Page 22 of The Shy Waitress and Her Boss

"But it's just as someone as good." His tone had turned slightly defensive.

"Of course," Kady agreed quickly, never mind if she distinctly recalled him telling her thatno onecould ever be as good as Julian Alexeyev in his field. "And, um, again congratulations—-"

"I hope you mean that, too," he interrupted.

Kady nearly had to bite her tongue.Whydid he keep saying that?

"Since Professor Whitman is actually a professor here."

"Here?" And when he nodded, she just had to clarify, asking, "Do you meanmyuniversity?"

Eric nodded. "I know it might hurt, seeing me often—-" The sudden ringing of Kady's phone cut him off, and he frowned disapprovingly when Kady didn't even look at him and simply murmured an excuse as she started rummaging through her bag.

Why was her phone ringing,Kady wondered. From the moment she had entered the diner, she actually had Slade listening from the other end. It had been his non-negotiable condition, with Slade telling her coolly that it was the only way he would restrain himself from tagging along.

"You should put that in silent."Like I used to tell you, and you used to do.

Kady heard Eric's implied words loud and clear, and resentment started to simmer inside of her. How could she have fallen in love—-

RING!

She finally found her phone and quickly answered the call. "Hello?"

"Say baby, little chick."

"What?" Kady could feel her cheeks immediately burning at the command.

"Just say it," Slade purred.

And somehow, she actually did end up saying it, albeit weakly."Baby."

"Good girl."

In the corner of her eye, she saw Eric scowling, but she didn't really have a thought to spare for him, not with Slade dropping another bombshell in the next second.

"As a reward—-" Her boss' tone turned dangerously silky. "I'm coming to pick you up."

Slade...picking her up...and meeting Eric?

"Absolutely not," she blurted out.

A low, sexy chuckle played down the line, and despite everything, she couldn't help trembling at the sound. "Just stay put, and I'll be there in a bit."

"But—-"

"Before I put the phone down, I need you to say it again."

Kady made a face. "I don't think so."

"It would also be better if you say it like I had told you something...exciting." And the way his voice dropped an octave, it was pretty much clear to Kady exactly what kind ofexcitingSlade was suggesting.

"I can't—-"

"Maybe you can't, but you'll do it anyway, won't you, little chick?"

"I—-"

"Because if you don't, I might be tempted to kiss you right in front—-"

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