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Maceo has relaxed and is grinning at Jared like he found a new best friend. Jared tries to hide his obvious relief, kicking Jacob off the project, but he doesn’t conceal his smile well. And Jacob looks to be in shock. This is probably the first project he’s been fired from, and he hadn’t even started.
Jacob turns his stunned face to me. “I guess since my services are no longer needed, I’ll be on my way,” he says. “Jo, can I have a word?” He walks ahead not waiting for me to follow.
Fuck.I glare at both Maceo and Jared. Seeing Jared and Maceo acting all chummy together, I’m sure Jared’s figured out something sexual happened between us. He’s mentioned many times I needed to get back on the horse and find a new man—well, apparently Maceo is that man.
Turning on my heels to follow Jacob to his rental car, I can still hear the two of them talking.
“What’s your poison?” Maceo asks.
“Scotch,” Jared replies.
“I owe you a case.”
“You don’t owe me shit. I was happy to get rid of the fucker. He doesn’t deserve to be anywhere near our Jo. But please don’t fucking set her off anymore today. I’m trying to make her take off for the weekend. We all need a rest. Seal me the weekend off for all of us, and we’re square,” he says.
“Done,” Maceo states.
My jaw ticks with annoyance.
Once at the car, I find myself eating crow. “I apologize, Jacob. I didn’t expect this big of a backlash. I’ll reimburse you for travel expenses and your time.”
“Don’t worry about reimbursement. I’ll stop at the Denver project in the next few days and write it off as a business expense. But I see why you called in for some help. I totally get your communication issue with the dude. He seems fucking violent. Are you sure you’re okay doing this solo? I don’t want to leave you here if you’re unsafe,” Jacob asks, with an edge of hostility, or maybe concern, in his voice.
I shake my head. “I’m fine, Jacob. Yes, he can be an asshole, but I’ve dealt with assholes before. Trust me, he’s harmless.”
Yeah, he’s only ripped out my heart after he told me he wouldn’t—completely harmless otherwise.
“I don’t know, Jo. The way he looks at you and yells…it seemed pretty possessive,” he says with an icy tone as he glares over my head at Maceo.
You have no idea.“Atlas is very particular on what he wants and who works for him. I’m sorry this didn’t work out,” I try to pacify.
Jacob’s cold blue eyes focus back on me before softening. He takes one of my hands in his. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out either. I was looking forward to being on a team with you again. You know, you can always come back. After how you helped me and the firm out the past week, they wouldn’t fight me if I said I wanted you on my team again.”
“Not needed, but thank you, Jacob. I’m right where I need to be.”There’s no way in hell I would return to the company and work under you.
Still holding my hand, Jacob gives me a crooked smile. This smile would have had my stomach fluttering only a year ago. It does nothing for me now.
“I’m staying at the Hilton. Maybe we can see each other before I head back out, catch up and maybe talk out some of our issues,” he suggests.
I cringe inwardly.Hard pass. “I can’t, Jacob, and you know why.”
His brows furrow, but he nods once. Before he releases me, he bends down to kiss me. I turn my head and his lips brush my cheek instead. Jacob backs away with an angry grimace, but he says nothing else as he climbs in his rental and circles out of the build site.
When I turn around to give Maceo another tongue-lashing, he’s already striding toward me. He hauls me over his shoulder like a Neanderthal. My hard hat hits the ground with a thud, and I’m instantly kicking and punching him.
“Goddamnit, Maceo! Put me the fuck down.”
There’s a loud slap, and my ass is burning.
Oh!Why did something painful like him spanking me make my lady-bits tremble? I shelf my arousal and focus on my anger.
“Ow! How dare you fucking spank me, you dickhead!”
Another slap follows, stinging. I squeal in protest. “Fuck you, Atlas!”Christ, my panties are soaked.
Suddenly, I’m back on my feet in front of Maceo and his bike. He swings himself over the seat, pointing for me to get on.
Defiant as always, I turn on my heels to walk away, but he grabs me before I can take my first step and hauls me over the back of his bike. I barely have time to grab hold of him before he’s revving the engine and speeding away.
I have no idea where he’s taking me and I don’t even care, because as mad as I’ve been with him over the last three weeks, I can’t deny the fact my heart is too fucking happy, pressed against his back.
Maybe Maceo plans to make the past three weeks up to me. Maybe—and it’s a big fucking maybe—I’ll let him.
