Page 39 of Defying Her Arrogant Boss

James stood back and looked them over. ‘So I see. I wondered about that, but I thought maybe not.’ He took a swig of his drink. ‘Still, can’t blame a man for trying.’

Rory said nothing and Lissa couldn’t think of a thing to say either. The uncomfortable silence hung over them, but James didn’t take the hint and move off. Rather he looked at them for a few moments. Malice glittered in his eyes.

‘Well, Rory, no wonder you had Lissa ditched from the team.’ He spoke with a confident swagger. ‘Shame for you, Lissa, missing out on the biggest deal Franklin has seen in years, especially when you helped win the contract. Still, now Rory’s free to concentrate on the mega project and have you as recreation on the side, while you’re stuck doing the filing or something boring back in the library.’

Lissa felt her jaw go slack. What had he just said? She replayed his words. Their meaning sank in. Rory had ditched her from the project? Back to boring library work? So he could have her on the side?

A wave of shock flooded through her. No, no, no. He wouldn’t have done that, would he? It was Grant all over again, controlling her career, manipulating her life for his own purposes.

She needed to get away from him. Away from them both. From the whole damn lot of them. She tensed and made to pull away, but Rory’s arm was like a steel band pinning her to him. She turned her head to look up at his face, but he held her so close and tight against him all she could see was the clench in his jaw.

She felt the animosity ignite between the two men.

They were like two lions, circling around the kill. She certainly felt as if she’d been mauled. Why would Rory treat her like that? Just so he could keep sleeping with her? Horrified, she felt tears prickle the backs of her eyes and angrily she summoned control. Icy, icy control. She would not be humiliated like this. Not here, not now.

‘Things are never quite that simple, James,’ Rory said curtly.

James shrugged. ‘If you say so.’ He gave Lissa a penetrating look, and with a nasty smile he departed.

Rory’s arm didn’t loosen one iota.

‘Let me go.’ Her voice dripped with venom.

‘We need to talk.’ His jaw still clenched tight, ditto his grip.

‘I don’t think we do. I don’t think there’s anything to be said.’ She clawed at his hand, digging her nails in, not caring at his wince. No way could that scratch hurt him as much as he had just hurt her. He loosened his arm a fraction and she turned in it to face him. Her body still pressed close against his and she was furious with herself for feeling that rush of desire forhimwhen he’d been such a rat. She breathed heavily and with each inhalation her breasts pressed closer against his chest. She was painfully aware of him, of his heat. His magnetism was such a force that even now she was drawn to him. But her heart was breaking and her head filled with a cold furious pain that drove her to repel him.

His rock hard body matched his expression. ‘What—you’re just going to believe what that jerk said without even hearing what I have to say?’

‘Am I off the team?’

‘Yes.’

‘So we’re not working together. You arranged it so you could keep sleeping with me.’

He paused and his eyes flickered.

He had. Used his position as her boss. Exactly what she’d been afraid of. She pushed both hands against his chest with all her might and broke free. Stepping back, she stared at him, her eyes flashing fire.

He moved after her, lifting a hand to touch her.

She stepped out of reach.

His hand fell. ‘Lissa, it’s not that simple.’

‘I trusted you,’ she said lowly.

He frowned. ‘This isn’t about us, Lissa.’

‘There is no us.’

God, would she never learn? Why did she always fall for guys who let her down? Who were all about what they wanted, not caring about her at all. Well, never again. Never, ever again would she let a guy get to her like this. He’d just screwed her over. She turned and headed for the door.

It was impossible to get up much speed through the bar now full of merry patrons. She gave a hurried look over to where Gina and Karl had been but she couldn’t see them. She didn’t give them a second thought, all she wanted to do was get out of there and lick her wounds.

Maxine from Reception stepped before her, blocking her path. ‘What’s going on with you and Rory?’

Lissa stopped and stared. She’d forgotten that half the staff had probably been watching their little encounter in the comer and drawing goodness knew what conclusions. ‘You really want to know?’ she asked shrilly. She wasn’t sure quite how it happened, but the noise of the bar had receded completely. There seemed to be nothing but her and Maxine and a constant hum in her own head. Vaguely she saw others turning her way. She couldn’t care less. Anger and hurt made her reckless and voluble.

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