Page 76 of Rich and Bossy

It would be much easier if I could hate him. If he was nothing more than the villain I want him to be.

I know it’s going to get bad. Look at what they’re already doing, organizing union-busting meetings. That’s just when they know I’m asking a few questions about a breakroom. What are they going to do when they see it’s a full-on organized assault on their workforce?

I could go through with this with a lot more confidence without worrying about Paxton getting hurt.

If we’re successful, he’s probably going to lose his company. They’ll replace him if it happens under his watch. His best friend too.

Why in hell would he still want us to be a thing after that?

I know he would never admit he was hurt, but he’s just as human as anybody else. The thought of him hurting makes me feel horrendous.

You really do care about him.

I can’t stop. I have to do this. Paxton may have problems, but he’s taken care of. He gets time with his family and nephews. He told me all about it.

The people in his warehouse deserve that too.

I notice she keeps glancing my way as she gets her bag packed up. “I think it’ll be better all-around if we take tomorrow night off in preparation for Monday.”

“Sure. Sure,” I agree, not really thinking about much at all. Other than Paxton and how he wants to go out tomorrow night, and how I need to cancel it. Though, I guess if we’re not working tomorrow night…

For crying out loud, Hazel.

“Well, enjoy yourself.” She picks up her bag, giving me a knowing look like she understands, then slings her coat over her arm. “And I mean really enjoy it, just in case.”

I don’t need to ask what she means. She knows damn well I won’t cancel that date.

I guess it’s true. She’s been there before.

Fell for a man in a suit too. It worked out for her.

Why can’t it work out for me?

You know why.

CHAPTER 21

Paxton

The only thingI told her about tonight was to dress nice.

She tried to back out, once it went to a text format, but I told her I’d show up at her door. She folded quickly.

Like I knew she would.

Man, she makes me nervous, but I don’t know if I’ve ever beenthisnervous in my life, as I pull up in front of Hazel’s house. I’m Paxton fucking Briggs, CEO of Rapid Industries, and I’m nervous about taking a woman to dinner? How does that happen?

It doesn’t.

I know it’s insane. She knows it’s insane.

There’s just something intangible, some force at play. It’s beyond hormones and human wants and needs. It’s almost spiritual, in a way, and I’ve never believed in that type of shit. Data and evidence, living in reality. That’s always been my lane and it has paid off.

I slowly make my way up the sidewalk to her front door, past the same lawn I ambushed her on one night ago. It had to be done.

I don’t know if my heart has ever thumped so hard as when I ring the doorbell, and it was thumping nice and proper last night. Now, it’s not even a comparison.

When she opens the door and smiles, it’s still more overwhelming than what I prepared for. I’ve only ever seen her in her work clothes and naked.

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