Page 107 of Last First Date

“Just shut up about Waverly,” I snapped.

But his smug grin only widened. “Or what? You’ll hit me?”

“Is this how you get through life? You run your mouth and blackmail people? You purposely antagonize people to get something out of them? Dude, come on. You’re weak and pathetic.”

Benjamin’s eyes narrowed, the grin fading into a scowl. He was used to bullying and bossing around, but he wasn’t accustomed to direct confrontation. “You’re one to talk about being pathetic,” he spat back. “You’re just a man hiding behind his assistant’s skirt. You couldn’t cut it in the world without your family’s influence and had to come running back home. Looks only carry you so far, for so long. I knew one day you’d end up right back here. You thought you were such a hotshot because a few people paid you to pose in your underwear. Anyone could do that. And now that you’re not in your prime, you had to fall back on family money. That’s the only thing you have going for you.”

“Is that what you think?” I scoffed, keeping my voice cool even as my heart pounded with rage. “Let me tell you something, Benjamin. It takes more strength to protect and respect a woman than it does to objectify her. And Waverly isn’t hiding me from anything. I’m protecting her from people like you.”

“Protecting?” Benjamin laughed, a harsh sound that echoed in the office. “Or maybe, she’s just your shield, Knox. Your precious little damsel in distress. She’s not as naïve as you think. That’s a woman that knows exactly what she’s doing. She puts on that sweet and innocent look, but I’m guessing you know that’s bullshit.”

His words fueled my anger, but I refused to let him see it. Waverly was stronger than he thought or knew. She wasn’t a shield or a damsel in distress. She was self-sufficient, independent, and didn’t need me or anyone else for that matter.

“Believe what you want,” I said, folding my arms across my chest to tamp down on the temptation to knock his ass out. “Your opinion doesn’t matter. You’re a piece of shit, Benjamin. You will get everything that’s coming to you.”

“Is that a threat?”

“That’s a prediction,” I said, shrugging.

The door to the office opened, and two security guards appeared. They were both massive men. Benjamin turned, his smirk disappearing as he regarded them with an uneasy glance. His big mouth was no match for their size.

“There’s the door, Benjamin.” I allowed a note of satisfaction to creep into my voice. He looked at me, and for a moment there was silence as we stared each other down. Then he laughed again, a bitter chuckle that failed to hide his surprise at being confronted and escorted out. He had underestimated me, and he would regret it. He shrugged away from the security guards. “Don’t touch me or I’ll sue the shit out of you.”

“I want him out of here,” I said. “He’s trespassed.”

“You can’t do that,” he hissed. “You and I both know why.”

He was trying to use the blackmail. Yeah, he could fuck up my reputation, but I couldn’t seem to bring myself to give a shit. “Leave.” I looked at the two men and nodded. “You heard me. He’s out. If you see him anywhere near her, I want the police called.”

If he went public about me punching him, big deal. I didn’t care. I was going to make sure Waverly didn’t have to put up with his disrespect ever again. My girl didn’t have to be insulted or harassed by anyone, especially not in my office.

My girl? The thought echoed in my mind, catching me off guard. When had she become my girl? It was a revelation that took me by surprise. I was possessive. She was mine.

Holy shit.

That was a revelation I would have to sort through later. For now, I needed to make sure she was okay. I had no idea what he said to her before I got there, but if it was bad, I would ask her to file an official complaint.

As I stepped out of my office, Waverly’s eyes met mine, a mix of gratitude and curiosity in her gaze. I was about to ask her to step into my office when Benjamin decided to deliver some parting words.

45

WAVERLY

Everyone was trying to pretend it was an average Tuesday morning, but no one was going to win an Oscar for their poor performances. The whole office suddenly had a need to stand around within earshot of Knox’s office. Occasionally, we could hear raised voices coming from the office, but the words weren’t clear.

Marcy approached me. “What’s going on?” she asked in a hushed voice.

“I’m not exactly sure,” I whispered back, keeping my eyes locked on the closed door of Knox’s office. My heart was pounding against my rib cage and a cold sweat was trickling down my spine. I felt nervous, uncomfortable, and yet, there was a strange sense of excitement in the atmosphere.

“One of the girls said Benjamin was harassing you again,” Marcy said.

“It was nothing,” I said, trying to downplay it. “Just more of the same bullshit. Knox happened to overhear him. He dragged Benjamin into the office and that’s where we are.”

A series of whispers moved like a wave through the office. I turned to see what the commotion was about and saw security approaching Knox’s office.

“Holy shit, this is getting real,” Marcy whispered.

Benjamin’s angry gaze landed on me. His lips were curled back in disgust. He looked around the office, witnessing all eyes on him. Then he looked back at me. I felt the blow before it ever landed. I could see it coming but I couldn’t stop it.