Page 17 of Boss Daddy's Girl

That's a bridge too far, even if I do want to attend the showing. So instead, I pull out one of my business cards, figuring that Claude having my business email is a safer bet. He frowns as he takes the card, glancing down at the information on it.

"You can contact me with the information there," I explain, giving him a fake smile, hoping to avoid further questions. "I'm sure you've got networking to do today, so I'll leave you to it!"

I spin on my heel and head towards Drake before Claude can say another word. I feel his eyes on my back, but he doesn't call out or chase after me, thank God.

Drake looks relieved to see me, which makes me feel a little guilty for ditching him. But then he gives me that smug smirk that drives me crazy and says, "Enjoying yourself, Ellie?"

"Immensely," I reply sarcastically.

"Good to hear."

He leads the way back toward the Dragon Ascent booth, and I follow, keeping an eye out for any potential business contacts.

"There's a private screening for Claude's documentary tonight," I tell him as we walk. "I figured it might be a good idea to attend. Network, maybe pick up some new clients."

Drake stops, and when he speaks, it's with an authority I'm completely unused to coming out of his mouth. "No."

I stop walking, stunned. "What do you mean no?"

Drake turns and walks back towards me, and I swallow thickly at the intensity I see in his eyes.

"You're not going," he says simply.

"I don't think that's your decision to make," I reply, doing my best to stay calm.

"I'm sure as hell not going, and there's no way I'd trust that prick around you. You're with me, and I'm not letting you out of my sight."

His words make my heart flutter, but I ignore the feeling. Instead, I'm already starting to scheme in my head how I can make this thing work. I mentally scan through his schedule tonight and the glaring gap at the exact time of the documentary screening. There are dozens of requests for Drake to attend smaller showcases and demonstrations, but I mostly kept those options off his itinerary unless it could benefit Drake or Dragon Ascent in some way. But if I need to keep him busy long enough for me to go to the documentary...

Why am I even doing this? It's not like I really care about Claude's movie, but a part of me is bitter that Drake is ignoring what happened between us last night. This is a grasp at independence, a way to show him that I can do what I want, especially if he's going to take zero interest in me romantically.

"Okay, whatever, Drake," I huff, pulling out my phone and pretending to look something up. "On a different subject, there's a showcase tonight you've been asked to attend." I watch Drake's face. His expression is inscrutable, but he turns and looks down at me. I have to crane my neck to meet his gaze, and I swallow.

He doesn't seem convinced that our argument is over this quickly. "A showcase?"

I nod, trying to maintain a straight face. I feel bad about lying to him, but he's backed me into a corner. No man, not even Drake, will tell me what to do.

"NatureCo Industries has this new indoor climbing thing. It's a new wall that's supposed to replicate climbing outside. The manufacturer wanted you to demo it for them, and if you agree, they'll carry Dragon Ascent gear exclusively in the first climbing gym they open with the new wall type. What do you think?"

I watch as Drake considers it. I had written it off before. Dragon Ascent is a world-renowned company, and NatureCo is still small enough that it wouldn't be that much of a get. But I don't tell him any of that.

"I have it marked as high priority," I add, trying to convince him. "You'll have plenty of time to get ready for your big presentation tomorrow."

He sighs and glances down at me, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"I guess I could do that," he says, "if you think it's worth my time. I trust you."

My stomach twists at his words, but I put on a fake smile anyway. "Perfect! I'll email you the details. It should be over by 9:30, and I'll meet you back at the hotel room."

He frowns at me. "I'm not sure I like the idea of you wandering around here on your own. A few of my old climbing buddies here brought their wives?—"

I wrinkle my nose at the idea, holding up my hand to stop him. Even if I wasn't lying about my intentions, palling around with some women I have zero in common with sounds like a nightmare. "Okay, no. First, I'm your assistant, and they are your friends' wives. Second, I don't make a point of hanging out with strangers. Third, I have some work to catch up on."

He shakes his head, stepping closer. I feel like I'm being pinned to the wall by his eyes, and my heart thumps against my chest as his hand cups my face. His thumb brushes across my cheek, and I have to remind myself to breathe.

"I just worry about you," he murmurs, his gaze drifting over my face.

"I can take care of myself," I say, annoyed by my breathlessness. I brush his hand away, annoyed beyond measure that now, of all times, is when he decides to show me any ounce of affection. "You should go."

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