Page 280 of Savage Bosses

h my God, I can’t believe I had to call in late again.

My steps falter the closer I get to my office. I can’t believe I’ve arrived late twice since I started my new position at NexGen West Software a month ago.

“Well, I can’t help that I had a flat and had to wait for the roadside assistance provider to show up an hour later,” I tell myself. “I’m sure Sterling will understand that misfortunes in life happen.”

That’s why I took the extra ten minutes to stop at Starbucks to grab Sterling a black coffee and a cream cheese Danish to calm the waters. Plus, I have been coming in early, learning the computer system inside out and doing my job perfectly. And I’ve been working hard in the time I’ve been here to make myself indispensable. My flawless resume, stellar interpersonal talents, and soft skills speak for themselves.

My stomach clenches tightly at the thought of my boss having more cause to fire me.

“Good morning,” I give a quick wave to Vanessa.

“Good morning, Ayana.” The secretary replies with a bright smile.

“You won’t believe this, but I had a flat tire, and I had to wait—”

Suddenly, Vanessa’s smile falters, and I can feel the fine hair against my nape standing on end.

“Do you realize what time of day this is?”

I turn slowly to face my boss, who is standing behind me. His voice is laced with dry sarcasm, and his stare rakes over my body from head to toe. The last thing I need this morning is him assaulting me with his lethal glare.

I swallow hard and force a smile to my lips. “Good morning, Sterling. Here, I brought you coffee, just the way you like it, and a Danish,” I add, extending the peace offering.

He just stands there staring at me, observing my extended arms. A flush of embarrassment travels over me. I drop my arms to my sides and attempt to walk past him to get to my office.

He walks beside me to say, “Did you decide to sleep in again, Sleeping Beauty, while the rest of us work our asses off?”

I halt my steps, which makes him pause his stride. My spine stiffens, and I turn to meet his glacial stare. Even in four-inch heels, I still have to arch my head to gaze up at him. The fact that he called meBeauty, albeit sarcastically, is not lost on me. I despise how much I love that he thinks I’m beautiful.

“I’m so sorry I’m late, but I did call in. I was halfway to work when my tire went flat. I had to wait on roadside service to bring me a new tire and change it. I promise you I won’t be late again,” I say, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves. “I better get to work so I can catch up on my tasks.”

This time, I manage to slip past him and make my way to my office. I put the cup of coffee and the bag with the Danish on my desk and my handbag in my bottom desk drawer before I power up my computer.

“I’m not finished with you.” He raises his voice in the hall.

I exhale again. I should have known it wouldn’t be that easy to start my day without confrontation.

I glance up with my best friendly smile to see Sterling standing in the doorway, watching me.

“Did you come for your coffee and Danish?” I ask in a sugary sweet tone.

“Did you forget we had an early morning staff meeting? I had to deal with your tasks in your absence. If this job is too much for you, just turn in your resignation now. I will hire someone who doesn’t mind being on time and getting shit done.”

I swallow the lump in my throat. A resignation is exactly what he wants, for me to give up and quit. I press my lips so the wordsgo fuck yourselfdon’t slip out of my mouth.

He crosses his thick, muscled arms across his broad chest and stares as if waiting for me to blow up.

I allow myself to take in his handsome features. I notice how perfect his fit frame is encased in a dark, custom-made suit. The coat stretches across his shoulders, and the slacks brace against his toned thighs.

Even as angry as I am, the image of his hot, naked body hovering over me, fucking my brains out, is never too far from my memory.

“Ayana, I expect an answer instead of you sitting there glaring at me.”

I want to say, Prick. Before I let the perfect word to describe him fly from my lips, I pull back my shoulders and meet his gaze. “I value this job, Sterling. Although I can’t help that I had a flat tire, I profusely apologize for being late. I’m sorry that I missed the meeting, and I’m sorry that I put you in a position to take up my slack. If you need to dock my pay, I will understand. Again, I am sorry.”

“All the half-assed apologies in the world won’t cut it,” he scoffs.

I sit straighter in my seat, clench my teeth and flex the fingers of my hand that itched to slap his smug face. He might be trying to ratchet up the cruelty to get me to quit, but there is such a thing as too much. His unforgiving tone strikes my last nerve, but I remain calm on the outside. I will not give him the satisfaction of seeing me sweat.

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