Page 16 of Playboy Boss

“Is it about business? Don’t worry about those hotel locations. My guys are researching. I got that handled. I’ll have some lots to show you by next week.”

He shook his head. “No… I’m confident about that, mate.” Konrad knew if he told Dallas about Scottie, he’d have to admit some feelings to himself, which seemed small compared to the unburdening of it. “It’s the oddest thing…”

“What is?”

Konrad drew in a breath. “You remember that girl from last night? The server?”

“Dark-haired girl? Brown eyes?”

“I think they’re hazel.” Not think, knew. He knew they were hazel. Gold and olive, her irises were completely mesmerizing.

Dallas’s eyebrows lifted. “Yeah, I remember her. Why?”

“She’s my temporary assistant while Marisol is out on maternity leave.” Konrad wanted to be casual and factual about who she was, but his voice betrayed him. He was bothered.

Dallas’s eyes grew wide. “She’s what?”

“Crazy, right?” Immediately, he regretted his decision to tell Dallas. In three months, Scottie would be a non-issue.

“That’s more than crazy.” Dallas pressed on, though Konrad waved off the conversation. He was done with it. Dallas was not. “You didn’t mention it.”

“No.” Konrad quickly became aware at the absurdity of the conversation and his feelings.

You looked at my legs. Konrad conjured up that moment between them, a smile threatening on his face. He was so inappropriate, but he wanted to look at her legs, her toned, seductive legs. Had Scottie any idea how seductive she was? He guessed not, since she’d worn another bland outfit that morning.

“And she didn’t mention it, either…”

Konrad looked back at his friend. “No, she did not.”

“And why?” Dallas wasn’t going to let up.

“She thought it would be better to not acknowledge each other.” Konrad dropped his gaze to his glass again. He couldn’t look Dallas in the eyes with a lie on his lips. “It’s fine. It’s not a big deal or anything.”

“Except it is a big deal. I’ve known you for a while. Since Harvard. You wouldn’t mention it if it wasn’t. Right?” Dallas waited for an answer Konrad didn’t want to admit to. He knew him so well. And because Dallas knew him so well, a grin parted his lips after a realization on his part. “Wait … no fucking way!”

“What?” Game over. Konrad tugged on his tie, feeling choked by his own silent admission. He must be losing his edge. He slapped the bar. “Who do I need to shag to get another drink around here?”

Dallas grinned. “You can’t get out of his conversation, Kon. Do you like that waitress?”

Konrad gave his friend a direct look. “No, mate. I don’t fucking fancy her! She’s not even my type.”

Dallas furrowed his brow. “You mean because she has two jobs and not a trust fund?”

Konrad was full of shit, and Dallas was absolutely right. Konrad’s rotation of women lived his wealthy lifestyle. They required it. Furthermore, he understood them, what they needed. A Chanel purse for a broken date. A Cartier bracelet for a broken promise. They always knew how to settle down when he’d offered a gift. Konrad sensed Scottie was not like that. There was something too innocent about her. He suspected she’d require more than a Cartier bracelet for a broken promise.

“Oh, wait a goddamn minute.” Dallas pushed Konrad’s arm, nearly knocking it off the bar. That would be the grand revelation, then. “I see what’s going on here.”

“Hey! Watch the bespoke shirt.” Konrad had officially lost his fight. The thing he wanted to keep to himself, Dallas was about to announce to the world.

“You’re bent out of shape because she didn’t acknowledge you. And how could any woman not acknowledge you!” Dallas howled. His perception was immaculate. If only he’d use that keen sense in business only and not in deciphering Konrad’s innermost secrets.

“For God’s sake,” Konrad muttered, quite mad at himself. With women like Pilar and Anisette ready for his bed at the drop of a hat, he should be focusing on them and not his attraction to his temp, who clearly was not impressed with him in the least.

But it was true, though. Every bloody thing Dallas said.

“Finally, a woman who hasn’t fallen for your charms in two seconds of knowing you.” Dallas was having too good a time with the information.

Konrad grew serious, evening out his emotions. “I’m her boss, so she’s just being professional, I’m sure. I commend it. Besides, have you not seen Pilar?”

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