Page 27 of Tempt the Boss

CHAPTER 10

ALI

I hold back my tears until I get out of the elevator.

It was all lies. Everything I told Chris.

I sit down on the closest bench and bury my head in my hands. How could I have let things go this far?

Hearing Chris say he was falling for me was amazing, and then I had to go and ruin it by telling him I felt nothing for him. Why, oh why did I do that? Of course, I have feelings for him! I’ve never adored anyone this much.

Because it’s true. In my short life, I’ve had a couple relationships, but they were nothing. I never had sex with those boys, and it was more along the lines of puppy love than anything else. By contrast, this was completely different. Being with Chris was like standing in the eye of a hurricane. I could only see him as my thoughts swirled and emotions flew. He had command over my body, brain, and heart … and now I’ve fucked it all up.

Because my ambition got crossed with love. After working so hard for so many years, I didn’t want to come this far to lose my chance at being a published author. All I had to do was keep my hormones in check, but look how that’s turned out. I’m absolutely miserable and about to collapse from heartbreak and stress.

With trembling hands, I pull out my phone and dial Darla’s number.

“Hello?” she chirps.

“Darla,” I say between sobs.

“Ali?” she says, alarm clear in her voice. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

I take a shaky breath. “I messed up, Darla. Can we meet?”

“Of course,” she says immediately. “Come to my office right now. I’ll tell the guards to let you up.”

I thank her and blow my nose noisily. Darla’s office is only a few blocks away, so I walk there as quickly as I can, fighting back tears the entire time.

When I get to her office, I knock on the door, feeling more composed. But as soon as she answers, the tears come flooding back.

The petite redhead ushers me inside. “Ali, talk to me. What’s going on?”

I don’t even try to mince words.

“I slept with Chris.”

Darla looks confused. “Chris? Who’s that?”

“Chris Carmichael,” I say pitifully. “I slept with the CEO of the company that’s supposed to publish my book.”

Surprise and disbelief flitters across her face. “Oh, Ali. When did this happen?”

I bite my lip. “That first meeting we had. And then again when I brought the contract. And almost today.”

“Ali!” Darla gasps. “You didn’t!”

I shake my head sorrowfully.

“I did. It’s a major screw-up.”

Darla takes a deep breath.

“Okay. Well. What’s next, then? Did he say what this means about your book?”

I shrug miserably. “I don’t know. Carmichael Publishing has a strict interoffice dating policy. They might drop me.” I cry harder.

Darla rubs my back calmly. “Okay, just breathe. I’m going to give Jenny a call and see what’s going to happen next. You just keep breathing and try to calm down. You’re not their employee, so maybe the dating policy doesn’t apply to you. Besides, he’s the boss. So maybe this isn’t such a big deal?”

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