Page 10 of Broken Boss

What am I doing? I started this firm on my own at twenty-seven. What the hell am I doing a decade later, ready to lose it all for a woman I don’t even know?

I don’t have an answer.

This firm is mine, and I’ve run it flawlessly for years. Coldly. I know what they all say about me, because it’s what I want them to think about me. Each day I wake up and put on this expressionless mask. The headlines, when I do things right, read: ruthless. Unmoving. No mercy.

“I apologize.” Now that I’ve snapped back to reality, I’m blinking away my fantasies of the woman in front of me. She’s gorgeous, flawless, and something draws me to her.

Why am I not afraid of that? I know from my line of work that it takes just one mistake to lose everything. I can’t afford to make an error, not with my new extended family.

“Do you normally take associates out to lunch?” she asks, genuine confusion tinging her voice.

No, I almost answer. I almost tell her the truth. I want to tell her the truth, but I don’t know why.

“Only the ones I don’t know well,” I lie smoothly. “The last time we spoke, you expressed your interest in the position of partner.” I appraise her coldly, wanting to drive the point home—you’re nothing to me, just a prospect. “I’m sure you can understand I’d need to know and trust the person I choose for the position.”

Her pretty features flicker with surprise and panic. Autumn inhales a small gasp, and for a crazy moment, I think she just might take me up on my offer for lunch.

Then she presses her mouth into a line.

“I’m sorry. I misunderstood.”

But if everyone else’s reactions are anything to go by, Miss Cavendish definitely did not misunderstand. I haven’t been doing a good job of hiding my interest in her, and guilt sneaks through the pounding walls of my heart.

“I pride myself on my work,” she continues, both of us ignoring the hint of desperation in her voice. “I have no doubt I’ll prove to you that I’d make an excellent partner.”

It’s a confusing sell, half-hearted, maybe because she’s caught off guard. We’re left in an awkward silence. Then Autumn seems to realize we’re still mere inches away from each other.

She steps back, wobbling on a heel.

Instinctively, I reach out and catch her with a hand around her waist.

The silk does nothing to hide the pillowy feel of her skin, and it’s as if I’ve touched a live wire. Electricity runs through my body. I stiffen, and Autumn practically pries my hand off her, regaining her balance to step away.

My lips part as I try to force out an apology. But I’m still stunned by the feel of her in my hands.

Unthinkingly, I say, “I don’t know what to make of you, Autumn. I can’t read you like I read everyone else.”

Her eyes darken as she looks away. Something about what I said hit a nerve, though I have no idea what she found offensive in my declaration.

“Maybe you’re not as good a judge of character as you like to think.”

“Oh, I am. I knew the second I saw my sister-in-law that?—”

I stutter on my words, mouth open.

Autumn looks at me curiously, head cocked to the side, hair grazing her jaw.

Is she going to ask for more information? I don’t talk about my private life with anyone at Sharpe Law, and suddenly a void of vulnerability opens up inside of me. Everything is screaming run, but before I can, Autumn is the one who takes another step back.

“Well, again, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.” Her arms come up to wrap around her ribs. A nervous habit, maybe, since this is the second time she’s done it in my presence now.

Nodding curtly, I turn and blindly walk back the way I came. Luckily, the elevators are on this side of the main floor, and I won’t have to do some kind of walk of shame through the crowd of employees who are probably trying to figure out what the hell is going on with their boss.

I’ve clearly lost my mind.

But what’s worrying me more is, it feels like my heart is falling, too.

Chapter 5

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