Page 46 of The CEO

“Is there something else? I’m busy,” I growled, dropping my pen to my desk.

“Is there anything else, Mr. Avery?”

Was she fucking kidding me? Now she wanted to somewhat do her job?

“Nothing.” My tone was lethal as I said the one word.

“I can get you a cup of coffee or…” She trailed off, batting her heavily made up eyes at me.

Was my secretary flirting with me? Did she think I’d fuck any employee?

“As a matter of fact, I do have something for you to do.” I smiled wickedly.

Sandy or Cindy, or you were about to lose your job whatever your name was licked her bright pink lips. My stomach rolled at her action. I was revolted she’d think it would be so easy to get into my pants. The only thing I wanted everyone to think about me was that I was an asshole who got the job done.

“Anything,” she answered back breathlessly.

“I need all the information we have on Titan printed out.”

Her face screwed up in confusion. “Everything?”

“Yes, everything. I need it on my desk by the end of the day. Thank you,” I dismissed her.

It wasn’t anything I needed. It was busywork, penance for thinking I would ask her to suck my cock now or ever.

I felt her linger for a few moments before she finally left. Blowing out a heavy sigh, I tried to clear my head, but it was hard to rein in my temper. I was mostly mad at myself for keeping her for as long as I had. I should have given her one warning after she didn’t do her job the first time and after she failed again, gave her her walking papers with a smile on my face. Now, I wassure if I fired her, I’d be sued by the end of the week. My lawyers could handle it, but I didn’t want Pria’s name dragged through the mud.

I kept busy going through all the information I’d received on my trips and decided if I wanted to expand my business to California. Now that I had Pria in my life, I wasn’t sure I wanted to make more work for myself. I wanted to be able to take time off and enjoy life. Something I hadn’t done in a long time and wouldn’t be able to do if I expanded my company.

Putting my computer to sleep, I grabbed my cell phone and headed to the elevator. This time as I passed through the halls everyone kept their heads down. There were no whispers or side glances, which gave me hope that they’d forgotten about Pria and me. Logically, I knew they hadn’t, but I was still hopeful.

As I rode the elevator down to the lobby, I checked my phone for any messages, but aside from the hundred emails, I needed to answer there was nothing. When the elevator doors opened, I scanned the lobby looking for my lunch date. Since we were going a little early to beat the business lunch crowd, the only people in the lobby were security. A flash of black hair flowing in the wind caught my attention. Pria was pacing outside. Upon further inspection, she was either talking to herself or was on the phone. Her hands flew as she spoke with her forehead creased with worry.

Guilt gnawed at me. Ever since Pria had come into my life, I’d caused her nothing but hardship. I hated it, but I wasn’t willing to give her up. She was the best thing that had ever happened to me, and now it was up to me to figure out how I was going to be the best thing to come into her life.

Stepping in front of her to block her rapid back and forth, I reached out to pull my feisty girlfriend into my arms. Only she didn’t come to me or greet me with anything but a paranoid look over her shoulder.

“Where’s this sandwich place you were telling me about?”

I guess she hadn’t been on the phone but talking to herself. Knowing that bit of information worried me. Had someone confronted her about us?

“Right this way.” I pointed to the left and held my elbow out to her. With only a slight hesitation, she hooked her arm with mine and let me guide her down the busy sidewalk. We had been quiet since we’d left. I looked down at her as we waited to cross the road and wanted to kick myself in the ass. Her entire body was radiating worry and sadness. Why did people have to be assholes? Me included.

“Has anyone given you any trouble?”

“No one has even come into the department, but there’s been plenty who’ve walked by gawking and whispering. It’s like we’re in high school.” A heavy sigh deflated her already hunched posture. “I don’t know what to do, King. I’m the laughingstock of the thirty-fourth floor.”

Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I pulled her into me and kissed the top of her head. “Give it a day or two for it to die down. If it doesn’t, then…” I had no idea what I’d do, but I’d come up with something. Normally, I was good at thinking on the fly.

“Then what? Do you have any ideas, because I like my job and would like to keep it.”

Wow. I stopped in my tracks at her words and stared down at her in shock. “You can’t let them run you off. If you did, you’re not the strong woman I know.”

“Maybe I’m not the woman you know because right now that’s the only option that makes sense.”

“No, it doesn’t make sense. Let’s order our food and strategize. Between the two of us, surely we can come up with something that doesn’t involve you leaving.” I didn’t want tothink about what it would feel like for her to work somewhere else.

“Fine,” she answered with no conviction in her voice.

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