Page 13 of Midnight & Mergers
“Mr. Bradley, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” She said as she patted the back of his hand.
His emotional anger went from zero to sixty in five seconds flat, and Teagan wasn’t sure why. What did her former boss’s fuck up have to do with Brooks’s mood, anyway? It was all so strange. But even stranger was how she calmed him just as quickly as his nostrils had flared moments ago. Brooks’s jaw softened as she continued to pat his hand. That could only mean one thing. He was attracted to her.
Shit! I’m so fucked!
“No, I’m sorry. It’s just I get mad when I hear people being taken advantage of. You shouldn’t have signed the initial agreement. In fact,” He started as he pulled out his cell phone. “I’m going to text Anne now so she can destroy the original document you signed.”
Teagan let in a breath through her gaping mouth.
“Wait! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean for you to text her. God! I didn’t even start this job, and I’m already causing so many problems!”
Brooks put down his cell and locked his eyes on Teagan’s.
“Teagan, no. You aren’t causing problems at all. I’m only angered that an employer put you in that kind of vulnerable position. He took advantage of your kindness, and that isn’t right.”
Teagan scoffed before responding.
“Yeah, well, he wasn’t just an employer.” Her eyes widened once she realized what she had said. “Oh my God, I’m sorry! That was TMI, wasn’t it? You don’t need to know about my ex. This isn’t a date, after all.” She swallowed hard and then bit her lip.
Why does this guy always make me want to spill my guts? I’ve never been this honest with anyone ever before. Not a friend, a lover, and certainly not someone I’m employed with!
“If you are implying that he was your boyfriend, that makes his indiscretion with you so much worse. I’m very sorry he took advantage of you.”
“Actually, he was my fiancé up until a few days ago. I caught him cheating on me with his personal secretary.”
Brooks’s jaw visibly tightened again.
Why would he do that? This is just a business dinner—right?
“He should have never done that to you.”
“Well, I got even—sort of. I hit the ass with a stapler.”
Brooks let out a chuckle at the same time as Teagan.
“I would have paid to see that! So, I take that you are staying at a hotel because you left the place you shared.”
Teagan scoffed.
“More like he kicked me out. He somehow blamed me for everything and said there was no way I could afford the place because he was firing me. He and his slut put a restraining order on me, so technically, I wouldn’t have been able to work there, anyway. No matter. I wouldn’t have stayed under his employment. And frankly, I’m glad I’m rid of him. I thought I’d be more upset, but I haven’t cried over him and his stupidity in quite some time. I guess things were over between us long before I hit him with his office supplies.” Teagan chuckled again, but it was more out of embarrassment this time. She’d done it again. Revealed too much.
God damn it!
She crossed her arms and let out a breath before continuing.
“Speaking of being able to afford things,” she uncrossed her arms and patted Brooks’s forearm. To her surprise, the muscles were just as rock-hard as his upper arms. “Brooks, I know this outfit and the jewelry are expensive. I mean, I was considering insuring myself before I stepped out the door to get here. It’s nice of you to do this, but it’s too much.”
“Teagan, I wanted to do this.”
“But it’s all so expensive. Even eating at this place will set you back a few grand. And it’s just a business meeting—right?”
“Teagan, I’m a billionaire. Dropping a few grand will not break my bank account. Please, let me spoil you. And for the record, this doesn’t need to be a business meeting. It can be a date if you’d like. From the sound of things, it appears you deserve to be doted on. And I’d be more than happy to be the lucky man to do that for you.”
Teagan smiled slightly.
“There’s no denying that I like you. I would, but that would be stupid on my part since I’ve already admitted earlier today that you are hot as hell. But I can only assume that you put that Christmas Clause in my contract for a reason. And I can’t help but wonder if it’s for a similar reason as mine for swearing off dating for a while. Did someone burn you?”
“Yes, but haven’t we all been burned at one point or another?”
