“Who? Joey?” I frown at her. I know exactly who. I just want her to say it.
She laughs. “Well, he’s adorable in a brotherly way, but Mr. Stone? He makes you regret that the company has a fraternization policy.”
My ovaries share her disdain. All the other parts of me want to fire her. Perfect, now I’m jealous.
No. No. No. It can’t be jealousy. I hate the man. I’m just being professional. Alina’s comments are inappropriate.
Yeah, go with that version, Roxy. God, you’re disgusting.
“It’s ano-fraternization policy. And you shouldn’t voice your fantasies unless you want to explain yourself to HR.”
She snorts. “No worries. He lives up to his name. That man is as cold as stone. He barely acknowledges most of us.”
“Good morning.” Cal steps out of the elevator,annoyingly cheerful. Alina hands him his coffee, and he frowns at me. “You look pale, Roxy.”
That’s another unfortunate development. It’s been five weeks since I started competing for the partnership.
While Liam’s first presentation offered new solutions, Corm and Cal appreciated my approach as well. To my surprise, they actually took only one of Liam’s suggestions and presented my version to the client.
It felt unwarranted. Undeserved.
As a result, I’ve been pushing extra hard, trying to make up for it. The stress is taking its toll, and my stomach is floating most of the time. I oscillate between waves of nausea and binge-eating donuts.
To add to my general well-being, I haven’t been sleeping well, studying, researching, and preparing for the daily battle that is working with Liam Stone. Or proving I’m worthy of the partnership.
I’m wearing extra makeup to counteract the effect of stress on my skin, but I guess it’s not enough.
“It’s a new foundation I’m trying,” I lie.
He eyes me with suspicion, but doesn’t comment. “How is the presentation coming along?”
“We are ready. And we didn’t kill each other in the process.”
Just barely. Since my knee injury, Liam has been acting like the biggest jerk. Having just witnessed hisinteraction with Joey, being an asshole is a pastime he loves to practice on me alone.
As much as I fight back, it’s like trying to break into a high-security vault. He doesn’t react to my attempts to put him in place.
It’s frustrating.
Infuriating.
Puzzling.
Corm, Cal, and Declan are alphas, whose egos cause small testosterone explosions. Yet I have never had a problem playing an equal.
With Liam Stone, I’m constantly catching up. The man is impossible.
The worst part—besides his attraction—is that he’s capable, really good at his job. I’m learning from him. In a hostile environment, but still.
“I’m glad to hear that. See you in half an hour.” Cal saunters away.
A wave of nausea sweeps through me, and I rush into the bathroom on my way to the boardroom. The sharp bluish light blurs my vision.
I let cold water cool my wrists.
Inhale. One. Two. Three. Four.
Hold. One. Two. Three. Four.
