Page 239 of Savage Bosses

I know it was there when I read the message that weekend. It was even there that night. It had to disappear sometime in the morning. Was it after we spoke in my office? Did she know I was Dragon?

She couldn't.

Something told me that if Judy-Lynn knew, she’d melt down. Of course, a part of me wished she would channel Jaelle, and we would have hot office sex.

Then what?

Tossing her out on her firm round ass wouldn't work. I needed her for more than just myneeds. Then there was Teddy. He would never let me hear the end of it.

“You look pissed as hell. Did a novel release date get pushed back, or did Aroma do something else I'm unaware of?” Teddy asked from the doorway.

“It's nothing.” I focused on my laptop screen. “What brings you to the office today? I thought you were heading to San Jose to meet with Cornerstone.”

I wanted a foothold in the next growth area of technology education. Companies paid top dollar to keep their employees compliant and competent. I wanted a stake in that to diversify our tech portfolio.

“I'm heading out in a bit.” He closed the door and then sat in my chair. “I need to know your head's in the game while I'm gone.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

He crossed his legs, his ankle resting on his knee, and watched me with an eagle glare. The stray morning light from the window of my fantastic city center view glinted off his glasses, obscuring his eyes. It made him appear like the cold steel machine kids from our past accused him of being. To me, he was concerned and furious. Which meant he knew.

Damn it, Jason.

The question was how much?

“If you’re worried that I'll miss you—I'll manage. I'm touched that you've given our bromance that much thought.”

He didn't react to my flippant remark. Usually, I got a short, snarky retort.

Nothing.

Something was very wrong.

I turned to him, giving my full attention. “Maybe I should be asking you what is wrong?”

“Not Judy-Lynn,” he said. “I'm cultivating her to lead this division while we focus on conquering the learning technology space. I won't let you ruin someone with the potential to be more than one of your fuck toys.”

What the hell was his problem? “I don't ruin anyone.”

“Yeah, because the others knew they signed up to be arm candy and lust until you were bored,” he replied. “All of them were crazy anyway. Judy-Lynn is not like them.”

A lump formed in the pit of my stomach, and my palms itched. Not that this was any of his business, but why did Teddy care? “Do you like her?”

He pushed his glasses up. “I do, but not sexually. Don't play with her.”

“She is our employee. The moment I realized that, my interest died.” I stared him dead in the eyes.

“Liar.” Teddy stood.

What the—? “Where are you going?”

He waved without turning to face me as he walked toward the door. “To San Jose. Stay out of Judy-Lynn.”

Teddy left while I sat at my desk, nauseous with a racing heart. At least it explained his interest in Judy-Lynn. She was good at managing the Amber project. She was an untapped find, but she had always been Teddy's pick from the beginning.

Even after hiring Judy-Lynn, he kept her not far from the conversation. Not enough for me to think of her first, but he didn't let me forget her. Was he lying to me?

Judy-Lynn was the type of girl he dated, and Teddy was territorial. He was way too calm. We'd have come to blows if he believed I had poached his woman. Besides, we made an oath—Jason, Teddy, and me—to always let the other know if we wanted someone.

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