“Yeah,” he said.“That’s it.If it feels good, we’re allowed to do it.”
“You’re such a dick.People don’t live their lives that way.People consider other people.They consider the consequences, they don’t—” he grabbed her arm as she turned away.“Like that…” she pointed at his grip, secure on her arm.“People don’t manhandle other people just because they want to.”
“Are you afraid of me?”he asked.“Do you think I’d hurt you for kicks?”
“No,” she squawked, insulted by the ridiculous suggestion.“You’re an asshole.You’re not an indiscriminate abuser… I don’t think anyway.Though I didn’t think you’d barge into my life and suit yourself, so I guess I have some things to learn.”
“Oh, I harmed you?”he drawled, bowing back, letting her pace away.“You’re damaged.Broken by my intrusion.”
“Uh, no,” she said, turning on him.“Do I seem damaged?You pissed me off—”
“How is that different from any other day?”
It wasn’t.“And when you piss me off, don’t I let you know it?”
“Too much.”
She arched a triumphant brow.“I thought if it felt good, it’s allowed.”
“You know what else feels good?”he asked, marching over.
“Yes,” she said, turning away with a flourish of her skirt to speak back over her shoulder.“Making a dramatic exit.”
Leaving him wanting more gave her some time to get her head around their new setup.Hotshot in her life.Hotshot the hot property, hot as sin billionaire tycoon.Yeah, there was a lot to wrap her head around.
SIX
FIREFLY:I’m meeting my colleagues for breakfast.Stay away from me.
HOTSHOT:That’s the difference between the successful and their minions, breakfast is brought to me.
FIREFLY:Pride is a deadly sin, you know.
HOTSHOT:Deadly sin is what I eat for breakfast, Babycakes.How did you know?
FIREFLY:It’s that glint in your eye.
HOTSHOT:Grateful I broke the seal now?told you,I’m a guy who gets what he wants.
FIREFLY:To a point.
HOTSHOT:Haven’t found a limit yet.
What a dick.Her best friend was a complete jackass.She should cut him off cold, prove to him he had a limit, that she’d give him one.Except their game was too much fun.He enjoyed being cocky and arrogant, and she enjoyed shouting him down.
They were as bad as each other.
Entering the breakfast room, she scanned for her colleagues.It was difficult to miss Myles and Franco because they leaped up to gesture her over.Offering a brief wave, she went to pour coffee before joining them at the table.
“Where’s Helena?”she asked, pulling in her chair.
Usually, Helena was prompt.A model employee.Always on time.Always impressive.Either the woman was concealing an inferiority complex, or she was eager to rush up the ladder.Back in the day, Helena would’ve been the teacher’s pet, a role she’d never got along with herself.
Deference just wasn’t in her nature.No wonder she struggled in personal relationships.They often suffered because she worked so hard to keep herself in check in professional environments.By the time she got home, she just couldn’t keep it in anymore.
“We don’t know,” Myles said.“We went by her room; no one answered.”
They went by Helena’s room but not hers?Interesting.
