Page 14 of Devilish Bully
“Why does it look like you’re about to fight me, Miss Clarke?” he asks. “Surely, you can understand my decision.”
“I don’t understand anything about you.” I step back. “For the record, fuck you, and thank you for giving me the chance to find someone better.”
“You mean ‘something’?”
“That’s what I said.”
“Itwasn’t.”
We stare at each other in silence for several moments, and I ignore the rush of heat coursing through my body, the way he’s looking at me in a way that’s highly inappropriate.
It takes everything in me not to serve a final parting shot, and even longer to turn away from him and head to the door.
The moment I open it, he’s behind me, slamming it shut.
“Tell you what, Miss Clarke…” He spins me around to face him. “I’ve changed my mind. You’re not fired.”
“I’m still looking for someone else.”
“Look for lessons on how to use indefinite pronouns, too.” He places his hands above my head, caging me in. “Then again, given your new punishment, I don’t think you’ll have the time.”
I stare at him, confused.
“Since you think I’m so terrible you can work on the C-Suite team with me ahead of the IPO launch.”
“I’m not interested in working anywhere near you.”
“It pays triple what you’re currently making, and I think you could use a lesson in professionalism.”
“Then who’ll be the teacher?”
“Funny.” His lips are close enough to kiss me, and I don’t move away. “Do we have a deal?”
“I want the raise upfront…”
“Fine.” He steps back. “I’ll send a car for you in the morning. Be ready at four thirty.”
“Whoa, wait a minute.” I shake my head. “Tomorrow is Saturday.”
“And?”
“It’s the weekend. Well, technically, this weekend starts today the moment I get off, but…”
“I work seven days a week, Miss Clarke,” he says. “And since we have an IPO going live within six weeks, I won’t be taking a single day off. Neither will you if you’d like to keep your job.”
“But—”
“I need you to leave my office,” he says, opening the door for me. “Be ready at four thirty, or move on to ‘someone’ else…”
THE CEO
LUCIAN
What the hell have I done?
THE ACCOUNTANT
KENDALL
