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“She runs her own accounting firm. She doesn’t personally fill in at job sites,” Blake points out.
“Well, the job called for her andonlyher,” I say. I’m getting sick of defending myself.
“You’re playing with fire, Byron. Youwillget burned,” Blake says, a knowing smirk on his lips. “Badlyburned.”
“She’s just filling in for a job, Blake. Why don’t you stop trying to look deeper than that and stop trying to play a shrink? We promised years ago we wouldn’t pull that crap with each other.”
“Don’t play games with her, Byron. She might put on an act that she’s strong and independent, and she certainly isn’t weak, but she has wounds, some of them deep, and you have the power to break her,” Blake warns.
“Why don’t you stop worrying about her? Worry about your own life, and your own woman,” I snap, very done with this ridiculous conversation. Hmm... the way I worded that might suggest I think McKenzie ismywoman, and only I should worry about her. That’s not the case.
“I understand. I can see you’re struggling with the way you’re feeling, so I won’t take offense over what you said. But be warned, brother, she’s my wife’s good friend, and if you put her through hell, I’ll be forced to step in and knock you down a peg or two.”
“I’d love to see you try, Blake. It’s been a while since I’ve had a good brawl.”
“Alright, then. We’ll talk about this later.”
Before I can reply, Blake walks out, and I grind my teeth when a couple of seconds later McKenzie’s sweet laughter drifts in through my open door. She never laughs around me, but maybe that’s because I never try to make her laugh. Making her happy isn’t on my agenda.
I wait a while to be sure my brother’s returned to his own side of the building. Then I decide to make the woman — themaddeningwoman — wait even longer. I’m not in a proper mood to work with her right now. So I try to push McKenzie from my mind by digging into other projects on my computer. It’s much easier thought than done.
Chapter Six
McKenzie
When Blake leaves my desk, I don’t know what to do. Byron wants to discuss the Idaho files, but twenty minutes have passed, and he still isn’t calling me in. I feel flustered and out of sorts, but I’m not the type to sit around and do nothing. I need to pull myself together.
The last few days have been almost surreal. Business is supposed to be just business, so I came in Monday morning, got my assignments, and went to work. He hasn’t brought up anything personal — not once. He confuses me, and I’m not easily confused.
A few times when we’re working together, I’ll look up and catch his piercing gaze focused on me, but I’m almost sure I’m imagining it, because the second he notices me looking, his face grows unreadable.
That’s fine with me. I don’t want to dance this particular dance from his playbook. I want to run my business, make a new start for myself, and let my past life go. Byron isn’t making this easy — not one little bit.
There’s a darkness in Byron that seems to call to me on some basic level, whether I want to hear the call or not. Inside, I’m as messed up as he is, and there isn’t a chance anything could work between the two of us. Though, I wonder what it would be like with him in the bedroom. Strange — sex isn’t something I’ve ever enjoyed. But being alone with this man sends jolts of electricity through my body. And that kiss...
That kiss melted me inside and out. I’m sure he’s a phenomenal lover — but all in self-interest. The woman never gets the same pleasure from the dirty deed. None of that matters. Nothing matters but survival. And no matter what people think of me, I’m not a whore.
Since Byron doesn’t have an ounce of empathy in his entire body, I’m certain he won’t want to hear my story. He deemed me evil before he knew anything about me. But here’s the thing — even though I’m exhausted working what looks to be sixty-hour weeks for him, then putting in as many hours as possible at my own business, he’s actually helping me. In the end, when I can show Astor Construction as a client of mine, I’ll have people pouring in through my doors.
When Byron still doesn’t call me into his office, I decide to get some work done — something that will require my full concentration. Looking down at my paperwork, I sink into the numbers and forget my woes for at least a few minutes. When my phone rings twenty minutes later, it gives me a start.
A familiar number shows up on the screen and I smile as I pick up. “Good morning, Zach.”
“Morning, beautiful. How’s it going in the real world?” he asks, his natural humor coming through, making me miss my office.
“It is what it is,” I reply, sending the file I’m working on to the corner of the computer screen. “How are things going at our company?”
“It would be a lot better if you were here, but I think I’ve got a handle on things. Did you talk the boss into letting anyone come in for interviews?” Does Zach sound hopeful?
I shudder. “Please tell me there isn’t a disaster going on that you’re too afraid to tell me about.”
“If there was a disaster, McKenzie, I’d tell you, even if I didn’t like it. I’d probably send flowers with a note that said our business is going down in flames, but since that isn’t happening, you have nothing to worry about. Again, did the boss agree to interviews?”
“Yes, sort of,” I say, though I’m sure it’s a waste of time.
“Great. When can I send Jim in? I can do it now if you like.”
“Let me talk to Byron. I don’t think we should send Jim. Let’s bring in Mary. Her personality would be a lot better fit here.”
