Page 8 of My Forbidden Boss

Wesley certainly had two faces, and I marveled at how expertly he could separate these two personas.

Friday evening had been a perilous test of my self-control. Once again, he had looked at me as if I were all he had ever desired. And I felt the same urgent longing when I looked into his eyes.

But as the evening faded, so did our roles as Brianna and Wesley. The next week arrived, and with it returned the icy boss who barely spared me a glance. It was mind-boggling how much I hustled to meet his demands. I strived to do everything, to be punctual, reliable, and work my ass off for him, and yet my efforts never seemed enough for him. I never seemed enough.

I knew he expected the same hard work from his employees that he demanded from himself. However, he never offered a smile or a compliment too many.

»So, how is it?« Isabelle whispered, sliding onto my desk.

I hadn’t even noticed her enter, engrossed as I was in my work like a lobster in a pot. »How do you think it is,« I murmured back. »He’s not Mr. Simmons.«

»But he’s also considerably hotter.« She winked at me, but I could only muster a sigh in response.

»Good looks don’t amount to much when you’re a cold-hearted jerk,« I whispered. Isabelle giggled.

»But it does compensate for a lot. Maybe he has a reason for being like that.«

I groaned. »Please, don’t try to delve into the depths of our new boss’s black soul.« I had already attempted that in our teenage years and failed miserably.

»Why not? So far, I haven’t noticed much, he’s always been exceedingly polite and accommodating to me.«

»Lucky you, but that’s only because you’re not his assistant.« And the younger sister of his friend.

»I’m sure you’re doing your job excellently.« I gave her a weak smile for her attempt to cheer me up. »Come on, you can surely take a lunch break, right? We haven’t eaten together in so long! I miss you!«

I glanced at the door; Wesley had a video call that would certainly last another hour. »He can’t keep you here forever.« Isabelle jumped off my desk. »Come on, just twenty minutes, then we’ll be back here and he won’t even notice.«

I chewed on my lower lip. He had instructed me to compile some figures for the new purchase and I was nearly finished. Almost. But it wouldn’t take much more and Isa was right, I could surely afford one lunch break. I had been toiling away since his arrival nearly every day and had been contenting myself with quick snacks at the desk.

»Alright,« I said hastily, grabbed my bag, and stood up. I took off my glasses and laid them next to my keyboard. »But only twenty minutes, then I have to continue.«

Isabelle cheered. »Of course!«

Naturally, the break lasted longer. Much longer. After a little over an hour, I sneaked back to my spot. It hadn’t been the plan to stay away so long, but I had enjoyed the time with my colleague and good friend, and we had simply lost track of time.

I quietly placed my bag under the table, as if Wesley could hear me. What a load of nonsense! I was entitled to a lunch break, what could he possibly do?

My chair squeaked and I held my breath. At the same moment, my desk phone rang, and I immediately recognized the extension.

My heart pounding, I picked up. »In my office,« Wesley said, and hung up. I was on the verge of quitting and looking for a new job. He treated me worse than a serf. A ›please‹ would have been the least!

I took a deep breath, stood up, and straightened my business dress. No matter what he was going to reproach me for, he could go to hell for all I cared. One week under his leadership was enough to have had it. And this was a job I had always loved and had been successful at for six years.

My high heels clacked on the rustic concrete floor as I knocked on his door and entered.

»Close the door,« he said curtly. I followed his barking command and as I turned around to face him, he slowly rose and circled the desk. Every part of me pulsed as he approached me. I lifted my chin and straightened my back as he stopped only a few steps away from me. Was this proximity appropriate? Certainly not.

»Where were you, Miss Sullivan?« He asked, a threatening undertone in his voice.

»I took a lunch break like any other employee in this company.« Except for you, was on the tip of my tongue.

He pressed his lips together, his gaze flitting over my face and settling on my eyes. Dear God. I was not going to back down! He was virtually inviting me to yell in his face about what a pompous ass he was within these four walls! Where was the witty, charming Wesley I had met on Friday evening?

He took a step forward. »I specifically informed you when my video call would be finished and that I wanted the figures on my desk by then.« For heaven’s sake, he was practically looking for a reason to torment me!

»That is correct, but my body had an urgent need for nourishment, otherwise it would have toppled off this damned uncomfortable office chair without a detour.«

His lips twitched, but otherwise, he showed no reaction.

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