Page 98 of #Bossholes

I give him a halfhearted shrug. There’s no sense in denying it. There are at least a dozen witnesses, ones who would love to bring me down a peg. “I might have.”

That seems to bolster his confidence. He stands a bit straighter, squares off his shoulders, and you know, if this is the boost he needs to feel more like a man at home, so be it. “Zach is pissed. He’s already lodged a formal complaint with HR and they assured him they will be looking into the matter. Now, I don’t know what’s going on with you and that secretary of yours but?—”

With a growl, I lean forward and crack my knuckles one by one. “Zach is a pompous little shit who thinks he’s entitled to a promotion without putting in the hard work to earn one. Someone needed to take him down a peg or two, and I suggest you keep Miss Rhodes out of this conversation. My behavior is mine alone and doesn’t involve her or anyone else in this office.”

“Are you sure about that?” He tilts his head, studying me. Any minute now, this false bravado of his should wear off. I don’t need another formal complaint I’ll ignore.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Rumor has it, Miss Rhodes is a little more than a legal secretary.”

“You’re walking on thin ice, Tom. I don’t appreciate where you’re going with this line of questioning.”

He waves me off, his laugh coming from left field, and I don’t like it. Out of all the senior partners working for the firm, he can be the biggest prick. He worked for my dad and always expectssome sort of special treatment because of it. Usually, he has enough sense to avoid me, but now that he’s got some fuel for whatever fire is lit up his ass, I’m not sure.

He takes a step forward, regaining his lost ground. “You wouldn’t be the first man to have an affair with his secretary, and you’ll hardly be the last.”

My teeth grind together, and I barely resist the urge to take his tie and strangle his dumb ass with it. “My personal life is none of your concern.”

“It is when it affects the reputation of the firm. People around here talk, and it seems maybe the three of you are interested in the same woman. Could get messy around here.” He gives me a pointed look followed by another smile, and here it is. What he wants. “The wife wants to be able to take the kids out to California, but I don’t have the time. If I got an extra week vacation, I’d be incentivized to lay this little rumor and the others about Miss Rhodes to rest.”

Rumors he’s probably perpetuating.

My jaw works back and forth and I have to say, I really liked him a lot better when he was about to piss his pants. “Fine.”

“I’ll talk to Zach too. No worries. No one liked that tie anyway.”

“Tom.” I push away from my desk, using my entire six foot two frame to look as intimidating as possible. “I don’t give a flying fuck what you do as long as you get out of my fucking office. Now. I’ll give you two weeks of vacation if you leave me alone for the next month.”

He looks both pleased and scared at the same time, but as long as he’s leaving, I really don’t give a fuck. I’ve worked tirelessly to build up my reputation and the good standing of this firm. Dating my secretary won’t tear down everything I’ve worked so hard for, and I don’t care if he suggests otherwise.

Now, if news of the three of us actively got out, that could be damaging to us personally and the practice.

It’s a risk, but as I come to a stop outside Kinsley's office and her bright blue eyes look up, practically searing me in half, I know it’s one I’m willing to take.

FIFTY

Kinsley

Brantley is standing justoutside my office door, and he’s staring at me with an intensity that has me shifting around in my chair. His jacket is off, his sleeves rolled up to his forearms, and the look on his face is positively thunderous.

I’m not sure if I’m afraid or completely turned on.

Maybe a bit of both if I’m being completely honest with myself.

“Let’s go.”

I shiver as his deep, rumbly voice works through me. Definitely turned on. “Where are we going, boss?”

He doesn’t answer because, of course, he doesn’t. That would require speech, and I’m pretty sure he’s only capable of grunting right now. Which is why he gives me a hard look and walks off.

What the heck got into him?

He seemed fine when I saw him a few hours ago.

I scramble out of my office chair and grab my purse and a notepad in case this is an unscheduled meeting. Or a scheduled meeting that somehow got messed up. Between his long legs and fast walk, I scramble to catch up with him. He doesn’t slow downor look back to make sure I’m following him—prick—he just keeps going until he gets to the elevator.

He jams his finger into the down button. Once. Twice. Oh, five times. I’m sure that makes a difference.

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