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"Let. Her. Go," he snaps.
“And if I don’t?” the stranger scowls.
Cade makes a sound at the back of his throat. His eyes gleam, the intent in them unmistakable.Oh, no. No, no, no.I tug my arm, and this time, the stranger lets go.Thank god!Only it’s too late. In the next moment, Cade shoves me behind him, then slams his fist into the stranger’s face.
**
“Really? Really? You knocked the man out cold.” I throw up my hands. “How could you do that?”
I stare at the man who’s standing in the corner of the room. We’re still at the night club but in the office of the manager, situated a level above the dance floor, where pandemonium had descended. Cade knocked the stranger to the ground. The girl next to me screamed, and another man lashed out at Cade, who responded by flinging him aside. The man next to us threw a punch at his neighbor, and suddenly, the dance floor erupted, with everyone swinging at someone else. It reminded me of one of those saloon fights in the old movies where everyone is punching everyone else. Cade evaded the punch of the next guy and threw him at the men fighting next to us. Then, he threw me over his shoulder and marched to the edge of the floor, where Isla took charge. She grabbed Cade’s hand and marched him—and by default, me—up the stairs and into the manager’s empty room. Then, she told us to stay put. When I protested, she said it was best for the two of us to stay out of sight and that she had enough PR experience to take care of the situation. Then, she disappeared.
Cade lowered me carefully to the floor, then before I could yell at him, he marched to the corner and proceeded to stare out the window at the darkness outside. That was half an hour ago, and he hasn’t spoken a word since.
I stop my pacing and turn toward him. "Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?" I slap my hands on my hips. "You caused a brawl to take place out there. Do you have any idea how bad this is going to look in the press?"
There’s no movement from the man-mountain. No change in position. Not even a twitch of his muscles. Anger wells up inside me. He carried me out of there, and I was too surprised to protest. Then I saw Isla’s face and realized how serious the situation was. So, instead of trying to get him to put me down, I stayed compliant and allowed him to carry me up the stairs. With each step, the edge of his shoulder dug into my stomach. I could see his firm, tight arse flexing, his powerful thighs propelling him forward, my hair flowing down my ears to brush against the curve of his butt.
The music switched off and I heard the screams and the thuds and crashes from the fight on the dance floor before the door to the office shut behind us and cut off the noise. He made sure I was stable on my feet before he turned his back on me and stalked off.
Now, I study that gorgeous back with his massive shoulders straining his shirt, the wings of his shoulder blades slashing down to his trim waist and powerful thighs encased in jeans.Oh god, the way he wears those jeans is as momentous as a work of art. No-one should look so masculine, so virile, so everything sinful from the back. And why am I ogling him instead of trying to get him to explain what set him off?I square my shoulders and walk over to him. "Cade, did you hear me?"
No response.
I draw abreast and stare at his profile.
"If this blows up in the media, it could cost you your career. Do you realize that?" I reach out to touch him, and in a flash, he grabs my wrist and twists my arm behind my back. I blink.
The heat from his large frame seems to wrap around me; his gaze is fixed on mine, and his nostrils flared. The look on his face is so angry, yet so cold, I flinch. My heart leaps up into my throat. He seems so unreachable, and yet furious. His nostrils flare, and the skin around his lips tightens, but his eyes… They resemble chunks of grey-blue icicles. He tightens his grip on my arm, and I wince.
"Cade, you’re hurting me."
"Good."
I gape at him. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
He rakes his gaze across my features, and it’s as if he’s physically touched me. My nipples pebble, and my breasts ache. Every part of my body is filled with a strange yearning—one I now recognize. It’s the same sensation I had the first moment I laid eyes on him. Something of my feelings must reflect in my eyes, for his gaze narrows. Something like confusion flicks across his features. Then he releases me so suddenly, I stumble back.
He draws in a breath, then sets his jaw. "I’m not going to curtail my lifestyle for anyone, and certainly not for my Communications Manager."
“It’s because I’m your Communications Manager you should follow my instructions regarding public appearances and avoiding bad PR,” I say through gritted teeth.
I must take him by surprise because he blinks. The alphahole blinks, then draws himself to his full height. “No one tells me what to do, especially someone I don’t trust.”
His words hit me deep inside. A trembling grips me. I lock my fingers together and try to get ahold of myself.
Of course, I’m only his Communications Manager. I shouldn’t have spoken to him with such familiarity. I may have known him when we were younger, and he may have made love to me like he meant it, but he also went on to sleep with other women, so clearly, whatever we had that night didn’t mean anything to him. He already implied it when we spoke in the car earlier tonight. But now, seeing the hate on his face, I know for sure. Whatever emotions he may have felt for me were destroyed during the time he was away. He must see the realization dawn on my face, for he bares his teeth.
"That’s right, Sparrow. You’re my employee, and nothing more."
28
Cade
A hurt look comes into her eyes. Her chin wobbles. A hot sensation stabs at my chest, and I push it aside.I’m doing the right thing. I’m making it clear to her that there is no hope of me developing any feelings for her. So why do I feel like a complete twat?
"Abby, I—"
