Page 3 of Lost Times

If it weren’t for her, I could do just that, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. Instead, I nodded, fighting to swallow past my dry throat.

“Right, I don’t expect any special treatment, and as a matter of fact, I prefer you didn’t. I want to earn my way here, not have it handed to me.”

His brow ticked up, something notably warmer lighting in his eyes before it too was snuffed out by that mask of his. “You’re late on your first day, all employees getonewarning and this is yours. After this, I’ll put it on your record.” He said, his tone turning cold and stern.

Ice dripped down my back and I instinctively straightened with a nod. He seemed satisfied with that, leading the way into the building as I followed. With his eyes finally off me, I couldthink.

He seemed like a totally different person to the man I remembered from that night. Back then, he’d been open and kind, his smile a tad hesitant but still genuine when he asked me to go to his room with him. We’d been chatting at the bar I worked at for hours before then and I hadn’t hesitated to agree.

Every touch had lit me on fire and not once had he hurt me, the night spiraling into a blaze of passion I’d only dreamed of before then.

Now though…he was different.

That excited and almost shy spark was long gone, replaced by a hard flinty glare that made me want to hide. This wasn’t the man I’d gone to bed with all those years ago, and something told methiswas why my instincts had screamed not to get connected.

If this was the real him, then I wanted him nowhere near Jasmine.

I was broken from my thoughts when he pulled up short and I crashed headlong into his back. Backing up several steps, the fire in my cheeks fanning higher, I tried to sputter out an apology but he waved it off, his jaw tense enough to cut glass with as he growled.

“It’s fine, but watch where you’re going.”

I nodded, keeping my mouth shut instead of pointing out that he’d been the one to stop short. I was already on thin ice from showing up late on the first day, better not to add anything else that may get me into trouble.

He waved at an empty desk and nodded. “This is yours. Someone will be by soon to walk you through the daily tasks. They’ll also go over the do’s and don'ts of the company.” Then he turned without another word, moving toward the head office and leaving me to gather my thoughts.

Releasing the breath holed up in my lungs, I leaned against the desk and took everything in. Alright, my new boss was the man I’d slept and conceived a child with. No big deal. He didn’t have to know anything.

I didn’t want someone who could glare so coldly anywhere near her anyway, so this worked out. I could do my job, keep my head down, and he wouldn’t know a thing.

Steadying myself, I straightened just in time as a woman with a kind smile walked up, her long blond hair pulled up into a bun as she waved.

“Hi, I’m Kelly. It’s great to have someone new in the office. Are you alright?” Her smile faded toward the end, genuine concern bleeding into her tone, and I tipped my head.

“Yes? Why wouldn’t I be?”

She gave a tiny nod toward the direction Ludwig had left in. “Everyone knows the boss is a bear, and you looked ready to bolt. I figured he’d ripped into you for being late.” She winced. “Not your best first impression with him, considering how sharp he is about that.”

Yeah, I’d caught that.

Rubbing my hands together against the sudden chill in the air, I sighed. “I know, my daughter-..” I cut myself off, not wanting anyone here to know more than they absolutely had to about Jasmine. “Well, it was a hard start, but it won’t happen again.”

Kelly nodded in sympathy, digging out her wallet to show a picture of a little girl beaming at the camera. “I get that, this is my munchkin. Maybe we can set a playdate sometime?”

I barely managed a nod before she continued. “Perfect, now let’s go over all the daily duties. It might be a bit overwhelming at first, but trust me, you’ll have it in no time.”

I sure hoped so, I could use an easy win after the heart attack today turned out to be.

Chapter 3

My feet throbbed from walking all over the building, Kelly’s tour truly coveringeverything, and by the time I picked up Jasmine and dropped onto my couch, I was beyond tired.

Everything ached and exhaustion tugged at my eyelids. I couldn’t give in yet though, I still had to make dinner and help her with any homework she may have.

Forcing aching muscles to work, I got up from the couch and called down the hall. “Did you have any homework?”

A beat, then she answered in a none convincing tone. “Nope.”

Biting back a tired sigh, I rubbed a hand over my face and walked into the kitchen, leaning over the counter. One thing, I wantedonething to be easy.

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