Page 65 of My Forbidden Boss

Surprise flashes across his face before his mouth curves in a smarmy grin I want to smack. “You’re not too far away from her yourself, Chandler.”

“The proximity of my staff is none of your business.” I clench my fist, resisting the urge to drive it into his face. Bourke has always rubbed me up the wrong way, but seeing him intimidate Adeline like this makes me want to eradicate him from the face of the Earth.

“You’re not exactly in a professional environment here,” Bourke says.

I slam my knee against Burke’s thigh as I move to block his view of Adeline. “Get out of here.”

Bourke raises his hands and slowly stands. “No need to get upset. Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

I can’t stop my gut rolling at the thought of Bourke hitting on Adeline. “Stay away from her, Bourke. We’ll have a problem if you try this crap again.”

Bourke’s brow twitches. “I’m sure the lady can tell me herself if she wants me to stay away. What do you say, Ms Rayner?”

I’m jammed so tightly against the table, pressing up against Adeline, that I feel her jerk. “I…”

“It’s clear she’s not enjoying your company. Get out of here Bourke, before I call security and get you kicked out of here,” I say.

“You’re a good boss, looking after your staff like this. Giving it a personal touch. Tell me, are you the same with every employee at your company?” Bourke has the audacity to wink before walking away. If I wasn’t so concerned about Adeline, I would have called him out for that comment.

I whirl around and take the seat. “What did he say to you?” She flinches. I rein myself in. “I’m not angry at you. It’s Bourke. He’s not known for professional behavior.”

Adeline peers at me, all large eyes and sadness. “He just sat down before you came. He didn’t say anything I can’t handle.”

Anything she can’t handle? He must have said something. The woman I left moments ago has disappeared. I want that woman back. “What did he say, love?”

Her gaze flicks over me and I see the vault door slammed shut once more. She offers me a tight smile. “I had a nice dinner. Thank you, David. I’m tired though, and it’s a busy day tomorrow.”

I don’t want to end the night yet, as I’m not ready to give her up. “I can still show you the beach.”

Her brow creases. She swallows and her lips momentarily clench. “David…”

Her tone lands a punch to my stomach. She hesitates, then notches her chin, an internal decision made. She’s resolute when she looks at me, but her cell pings stealing her attention. A tremor works through her hand as she stares at the message.

“What is it, love?” I say.

She collects herself, slides the cell into her purse and stands. “It’s going to be a big day tomorrow. I should get some sleep.” I start to ask her what the message is when she whispers, “Please, David.”

If I press her, I’ll lose her. Time and space will bring her back to me. I ignore what I want to do to protect her from the world. I fight every instinct I have to take her cell and read the message for myself and take her back to her room, taking comfort knowing she’s in the room next to mine at least.

She slides her key card into the slot. The light on the lock flickers green and she opens the door. She turns, looks up at me with worldly eyes, all fragility and inner strength that makes the earth stop turning while I stare at her. “Thank you, David. For everything you’ve done. For all you’re doing. Whatever happens, I want you to know I see it. I see you.”

She offers me a small smile and disappears into her room. I stare at the door. I didn’t think I could dislike an inanimate object, but I do. It’s a barrier I don’t want to exist.

She’s rattled. Scared of something and I won’t let this go. I go back to my room calling Tristan.

“You do know what time it is, don’t you?” he says, his voice hazy with sleep when he answers.

I don’t apologize for the hour. It hasn’t stopped us before and I come out with it. “I caught Bourke hitting on Adeline.”

“Did you punch the bastard?” Tristan says, after a slight pause as my words catch up to him.

“I’m missing something.” I pace the width of the room, cell pressed against my cheek.

“Do you think she’s working Bourke?” Tristan says.

I stop mid step. “What?”

“Calm down. Just reaching for answers. Seems a tad coincidental you go on a work trip, and Bourke seeks her out before it begins. Especially at…whatever the time is over there,” Tristan says.

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