Page 26 of Donut Overthink It

I watch as her eyes start to well up with tears. She stares ahead as if she doesn’t really see us. Her mind is going a hundred different ways right now, and I hate the look of brokenness on her face. Her lips part, and her breathing picks up.

“Get out,” I order my brother.

He turns to glare at me. “You’re an attorney. Think like one,” he snaps.

“I am. Get the fuck out!” It’s a lie, and he knows it. I’m thinking about the beautiful blonde in front of me who feels cornered. She doesn’t have a way out.

He stands and walks out, shutting the door behind him. Getting up, I make my way around the table and kneel beside her. “Hadley?”

She ignores me as tears slowly run down her face. “Hadley?” I say a little louder. “Hadley?” I shout when she doesn’t respond. Her eyes very slowly move to meet mine. “It’s gonna be okay,” I say, but I’m lying. I have no idea what this woman has gotten into. I believe her when she says she isn’t a prostitute, but for them to say they have evidence just doesn’t make sense.

“Why don’t you just fire me and save yourself the trouble,” she whispers.

If only she knew how many times I’ve tried to do that over the last three months. “Because I like a challenge.”

She shakes her head. “I’m a lost cause. You heard your bother. They have evidence …”

“They think they have evidence,” I correct her. “We can prove them wrong.”

I reach up and cup her face in my hand, and her eyes widen in surprise. I’m tired of hiding my attraction to her. Hell, I just told her last night that I wanted to fuck her. I want her to know I wasn’t joking.

She swallows nervously. “About that one night—”

“I don’t want one night,” I interrupt her, and she lets out a long breath as if relieved that I no longer want to spend a night with her. However, what I want is more. “I want a weekend.”

Her eyes widen, and she shoots to her feet, drawing in a long breath. “This isn’t some joke, Mr. Kyle.”

“I’m not laughing, Miss Burns.”

She fists her hands down by her side. “This is absurd,” she all but shouts. “I work for you …”

I step up into her, and her words trail off. “Gonna quit, Miss Burns?” I arch a brow, and she narrows her eyes on me. “Maybe sue me?” I shrug, and she huffs. Leaning in to whisper in her ear, I hear her suck in long breath. “You have other options, Hadley, but only one is gonna get you what we both want.” Then I walk out, leaving her standing there drilling holes into the back of my head.

CHAPTER TEN

HADLEY

ONCE AGAIN, I’VE AVOIDED HIM ALL day. I’ve kept myself locked in my office, but I’m tired of hiding. I feel like I’m going crazy. I haven’t been able to work because all of I have been able to think about is my boss and me. Naked. Together. For an entire weekend.

Then my brain reminds me of the alternative—a prison cell.

I’m just not sure which one is worse. With either one, I lose my dignity. My freedom. And my mind.

I hang my head, letting it hit my desk, and sigh when my cell rings. Lifting my head slowly, I see that it’s Andrea.

“Hello?” I answer.

“Hey, girl,” she greets me with her soft voice. “How is your day going?”

Tears start to threaten my eyes, and I sniff. “Grrreatt,” I mumble through a sob that I try to keep down. I’m losing my shit!

“What’s wrong, Hadley?” she asks, her voice higher than usual. “Is it the jackass?” she asks, already knowing what can get me so wound up. This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve cried because of him.

“Did he fire you? Are you okay?” she demands. “Girl, I will knock his teeth out.”

I laugh at her statement. “No.” I wipe the tears from my face. “Yes.” I sigh.

“Talk to me, Had. What can I do?”

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