Page 33 of Yes to The Holidays
He stood, straightening his blazer. “Don’t think for a second you can push me out of this company by sucking up to the boss. Or should I say sucking him off?”
I slammed my hands to my desk. “Get out now!” I pointed to the door, gritting my teeth.
He looked me up and down, what parts he could see, with a curl to his lips. “Happy to. I thought I knew you, Janie.” He shook his head.
“You don’t know shit. Now get out.”
Three beats after the door slammed, Candy ran into my office. “Janie, are you alright?”
My face was hot, and my hands shook. “That asshole. I guess now that the divorce is final, he thinks he can act however he wants.”
Candy sat down. “What was that about? Everyone heard you shout, but we couldn’t make out what it was.”
Great. “He thinks I’m sucking up to the boss to overthrow him or something.” I ran my fingers through my hair.
“Oh, screw him. He’s just mad that you’re getting attention, and he’s not. Everyone knows you’re the strongest department head.”
“Thanks, Candy. I need to get back to work. But thanks for checking on me.”
She stood, pressing her fingers into the dirt of my poinsettia. “This needs water. Let me know if you need me.”
Once she was gone, I tried to focus on my long list of tasks but could only think about Odin and this messed up situation.
What would the rest of the staff think if Donald blabbed? My team probably would be fine, but the rest of them would have no problem smearing me if it meant they could get on Donald’s good side. Jack was a wild card. He and his team could go either way.
After finally tackling several messages and a few phone calls, I got up to visit the break room and get some coffee. The little bit I had before work wasn’t doing the trick after that rough night.
Odin was walking down the hall and smiled. I gave a professional smile. “Good morning. Have you had your coffee yet?”
“Some, but I could use another cup.” He motioned to the breakroom. “After you.”
I walked in, trying to stride and clench my thighs at the same time since my lady bits were not worried about what was going on. Nobody else was there, so I walked to the counter and grabbed two mugs, then began to fill them with hot java.
“Did you see those reports Edward–I mean Eddie–sent over?” Odin asked.
Nodding, I answered, “Yes. I should have that done this afternoon.” I passed him a mug. “Odin, listen. You need to make it a point to visit with Jack and Donald.”
He sipped, a grin spreading as he lowered the mug from his lips. “Oh. Why is that?”
“Donald paid me a visit this morning and said he saw you leave my office last week, then he saw us this weekend out together.”
He sipped again. “And?”
At this rate, my eyes would eventually stay rolled back. “And…he thinks I’m trying to overthrow him or something. He won’t let this go. If we’re really going to keep seeing each other, you will have to be sure you aren’t showing favoritism. It’s going to come out sooner or later, and people will have issues with it.”
“I’m sorry you were made uncomfortable by a fellow employee, and I can have it addressed.”
It was hard to be irritated because his face was so perfect. “Odin. That will only make it worse. Just do a drive by, shake their hands, and tell them some small detail that doesn’t matter. But seriously, if we can’t keep it professional during business hours, this,” I said as I pointed from him to me, “won’t work.”
A groan came from his chest. One that sounded much too similar to the ones he made in the bedroom. Heat built in my core, followed by a rush of wetness. I shifted my weight to clench my thighs again.
“Okay. I see your point.” He smiled. “If it makes you happy, I will visit with them both.”
“Odin, this isn’t about making me happy, it’s about business.” I sighed. “You really haven’t worked in this kind of setting, have you?”
“No. And I see why.” He put his mug down and stepped closer, sending me against the counter. “Do you enjoy this?”
I cleared my throat. “This isn’t the time and definitely not the place for–”
