door opened with a soft hiss of air. He said nothing as he ushered her inside.

The door hadn’t quite closed and I heard her next words.

“Another pretty one. You like to be surrounded by beautiful women.”

I didn’t catch his response as the door closed, sealing them in. The soundproofing had to be some highly technical stuff considering the glass. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I watched as the clear glass turned opaque. Holy shit. I shifted around, and yes, I couldn’t see inside the room anymore. That had to be one of the coolest things I’d seen. Though maybe that was normal for tech savvy offices. I had no clue. My office was traditional in every sense of the word. My office. No. I no longer had a job.

Ten minutes later of taking messages, the door opened.

“I’ll see you in three weeks,” Chelsea said.

She didn’t say a word to me and kept moving in a way that had all males staring at her.

“You must be the temp. I’m Eddie—”

His words abruptly cut off when he stepped in my view.

“What the fuck?”

I ignored him and answered another call. I placed it on hold and told Eddie who it was.

“Have him call me back and get in my office now.”

If not for the wide-open spaces, I might have told him off for commanding me like a drill sergeant might. Instead, I complied and followed him inside.

“Did you bring the paper?”

It was sitting on my car seat. In my blind rage, I’d forgotten about it.

“No, I didn’t.”

“Then why are you here? Think you can play games?”

Enough was enough. I got in his face and announced, “I’m not playing games. You got me fired and now you owe me.”

Chapter Six

It was his turn to look taken aback and cursed. He ran a hand through his thick brown hair.

“I didn’t mean for that to happen.”

I glared at him. “Yeah, well, it did. Now you owe me.”

I couldn’t read his expression as he glared at me. Did he want to yell or kiss me?

A knock sounded on his door. We glanced up to see Kate standing with a young woman. Her stony gaze landed on me and I knew I’d been caught.

Eddie waved her in. Before she came forward, she said something to the young woman with her and pointed in the direction of the desk I’d been occupying. The woman sat and Kate came in with spitfire in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Mr. McCabe. I thought that woman was the temporary I’d requested.”

Eddie was all business. “It’s okay, Kate.”

“I will escort her out.”

She glared at me as if that was enough to get me moving with my tail between my legs. I turned to Eddie, wondering what he would say next.

“Actually, Jillian here is my new assistant.”

Kate’s expression mirrored mine. Her wide eyes bounced between her boss and me.

“But, she hasn’t been fully vetted.”

Eddie’s brow arched. “I know, Kate, but she’s more than capable of handling the job. I think she’s proven that already and fooled you.”

Kate’s cheeks pinkened as he pointed out to her that I’d taken charge without any direction.

“Yes, Mr. McCabe. And what salary should I put on the offer letter?”

She was speaking to him as if I wasn’t there.

“Pay her whatever we were paying Morgan.”

Kate looked as though she wanted to balk but composed herself. “I’ll have the paperwork this afternoon. However, it seems unfair to send the temporary home.”

I jumped in. “She could help the receptionist. It seems as though she needs the assistance at least for today.”

Kate narrowed her eyes, but Eddie said, “That’s a good idea.”

Kate left grinding her teeth to bite back whatever she’d wanted to say to me and my suggestions. Once she and the young woman were gone, I spun to face Eddie.

“Work for you,” I enunciated every syllable.

He shrugged. “I got you fired and now you have a job.”

“I have a marketing degree,” and the student loans to prove it. But I didn’t say that out loud.

“And you can work for me while you find another job. I can provide you with a reference,” he said smoothly.

“A reference as an assistant. That’s not going to help me get a job in my field.”

He waved that away. “Suit yourself. You said I owe you and you turn down my help. I can’t win.”

With a powerful stride, he moved to his desk.

Damn him. He was right. I needed a job. I just didn’t think working in close proximity to the man I craved like a lust fiend was a good idea. Especially since he was married. Wait. He was married to me.