Page 13 of Axel

“When you have to wear high heels, too, you can object.That’sgender equality. But no, you get to wear expensive Italian shoes laced so snug, they’re watertight, but at least they’re comfortable. Case closed.”

“You can wear oxfords. I’m not opposed.”

“No, but every snob in Charleston is, and I take enough crap as it is.”

“Crap for what?”

“You won’t understand.” I smile. “Carolina Law is where they teach the Oxford crap I deal with.”

“So you prefer what?” He mocks, “Flip-flops?”

“Don’t yuck my yum. Flip-flops are God’s gift to feet.” I push his buttons. “Want me to go to Walmart and secretly buy you a pair? You can wear them in private so your Carolina Law friends won’t know.”

“No.” His face lights up. It’s weird. “But you can go to Target and get a litter box and cat food. Not the cheap stuff. The good kind.” He reaches into his jacket, making a flippant show of tossing his black card on the desk.

“Are you serious?”

“When am I not?”

“Once again,” I fume, “it’snotin my job description.”

“Once again,” he smirks, “this is me,notcaring.”

CHAPTER THREE

AXEL

This isme taking care of two pussies with one command.

I needed supplies for that damn cat, and I needed to douse Ruby’s fire.

She implied that I harass her, that she doesn’t like our love-to-hate game, so I tested her. Ilovetesting her.

I gave her my address, gate code, and house key and instructed her to leave the food and litter box for Sparky, and she took the bait.

She could’ve said no. She could’ve quit.

Secretly, Ruby loves our game. She was born a queen: brave, strategic, confident, a fighter. And I see how she treats others in the office, too.

She brings them drinks. She works late so Helen can go home to her grandson. She collects the garbage every evening so Mr. Briggs, our elderly Custodial Manager, doesn’t have to.

Ruby’s fiery on the outside but has a warm heart, and she does something to mine.

She reminds me I haveone.

Did curiosity kill her cat while she took care of mine? I mean,minefor the weekend?

Yes and no.

With cameras covering every angle of my house, I watched her on my phone app, entering my home with her pretty head on a swivel, scanning the place.

Instantly, Sparky went to her, purring against her bare legs.Lucky cat.For a moment, it looked like Ruby had forgotten her menial task. She talked to the cat, smiled, picked her up, and started cuddling the animal, and it pounded my heart.Fuck, she’s beautiful. Until she glanced up and spotted the camera in my kitchen, and flipped it off.

I laughed. She was right. I was watching as she finished setting out food and the litter box. Knowing she was being surveilled, she didn’t snoop. She left.

But now she returns, barging into my office, shouting, “She’s pregnant! What are you going to do about it?”

“You mean mycat?” I growl, “Mind your words in my office, Ms. Jones, lest you start inappropriate rumors.”

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