Page 5 of My Forbidden Boss

She hesitated, and I could see her weighing whether I was trapping her or being sincere. I wasn’t entirely sure myself. She took my fingers and I gently ran my thumb over the back of her hand, I just couldn’t resist, even though it definitely would have been better.

»To a successful collaboration,« she whispered, and my mind wandered to what it would have been like to run into her elsewhere in this city. Perhaps over dinner?

We let go of each other, and after one last look, she turned away. »I’ll let you get settled then. Have a great first day at work, Mr. Crush,« she said, closing the door behind her after she swayed out of my new office with gracefully undulating steps. Okay, this job was going to be more thrilling than I had initially anticipated.

5

Brianna

It had taken an entire bottle of wine yesterday to even begin processing the circumstance that I had encountered Wesley again. As my new boss.

Fortunately, he had sequestered himself in his office with Mr. Simmons all day yesterday, getting briefed on the business. But today was the day I had to face him. From today on, my dear, old boss was on his way to the Bahamas to enjoy his well-earned retirement, and it was my job to bring Wesley up to speed on all possible matters concerning him. Wonderful.

The dinner at my parents‹ tonight would come just in time to put the past couple of days behind me and start the upcoming weekend on a satisfied note. Until I had to face Wesley again on Monday. But first, I had to somehow survive Friday.

My heart was pounding in my throat as I walked down the hallway to my workspace. Wesley’s door was closed, it was just fifteen past seven. Most of the staff arrived around eight, but I was an early bird and worked best in tranquility. Mr. Simmons had never complained about that, even though he also arrived later. But Wesley? How did he work? He was still in his office when I bid him farewell around half-past eight yesterday. Luckily, he had been engrossed in some paperwork and barely gave me a glance.

And now, was he already here?

I put my bag under my desk and started up the computer. First, I opened a window and let in the fresh morning air, then I grabbed my extra-large office mug in the form of a fat, happy cat, a birthday gift from Isabelle a year ago, and headed for the kitchen. But before I reached the end of the hall, Wesley’s door opened. »Miss Sullivan!« Okay, so he’s an early bird, too. I slowly turned around, and his sight left me speechless again today. He had taken off his jacket, his silver cufflinks glinted in the sun streaming in through the windows. »Do you have a moment?«

I glanced longingly at my mug and then nodded. »Of course.«

Without acknowledging me with another glance, he turned and disappeared into his office. On the way, I put the mug on my desk, grabbed paper and pen, and followed him. I assumed I would need to take notes for tasks I needed to perform. At least that’s how it had been before, but as I stood in front of Wesley’s desk, he furrowed his brow when he saw my notepad.

We had agreed to stick to formal language. Because it was safer and because it provided a clear line. Neither he nor I were in the mood for gossip and chatter in the office, and most importantly, it did not tempt me to act too flippantly towards him. It was still about my job, but in the past, my jokes had occasionally gotten me into trouble. Especially with superiors.

»What do you intend to do with that?« He asked.

Was he trying to make a fool of me? »With my notepad?« His eyebrows furrowed even more, even though I had thought that would be impossible. He didn’t answer, and I felt the nerves creep into me. »Um, take notes. Wasn’t that why I was supposed to come to you?«

He slid deeper into his chair, crossing his hands on the desktop. His gaze was so intense that it made me more jittery. What was he aiming for? His face remained impassive, icy. Where was yesterday’s Wesley, who had teased me and smiled at me? It was as if I were talking to a completely different person.

»Firstly, I wanted to let you know that I expect you to adjust your working hours to match mine.«

Had I mistaken the time and it was already much later? »Could you explain what you mean?«

He sighed as if he had to explain something to a small child. Anger began to grow inside me. »You, as my assistant, are closer to me than anyone else in this company.« Was I imagining it, or was his voice becoming a bit raspier? »You are my point of contact, so I rely on you. I expect you to be fully engaged.«

»I am!« Was he out of his mind? I was the one who arrived earliest and left latest! No one else was as engaged as I was. I had neither a boyfriend nor kids waiting for me, and I completely immersed myself in my job, which I loved. What more did he want? »I’m as engaged as anyone can be. I take notes not because I can’t remember things, but for you. Mr. Simmons...«

»Is no longer here,« he cut me off sharply, and I swallowed. »That’s all.«

He turned away from me as if I was no longer worth a second of his time. I pressed my lips together. If he weren’t my boss, I’d have a hundred things on my tongue that I’d like to throw at his handsome head. But all I could do was turn away and head back to the door. My fingers dug into my empty notepad.

»I start at six,« he said just before I could step outside. I paused for a moment. Was he really like this or was it specifically about me?

I kept going, as I wouldn’t find out. »Of course, Mr. Crush,« I forced out and disappeared from his office. Now I needed the coffee more urgently than before.

That didn’t change when I brought him his lunch at noon. He had very precise ideas about his nutrition and was even more pedantic about it than my brother. I knocked softly on his door and entered his office. He sat casually in his chair, his shirt and tie still perfect. He was on the phone and waved me over. I stepped up to his desk and put the food on the table. It was a rather tasty bowl with strips of beef fillet, avocado, quinoa, and all sorts of other healthy stuff.

»Yes, exactly, from now on I am your contact person,« he said into the phone, scrutinizing his meal. If he didn’t accept it, I would throw it at him, for I had walked more than ten blocks in the thick lunchtime traffic for it. And back again. »I will inform my assistant, she will contact you for an appointment. See you then.« He stood up and set his smartphone aside. He didn’t spare his meal another glance. With long strides, he headed towards the spacious seating area, some documents scattered on the table in front of it. »Come,« he said curtly and a little impatiently.

I followed him like an obedient dachshund. »Did you discuss the purchase of the Grand Fountains in Las Vegas with Mr. Simmons?« He gestured to the couch, and I sat down before he joined me. As he leaned forward to reach for the papers, his arm lightly brushed mine. Even though I was annoyed due to his instructions, my body instantly reacted to his closeness. I slid over a bit, but the couch didn’t offer much space.

»I did,« I responded quickly to his question. He handed me the hotel’s brochure, which noted the key data. »The deal isn’t signed yet, but as far as I know, it’s in the bag,« I added.

»I have tentatively cancelled.«