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In the living room, Ben clears his throat. “Last time, inThe Dark is Risingby Susan Cooper, the hero—”
“I know where we left off.” I peek out to see Mia doing the robot in the middle of the living room, stretching her arms out as far as they’ll go and hinging them at the elbows. “Go. Go. Go.”
I hang my purse on the hook by the door and take Sean’s phone out of his hand. “Kind of. But I’m not going to tell you about it while jazz plays.”
“That bad, huh?”
TheChill Out!station in his music app feels like the right choice. Pleasant, relaxing pop plays. Sean watches me take it to the corner of the counter, where there’s a cord station built into the wall. Once it snaps into place, the music plays from speakers installed on either side of the cupboards.
Sean whistles. “See? Fifty-thousand-dollar remodel. And you keep insisting it’s over with this guy.”
“It…wasover.” He narrows his eyes at me. I narrow mine back. “Itisover. Probably.”
I open the fridge, and Sean closes it with the palm of his hand. “I ordered dinner. It’ll be here in half an hour. What happened at work?”
“What, you want to have this conversation while we’re staring at each other?”
“We could dance.” Sean starts without waiting to see if I’ll accept. He spins away, still dancing. “Tell me what happened at work. Do I need to beat somebody up? Pull some strings with the government?”
I snort a laugh. “The government’s not interested in me.”
“Tell me.” He dances back, takes my hand, and spins me. “I’m black ops. I have incredible stamina. I’ll dance it out of you if I have to.”
“Fine.” I close my eyes and let him lead. Mia has the right idea, honestly. “Okay. So. My old boss—ugh. It’s too awkward calling him that all the time. His name is Will.”
“Will.” Sean turns us, stepping across the kitchen. “Sounds like an asshole.”
He’d probably freak out if he knew about the bite mark under my jacket. I can feel it every time I move. And…I like it. “All men are assholes.”
He gasps. “I can’t believe you’d say that.”
“Mostmen are assholes. Anyway, I got to the new job today, and I found out he works there too.”
“Um. What?” I open my eyes to find Sean wearing ayeah-rightexpression on his face. “Some rich guy works at your company?”
“It’s an even bigger company. A massive one. Hughes Financial Services. They acquired his company. Or merged with it, or whatever. Now he technically works for them, just on a much higher level than I do, obviously.”
“But you don’t work for him?”
“No, I was assigned to be the secretary for a guy named Greg Winthrop.”
“Who’s a creep?”
“Who’s very nice,” I counter. “Honestly, it’s a really good job. Mr. Winthrop said that if things work out, there’s a possibility of a full-time position.” My heart beats faster. From the dancing, probably. And the idea of a full-time job. “That means steady pay. That means health insurance for me and the twins. It’s not the shitty kind, either. It’s a real policy.”
The song changes, and Sean steps out, then back in. We used to do this when I was younger. Dance after school, since playing music on the radio was free, and nobody was ever home when we got there.
“What’s the catch?”
“Will doesn’t want me to work there. He told me I should leave.” More than once. When I didn’t, he almost seemed…relieved. And then he fucked me over the bathroom sink, and I liked it. You’re not supposed to think it’s hot to be mercilessly fucked by your former boss in the bathroom at your new job. Then again, you’re not supposed to think it’s hot to be blackmailed, either. Under no circumstances are you supposed to fall in love with a man like Will Leblanc. My face heats. If Sean comments on it, I’ll blame it on the dancing. “He hates that I’m working for someone else.”
“Fuck that guy.”
“Sean.”
“You’re right. I will kill him. He’ll never see me coming.”
I’m actually not so sure about that. Will’s not black ops, but the way he took apart the man who threatened us is plenty of proof that he’s no easy target. A hot, indignant defensiveness burns near my heart. “You know, I appreciate the sentiment, but it would be better if you didn’t kill anyone while you’re on leave.”
