Page 137 of Savage Bosses

Chapter Eight

AERICA

T

uesday morning, I arrived at work a few minutes before eight. I wasn’t in the mood for conversation, but I engaged Kathy with a few pleasantries. She hit me with the bad news. She shared the old timey phrase; guess what the cat drug in. I decided against saying Mr. Caldwell. I wanted to sink underneath my desk, but I decided to get coffee for my coworker and me instead.

I stepped into the break room, and my luck ran all of the way out. My boss was standing there, fumbling around with the coffeepot.

“Hey, how do you change this thing out?” He swirled around and noticed it was me in the room with him.

Kyle did his Oscar winning impression of Elsa.

“I got it.” I said, avoiding Kyle’s piercing blue eyes as he stepped aside to make room for me. The tension between us was palpable. I busied myself removing the full coffee pot, hyperaware of his imposing presence behind me.

“Good morning, Aerica.”

I jumped as his deep voice startled me. “Good morning.” I could feel his presence near me.

I reached for the paper coffee cups and poured him a cup, putting a lid on it. I pivoted around and presented him with the cup. “Black.” I wasn’t even sure why I said black. I’d been working here long enough to know he liked his coffee black.

We both went to speak at the same time and both stopped.

“You go.” I ordered, but he didn’t speak. “Am I getting fired?” I asked hesitantly.

Kyle’s eyebrows shot up. “What? No. You’re one of the few competent people in this place. I need you.”

I exhaled.Did he say he needs me?“Well, that’s a relief. I need this job. But I can’t do both jobs.”

“I know. I’m going to hire someone right away.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

“Which job do you want?”

I shook my head. “I don’t ah—”

“You’re under contract for the admin job. I can hire you full time after the contract is up.”

An awkward silence fell between us. I could see the internal struggle on Kyle’s face as he debated saying more. I couldn’t let him struggle.

“I appreciate the dresses. One would’ve been fine.”

“Five is better than one.”

That’s true. “Thank you.”

He seemed dazed by my pleasant demeanor. Kyle searched my face and seemed to accept the truth of my words. He ran a hand through his blonde hair and sighed heavily.

After what seemed like an eternity of me avoiding eye contact with him. Finally, he spoke.

“I have anger issues sometimes. Something set me off earlier that night.” Now he was avoiding my eyes, looking uncharacteristically vulnerable. “My behavior at that club was deplorable. I shouldn’t have taken my anger out on you. It’s just— I have some rage problems I thought I had under control. I’m sorry.”

I was taken aback. This was in no way the Kyle I knew and had been working for all of the last three months. This man was sexy. This man was hot. This man was highly attractive.

“I accept your apology.”

Kyle gave me a gruff nod, a glimmer of gratitude passed over his features. “Did you like the dresses?”

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