Page 8 of Jealous Boss

But she can’t be with you all the time.

And you can’t keep hiding in the toilet because you’re scared of your new boss.

I press the heels of my hands into my eyes to stop the threatening tears. I take a few deep breaths, kicking myself for not paying better attention when the yoga instructor at La Montreux had tried to teach me calming techniques, and leave the cubicle.

My lunch break is over in…thirty seconds.

I wash and dry my hands quickly, then do my best to wipe away signs of my distress before I leave the washroom.

The moment I step into the hallway leading to his office, I feel a deep compulsion that drags my head up.

Ethan Villiers is in his office, watching me.

His eyebrows are two dark slashes and the contrasting piercing gray eyes make him look like a ruthless predator.

Not even his sharp, three-piece suit can disguise the untamed aura that wraps around him and moves with each twitch of his body.

I shiver when he tracks me all the way to Maggie’s desk.

I avert my gaze for a few seconds, but I can’t help myself. I glance back. He’s still watching me. His phone is glued to his ear and he’s carrying a conversation, but his eyes follow my every movement.

Just when I think I’m going to shrivel beneath his gaze, he stands abruptly and strides to his window, still speaking into his phone.

But even though he’s no longer watching me, I feel his eyes on me. Maybe through the glass reflection?

“Pia?”

I jump. “I’m sorry, Maggie. What did you say?”

She glances from Ethan’s office back to me. “I asked if you’re any good with filing?”

I nod a little dazedly. “Yes. I am.”

“Good,” she says, then shoots me an apologetic grimace before setting down a heap of files on the desk. “We just completed a big deal in China. I’ve fallen a little behind in the past few weeks. If you could help me out, that’d be great.” She steps around her desk. “If you come with me, I’ll get you set up.”

I follow her down the narrow hallway in silence, the files pressing heavily against my chest. She pushes open the door to the documents room, flicking on the lights.

The room smells like dry paper and floor polish, the walls lined with rows of gray cabinets.

She begins clearing a space on the central table. “You’ve got a good head on your shoulders,” she says casually. “Ethan noticed.”

My heart jumps and I glance at her, surprised. “Did he? I… I hope so.”

Okay, that came out a little too eager.

“I want to be good at this job. For myself. And for Uncle Phil,” I hurry to add, fighting the blush creeping up my face.

She looks up then, meeting my eyes for a beat too long. “Just… a little advice?”

I nod, waiting.

“Ethan’s brilliant,” she says, a wry smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Driven like no one I’ve ever seen. He doesn’t sleep much, eats like it’s a chore, and has tunnel vision when it comes to making named partner. That’s his north star—always has been.”

I shift uncomfortably, sensing where this might be going.

Maggie continues, softer now. “He doesn’t mean to be careless with people. He just doesn’t always see them when he’s locked onto a goal. Sometimes he could be staring straight at you but thinking of his next three deals. So if you find yourself caught in that… singular focus”—her voice is careful, kind—“just remember that he’s fond of his ambition more.”

The files feel suddenly heavier in my hands.

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