Page 10 of Forbidden You

“Coffee girl?”

“Filled.”

“Office Manager?”

“Underqualified.”

“Assistant Office Manager.”

“Don’t need one,” I growl.

“Junior Editor?” Her voice is high-pitched and unsure.

“Don’t push it.”

“Oh, I don’t know, Bodi!” The frustration is clear when she yelps the words into my ear. She stays quiet for a brief moment, clearly thinking of anything else she can throw at me.

“How about a Personal Assistant? You always say how busy you are? I’m sure you can use a hand or two with some personal stuff? Maybe help you out with the foundation? She’s really good at keeping things organized.”

That little blonde haired devil.

My lips stay pressed together, taking in her words.

Leaning back in my chair, my eyes briefly close, my head tilting to the ceiling.

She knows exactly what my mother’s foundation means to me, and how little time I have for it the more my company grows. It’s a cause close to my heart, and I vowed that I’d put more effort into it this year.

Something Rae knows all too well, because I even asked her if she was willing to work for the foundation part time.

There is a voice screaming in my head, telling me this is the worst mistake I’ll ever make if I say yes, and then there is another voice telling me I could use help with the foundation, especially with the charity ball coming up.

The event will be even bigger this year, and although I used to handle most of the organization, it’s becoming too much to handle next to managing KPI.

I’m fucked.

“Rae,” I grunt in a futile attempt to make her hang up the phone without me agreeing.

“Ah, see. That’s a good idea, right? I can hear it in your voice. She can be your PA! Please, Bodi? Please? I’ll cook whatever you want next time you’re here.”

“I don’t thinkdinnerwill cut it, goldilocks.”

“Probably not.” She doesn’t even attempt to make her offer more appealing.

She’s lucky I like her.

“Do you think she can keep business and private life separate? Like, me and her are not going to happen again,” I state with a firm tone, though my dick is scowling.

“Of course she can,” Rae reassures without hesitation. “She did it over Thanksgiving, didn’t she? She was really good at ignoring you. I’m sure she’s not even interested anymore.” The amusement in her voice is undeniable, and I roll my eyes.

Don’t even fucking remind me. It pissed me off for the entire night, until she mentioned her college friends and I aborted the mission with dismay from my cock. He’s still sulking about that.

“Well, what do you say?” Rae keeps pushing. “If you’re not doing it for her, do it for me.”

The begging tone of her voice tugs at my heart as I weigh out the options in my head like a tennis match. Common sense is firmly against it.

“I’m going to fire her if it doesn’t work,” I warn her.

“Perfectly understandable.”

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