Page 424 of Savage Bosses

"What's in your office?" she called out.

He looked over his shoulder to find her standing in the same place.This motherfucker.

"Get in my office," he muttered, teeth clenched.

Tatianna hesitated for a moment before nodding and following him. Bryce led the way. He held the door open for her. As soon as she entered, he closed it behind them and locked it. She glanced back at him with a raised eyebrow.

The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. But neither of them acknowledged it, instead attempting to maintain a facade of calm indifference.

"Take a seat," he said, gesturing to a chair across from his desk.

Tatianna remained standing. Bryce's eyes flicked to the empty chair across from his desk.

"Have a seat, Ms. Dupree."

Tatianna's jaw clenched, and she shook her head. "I'll stand, thanks." She straightened her spine, her gaze unwavering.

"Why?" he asked.

"In case you decide to throw me out again, I want to be standing and ready."

A chuckle escaped Bryce, an amused glint in his eyes as he leaned back in his chair. "You got guts, I'll give you that. Alright, I apologize for last time. I shouldn't have thrown you out like that."

"No, you shouldn't have."

"I've apologized. Now, do you have anything to say?"

"Like what?" Tatianna asked, her voice laced with defiance.

Bryce's grin widened, his fingers drumming against the polished surface of his desk. He reveled in the subtle tension simmering between them, knowing she could sense it too.

"Oh, I don't know," he drawled. "Maybe something about flipping me off before storming off like a little girl?"

"There's nothing little about me," she told him. "And I'm a grown-ass woman. No little girl over here," she said, eyes challenging him to dispute her words.

And he couldn't say shit because she wasn't lying.

He cleared his throat before saying, "You should apologize for flipping me off. You pretty much told me to go fuck myself."

He watched Tatianna closely, waiting for her reaction. He wanted her to feel cornered, but she just tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing.

"I did that? When?"

"Yesterday."

"That doesn't sound like me."

"Really?" Bryce said, leaning forward, his hands still on the desk. "So, you're not going to apologize for showing such disrespect?"

"Sorry, Mr. Cattaneo," Tatianna replied coolly, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "But I have no idea what you're talking about. Now, can we get on with discussing my job here? This morning’s bagels aren't going to prepare themselves."

She smiled sweetly, and he realized that he'd forgotten how stubborn she could be. That was fine. He would still break her. And he'd get the apology he wanted. Eventually.

"Alright," Bryce said through gritted teeth. "Let's talk about your responsibilities in the café."

Tatianna crossed her arms over her chest, her posture rigid yet poised. "Go on, then," she prompted, her gaze never leaving his. It was as if she was daring him to make a move, to test her limits.

"First of all," Bryce began. "You'll be responsible for managing customer orders and ensuring the delivery of quality service." He paused, watching her carefully for any sort of reaction. But her face remained impassive, betraying nothing.

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