Page 116 of Fighting Mr. Knight

“Jack asked if he could see the designs of the chimney viewing platform,” I say quickly. I smile sweetly at Max, the man I once loved and now hate to his very core.

Max’s frown deepens as he turns his attention to Jack. “It’s best to chat with me since I’ve a holistic view of the project.”

“So you keep reminding me.”

“I’ll come with you now to your office if you’d like, Jack?”

“No need. Bonnie’s an incredible architect. I don’t need to talk to anyone else.” Jack gives him a cocky grin, slaps him on the back one last time and walks off.

Completely at ease, the opposite of me.

The fucker.

It’s only then that Max gives me his undivided focus. His glassy stare is a strange mix of confusion and annoyance.

My most professional smile returns.

How many secrets are we both hiding from each other? Did I ever truly know this man?

The anxiety and disappointment of yesterday has fizzled and morphed into something more slow-burning and controlled today.

Soon I’ll get my closure with Max’s betrayal.

Today is not that day.

***

All day, I feel Jack’s eyes on me, watching me with a slow-burning hunger like a wolf stalking prey. I’m on heightened alert that any minute he’ll throw me over his shoulder, carry me into his office and fuck the life out of me in front of the entire floor.

And all day I get angrier.

I refuse his offer of lunch.

I have deadlines. Deadlines imposed byhimthat I need to concentrate on, instead of being distracted by the broody cockney every time he makes his presence known.

At five on the dot he saunters down the office as he always does on a Thursday. Nisha and I watch from our desks. I take a relaxed breath for the first time all day.

Nisha lets out a low whistle. “That’s some Big Dick Energy he’s directing at you.”

I laugh meekly. “I’m exhausted. I feel like he’s been prodding me with an electric rod all day.”

“Yeah? Well,savourthis. Every woman in London is gagging to be in your position right now. Even me a little.” She looks sheepish. “You’re not the only one who got lucky last night. Although it depends how you define lucky.”

“Oh yeah?” I ask excitedly.

She swallows and lets out a strangled laugh. “I accidentally slept with Darren again.”

“What?” I slap a hand over my mouth. “How?”

“A few of us went out for last minute drinks. Darren and I ended up being the stragglers when last orders rang. Then we went to another late-night bar and one thing led to another. He’s quite charming outside of work.”

“I feel like you’re in denial about how much you’re interested in him.”

“What can I say? Repeated exposure grinds a girl down.” Nisha snort-laughs. “He’s amazing in bed.Terribleproject manager. He couldn’t manage a child with two Lego blocks. Can I be attracted to someone who is great in bed but terrible at their job?” She looks at me seriously. “I’ve been torturing myself all day.”

“He’s a good-looking bloke,” I say, mulling it over. “And it’s not like you need a project manager.”

She sighs. “Really handsome.”

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