Page 32 of Boss On Notice
“It’s your two weeks’ notice.” It’s as if he’s moving in slow motion as I watch him read what I’ve written on the page. When he makes it to the end, he grunts thoughtfully. “I kind of preferred the rough draft.”
My jaw drops as I gasp. “Then you did read it.”
Orion nods sharply. “I had.”
“You lied to me.”
“Sorry, Lila.”
“Lilly. And you don’t sound sorry at all.”
Orion turns his sexy chin slightly and frowns contemplatively. “I thought we had made an agreement that I can call you Lila. It’s out of love, not disrespect.”
I’m rendered motionless. Did he say love? I feel like he said that to me before, and I said it back to him. The details are fuzzy, but I’m so uncomfortable on the inside that I readjust in my seat again and again.
“We’ll get into the matter of Lila versus Lilly later. But first…” He springs out of his chair to sit on the front edge of his desk.
Do not look, Lilly.Do not look at his package, which is begging me to admire it.
“What do you need from me?” Orion asks.
“Huh?” I don’t know what’s happening to me right now. I’m all discombobulated and not in control of my desires.
“What can I give you to make you stay?”
Oh.I gently shake my head. “Nothing. You can’t make me change my mind.”
“Sure I can. You’re leaving because of me. How about I make you stay because of me?”
He crosses his ankles, making his bulge appear plumper. What is wrong with me? I rub the side of my increasingly warming neck.
“Okay, so you don’t like it when I call you after normal business hours. Done. I’ll stop.”
My chin juts out. “Really?” I’m surprised he’s giving up the ability to do that since he does it so often.
“Sure. I won’t call you, unless it’s personal.”
I shake my head like a rattle. “Personal? Why would you need to call me for something personal?”
“I thought we got pretty close this weekend.”
Three things happen to me at once. I fight the urge to drop my jaw. I forget to swallow, which allows saliva to slide down the wrong pipe. And now I’m coughing to keep from choking. “What do you mean?” I strain to say.
“You need some water?”
As if he’s going to go get me water.Huh!I shake my head. “No, I just…”
“Wait.” He’s on his feet. “I’ll be right back.”
I cough even harder now that I’m alone, working arduously to clear my throat before he returns. And he’s back carrying a bottle of cold water. I did not think he would go into the supply room to get me water. He’s never done that before.
“Thank you,” I barely say, leaning away from him untrustworthily as he sets the bottle of water in front of me.
“You’re welcome.” He’s regarding me with the kind of smirk that never fails to melt panties.
“But still, Orion.” I cough one last time to finish clearing my windpipe. “I’m choosing to do other things with my life.”
“Really?” He folds his arms again. “Like what?”
