Page 18 of Billionaire Boss's One Night Stand

Matt stared at me, just as stuck in the surprise of seeing me.

“Cut it out,” he warned Tom without glancing at him. “Stop referring to me like I’m royalty.”

Tom chuckled, either oblivious to Matt’s cool, stern manner or so used to hearing him be harsh and scolding like this that he was now desensitized.

“Well, you are Wendy Richards’ grandson…” Tom teased.

“And I’m also your boss.”Nowhe cut his blue stare to the tall man who’d taken the first opportunity to welcome me to the team. “Which means we can cut out this bullshit now and get to work.”

Rupert, another marketing specialist, shoved his glasses up his nose and coughed discreetly in that way people did when they knew they had to intervene but didn’t want to. “Matt?” Hegestured at me. “This is, uh, Laura Amita.” He looked at me, sheepish.

“Loren,” I corrected. Or, I tried to. A couple more attempts of clearing my throat made my voice more audible. It was still croaky when I faced Matt. Despite the furious warmth on my cheeks as I blushed, I looked him in the eye and willed away the lingering memory of the last time I peered into those blue orbs.

In bed. Under him. With him so deep inside?—

“Loren Amita,” I said louder. I nearly shouted it as a blurt to banish the direction of my thoughts.

First day or not, it wasnevera good idea to lust after the boss.

Be cool. You can do this.I thrust my hand out for a shake, determined to make the most of this opportunity. I was jerky, nearly punching Tom’s cup over from the edge of the table, but he chuckled and caught it.

“Nice to meet you,” I told Matt. Once I got the words out, I exhaled in relief.

“Yeah.” He looked me up and down, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Then he ignored my offer for a shake and headed to the front of the room.

What thehell?

The other four men in the room raised their brows at Matt’s obvious snub. This whole experience was throwing me off, but I had no clue why he’d act like this.

Is it because he doesn’t want anyone to know he slept with someone like me? It’s not like we knew we’d be working together. We are—were—strangers!

Within a moment, one too late for realization to sink in that he wasn’t going to return my greeting gesture or introductory effort, I started to drop my arm. Wiping my sweaty palm on my skirt wouldn’t leave a smear or stain, right? I was already soanxious, put on the spot for facing my lover, that I swore I’d be showing severe pit stains on my blouse now.

Of all the bars to go to. Of all the people to encounter.

I wanted to shake my head at this incredulous turn of events. It was so damn bizarre, improbable, that if it were happening to someone else, it would’ve been hilarious.

I mean, what are the freaking odds?

“Damn,” Tom muttered as he glanced at me. Laughing quickly, he spun forward to shake my hand that remained in the air. It was a cheesy, forced gesture, bobbing my hand up and down vigorously as if to make up for Matt snubbing me. “I already met you, short stuff.”

I growled in my mind, so sick of that stupid endearment.

“But pleased to make your acquaintance again.” He lifted my hand to his lips and pressed a quick, sloppy kiss on the back of it, exaggerating it with a noisymuah.

“Okay.” I tugged my hand back. He was clearly one of those class clown sort of guys. Eager to act up and be the center of attention. Goofy without cause.

As he stood, he winked, and I resisted a groan.

Okay, a class clownanda shameless flirt. Great. Just what I didn’t need.

“If you don’t mind,” Matt intoned from the head of the room. His tall frame was straight and proper as he paced at the front of the room. Hands clasped behind his back, head held high, and eyes coolly serious, he glanced at me. “We are here towork.”

I furrowed my brow, annoyed that he could be insinuating that I wasn’t. Tom was to blame. I wasn’t acting up or trying to fool around. And I’d be damned if I'd let this joker bring me down.

It was already bad that Matt was seeming so hostile toward me, but to an extent, I could understand it.

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