Page 24 of Resisting the Temptation
“But why would he give the job to Emma and not you?” Alex asks.
“Because she’s a pretty face, obviously,” I scoff.
“Tell me what you really think of me, Ben,” Emma says from the hallway, which makes Alex and Drew whip around in their seats, and my head snaps up to meet stormy blue eyes filled with undiluted rage.
“Emma, I—”
“Save it,” she cuts me off with a raised hand, then looks at Alex and Drew. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but you guys aren’t exactly quiet. I don’t know why Derek decided to work with me and not one of you because you’re all extremely good at your jobs, but I’m not going to turn this offer down to appease some male ego. All I can do is work my ass off and prove I was the right pick for the job. If you have a problem with that, you can talk to him yourself.”
With that, she storms into her office, shuts the door, and turns the glass opaque. An obvious “fuck off” to us.
Alex and Drew turn back around in their chairs and glare at me.
“What the hell are you looking at me like that for?” I grouse.
“You’re the one saying misogynistic shit, dude. Do you still honestly think Emma doesn’t deserve her place here after almost a month?” Alex shakes his head in exasperation.
“Youaskedmewhy Derek gave her the job!”
“Iwas trying to getyouto admit to being an asshole. To admit Emma is good at this. Derek hasn’t asked any of us because, let’s face it, we’re not the best at getting personal with him. Drew and I are too analytical to make the personal connections, and you have the whole ‘grumpy asshole who doesn't talk’ vibe. Emma balances it out. She’s easy to connect with. Hell, evenRalphlikes her, and that asshole doesn’t like anyone.”
“Then why didn’t you just say that?” I bark at him.
“Because you don’t listen,” Drew states.
“Look, I think you need to learn to be nicer to her or you risk running her off.” Alex runs a hand through his blonde hair.
I take a deep breath and let it out with an exasperated sigh. “Fine. I’ll try to be nicer.”
With a nod from both of them, they leave my office.
God, this last month has been nothing but stress. I need a fucking break. I log in to my Temptation Lounge portal to reserve a room for tomorrow night, relieved to see my preferred one is open on such short notice.
Then, once I finish the bid, I walk across the hall to Emma’s office and knock on the door.
“Come in,” her voice clips from behind the glass.
I slowly open the door and hear the unmistakable sound of her nails clicking away on the keyboard. Italways amazes me how fast she can type. I don’t know how she does it with the length of her fingernails.
When she stops typing and sees I’m the one in her doorway, she lets out a loud sigh before continuing whatever she’s working on. “What do you want?”
“I came to apologize.”
In a truly impressive move, she rolls her eyes without even stopping her typing but doesn’t respond.
I sigh and sit down in the chair across from her, waiting for her to acknowledge me or stop typing so I can apologize.
After a minute, I decide to just start talking, “I’m sorry for saying Derek only chose you because you’re a pretty face. I shouldn't have reduced you to that. It was really impressive you got the job.”
One minute passes. Nothing. Just theclick click clickof the keys.
“Are you going to say anything?” I keep my voice level, even though I want to bark at her for not even acknowledging me.
God, if she were my sub still, I’d have her bent over my knee—dammit.Why do I keep thinking about that? It’s been almost a month. Tomorrow night can’t come soon enough. I need to cleanse my palette with someone who isn’ther.
She finally stops her typing and looks at me. “Thank you for apologizing. You can go now.”
I rear back as if she’s slapped me. “Excuse me?”
