Page 19 of You, Me, & Après-Ski
God, that attitude. It made me want to bend her over my knee for being such a brat. I backed her up against the wall, leaning into her space until those tits brushed against my chest. Her scent of sweet honeysuckle washed over me, and my dick twitched in response. Lust sparked through me, hot and electrifying, but I reined myself in. Anyone could walk by and see us—which was as hot as it was dangerous. If the paparazzi gotahold of this little tidbit, my arrangement with Cressida would be shot to hell and Cyrus would have my ass.
“You have ten minutes,” I said.
She looked up at me with defiance. “Can’t it wait?”
“I’ll see you upstairs in ten minutes, Valeria,” I growled, pushing away from her and storming down the hall.
I was her boss, and she would do what I said.
Chapter 10
VAL
Ahalfhourlater,Islammed the door to Nolan’s office.
“How dareyou summon me like I’m some sort of plebeian?” I said. “What was so important that I had to come up here in the middle of a rush and abandon Hugh?” I was high into my extrovert mode since I’d been working the bar, so the words came easier and I was less apprehensive than normal. Plus, Nolan had pissed me off. What did he think he was, king of the rich assholes?Honestly, he probably does think that.
I’d been having a good night joking around with the customers before Nolan’s little stunt had sent me over the edge. The massage incident still played in my head on repeat, and I didn’t know who I was more angry at—him, for being a convoluted ass, or me for still thinking about it. So what did I do? I got angry. It was better than the alternative of turning into a ball of anxiety. At least the anger gave me something to latch on to.
From behind his desk, Nolan steepled his hands under his chin. “You’re late.”
I balled my hands into fists and remained by the door.I will not swear at my boss, I will not swear at myboss—
I settled for muttering a string of Spanish curses.
“What’s that?” he said with a dark look.
Rather than translating the filth, I cleared my throat. “What can I help you with,MisterKeller?”
Placing both palms flat on his desk, he pushed to his feet, exuding authority. I was both annoyed and very, very turned on.Jesus. I need to get out of here.
“Why were you working in the bar? You’re a snowboard instructor.”
I matched his black stare, fuming. “Hugh needed help. Frankie has a migraine, and I had the time.”
“You seemed to be enjoying it.”
I crossed my arms. His eyes flicked down to my breasts and I dropped my arms with a glare. “Is that a crime?”
“You were flirting.” He said the last word like it was a curse.
“It’s calledbeing friendly, but as you’ve never encountered or experienced the emotion before, I understand your confusion.”
“Are you dating him?”
“Who?” I blinked, taken aback. “Hugh’s gay.”
Storm clouds rolled across Nolan’s blue eyes. “Not Hugh. I saw you on a date with the snowboarder.”
My brain tripped, scrambling to keep up. “You mean Austin?” I recovered quickly, a newfound anger blazing through me. “There’s nothing in the employee handbook that forbids dating a coworker. My personal life is none of your business. And we’re not dating.” I don’t know why I added that last bit.
A muscle in Nolan’s jaw fluttered. “You’re not permitted to work at the bar anymore. You’re my tour guide—full time.”
“I don’t accept,” I said, fastening my hands to my hips.
His eyes followed the movement like a predator on the hunt, his enraged stare drilling into me. “It wasn’t a request, Valeria.”
I surprised myself by matching his intensity without missing a beat. Seriously, what waswiththis guy? “Who’s gonna pitch in at the bar if I don’t do it?You?”
