Page 75 of Playboy Boss

Jeff’s eyes widened. Scottie was too defiant to be professional, but he knew it was her hurt and insecurity talking. Still, he grew angry at her indignation in front of his employees. “Now, Scottie.”

“Pardon me, Jeff. Duty calls.” She lifted her cup. “And yes, I will have lunch with you today.”

Konrad’s fists clenched. Why was this her answer? Why did she punish him for a past he wanted to forget? What did she want from him? What did she need from him to get past her fear of him?

He took the coffee cup from her hands and placed it on the counter as they walked out of the break room. “You won’t need that.”

“I wanted that!” She’d raised her voice.

“Keep it down, Scottine. This is my office, and you will not cause a scene.”

She pressed her lips together, disdain coloring her face. She followed him down the hall and out of the suite. Konrad didn’t bother to say a word to Susan, who still chatted with Marisol. Sod them. His careless urgency drove him. He’d worry about the consequences later.

He stopped Scottie at the lift and pressed the button to summon the car. He didn’t know where they were going, but he needed to get her out of his building. To his surprise, she didn’t say another word, only followed him.

Outside, in the unbearable heat, they faced each other. “You’re not having lunch with Jeff.”

“You left your watch under Pilar’s bed. So I think I can have lunch with Jeff.”

He shook his head. “I left that watch there before I met you, Scottie. You know who I used to be.”

She crossed her arms, turning her face away from the sun. “I know who you are.”

He grabbed her wrist, pulling her arms apart. He hated the barrier she’d created between them. “Was, Scottie. Who I was. I’m not that bloke anymore. If you can’t believe me, we don’t have a chance.”

She yanked away from him. “I guess we don’t have a chance then.”

He was stunned. After what they’d shared, it was hard to hear those words. He thought they’d agreed to let the past live in the past. “If you believe that, walk away right now.”

She shook her head, the turmoil evident on her face. They stared for several beats before she pivoted on her heels away from him, his heart falling. Before he reached for her, she turned, her eyes bright and glossy. “I don’t want to.”

He didn’t touch her. He didn’t pick her up like he wanted to do. “Pilar knows about you. So does Dallas. And soon, I want everyone to know you’re with me.”

He’d barely recognized his words, or his voice. This was not the Konrad he knew and loved. This Konrad was brave despite the fear that kept him dangling on the edge, since he knew his feelings were different with Scottie.

She was shocked. “Oh…”

“What time is the meeting with Ortho-Sync?” Konrad needed to be with her.

“It moved to two this afternoon.” Her voice quivered.

“You’re coming with me.” He took her hand. “I’ll have to buy you a new dress after what I have in mind.”

She gasped. “You mean it?”

Pulling her toward the parking garage street entrance, he said, “Let me show you how much I mean it.”

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