Page 31 of Rough Around the Hedges

He could join the club.

I had a headache just from being here.

My aristocracy allergy was kicking in, clearly.

“Go on in,” Bruce said. “I’ll be back shortly with your drinks.”

I shuffled past him into the office and glanced around, pausing when I saw Oliver sitting behind his desk, wearingglasses and a light blue shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing his forearms off like a dirty little slut. “Huh.”

Oliver peered over at me. “What?”

Aside from the fact he was irritatingly handsome in glasses… “Nothing,” I replied. “Thank you for making the time to see me.”

“Mm. No need to pretend to be thankful, Miss Matthews. You knew exactly how to get me to make the time.”

I cleared my throat and glanced away. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Suit yourself.” He committed the cardinal sin of pulling off his glasses. “Take a seat. I hear I’m apparently in breach of contract and you’re willing to take legal action. I’m surprised you wanted to speak with me directly.”

“All right, first, let’s cut the crap.” I sat down on one of the chairs facing his desk and put my bag on the floor by my feet. “This fake politeness is making me nauseous, so just say what you mean the way you mean it, and this conversation will be far more tolerable for the both of us.”

Oliver’s lips twitched on one side. “How do you know my politeness is false?”

“Do you really want me to answer that?”

“I wouldn’t have asked a question if I didn’t want an answer.”

“Fine.” I rested my elbow on the arm of the chair and set my chin on my fist. “We spent several hours together and the only time you ever said the word ‘please’ was when you were asking me to open my legs wider, so I can see right through this bullshit.”

“Hmm, I suppose you’re right.” He twirled his glasses with the arm, staring at me with an expressionless face. “And even then, you didn’t like it when I said please. You much preferred it when I ordered you around.”

“Well, unfortunately for you, I only do as I’m told in bed, and I don’t see one of those around here.”

“It could be arranged. There’s nothing I can’t do in this house, and I can’t say I’m against the thought of you pleasuring yourself against my tongue again.”

Bastard.

I gathered all my strength and offered him the fakest, sweetest smile I was capable of. “I’d rather shove myself up that chimney over there and start a fire at my feet.”

“Don’t let me stop you.” His lips quirked.

Absolute bastard.

“Now that we’ve dispensed with the bullshit, can we get on with it? I don’t know about you, but I’m a busy woman.”

“Really,” Oliver said flatly. “What could possibly require your attention more than this matter?”

“My one-thirty client,” I replied. “Have you met Vera Radcliffe yet?”

“I have no idea who that is.”

“You will when you meet her, the ornery old bat.” I paused. “I mean, the sweet old dear.”

Oliver coughed into his hand, briefly turning his face away from me.

Was he laughing at me?This wanker.

“Just as you are, I’m also busy. So, now that we’ve ‘dispensed with the bullshit,’ as you so eloquently put it, tell me how you believe I’m breaching the contract so we can attempt to resolve this,” he said.

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