Page 44 of Playboy Boss

Chapter Sixteen

Scottie could not stop thinking about Anisette. She’d gotten engaged? Did that mean Konrad had lost a woman? Needed a replacement? Oh God, she would not be that replacement!

Even knowing the reality of the situation, why did she still want him?

“Are you okay?”

“Uhh … yes.” She glanced at Jeff, offering a forced smile. They’d taken a later lunch than expected. La Carotte, a small French restaurant, was in walking distance of the office.

“This is beautiful!” She scanned the tiny space. Only twelve tables lined the walls facing outside the massive windows onto the street on all four sides.

“I got us a reservation earlier. I hope we can still get a seat since we’re an hour late.” He pressed his hand on her lower back.

Her first instinct was to jump away from his touch, but the approaching host made it impossible.

“Bienvenue. Bonne après-midi.” The host, an older man wearing faded black jeans and a long-sleeved gray shirt, greeted them. He had a modern haircut, short on the sides, long on top and a graying beard.

“Bonjour, Etienne,” Jeff said with a bad accent.

“Ahh, you’ve brought a date this time.” Etienne winked, patting him on the arm.

Jeff laughed. “This is Scottie.”

Etienne bowed his head. “Pleasure.”

“I’m his coworker,” Scottie said, refusing to look at Jeff. She didn’t like the insinuation. They were not on a date. “This is such a beautiful restaurant.”

“Wait until you taste the food,” Jeff said from behind her.

“This guy is too much, mademoiselle.” Etienne laughed. “Follow me.”

Agreed. It was all too much. Had Konrad not forced her to accept, she’d be at her desk eating a sandwich from one of the first-floor kiosks.

At their corner table, Scottie sipped her iced water and stared out of the window. Images of Konrad infiltrated her mind. His touch. His smell. His mouth. If only Jeff could read her thoughts, he wouldn’t have asked her to this fancy French lunch.

“How do you like working for Konrad?” Jeff’s voice pulled her out of her reverie.

Not a single word came forth. How did she like working for Konrad? She wasn’t sure anymore. “It’s fine.”

“Really?” His dark eyebrows lifted.

She shrugged. Play it cool. “I mean, the work is whatever. Copying, setting appointments—” Having sex on his desk. Oh God.

“Sending flowers to his women.” Jeff laughed.

A wave of energy spiked through her. She didn’t like that. “Doing personal errands for him.”

“So how many women does he have? I heard seven regular women.” He sipped from his glass Coke bottle, leaving the empty glass filled with ice the waitress brought to sweat.

Seven regular women? When was that? She sighed. This should be more evidence that it was a mistake to hook up with him. It was over. No harm, no foul. Why was that so hard to believe?

“I don’t know. I don’t ask questions.” Scottie rubbed the cold water drops running down her glass. “I’m just a temp.”

He leaned back in his chair. “I gotcha. I guess it’s best to stay professional with him.”

Too late. How was Scottie supposed to enjoy the rest of lunch?

“How does he feel about employees dating?” She didn’t look at him when she posed the question.

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