Page 46 of Love, Luck & Clusterf*ck

“Isn’t there something in a policy somewhere about asking your subordinates personal questions?”

“Not when it affects the environment of my staff.”

I didn’t respond. Obviously asking my permission was just a useless nicety. He was going to ask the damn question anyway, so why bother? I bit the sides of my cheeks to keep from telling him exactly that in a not-so-professional manner.

“You have a boyfriend, correct?”

My eyes narrowed a bit. “Yeah.”

“So is there any reason why you insist on flirting endlessly with Adam?”

“Flirting…?” I gripped the chair arms. I wanted so badly to be back in the bar before I knew who he was. To tell him to go fuck himself without worrying about the repercussions.

“Yes, flirting. Every single day. Chatting, laughing,inside jokes. I’ll set aside the possible inappropriateness of said flirting in a work setting for a moment to say that I can understand Adam’s actions. He’s unattached. However, you are not.”

If anything was inappropriate, it was this conversation. “Adam and I are just friends. He’s like that with everyone.”And it’s none of your fucking business anyway.

“Perhaps.” He crossed his hands and I was drawn back to his forearms.Dammit. “But that doesn’t explain why you’re like that right back.”

From the way his eyebrows raised slightly, the curve of his mouth, he was basically telling me that I wasn’t acting like a woman with a boyfriend without stating those exact words outright. Well, screw him.

“I’m sure you understand how busy it is right now and that work should come first, you know, being the boss and all. I really should get back to my station.”

“Of course.”

I left the room calmly, but I’d stormed out in my head. Slammed the door so hard it shattered all the walls. My annoyance level had jacked up something fierce.

Only now I couldn’t decide if I was more annoyed with him or myself.

Dre leaned over the seat and brushed his lips against mine. It was soft and pleasant, and I wasn’t choking on tongue for a change. I hadn’t always felt that way, but lately, his kisses reminded me more of a deep-sea diving expedition than well, kisses.

“I really should get going,” I said. “You’ll be at the Brewhouse around seven?”

“Yeah, and then we’ll start our weekend. We can leave right away, you don’t need to stay, right?”

“No, I don’t need to stay.”

“Good, because I have something special for you, baby.”

I smiled. “Okay, I’ll see you then.” I put my hand on the door.

“Wait, I need another one before you go.”

Dre grasped the back of my neck and pulled me close. That’s when I noticed Stephen walking towards the building. Of course, that guy was everywhere I didn’t want him to be.

He glanced at us just as Dre put his mouth on mine, and that time he wasn’t so gentle. It felt like my lips were being vacuumed off.

I pushed on his chest. “Dre, stop. I work here. I don’t want to get caught making out in the parking lot.”

“All right, babe. I can wait.” He stroked my hair. “As long as you promise me that you’ll make it worth my while later.”

I knew what he meant, and I knew I had to get my shit together and give it to him. We’d never gone even close to this long without sex, and it was understandable how much he’d be missing it. He’d only accept the whole ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ thing so long without thinking something was seriously wrong between us, and I couldn’t have my period more than half the month without him thinking there was something seriously wrong with me.

“Okay,” I said.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

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