Maybe I would get to return the favor? I feel better just thinking about it.
Eric sighs and says, “We have to tell Kane.”
I roll my eyes and return back to my computer, “Yeah, you go do that.”
Eric shifts in his seat and mutters, “Actually, I was thinking that maybe you should tell him.”
I raise my eyebrows at him in barely concealed outrage, “What?!”
He stretches out his hands in a pleading gesture and gushes, “Good Lord, calm down, Chloe! Look, I’m scared of him, okay? Especially when he is clearly in a bad mood. You’re the only person I can think of who can face him on his bad days. That’s why I came up here to ask you to talk to him with the proof of our team’s innocence.”
The thought of going into Kane’soffice and looking at thatface sends shivers down my spine. The pressure in the sensitive spot between my legs worsens, and I shift in the seat, uncrossing my legs before crossing them back.
There is no way I’m facing Kane. I’m too angry for the false accusation he made and how he treated me in his office afterward yesterday.
I reply loud and clear, “No.”
Eric gasps, “But why not? This affects you, too.”
“Last I checked, I’m not the team leader,” I fix him a ‘be serious’ stare, “This is your turf, Eric. Not mine.”
His eyes grow rounder as he begs, “Please? I wouldn’t be able to take any more of his scolding.”
Poor Eric. He’s so honest. I hate to admit it, but it’s one of the reasons I like him as my team lead.
He lets out a loud exhale when he realizes I won't budge and grabs the iPad. His voice is low when he speaks, “You’re right. I have to handle this by myself.” He rises to his feet, “But I’ll have to go down to the support team and get their report stating it’s their mistake.”
That does sound like a lot of work…
“Fine, I’ll go, “ I say, halting Eric on his way out. He turns back to me with a hopeful smile.
“Really?”
The things I do for my colleagues.
I stand up and walk past him, snatching the iPad as I do. I leave the office and march all the way to the largest door at the end of the floor. Behind me, Eric stops halfway and whisper-yells,
“You’ve got this Chloe!”
The knots in my stomach would like to testify otherwise.
I stand behind the door for a few seconds, and after collecting my thoughts, I knock loudly on the door.
“Come on in!”
The sound of his voice sends jolts through my body that make me feel like I’ve been electrocuted. I almost turn back, but my anger fuels me enough to push through, and I open the door.
Kane is standing by his window at the far end of the room. In the stark light of day, he looks painfully handsome and regal in his white office dress shirt and dark grey pants. My eyes narrow as I try to pick out what makes him look different today, and I realize it’s his stubble looking thicker.
My knees buckle.
Kane’s eyes pierce through me, and his lips curve into a sexy smirk as he admires me so blatantly.
“Hey,” he greets, strolling over to me, “You finally left your office.”
I want to lash out at him and call him names, but I keep my lips sealed shut. I stretch out the iPad for him to take, deliberately brushing my fingers over his.
“What do we have here?” He looks through the tablet, and everything in it is pretty self-explanatory.