Page 54 of Bossy Trouble

He’d been relaxed and teasing as we walked into the office, a half smile on his face. But then, the minute we got there, and he got a glimpse of the man currently sitting on the couch in the suite, his entire body stiffened.

I felt the shift in the atmosphere and glanced at his face. The change was subtle. He didn’t frown, and his expression only shifted imperceptibly, but it was enough to let me know that, whoever the man in the lobby was, he was an unwanted guest.

I glanced back at the stranger. There was nothing distinctive about him; he seemed like an average, everyday man. Average height, brown hair, eyes of nondescript dark color. He was wearing a suit with a dark hat that shielded much of his expression. But there was just something about him that told me he was not as he seemed.

“You have a guest, Mr. Dresden,” Ellen announced, standing from her position behind her desk. “I tried to tell him that your schedule was full for the day, but he wouldn’t listen. He insisted on seeing you.”

“It’s fine. I’ll see him in my office. Make sure we’re not disturbed.”

“Yes, sir.” Donovan made a move toward the man and gestured to his office with a slight jab of his head. The man turned to follow him, but as he did, he glanced back at me.

A shiver went down my spine.

It was only a brief look, not even a full second, but it sent a chill to my bones. And I didn’t even know why.

I was still thinking about it after the door shut behind them, and Ellen walked up to me.

“So,” she crossed her arms over her chest, giving me a run-over. “You look nice today.”

I knew the compliment had to be attached to an oncoming barb. “Thanks,” I said anyway.

“I guess being the boss’ new plaything must be a good look for you.”

I felt my face turn red. I knew it was coming, but the insult still struck a nerve, especially since it was true.

“I don’t see how my sex life is any of your business.” I tried to keep the embarrassment from my voice, but I could feel the heat already crawling up my neck. With my coloring, it showed.

Ellen must have seen it, too, because there was a cruel satisfaction on her face. “Ha. You really are shameless. You won’t even bother denying it.”

Come on, Georgia. Don’t let her get the best of you. You’ve faced worse opponents than her. Like the behemoth in the warehouse.

“Why should I?” I kept my voice steady. “There’s no rule against employer and employee relationships in the guidebook.”I should know as I read the thing cover to cover.

“And you’re not even a little bit ashamed about being the other woman, are you?”

“They’re broken up,” I blurted out defensively, then instantly regretted it. Especially when Ellen’s face broke into an incredulous look, and she burst out laughing.

“Oh my God,” she gasped, snickering. “If you truly believe that, then you must be more stupid than I thought. But I guess I can’t be surprised that you’re this bold. It’s how you got this job in the first place, isn’t it? By spreading your legs for him?”

Indignant anger bubbled up inside me, and before I could hold myself back, I said, “Tell me something.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Do you get paid for being a bitch?”

Ellen’s jaw dropped. “What did you just say to me?”

“I’m just curious,” I said. “Because you seem to be doing an excellent job at it.”

“You…you….”

“In either case, this is a workplace and not your tea party. It’s definitely not the place for you to be showing off such bad behavior, and I don’t have to tolerate it. So, if you will excuse me….” I left her steaming on that behind me, returning to my office.

But still, I couldn’t focus on work.

It wasn’t so much what Ellen said that was bothering me.

It was Donovan and the face he made when he saw that man outside his office. And the way the man had looked at me, the slimy feeling he gave me.

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