Page 31 of My Forbidden Boss

Isabelle slid off the desk. »Then I’ll let you get back to your work.« She stressed ›work‹ in a way that I found quite unsettling. Even though she was my friend, this was exactly what I hadn’t wanted: for anyone to think that I was receiving special treatment because something was developing between Wesley and me.

»See you later.«

I removed my glasses, set them beside me on the desk, and rubbed my temples as a throbbing started behind them. We couldn’t continue living in our self-created bubble of sex and cotton candy for much longer. It was bound to burst at some point, the question was just when.

»Hey, is everything alright?« I looked up, Wesley was standing in front of my desk, scrutinizing me.

»Yes, yes, of course.« I attempted a smile, which faltered. He hesitated, I could see in his eyes that he would’ve loved to pull me close and embrace me. And an embrace was exactly what I needed.

He glanced down the hallway, which appeared to be empty, as he circled my desk. »Come here,« he whispered huskily, extending his hand to me, which I took. Shielded by the walls of my office, he stepped back with me and held me. »What happened? Or are you just tired?« he asked attentively, and I found myself smiling.

»It’s just... I would love to have this more often, the charade is wearing on my nerves.«

He placed his fingers under my chin and lifted my face, forcing me to look at him. »I know what you mean. Just a little bit longer, okay?« He gently stroked my cheek. »By the way, I’m viewing an apartment this evening.«

»I thought you liked living in your hotel.«

»Yes, but it’s nothing...« He hesitated, and I could sense he was fully aware of the weight his next words carried. »Permanent.« He was right, having an apartment here would almost be like making a statement. That he would stay longer. That we would deepen our relationship.

I couldn’t resist, I rose to my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his. He pulled me closer, and once again I felt the connection between us solidifying, touch by touch, breath by breath.

A bang caused us to jerk apart. »Elliot?« I gasped breathlessly.

My brother stood panting in the doorway of my office, staring at us. Food containers lay scattered on the floor, their contents spread all around.

»Fuck,« Wesley muttered, increasing the distance between us a few steps further.

»An explanation would be nice,« Elliot growled, and I could feel the simmering rage inside him, barely contained from erupting.

I was at a loss for words. Wesley took a step towards him, lifting his hand, but Elliot recoiled. »What are you doing here?« he barked. Of course, he had no clue that Wesley was my boss. We should have told him, everything was spiraling out of control.

Wesley ran a hand through his hair. »I work here.«

»With Brianna?« He looked back at me, and I recognized the precise moment of realization. »You’re her new boss,« he declared. »Her damned new boss and worse: You’re exploiting the situation and sleeping with your assistant? My sister?« His voice rose with each word.

»Elliot, let’s sort this out calmly!« I urged, also stepping towards him before all our colleagues took notice. He had lost his girlfriend, been suspended from his team, and now he had to witness his best friend and sister betraying him behind his back. »I understand you’re angry, but this is not the right place!«

»Not the right place? I just want a damned explanation from you!«

Wesley reached out to touch Elliot’s arm, but he swatted it away, squared off against him, his fingers clenched into fists. »Don’t touch me,« he growled. »And never touch my sister again.«

»I think she can decide that for herself, she’s old enough,« retorted Wesley, and that was the gasoline to Elliot’s fire. He swung, but Wesley was faster and managed to dodge. Elliot fell, and there was nothing anyone could do as he hit the floor hard. I saw the shame and fury that burned hot in his face. »Elliot!« I tried again, rushing towards him, but he picked himself up and knocked my hand away too.

»Suits you, the pair of traitors deserve each other,« he said quietly and resignedly. As he stormed down the hallway, I wanted to follow him, but Wesley held me back.

»Don’t. Give him time to process this.«

»We need to talk to him!«

»Not today,« Wesley stated firmly. My heart pounded in my chest, I was far from calm. »There’s no point now, he won’t listen to you.«

»What if he goes and gets drunk somewhere? Dammit, what if he drives again?«

»He won’t, he’s learned his lesson.«

I buried my face in my hands. Desperation and concern for my brother consumed me. I couldn’t possibly leave him alone now, but Wesley was right. We were the reason he was so upset, I would only make things worse. For now.

Yet, I couldn’t stand here another second. I grabbed my bag. »I can’t do this anymore, I...« I hesitated and looked at Wesley. The pain was evident in his eyes too, but he did nothing. He didn’t say a word to me. »We can’t do this anymore,« I whispered. »It was clear from the start that an affair would backfire.«

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