Page 168 of By His Rule

He doesn’t say another word. Or at least, not until we get to the very top, a beat before the doors open and I’m granted freedom.

His hand slips from my back and around my hip, allowing him to pull me back, pinning me against his hard body.

“Ten minutes, my office. I think we need to have a little chat, don’t we, Lorelei?”

No sooner have the doors parted than Kian strides out of the elevator as if he didn’t just knock my world off kilter.

“Good morning, Melissa,” he sings as if everything is perfect. But then, if he spent all Saturday night and yesterday banging Tia Halliwell, I guess he does have something to be spritely about.

Rolling my shoulders back, I hold my head high and walk out of the elevator just as Kian is disappearing into his office.

“Morning, Lori. Did you have a good weekend?” Melissa asks politely.

“Hmm, yeah.”

“You looked gorgeous Friday night. It must have been an experience for Kian to have a date with some level of intelligence.”

I snort a laugh; I can’t help myself.

“And to end the night unsatisfied.” She covers her mouth in a useless attempt to hide her laughter.

“Would you like a coffee?” I ask as I abandon my things under my desk and make a beeline for our kitchen.

“No, thank you. I’m sure Kian wouldn’t say no, though.”

Well, he’s going to be disappointed.

With my fresh mug of coffee and another new notebook in my hand, I nervously make my way to his office.

My heart is in my throat as I knock, and it doesn’t get any better when he calls out to invite me in.

I take a second to compose myself before throwing the door open and marching in as if I own the place.

Fake it until you make it, Lorelei.

Placing both my coffee and my notebook on his desk, I take my seat. Not once do I look up, but it’s impossible to miss the fact I have his whole attention.

Well, that and my notebook which reads “List of people I want to punch in the face…my boss.”

Once I’m settled, I finally look up.

My eyes instantly connect with his dark, angry ones and my heart does a little flip.

“You wanted to see me, sir,” I say sweetly, aware that it’s going to do fuck all to help this situation.

He leans forward and rests his exposed forearms on his desk.

“That email you sent…” My pulse races and my temperature spikes. “I suggest you forget you ever typed it, because it’s not accepted.”

“W-what?” I stutter.

He shakes his head as if he’s disappointed in me. “Never go back on your word, Lorelei. It makes you look weak and indecisive.”

“I-I?—”

“We need to discuss my schedule. Some unforeseen things have arisen that need my attention.”

My teeth clench. “I see.”

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