Page 169 of Savage Bosses

I hated that for myself. He needed to pay for crushing me the way he did. I spent years in college putting myself back together while masking the mess I was. More years after graduating, I funneled my energies into my company. I barely spared time for a social life that didn’t advance my professional goals.

Despite my achievements, one day with Kent brought back the pain and humiliation from the past and shook my confidence. How could I not embrace my mother’s advice for revenge? Yet, I’d almost lost my nerve when I heard him offer to move Elsie into his penthouse. My plans for vengeance seemed unachievable, but then I remembered the passion in yesterday’s kiss.

No sexless adolescent could inspire such heat. And I wanted to make him burn hot enough to fry his brain. It would serve him right since being in the same room with him drove me to use my necklace. The little vibrator looked like a sleek bullet pendant and would have probably done the job I needed had I not been so tense from Kent’s presence.

The tiny orgasm did nothing to ease my taut muscles, nor did it eradicate my need to see Kent on his knees. This time, there would be no confession, no heart to offer him. And my efforts were paying off.

He couldn’t disguise his flaring nostrils and stuttered breathing when I leaned toward him, or his clenching jaw when I brushed against him. I barely hid my body’s reaction, which was primed now that I shared his office space.

To give myself a breather, I wrapped up our strategy session about tonight’s charity gala and headed to my desk.

“By the way Madison, you failed to mention when you would make an appearance.” As offhanded as he sounded, his tightly pressed lips told another story. He’d tried to withhold his curiosity about me from me.

Yes! He’s fallen into my first trap.

I turned to him with a smirk, loving the idea of me burrowing into his mind like an underground mole village. “You’re a big boy. With Elsie’s help, you won’t need me there.”

“It isn’t a question of need. I require you there.”

“I don’t see why—”

“As my consultant.”

“Your consultant?”

“To ensure things run smoothly.”

“But you’re a pro. And with that famous Luxe charm you recently reminded me of, my presence would only dim your light.” I winked at him and packed a few items in my briefcase. “By the way, I’ll be out of the office for the rest of the afternoon.”

“Doing what?” Kent rose halfway from his chair before settling into the seat, a frown marring his handsome features.

“Oh, you know, consultanty things. Earning my obscenely expensive rate.” I rushed out of the office before my shaky legs gave from under me, praying I portrayed a confidence I didn’t feel.

I drove around Douglas until I reached the library. After my intense morning with Kent, I needed a breather, but I still had to work on his and his company’s images. I logged into the BBD site to monitor the chatter about Kent and Luxe Locations.

The internal company image needed a revamp as much as the external reputation. I scrolled through the recent discussion and drafted a few posts to plant under my username, Boss_Wrecker before I decided how to interject in the most recent bosshole discussion.

@OfficeVixen69: I don’t know how everyone can ignore the murderer ???? in the room, especially when he turns his temper on us.

@In_The_Know: @OfficeVixen69 tell me about it. I saw him unleash in person. I don’t know how the board at #de-luxe_digs hasn’t voted him out yet. He’s ruining the company inside and out. I wonder if I’ll have a job in a few months. You know I need that ??.

@Nose2TheGrindstone: Did I miss something? I swear, every day he tops his worst. Like, how low can this man go? At this point, he’s below whatever is under hell. And I don’t know about y’all, but I’m with @OfficeVixen69. There’s no way he isn’t the culprit. I’ve dyed my hair black just to be safe.

@PeoplePleaser13: @Nose2TheGrindstone that’s a good idea. Only blonde women keep turning up. Come to think of it, @In_The_Know, didn’t you say you were blonde, too?

@In_The_Know: @PeoplePleaser13 you aren’t funny.

@Boss_Wrecker: Hey @everyone. I’m new here. What are we talking about?

@In_The_Know: Hey @Boss_Wrecker. We’re talking about the man we always talk about. The top honcho whose stare can melt the melanin off you.

@Boss_Wrecker: He is intense, but I guess I’d be, too, if the company I bled to build was under attack. I mean, other than the rumors, has anyone from the office disappeared?

@PeoplePleaser13: @Boss_Wrecker has a point. He’s never looked twice at an employee, but that could be his cover to make us vouch for him.

@Boss_Wrecker: Nah, you can’t always judge a person by how they manage people. I bet outside the office he’s a softie.

I glanced at the time, then at the chat once more. Without going overboard with my defense, I planted the seeds for other Luxe Locations employees to question @OfficeVixen69 and @Nose2TheGrindstone’s assertions. At least two other users who’ve posted about de-luxe_digs commented after I stopped chatting, showing their support of the company, if not of Kent.

---