Page 15 of Defying Her Arrogant Boss

Lissa rubbed at the pain in her temples. Last night she and Gina had spent a reasonably quiet couple of hours over a bottle of wine, and a plate of pasta in the comer of their favourite bar alternately discussing men— Gina’s favourite topic—and travel opportunities— Lissa’s. She’d needed to escape the office and her own thoughts and had hoped that a night out with Gina would help her achieve just that. She frowned as her computer clunked through processing her latest request. It hadn’t worked. She utterly distracted; the cause of her headache was over six feet in height and a force looming beside her, captivating her thoughts to the exclusion of all others. It was so frustrating. She sighed. Marnie noticed and guessed about her head.

‘You’ve had your hair scraped back so tightly all week it’s no wonder you have a headache.’

Without further ado she came and stood beside Lissa, undid her clip and loosened her hair so it tumbled around her shoulders.

‘Marnie!’ Lissa protested.

‘It’s for your own good. Now...’ Marnie sank her fingers into her hair and pressed on her scalp. Lissa had to admit it felt fantastic.

‘I did a massage course to learn to relax.’ Marnie explained. ‘Is that okay?’ she asked Lissa as her hands kneaded her skull right where the bands of pressure had been building.

‘Oh, it feels great.’ Lissa closed her eyes, the pain receding. ‘That’s amazing.’

‘Don’t I get one too?’ James asked with a randy light in his eye impossible for anyone to ignore.

‘No.’ Marnie was basically rude.

‘I can just watch,’ he said, unabashed. ‘I’m happy to watch.’

I bet you are. Lissa glanced at Rory to see what he was making of this bizarre situation. He was resting his jaw in his hand and watching too. A small smile flickered round his mouth.

Marnie finished. ‘There you go. All better.’

‘Can I have my clip back?’

‘No, I’m confiscating it. You should wear your hair down. It looks nice.’

She didn’t want it to look nice.

Rory looked thoughtful. ‘Anyone got special plans for lunch?’

No one answered in the affirmative. Lissa assumed he wanted them to work through, again.

‘Right, we’re going out, then. Our missed teambuilding date.’

Lissa suppressed a sigh. Marnie and James were already grabbing their jackets and heading out the door, eager to escape the dungeon. Lissa sat fiddling with her mouse. Rory looked at her in inquiry.

‘Do you need me?’ she asked. ‘I mean,’ she continued hesitantly as she watched the dark look grow in his face ‘you guys are the consultants. I’m just here to research and type.’

‘I’ve told you already, Lissa—’ his eyes glinted as he walked towards her ‘—you’re notjustanything. You’re as much a part of this team as I am.’ He stood right next to her and bent so they were eyeball to eyeball. ‘You’re coming even if I have to make you.’

He would make her come, all right. Of that she was certain. She sat stunned at her thoughts. Cursed that her mind should interpret his words in such a James-like fashion. She simply couldn’t stop the wry twist to her lips. He saw it and his attention dropped to her mouth. Her lips softened and parted under the heat of his gaze. She heard his indrawn breath. She badly wanted to lick them they felt so dry and needy. Even more badly she wanted to taste his. Every fibre in her sprang to life as he inched tantalisingly closer.

Marnie popped her head back around the door. ‘Coming?’

Rory’s head lifted sharply. Their eyes met again and Lissa saw her own amusement reflected. He spun round. ‘Just as soon as we can.’

Marnie glanced at Lissa. Lissa smothered her appreciative chuckle, met her gaze as coolly as she could and walked out the door after her.

* * *

They went to a small Italian restaurant not far from the office. James sat next to Lissa while Marnie and Rory were across from them. It was not a large table and as they sat Lissa felt Rory’s knee press against hers. Hurriedly she moved back a little, studiously perusing the menu and avoiding the smile she knew would be on his face.

They ordered and ate and Lissa sat quietly letting the leisurely work chat wash over her. The food was delicious and she was starving. The main course passed by in a flash. She smiled at the waiter hovering near, nodding for him to hand her the dessert menu. She licked her lips as she mentally debated between the white chocolate and raspberry torte and the lemon syrup cake with raspberries. She adored raspberries. She perked up the instant the waiter reappeared, welcoming him with a beaming smile. With his eyes on her he asked if they wanted dessert or coffee.

Forgetting about the others, she ordered immediately. ‘Can I have the lemon syrup cake with raspberries and boozy cream please? And—’ with a conspiratorial smile she looked up at him ‘—can I have a little extra cream?’

The waiter smiled back. ‘Of course.’

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