Page 9 of Protected

When he finally got his bearings, he apologized, claiming he had read her wrong. He thought she was interested in him. It had been a load of crap, but before they left the room, she set him straight. She made it clear that she wasn’t interested, never would be, and if he stayed away from her, they wouldn’t have a problem.

“Why are you here?” she asked, her patience dwindling as she headed back to her desk.

“I’m here to ask you out. I figured since your time around here is coming to an end, that you’ll finally quit playing hard to get. How about you get dolled up and let me take you out for dinner on your last day here? At least with you not working here anymore, we won’t have to worry about mixing business with pleasure. So, how about it?”

Chelsey was about to log into her laptop but stopped and stared at him, waiting for him to say—just kidding. He didn’t, and she snorted a laugh.

“We both know that’snevergoing to happen. I don’t even know why you bothered asking. What do you really want?”

She didn’t have time for this foolishness. Not only did she need to finish some paperwork before she left for the day, butshe had to think about what she’d wear on her date tonight. She had plans for dinner with a man she’d gone out with a couple of times so far. He wasn’t the most exciting guy, but at least she wouldn’t be at home thinking about Parker.

“Penny mentioned that you’ll be transferring some of your client files to the rest of us. She said she’s leaving it up to you on who gets what.”

“Is there a question in there?” Chelsey asked, wondering where this was going.

If she could at all help it, she wouldn’t be transferring any of her female clients to him. Their supervisor, Penny, knew Victor was a predator. Yet, he was still employed. Which made Chelsey wonder if something was going on between the two of them. Or maybe Chelsey’s dislike of the guy was clouding her judgment about him.

Then again, she really didn’t care. She was leaving and not looking back, and if she had any pull with Penny, Vic the jerk wouldn’t get any of her clients. Even the ones who didn’t give a damn about getting their lives together.

Victor moved closer to the desk and placed his palms on top of it. “I was wondering how many more cases I’d have to be responsible for.”

“I won’t know that until…” Chelsey sat back when she realized he was looking down her red V-neck blouse.Pervert. “If I hand off any cases to you, you’ll have them a few days before I leave. That way we can go through them in case you have any questions.”

“Okay, that works,” he said, straightening. “So, are you saying no to me taking you out because of that motorcycle guy?”

Chelsey cringed inside. She’d gone a whole hour without thinking about her conversation with Parker earlier in the day. Now Victor had to ruin it by bringing him up. Granted, he didn’t know Parker, but he had seen him a few times after work. Ofcourse, Parker noticed him and each time made a big show of kissing her. According to him, it was to make sure Victor knew she was taken.

Yet, here she was, single again. If only he would’ve…

Nope. Not going there. Parker and I are over.Chelsey didn’t know how many times she’d have to remind herself, but she would until it sunk in.

“I figured since I haven’t seen him pick you up in a while that—”

“Victor, my personal life is none of your business. Now get out of my office and close the door behind you.”

He chuckled as he walked backward toward the door. “I guess that means he dumped your fine, prickly ass,” he mumbled under his breath, but it was loud enough for her to hear him.

She wanted to lob a retort, but she didn’t. What could she say? Parker had dumped her, and technically more than once. Everything had been perfect between them…until it wasn’t, and she’d been blindsided by his need to break things off.

It’s done. We’re over. Let him go.A task easier said than done.

Parker’s words came to mind.“Chelsey, please, baby. Let’s go somewhere and talk. There’s something I need to tell you.”

Even if she wanted to know what was going on with him, she feared he’d hurt her again. Whatever he had to say, he could’ve said the day he broke her heart.

I have to stay strong. No going back.

Still, she wondered what he’d wanted to tell her.

Chapter Five

Ihate dating, Chelsey thought as she stared across the candlelit table at her date. They’d gone out twice before tonight, and she had hoped the third time would improve her opinion of him.

Nope. She still felt nothing for the guy.

She convinced herself that maybe dinner again with Terrance would be different. That maybe he wouldn’t talk about himself all night. And just maybe a powerful spark would ignite between them, and she’d fall madly in lust with him. Then she could forget about Parker and start new with someone else.

Ha! Wishful thinking.

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