Page 54 of Emerald Malice

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“What was her name… the pretty blonde in the red blouse?” He takes a step closer to me as my face goes blotchy with involuntary anger. “When it comes to marking territory, let’s not beat around the bush: you’re as guilty as I am.”

Leonty is chuckling by the door and Marge has abandoned any attempt to pretend like she’s not eavesdropping.

“Leave,” I hiss in his face. “Now.”

“I will—as soon as you let me go.”

His eyes fall between us and I realize my hand is wrapped around his wrist. I drop it like it’s on fire and spring away immediately.

Andrey winks. “Have a good day, lastochka.”

It takes a few seconds after he’s gone before the angry blush on my cheeks finally fades. Feeling completely unmoored, I head back into the office, shrinking under the weight of the curious gazes aimed my way. Most of them stop at that—gawkers, nothing worse.

But not all my coworkers can take a hint.

“Oh my God! You’re having a baby with him?” Abby pops up from behind my desk like a Whack-A-Mole I would dearly love to smite with a hammer. “Where did you even meet a man like that?”

“I’m curious about that, too.” I peek up to see that Byron has joined the inquisition.

“Guys, I’d love to chat, but I have so much work to do.” I shuffle some papers around to make my point, but neither one shows any interest in leaving.

“No, but, c’mon…” Abby cajoles. “How’d you get your hooks in him?”

“There were no ‘hooks’ involved. And we’re not even together.” I’m not sure why I choose to share that information with them—it doesn’t exactly paint me in the best light—but I’m angry and it shoots out before I can think about it.

“You’re not?” I don’t like that glint in Abby’s eyes at all.

To be fair, Byron has the same hopeful glint, albeit for different—and arguably worse—reasons. “How does that work?”

“Haven’t you people ever heard of a one-night stand?” I ask. “You know what? Never mind. All I can say is, if you ever choose to have one, use protection.”

Abby scoffs. “He’s rich and gorgeous. You can bet your ass I’d be poking holes in that condom.”

“Classy,” I mutter.

She smiles salaciously. “So what I’m hearing is, he’s single?”

I have the sudden urge to cold-cock Abby right in the head. I allow the fantasy to play out for a few short seconds before I force a nod. “Sure. Yeah. Something like that.”

“Excellent!” She does a little shimmy that makes her breasts jiggle. “Hope he drops you off at work every day.” Having got what she came for, Abby turns around and struts back to her desk.

“I have to admit…” Byron’s voice cuts through another little fantasy I’m playing out in my head, this one involving Abby and the freshly loaded stapler on my desk. “I’m relieved, too.”

“If you want Andrey, you’ll have to fight Abby for him.”

He ignores me. “It means I still have a chance with you.”

He might as well have poured a glass of ice water down my back. “Erm, Byron… Did you miss the part about me being pregnant?” I remind him gently. “I’m having a baby with another man.”

“But you’re not with said man.” He shrugs and backs away from my desk. “There’s hope for me yet.”

“No, there’s not!”

“Just you wait and see,” he promises with a devious chuckle. “I’m gonna wear you down.”

I hide in my cubicle for the better part of the morning. Turns out, trying to avoid your coworkers can make for a productive day. I’m done with all my work by four and frothing at the mouth to get back to the secluded calm of the pool house.

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