Page 46 of Volatile Obsessions

Click.

I hadn’t evenmoved my hand off the receiver when two quick knocks and a voice I knew too well sounded off by my door.

“What are you still doing here?” his voice boomed.

I’d have startled if I hadn’t caught a flash of white from the corner of my eyes.

What the hell is he doing here?

Dragging my gaze to where he stood at the threshold, I shrugged and returned my attention to the catalogues on my desk. “Mehhh, got consumed in the new product catalogues. I could ask you the same question, though.”

“I left my charger,” Vic explained meekly, holding the cord up for me to see.

Okaaay.

“Interesting.” I nodded.

“What?”

“Nothing. I just don’t see how that matters when you’ve not been in the office much. Surely you have another trusty cord somewhere else, right?” I countered, setting a sticky note on the glossy page to avoid losing my place.

“I do, yeah, at home, but I’m heading out for a bit and the office was closer.”

“I see,” was all I answered, when really I wanted to ask where he’d been.

And it wasn’t in a possessive manner.

I truly wanted to know where the hell he was all the time. Roman was an issue, we all know that, but he wasn’t something that required 24-hour surveillance. I guess the more important question is, why was I allowing it?

I paid him damn good money, and yes, he was doing his job, but at the same time, he wasn’t. I should’ve fired him, but a part of me felt like I couldn’t. Indebted would describe it best, and I think he knew that. Hence his ‘I do what I want’ attitude as of late.

“Well, looks like you’re all set then.” I flashed him a forced smile. “Have fun, don’t drink and drive.”

“Yes, mom,” he laughed, striding toward my desk.

I froze for the briefest second, not expecting him to have stepped foot in here. When he was just a few feet away, I pushed my seat back and hustled onto my feet, meeting him head-on.

“Will you be gracing us with your presence tomorrow or...”

“Yep, I’ll be here.” He smirked.

“I assume that means you haven’t heard anything on the Roman front?”

His brow arched. “Not a word. Why? Should I be expecting something?”

“Maaaybe,” I drawled.

“Maybe clearly means yes. What did you do?”

“Oh, nothing too fancy. Suki and I just broke into the distillery last night and wrecked every last whiskey barrel.”

The expression that washed over his face was as shocked as it was amused and impressed.

“No, you didn’t.”

“We did indeed.” I smirked proudly. “Tit for tat. Bet his Monday morning was rather...soggy.”

Vic shook his head and smiled that bright mega-watt smile of his. “You’re evil.”

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