Page 33 of Boss On Notice
“Dance.”
“That’s right. You dance. You told me that.”
I’m trying to remember when I told him that. “I did?”
He grimaces. “Yeah.”
Telling him the truth about where and how I woke up on Saturday morning is on the tip of my tongue. But I can’t speak the words.
“Your lips are quivering again. What do you want to say to me?”
I press my lips to stop them from fluttering. I really have to stop doing that, especially since he knows why I do it. It’s a weakness and I cannot show weakness around Orion.
“What do you want? Broadway?” he asks.
How did he know?“Yeah,” I say tightly.
“Done.”
“Why?” I ask, squishing my face as if repelling his offer. “Nothing ever comes for free with you.”
Orion jerks his head back as if offended by my claim. “That’s not true.”
I grunt. “This negotiating that you’re doing is evidence of you doing nothing for free. Which actually scares me, Orion. I want you to be more tolerable because you’re making real foundational changes, not because you want me to stay and do your work for you.” I sigh hard, proud I didn’t curse at him.
His hand flies up. “Foundational changes,” he muses. “I like that.”
I grunt as I roll my eyes. “You’re impossible.”
“I’m impossible?”
“You’re mocking me.”
He puts his palms on his chest and leans toward me. “No, I’m not, Lila,” he says in the sincerest tone.
“It’s Lilly,” I practically yell while shaking my fists.
“Okay—Lilly,” he acquiesces.
“Thank you.”
“Give me a list. What do you need me to change so I can get you to stay with me for two more months?” He’s rubbing his palms together.
“Nothing. I’m leaving.”
“Come on. Humor me. Just humor me.”
I narrow my eyes. Look at that face, every angle is too perfect. I can’t believe I’ve been looking at him for four and a half years and hadn’t been the least bit aroused by him. I want to hate Orion, I really do. I thought I did hate him. But look at his face…
“You haven’t told me why you want me to stick around for two more months,” I say. What he tells me will determine if I even entertain this deal he’s trying to strike.
“Oh, that’s easy,” he says, shrugging his eyebrows twice. “I want to get back to the penthouse floor. You liked the top floor, didn’t you? It’s all plush and brimming with benefits.” He’s shaking his finger as if he just remembered something. “You used to rave about the bathrooms up there.”
Well…he’s got me there. The top floor used to definitely make putting up with his bullshit almost worth it.
I sigh, letting go of some of my fight. “I’m listening.”
“I have been working on something,” he says.
