Page 6 of Prince Charming

“I should get back to work if there is nothing else.”

“Wait.” The simple act of one word stopped her retreat. Relaxed in his seat, watching her, Marianna was a sea of concealed nerves shooting through her arms and legs.

It was not personal to Tag.

She didn’t want to flee from him because he was a nightmare boss to work for. The opposite, in fact. She loved being at the gym.

She just didn’t want to be around people.

Growing into quite the antisocial bitch, wasn’t she?

“There’s a winter cookout coming up at my club, come along, have fun, meet some people.”

Oh.Marianna rolled her lips inward, linking her fingers together until her knuckles turned white.

“Look at you,” he chuckled, “scared I’m asking you out.” Was he? “Will you ever relax around me, Marianna?”

“I am relaxed, Sir.”

“Hardly. You’re tense as fuck, like you expect me to pounce.” His smile was full wattage. She was grateful he stayed seated. When he was at his full height and width in front of her, the very experience swept air from her lungs.

Not fearful, notaltogetheranyway.

But it put her into an anxious state she’d rather not go through with only crackers and coffee in her belly.

“You know you’re safe here, yeah? No one will do a thing to you or they’d answer to me. You know that right?”

She did. Knowing he would fix any wrongdoings put emotion in her throat.

That was Tag’s kindness.

She wanted to trust him so much, but trust brought pain and regrets. Marianna was not foolish to fall for the same blunder twice.

“It’s a very pleasant environment to work in.” she answered, coolly.

She watched him frowning, both dark blond brows folding inward, and he let go of a sigh so blustery it almost blew her over. Though the desk separated them, she had the urge to back her feet up and get out of the way of his blizzard of disappointment.

“Think about the invite, yeah? My boys’ old ladies will be there.” Now it was her turn to curl down her brows. “Their wives.” He amended with a transforming smile.

“Your friends call their wives an old lady?”

Now he chuckled. “It doesn’t mean old for their age. It’s a term of affection we say for our women.”

A staggered thump started in her chest. “You-you say it too?”

Not married, but it was hard to say if he had a girlfriend.

Something tight swirled inside her belly and Marianna laid her palm right there to quieten whatever disturbance was happening. She hoped the crackers weren’t off.

“Not yet, but one day I will.” He winked, amused. “Their wives will show you a good time, when was the last time you had fun?”

“Thank you for the invite,” she responded without answering a question she had no answer for, and started for the door. “I should get back to work.”

Marianna couldn’t afford to establish friendships.

She wasn’t in a position to be a friend to anyone.

Especially to a charming prince.

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