Page 23 of Bittersweet Love

He clears his throat and turns back to Jack. “Lauren and I have a newunderstandingof each other. I think we’ll work together just fine again.”

“Mmmmhmm. I’ll bet. Just keep it out of the office,” Jack says with a snort and a flick of his wrist, dismissing us.

My cheeks burn with embarrassment under the insinuation that he knows just what our newfound ‘understanding’ is, and I’m gearing up for the verbal ass-kicking I’m going to give Vince the second we step out of this office.

“Seriously?” I ask as soon as the door shuts. “Is this a joke to you?”

“Come on, Lauren. Jack is cool.” He laughs as he turns towards his office. He stops after a few steps, probably when he realizes I’m not following him and he turns back around. “You’re not really mad, right?”

“Kinda!”

“Who the fuck cares what we do? I’m not your boss, it’s not like you have to worry about people thinking you’re sleeping your way to the top. Who gives a shit?”

“I do, and what happened to not wanting anyone in the office to know?” It was only a few days ago that we agreed that this would stay between us, and now he’s telling our freaking boss?Fuck that.

He shrugs and leans against the wall. “You act like I announced it at the morning meeting. What’s the big deal? It’s not like I flat out told him, anyway.”

“Because I am a lady, thank you very much, and I don’t need anyone in my business.”

“Okay, I’m fairly certain a ‘lady’ doesn’t use the word ‘cunt’ or ‘fuck’ in everyday conversation or fuck their coworkers in a bar bathroom.” He points at me. “And no one is in our fucking business, Lauren.”

I ignore the fact that he used the wordourand focus on the first part. “Are you slut shaming me now?”

He runs a hand through his hair and I can sense the exasperation coming off of him in waves.Good. Now we’re on the same page.“No, oh my God, Lauren. You’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?”

“Being yourself. Stop. I like you better when you’re relaxed,” he says with a groan as he turns around and moves back towards his office. “Which seems to only happen when my dick is inside of you,” he calls over his shoulder.

“Do not walk away from me.” I stomp after him and follow him into his office, shutting the door behind us.

“Lock the door behind you.” He gives me a cocky smile as he leans against his desk. He rolls his sleeves up and crosses his arms in front of him.

“We are not doing anything.”

He huffs and rolls his eyes. “Lauren, I refuse to jack off tonight, get your ass over here.” He settles into his chair behind his desk and looks up at me with those piercing blue eyes.

“No.”

Why!?

“Fuck,” he groans and puts his hands over his eyes. “I’m sorry Jack is a fucking journalist and read between the lines. And no, I was not slut shaming you. I’ve fucked actual sluts, and you are definitely not one. Happy?”

Does he know anything about women?

I ignore his comment about fucking other women because the last thing I needed is to come off jealous when Vince and I are notanything. This is about him telling our boss that we had sex.

Well, insinuating it.

Focus on that.

“There were no lines to read between, the way you were looking at me said it all!” I exclaim.

He gets up and crosses the room, his long legs eating at the space between us until I’m up against his door. His arms dart out, effectively boxing me in before letting one hand slide down the door to the doorknob to lock it. “I’ve been looking at you the same way for the past six months…maybe this is the first timeyou’venoticed, but I can assure you it’s not the first time Jack has.” He runs a finger from my cheek down my side, leaving my skin tingling in its wake. I feel myself melting under his gaze. “You’re infuriating.”Way to kill the moment, asshole.

“I am not,” I snap.

He chuckles at my petulant tone. “I have a conference call in twenty minutes, can I eat your pussy before then or what?”

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