Page 45 of Broken Boss

“I need you to tell me more about Kieran. Why he’s following you and looking for you. I need to know more about him and your relationship with him.”

Can she hear the tinge of jealousy in the question? I straighten up, too, suddenly feeling like I’m in a courtroom.

Autumn’s face is impassive. “There’s not much you need to know. We dated when I was younger; it wasn’t a good relationship. I’m assuming he wants to try and get back together. Or something.”

The lame ending tips me off.

“You’re lying.”

Her face flushes, this time not a blush, but embarrassment and panic.

“No, I’m not. Kieran and I…we dated when I was a teenager. He was…it wasn’t a good relationship. I told you.”

“What does that mean, exactly, Autumn? What did he do to you?”

Her body tightens the way it did that day in the office with the flowers. She’s shutting down, closing herself off. But I need answers.

“I can’t help you if I don’t know what happened.”

“I don’t need your help!”

The angry outburst echoes in the sudden silence. Both of us are acutely aware of the fact that she’s in my house. That she can’t go back to her apartment because this man is stalking her; that she’s afraid.

But she won’t say it out loud. She won’t admit it.

Autumn puts the mug down and pushes it away, standing.

“I’m not one of your clients, Chris. I’m your employee.”

The words are like a bucket of ice. Everything that’s happened between us—all the trust, the intimacy, the overwhelming emotions of last night in her bed—they’re all washed away in this moment.

“If you can’t respect my boundaries, I’ll find a hotel. I appreciate you letting me stay here, but maybe it’s not such a good idea.”

She turns to walk away and I reach over the counter, suddenly terrified of losing her.

“Autumn. Wait.”

Her skin is warm under my fingertips. Whatever tethers us together, that string of fate, twinges as her cold eyes meet mine.

“I’m sorry.”

There’s a flash of hurt and distrust in her eyes. My heart sinks. Maybe I am more like her ex than I want to admit.

“Stay, please. I won’t ask any more questions. I just want you to be safe.”

For a second, I’m sure she’ll say no. Pack up her things, call a cab, and leave. Go somewhere where I won’t see her anymore. Distance herself from me.

But instead, she gently pulls her wrist out of my grasp. “Okay,” she says quietly.

That’s all I need.

Her. Here.

Safe with me.

Chapter 15

Autumn

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