Page 11 of Defying Her Arrogant Boss

* * *

After a predictably atrocious night’s sleep she arrived fifteen minutes early on Monday morning embarrassed to discover she was the last to arrive.

‘It’s okay you’re not late, Lissa.’ Rory stood and walked around the table towards her. ‘We started earlier to generate some work for you.’

She nodded, glancing at him. Their eyes met and held. She could see nothing in his other than professional politeness, but that didn’t stop her pulse from accelerating as she registered how brilliantly green his irises were. As their gaze held his pupils dilated. Heat emanated and a rush of feeling rose from her belly to her breast. She snatched a breath and quickly resumed her contemplation of the computer set-up. ‘I just want to check I have access to all the databases.’ She tried to overcome her breathy tone and inject some professional assertiveness.

He nodded and gestured to the lone computer on the far side of the table. He followed her to her seat. ‘We’ll have breakfast and a debrief in fifteen, okay?’

She looked up at him, her insides flip-flopping all over the show. This time there was a knowing smile in his eyes. This was going to be much harder than she’d imagined. She stiffened and began checking the systems. She was acutely aware of him moving behind her to the other end of the table.

Sheesh.How was she going to cope with two weeks of him right by her side when she was so aware of his every move? When her whole body answered with such responsiveness to a simple look?

Ten minutes later she was satisfied IT had done a good job. Rory called for her to join them. She smiled warmly at Marnie, and then nodded coolly at James. He’d asked her out on a date months ago and had professed his devastation when she had refused. She’d soon learned that he made it his business to ask every temp worker out.

James filled the mugs from the coffee-pot while Rory outlined the project to Lissa. ‘Our client wants to find a takeover or merger target asap in top secret.’ Almost immediately her thoughts went AWOL. It must have been the idea of merger. She watched him as he spoke, hoping her outward appearance reflected her concentration. Sure, she was focussed, but not on what was being said. His shoulders looked so dam broad. Fantastic for holding onto. She watched his hand as he tapped a pen on the notepad in front of him. Large and strong. She bet he didn’t battle with the lids on jam jars the way she did. But she knew just how gentle they could be. Could imagine only too well how deliciously tormenting they might be on other parts of her body. She shuffled in her seat, a warm flush invading her nether regions.

James handed her a coffee. She took a deep sip, hoping the caffeine hit would clear her befuddled brain.

It worked. Momentarily.

‘We’ll be working round the clock for the next two weeks, but I’m sure that’s not a problem for anybody?’ Rory glanced at them.

Lissa was split. More hours with Rory, but her overtime rate was superb. Pots of money for a situation in which she had to fight the most powerful attraction she’d ever known.

He gestured towards the paper on the windows blocking the view to the corridor. ‘The secret-squirrel stuff is for real. Save your social lives for lunch breaks, please.’

‘What lunch breaks?’ interjected James.

Rory grinned. ‘I know, but it’s only a fortnight and this is worth it. We do a good job and we could win a huge contract for the company. There’s a lot riding on this and it could be good for all of us.’

Lissa wasn’t at all sure how this could be good for her—locked away in a tiny room for hours on end with Rory? An intense, artificial atmosphere, the perfect breeding ground for an intense but artificial relationship. She had to be strong.

‘So,’ Rory continued. ‘Lissa, we need you to research these companies and type up meeting notes, compile reports and the final presentation.’

‘All that typing okay with you, Lissa?’ Marnie asked.

Lissa smiled. ‘It’s fine. I’m just the temp,’ she reassured.

‘You’re not “just” anything.’ Rory interrupted.

Lissa’s mouth fell open. On the surface she felt embarrassed, but underneath the reaction was volcanic, the heat bubbling, desire swirling upwards. She looked down at the papers before her, willing someone to fill the pregnant silence. After a moment Rory quite calmly began outlining further details of the project.

She found it fascinating to watch him in action. The master of charm and attention, he seemed to enchant the others, made them want to do their best to please him. Slightly distanced, Lissa watchedhimweave this magic, witnessing their seduction. It totally irritated her.

When it came to giving Lissa instruction there was a flash of unholy enjoyment in his eyes that she couldn’t miss. And a slight chink in her professionalism where she couldn’t help but feel as if she wanted to do the exact opposite of what he requested.

Late on Tuesday afternoon only the two of them worked in the room. The silence sat heavy. Lissa tapped the keyboard and frowned at the screen, determined to pretend he wasn’t there. As if.

Suddenly he stood. Well, she had to look then, didn’t she? He stretched a little, the gesture emphasising his length. She knew she should look away, but it was impossible. He smiled at her—and the need to look away became imperative. Instead she couldn’t help the small smile back.

‘Come on, team-building.’

Her surprise must have been evident.

‘Team-building,’ he repeated, the dizzying smile widening. ‘Some corporate R’n’R.’

She didn’t trust him; that smile had turned a little wicked. ‘Half the team isn’t here.’

---