Page 47 of Sexy Bad Neighbor

She ignores me, directing her attention to James. She touches one of the diamonds at her ear and lifts her nose in the air. “I am so sorry about this. Would you mind if I took an early lunch?”

It’s a gut punch, an almost déjà vu moment, only the last time a woman made me feel like I was little more than a hindrance I told myself I was done with women like that.

"Why don't you take the rest of the day off?” James glances at his watch. “You and Paynter should probably use the afternoon to sort this out. Come in tomorrow morning with renewed focus.”

“There’s nothing between your brother and I to sort out. But thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow, and I promise I’ll be back to my usual self.”

“Hang on.” I grab her elbow. “Did you mean that?”

“My career is my priority.” She flicks her gaze at me. “I thought I was clear on that point.”

I drop her arm and she races back the way she came, around the corner to where the elevators are. I honestly have no fucking clue what I was thinking, getting involved with another neurotic, power-hungry princess. It’s amazing how easily some sexy lingerie and a few breathy uses of my name can make me forget that I don’t just dislike her kind. I swore on one well-hung chandelier that I was done with them.

Done with Queen B.

And now done with Chloe “Oh God, my promotion” Green, who I am not going to chase down yet again. She can go ahead and run in those spindly heels of hers. The ones she isn’t actually wearing, thankfully, because otherwise she’d probably break an ankle or snap her neck with the way she bolts.

“So that was interesting,” James says as we both return to his office. “What are you going to do about it?”

“Nothing.” I shrug. What is there to do about it? “I’m pretty sure she just ended whatever was between us for the sake of her career. Or at least that’s what it sounded like, didn’t it?”

And why would I want to get more deeply involved with anyone like that? Just because when she’s not acting like her head’s lodged up her butt, she’s the most sexy, adorable woman I’ve ever met doesn’t mean she’s not completely unbalanced when it comes to her goddamn plans.

“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so out of sorts.” James collects his briefcase from under the desk. “Maybe that means something and maybe it doesn’t, but it might be worth looking into.”

“I’m not sure I want to find out,” I tell him as we head for the elevators.

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