Page 31 of Playboy Boss

“Well, it’s not just me on this team. It’s all of you. It’s the whole Korr Corp—Solutions and Properties—that make us successful. All my fair, talented, and ethical employees. So, thank you.” Before Konrad could gauge Jeff’s reaction, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

Everyone else clicked glasses, except Konrad, who turned his attention to his phone screen.

Dallas Halman: 630, Korr. Where the hell are you?

He’d never missed a guys’ dinner since he arrived in Houston not quite two years ago.

Me: Having a drink with my employees. Catch you blokes next time!

That did not go over well.

Dallas Halman: You’re what?

Another text vibrated his phone.

Fabian P: Get your ass to L’Atelier.

Then another.

Ty Westmore: Explain yourself.

Annoying wankers. He sent a group message.

Me: Get off my back. I’m working on my employees’ morale for fuck’s sake.

Dallas Halman: sure you are…

Me: Goodnight, gentlemen.

Konrad turned off the phone completely, and he hoped Dallas would keep his mouth shut about Scottie. A lot had happened since he’d talked about her, and he’d hate Dallas to cheapen the feelings Konrad now had. One thing was for sure, he would not talk about her again to any of his friends until there was something to talk about.

“Scottie, have you been a temp for long?” Jeff’s question caught Konrad’s attention.

She looked up from her sip of scotch. Embarrassed, or ambivalent, she hesitated. “Uhh … no, not long. I just graduated from college in May.” She glanced around the table, all eyes on her. “This actually is my first assignment as a temp.”

Her first … assignment. He liked the notion of being a first to her.

Another software engineer asked, “What do you do for fun? Besides drink with coworkers.”

Scottie laughed nervously, clearly hating the attention that had been focused on her. “Oh, nothing exciting.” She took another sip, gaze down inside her glass.

The group silenced, and when Scottie didn’t say any more, they resumed other conversations.

In a voice low enough for her ears but not the others’, Konrad said, “Oh, come on, Scottine, you must live an exciting life.”

Her gorgeous hazel eyes lifted to meet his. A small smile on her lips. “Just read the extracurricular activities section on my résumé.” Then she grew serious. “But I’m sure it’s not as exciting as your life. You have been everywhere, after all. And you have everything you want, it seems.”

The comment wasn’t complimentary. It hurt. Were they back to that? He wasn’t sure. Konrad took her in, the straightened lips, the darkened eyes. The slight flush on her face to suggest she knew she went too far.

She had, but maybe he deserved it. “Don’t be so sure about that.”

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