Page 41 of Defying Her Arrogant Boss

‘Lissa, you are so far off base.’ The words flew out, demanding her attention. ‘The decision was made well before you said that to me, Lissa. George decided last week after the meeting with the client.’

‘Last week? George?’ She wasn’t buying it. He wasn’t going to charm his way out of this with his brilliant eyes.

‘Lissa, I knew you were gutted about being taken off the Portuguese project; Hugo told me. When debriefing with George the other day it was agreed that, as this project is long-term and the Portuguese is about to wrap, it would be better for Gina to take on the new one and send you back to the other. That way there is better continuity. It was George who suggested it, and George who decided. I just agreed. I think he wanted you to get the Bilbao trip. And I wanted you to have it. I know how much you’ll love seeing that gallery.’

She stared at him. Hearing the words. Blinking as they sank in. ‘Bilbao?’

‘Yes, the weekend bonus, remember?’ He glared at her.

Hell, she’d forgotten about it. All disappointment of missing out had been obliterated in the heat and storm of her affair with Rory. Three weeks ago she’d have been moon-walking with delight over the prospect, now it felt hollow.

A raw energy poured off Rory as he continued to enlighten her. ‘I think you’re just spoiling for a fight and I’m fairly sure I know why. You want to push me away? Fine, but be honest about it. Don’t use this as an excuse.’ His words whipped, his frustration unmistakable as he stood like a warrior charged and ready for action.

Her shoulders slumped as the fight drained out of her. He was right. She’d been wrong. He hadn’t abused his position. In fact he’d been on her side. But it made no difference to their relationship. She was too scared, too hurt and hopeless. Humble pie time. ‘I’m sorry for blowing up at you before giving you a chance to explain.’

She stared at him, committing his features to memory; despite the blur of the rain she saw him more sharply in focus than ever before. His height, the dark springy hair and the brilliant eyes that right now were glittering with a fire that had several sources of fuel.

It had to be over. She was leaving. The heartbreak now would be nothing to what it could be. With a final, soft, ‘I’m sorry,’ she turned and, heedless of the rain or the fact her shoes probably weren’t going to make it, started the walk home.

NINE

Lissahad only walked halfa block when the black cab pulled alongside her, its engine low as it slowed to keep pace with her. Then it paused just ahead and the door flung open.

‘Get in. You want pneumonia or something?’

She stared at Rory as he sat forward, like a jungle cat ready to leap and pounce. His peremptory command was an audible expression of his grim tension. He was still angry. He was still gorgeous.

Her heart thundered, the heat in her body rose, despite the cool, wet air. She hated that she wanted him so much, it just didn’t make things any easier. ‘Just a ride home.’ Utterly unable to resist the order in his eyes, unable to resist her need to spend time with him—even five more minutes.

He shrugged and sat back as she bent to step into the cab.

She perched on the edge of the seat feeling more than a little humiliated. She winced as she recalled the words they had traded in front of the entire bar. ‘I’m sorry if I embarrassed you in front of everyone tonight.’

‘You didn’t embarrass me. I’m happy for the world to know; half the population will be dead jealous. But I admit to being surprised—for someone who once said she wanted private, you picked a hell of a way to go public.’

His gaze slid over the damp blouse clinging to her. She was grateful for her jacket—although unbuttoned, at least it covered her hard and aching nipples. She felt anger at her unrelenting desire for him. His attention then dropped to the edge of her skirt. She pressed her knees together, wanting to stop the excitement. He still looked ferocious, but in a wickedly wanting way. She turned her head to stare out the window, unwilling to look at him. Not wanting to be tempted all over again.Focus.‘I don’t care what they think, Rory. That wasn’t why I said no to you at the start.’

‘No.’ There was a tiny pause. ‘So why did you?’

‘I didn’t want to get involved with you because we work together, more than that you’re my boss, and one thing I learnt the hard way was not to get romantically involved with someone you work with.’

‘How learnt the hard way?’

‘My mother had an affair with her boss when I was sixteen. She thought she was getting love, marriage, the works. But he was just using her. I last spoke to her as she was driving home after he ended it with her and she lectured me, told me not to make the same mistake. She had the accident five minutes later. Of course, when I was older, I made the same mistake.’

‘Fell for your boss?’

She nodded, looking back at him. ‘Pathetic, isn’t it? My graduate job. He pursued me, flattered me. Told me to keep it a secret from the others because he didn’t want me getting flak from them about favouritism. We never went out in public. I didn’t really notice or question why—I was just enjoying thinking I had someone. Someone who loved me, who would care for me. I’d been alone for so long. I was so naive.’

‘He was married?’

‘About to be. When I finally found out I was horrified. I tried to end it but he got nasty. He started giving me all the donkey work, the boring assignments, harassing me when no one else was around. In the end the easiest thing to do was leave. I’d made the exact mistake my mother had and I vowed not to do it again. Then I met you.’

He looked serious. ‘I’m not either of those guys, Lissa. I’ve always been honest with you and I always will be. There’s no one else. You know that. Just you and me.’

The cab had been idling outside her flat for at least five minutes now. She had barely noticed. The air crackled between them. The flames in his eyes still burned.Just you and me.She felt the softening deep inside, the want, every cell screaming to get closer to him. The anger and pain of moments before transmuted again into the heat of desire. She tried to force it back.

‘It doesn’t matter, Rory. It can’t continue anyway. I’m leaving the country in less than six weeks. I’m sorry for mucking you around.’

---