Page 20 of Boss

“Are you suggesting I’m flying you across the country to seduce you?” he chuckled. “Again?”

“No. I just can’t help but feel the seduction in everything you do Mr. Marshall. Passing a piece of toast is a seduction with men like you.”

“Why? Because I’m rich?”

“No, because you’re corrupt.”

Tarek brows lifted. He gained an awareness she didn’t intend to give him. She quickly tried to get back on track. “It’s the kind of business you deal in. Seducing people to do your bidding.”

“I think you like calling me Mr. Marshall instead of Tarek because it gives you some sense of control. You aren’t in control Angela.”

“Of course not. You’re my boss. I say it to remind me. You know, boundaries and all.”

“Ah, clever. Should I call you Ms. Brown to remind me of the invisible lines between us. Employer and employee?”

“Only if you intend to respect them.”

“I said...”

“What you think I wanted to hear. The question isn’t why you put the knife I had in my hand to your throat.”

“It’s not?”

“No Mr. Marshall. The real question is, why I enjoyed it. Have you bothered to ask yourself that? Me, hurting you. Aren’t you even a little bit curious?”

“Are you saying you have motives?”

“Don’t we all?”

He smiled. “I suppose we do. As for my curiosity, I’m more of a practical man. I scared you. Tried to take control from you. So I gave it back to have you. And you liked it. See Angela. Power is the root of corruption. Take a bite and you want another. That’s why you let me fuck you. The rush, the excitement, am I right?”

“That’s sick.”

“That’s courtship,” he said.

“You’re confused.”

“And you’re not?” he chuckled.

“Stop trying to twist things.”

“I’m just having a conversation with you.”

“No, you’re toying with me. I have another question. What waits for us in Alaska? And why did you give me that little test that you knew I would fail.”

“You passed the test. We are going to meet a man named Yegor Kovalevsky and make a business proposal. That is all.”

“And me? That’s it?”

“It’s cold in Alaska.” He glanced over to her. “I wanted the company.”

“So again you admit you hired me for more than my brain?”

“Body, brain, all part of the same anatomy of a woman. I hired you, because there is something I need to do. I think you can help me.”

“Then tell me? What your real plans are.”

“You’d like that wouldn’t you. The key to information about me and my business?”

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