Page 88 of Forbidden You

Rae will be, though.

The thought alone has me laughing out loud by the time I reach the open area in front of Bodi’s office and Agnes’s eyes lock with mine.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh, nothing,” I reply casually, averting my gaze.

She follows my every move while her eyes narrow in suspicion. “Where is Bodi’s coffee?”

“Oh, shit! Err, I forgot.” My mind quickly tries to come up with an excuse while my eyes roam over my desk.

“My cousin called!” I blurt, holding up my phone. “I’ll ask Bodi if he still wants coffee when he gets back.”

The skeptical look remains on her face while I do my best to avoid it by keeping my eyes fixed on my screen. When I hear her mutter a “yeah, right” and see how she goes back to work, I can’t help the relieved sigh coming from my lips.

Right before my pleased grin stays put for the rest of the day.

***

That afternoon, I’m standing at the coffee machine in the Editor’s Department, when a hand lands on the small of my back.

Startled by the sudden movement, I let out a shriek, throwing the empty coffee cup in the air before I manage to catch it and press it against my chest. With a shocked face, I turn toward the one to blame, being met by Rachel’s friendly gaze. Or I assume that’s what it’s supposed to be.

In reality, she gives me chills.

“Are you okay?” The crow’s feet around her eyes make her look old, even though I don’t think she’s a day over thirty-five.

“You scared me.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to. Here, let me get that.” She pulls the cup from my fingers. “Cappuccino?”

“Black.” My eyes narrow a bit. “Thanks.”

She offers me a warm smile while the machine works on my coffee, and I awkwardly shuffle on my feet. “This is the first time I’ve seen you at the coffee machine. I’d begun to think you’re not a coffee person.”

“I’m not. It’s for Bodi.”

She wrinkles her forehead with a look of clear judgment, and I realize I need to be careful with my words.

“You two are on a first name basis?”

“No. Well, yes. I’m his personal assistant. We work really closely,” I stammer. I haven’t really interacted with anyone except for Agnes. This is the first time I’m even speaking with Rachel, and something in her demeanor unsettles me. Like she won’t mind finding dirt on her boss.

“I guess it helps to know him personally. You know since you're his best friend’s… cousin, was it?” She winks, and my brows scurry together, not missing her innuendo.

“We only met briefly before I started working here.” Why the fuck am I even entertaining this? It’s none of her fucking business.

“Oh, so you’re not close?”

Close enough to find him examining my pussy with his tongue, bitch.

But I settle for a resoluteno, sensing she’ll use any found breadcrumbs I leave her to twist it round. And not in my benefit.

“You know, I’m here if you ever want to talk to me? I knowMr. McKaycan be a bit much at times.”

I don’t like her. Can’t decide exactly why, but my gut tells me she’s a sleazeball. I don’t mingle with sleazeballs. Before you know it, the entire office will think you’re the girl working her way up by going down on the big boss because you call him by his first name.

I might be going down at him, but I’m definitely not doing it for a promotion.

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