Page 29 of Ruthless Wars

The embarrassing awkwardness of us leaving at the same time is made worse by Coop holding the door open for me, with no intention of doing anything other than to cling to me like Saran wrap.

Unable to think of a single reason to not walk out the door with him—especially after making a big freaking deal out of leaving—I grab my purse. But my phone is still missing. It’s not on my chair, and it’s not on the floor.

Screw it.

Without another word, I head for the door.

Again, Coop hits me with his darkening gaze, his voice low and gruff as he gestures to the door. “After you.”

Chapter Eighteen

Margot

Silently, we walk to the elevator. Thankfully, the next car is heading up and Coop is not. When the doors open, one of the janitors steps out.

“Hey, JJ,” I say, letting genuine warmth fill my face. I let the waiting elevator go to take a minute for a quick hug.

“Hey, baby girl. I’ll bet you’re excited to see your sister.”

“I sure am,” I say, lying as convincingly as possible, which has gotten remarkably easier as the day passes. “You’ve seen Jaclyn today?” I ask, masking my concern behind a charming grin.

“Yup. She’s waiting for you in your usual hiding place.”

“Great.” Fuck.

“Hi, I’m Coop,” my nemesis says, extending a hand for a shake.

“Jerome Johnson, but everyone calls me JJ.”

Oh my God. Really?

Of course the man would cozy up to JJ, the only guy in the whole damn company who has pictures of me streaking down the halls buck naked. Some might use it as straight-up blackmail material, but JJ is embarrassingly proud to show off my little toddler backside to whomever will look. And I can’t be mad. Never at JJ. He practically raised me back in the day, watching me whenever Dad’s meetings ran long. Which was, like, daily.

Panicked, I realize JJ is holding out his phone, talking a mile a minute.

Coop’s smile returns, lighting up his face in delight. “Is that—”

With another set of elevator doors opening, I loop my arm through Coop’s and yank him into the car. “I was just escorting Mr. Byrne to the lobby. He’s in a terrible rush.”

“Catch you later, Coop,” JJ calls after him like long-time friends, waving as Coop responds with an annoyingly cheesy grin.

Several quick jabs at the down button finally convince the doors to close. But being next to Coop in close quarters isn’t better. It’s far, far worse.

“Well?” he asks with a calmness to his tone that reinforces my own need to keep it professional.

“Well what?”

“Oh, I don’t know. You seemed intent to move from scorching-hot temptress to stone-cold ice queen.”

“Ha! This coming from a boardroom manwhore.” Ugh, so much for keeping it professional.

Coop raises a brow. “Wow. Tell me how you really feel, Margot.”

“Look, you’re obviously a player, but a little discretion would be nice.”

“Player? Let me get this straight. You’re pissed at me for sexting you.”

Outraged for too many reasons to count, I fume. “We were not sexting. I know I didn’t see a dick pic.”

---