Page 40 of Caged

“Thank you for your time,” Maxwell stuck out her hand, which he eagerly shook.

“Can we call you if we have any more questions?” I asked.

“Sure.” His attention still on Maxwell.

Wanting to stop the ogling, I stepped between them and handed him my business card. “If you think of anything else, please don’t hesitate to call.”

Back in the truck, Maxwell turned on me. “What the hell was that all about?”

“What?”

“You know what. I don’t need you protecting me from someone looking at me,” she huffed.

“What, you like that shit? Guys drooling over you while you question them?” I knew it wasn’t true, and I really shouldn’t have said it.

“Fuck you, Sheppard.” She slammed her seatbelt to lock it in place.

I stared. I hadn’t expected that reaction. Anger yes, but I figured she’d fight back, not close down.

The click as I secured my seatbelt set her off.

“I’ll have you know, I can handle myself.”

I opened my mouth to apologize, but she started again.

“I fucking hate it when men treat me like I’m an object to stare at. But you know what, Sheppard, it serves a purpose,” she yelled.

“What purpose could it possibly serve?” I yelled back.

“They underestimate me and I learn a lot more because of it. Just because you think a woman can’t do this job doesn’t make it true.”

What the hell? Where’d that come from? I’d been an ass on more than one occasion—this occasion being the most recent—but I’d never been a sexist ass.

Have I?No, I hadn’t. Just an everyday, run of the mill ass.

“You know what, next time I’ll just let them drool and leer and strip you naked with their eyes while you’re talking to them. Maybe I’ll even encourage it.”

Now I’m being a sexist ass,with a capital A. At least I sounded like one.

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“Just trying to help.”

“Well, don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t help.”

“Fine.”You’re acting like an idiot, Sheppard.

“Fine.”

We drove the rest of the way in silence, Maxwell working on her phone, while I drove. I had a feeling we wouldn’t get much more work done tonight. At least not together. And the lion’s share of the blame was mine.

What was it about Maxwell that made me act like a raging lunatic?

Chapter 17

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