Page 49 of His Rules

I wasn’t expecting him to tense, but he did and as he turned around, I could tell he was more than annoyed with his partner’s actions. “Is that all?”

Every word out of his mouth had been contemptuous lately. “What does that mean?”

“That means I’ve seen you talking to him before.”

“So? He’s one of the owners.”

“So, I didn’t like it.”

I had no idea what to say to him. “How am I supposed to react to that?”

The darkness in his eyes was entirely different. More than just possessive. They were riddled with anger and… did I see jealousy in them?

“You don’t need to react. You simply need to tell me if there’s anything going on between the two of you.”

“You have no right to ask.”

“As your employer, I believe I do.” He moved around to the front of his desk, sitting on the edge. Maybe the move was meant to squelch the tension between us, but it only made me that much more uncomfortable.

“I’m not dating him if that’s what you’re asking. I’m not dating anyone because I’m concentrating on my career.”

“That’s good to hear because we’re going to be working very long hours together.”

“So you’ve told me more than once.” What was the man looking for?

“I need to know you’re thoroughly committed to your job and that I can trust you.”

Wait a minute. I knew what he was getting at. He had found reasons not to trust his own partner. I could sense it. “You can trust me. I haven’t done anything to disprove that, have I?”

“No, you have not.”

He was being very formal, choosing his words carefully. “Then why are you acting as if I have?”

“You tell me.”

Great. This was just another one of his tests. I had nothing to lose at this point. “I can’t find any activities regarding Waterhouse Industries. From what I’ve read, they’re incurring a similar downtrend in sales. But I did find something interesting.”

“Interesting? It’s obvious you’ve already put together a theory in your mind.”

I did, but I had no proof whatsoever. However, with him mentioning his sudden uncertainty about his own partner, my twisted mind was putting various scenarios together.

“Yes, but with no evidence. Yet. I think you have someone sabotaging you.”

“How so?” He crossed his arms, but my eyes fell to the way the thin material of his trousers was stretched across his muscular thighs. Suddenly, my mouth watered.

“Although I don’t have access to certain files on the server, from what I can tell, the design recently presented by Waterhouse Industries to Francis Kane’s company closely resembles thenew Gulfstream that you commissioned for use on first class international flights.”

I could tell my suggestion was something he hadn’t thought of.

The design was brilliant, albeit an expensive ride. However, from what I’d seen of the stunning replica of the interior, which was currently hanging on Sebastian’s wall, the passengers would be treated like kings. Interior cabins, a bar and restaurant, and all the amenities flying in the poshest environment one could provide. The gamble was the fact that the private jets that usually held twenty-five passengers would now be cut to ten.

Plus, the price tag was much heftier than a Cessna or a smaller Gulfstream, which would limit the market.

“Agreed.” He had a smirk on his face. “Any idea who?”

“No, but I think you do. Your partner.”

“Possibly. However, I won’t jump to any conclusions. Knowing that trust is vital on my end, I may need your help while you’re in New York.”

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