Page 80 of Grumpy Boss of the Year

"You wouldn't do that for your father?"

"I mean, I would give him the million dollars so he could pay off his debts, and I would live my best life."

"Working for me, huh?"

"No, I'm not living my best life working for you. It was all fun and games taking the job when I thought I didn't need it, but now?—"

"Now you know you need it."

"Not for long, though," she says.

"But you still want me."

"And that means what?" she asks me.

"It means that you're attracted to me."

"I'm not a liar. I never said I wasn't."

"That is true, you don't lie." I stare at her for a couple of seconds, and my head starts pounding because the fact of the matter is, while I hadn't technically lied to her, I definitely wasn't telling the truth.

"So, what are we going to do on this island exactly? Please tell me."

"You're changing the subject," I whisper, grinning madly at her.

"I'm not changing the subject. I am just trying to make sure that I'm the best assistant you've ever had, and I'm definitely not going to qualify for that title if I don't even know exactly what's going on. How many resorts are we visiting and?—"

"All in due time, Elisabetta." I grin at her. "There's no need to worry your sweet little head."

"I'm more than just a sweet angel, you know?"

"I know. You're a wicked girl, too."

"No, I mean, I'm more than my looks. I have brains. I have?—"

"That’s why you're accompanying me on this trip."

"Oh, I thought it was for the sex," she says blithely.

And I shake my head. "We haven't had sex, and while I'm not gonna lie and say that I don't hope we do, that was not the primary reason for me inviting you on this trip. I very much am in need of and would appreciate your feedback on…" I pause. I don't know exactly how far to keep this going.

"Continue. Or are you just trying to think of a lie?"

"I'm not trying to think of a lie. I would just like your opinion on if you think the destination is something or somewhere you would like to visit."

"Okay. I mean, you could've showed me photos."

"Photos don't make up for the experience," I say. "I've definitely learned that the hard way."

"Oh?" She tilts her head to the side and looks at me consideringly. "You say that like you're talking about specifically."

"Maybe." I shrug.

"Do you wish to tell me more?"

"Not really." I shake my head. "I actually have some emails to catch up on and?—"

"No, no, no, you're not about to do that, Liam Gallagher." She reaches out and grabs my hand and squeezes. "You literally just finger-fucked me on the plane. There's no way in hell you're now gonna go and read your emails or whatever just so you can get out of talking to me."

---