Page 82 of Virgin's Stolen Nights with the Boss

‘Don’t worry about that for now. Is there anything I can do?’

She shook her head.

‘Can I help in anyway?’

‘No,’ Carmen said. ‘Actually, yes. Can I stay back today? I don’t want to come to the match.’

She wanted to say goodbye to the horses...especially to Capricorn and Dom.

‘Whatever suits you. I’ll make a few calls.’ He looked at her. ‘Carmen...’

‘Blake, please.’ She didn’t want his concern. It might crack her open to show weakness now. ‘I’m just a casual and I can leave without reason.’

‘Sure,’ he said. ‘Of course. I just hope you’re okay. The guys will want to say goodbye.’

‘Please...’ She shook her head. ‘I don’t want any fuss.’

He agreed, and she went to start her chores for the day.

Blake might be willing to let her go without giving a reason, but she knew Elias wouldn’t. She was carrying hay when she heard the ring of his boots and the anger in his stride. She just spread the fresh hay.

‘What the hell?’ he said, confronting her. ‘You’re leaving?’

‘Yes.’

‘And you told Blake and not me?’

‘Blake hired me.’ Carmen shrugged. ‘I don’t believe you generally deal with the hiring of junior staff.’

‘Carmen!’ He took the hay from her and tossed it down. ‘Were you going to say anything to me?’

She didn’t answer.

‘Carmen?’ he demanded.

‘No.’ She shrugged, as if it mattered little. ‘I assumed you’d hear. And anyway, we always knew it was a temporary job...’

‘I don’t get it.’

‘Elias, we’ve had sex a couple of times and that’s it. Am I supposed to come to you and give a detailed explanation about why I’m leaving? Do you discard all your women so thoughtfully? Do you give them written warning that you are about to—?’

‘Carmen!’ He shook his finger at her. ‘This has nothing to do with other women and everything to do with us.’

She took in a long breath through her nostrils and looked at the finger he pointed at her. There was a part of her that admired him for coming to confront her.

Her father... Well, he had always just sighed wearily and given in.

And her brothers accepted her demanding ways and simply rolled their eyes.

But here Elias stood, refusing to let her divert the issue.

‘I know we’re not in a relationship,’ he started. ‘But—’

‘We’re not,’ Carmen interrupted. ‘I don’t have to report to you.’

He stared at her for a long moment, to black eyes that had clearly been crying, yet refused to meet his, then lowered his hand to his side, the fight almost leaving him.

Usually he would shrug and walk away. Or rather, usually it wouldn’t have even gone this far.

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