How to Resist Prince Charming(66)

She snorted. “And just how can you expect me to believe that the very day after I break up with you, my father, who’s been with your company for twenty-five years, did something to warrant being suspended?” Arching her brows, she folded her arms over her chest. “Isn’t that a little convenient for you?”

“Convenient?” He sputtered, then hissed out a breath and tipped his face back before he clutched his nose again. “Yeah, right.”

She’d definitely hurt him, and she refused to feel bad about it. “You’re a snake, do you know that? I thought you were better than this. I thought you would be able to keep our personal relationship away from your job. But, obviously—”

He grabbed her arm, cutting her off as he pulled her close. “Listen to me. This had nothing to do with you. I swear it.”

She yanked herself free and pushed herself back. “Then what did he do that was so wrong?”

He opened his mouth; no words came out.

She tapped her foot against the floor. “I’m listening?”

“I...I can’t tell you.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s work,” he said, his eyes begging her to believe him. “It involves company-sensitive information.”

“No,” she countered. “It involves me. You hurt him because I wounded your stupid pride.”

“Damn it,” he roared. “It’s because I don’t want to be the * who clued you in to the fact that your darling father isn’t as perfect as you think he is.”

Lenna drew back. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means he lied to me,” he exploded. “Just like he lied to you. I was forced to do what I did. God, I should’ve fired him. There’s no way I’ll ever be able to trust him as an employee again after this. He’s lucky to get off with a mere suspension. The man looked me straight in the eye and told me a bald-faced lie, Lenna. A lie that could affect everyone under my payroll.”

“Oh, here we go again.” She rolled her eyes. “How many times do I have to tell you, Thomas Davenport doesn’t lie. He’s too straightforward. You’re the one who’s lying.”

“And how many times do I have to tell you, I can’t lie worth shit?”

Lenna hugged herself tighter while Braxton growled out an impatient sound and turned away, running his fingers through his hair before he clutched his nose again. An impasse of silence passed for a good ten seconds.

Finally, he let out a long, tired sigh. “It doesn’t matter what I say to you. You’re not going to believe me. If you can honestly think I’d see another woman behind your back, then there’s no way you’ll—”

“You know what?” Lenna snapped, not wanting to think about Braxton with other women. “My father was right about you. You got a plateful you couldn’t handle when you fell into this job.”

Braxton eyes flashed hot in warning. She knew she hit a nerve; that’s why she pushed. “Everything you know about Farris Industries couldn’t fill his pinky finger.”

He clenched his teeth into a furious snarl before grabbing her hand and yanking her close.

“One of these days, Lenna, you’re going to learn how wrong you are about me. When you leave this building, why don’t you stop every f*cking person you see and ask them how many ladies I have paraded through my office since I’ve come here.”

He let go of her at the same moment she jerked away. The glare he sent her had her insides cringing as she stumbled a step back.

Realizing she’d probably just made the biggest mistake of her life, she backed toward the door, staring at Braxton with wide eyes. He glared back, features hardened and jaw tight.

Turning swiftly, she hurried from his office.



As soon as she was gone, Braxton’s knees gave out. He crumpled to the floor, sitting with his elbows on his knees, his head in his hands, and his back braced against the side of his mahogany desk. It wasn’t bleeding, but he touched his tender nose again.

Hurt like a son of a bitch.

Tasha gave a timid clearing of the throat and she peeked around the open door. “Boss?”

“Shut the Goddamn door!” he yelled.

When she did, quickly, he closed his eyes.

Lenna was gone. Probably for good this time.

It didn’t seem real.

Telling himself to get up and return to his desk, Braxton stayed rooted on the floor. He combed his hair with shaking fingers and blew out a breath. This was not the time to lose it. He was at work and needed to get himself together.

But whenever he tried to focus, his thoughts went haywire. All he saw was Lenna glaring at him, Lenna turning her back to him, Lenna striding out the door. Away from him.

No, he couldn’t think about that. He had to concentrate here. Though, oh God, he was starting to hyperventilate. He prodded his tender nose and winced. Damn, she knew how to hit.

It might be broken. But he didn’t care. The pain in his chest hurt more.

He could’ve told her the truth. He’d wanted to tell her. But what would that accomplish? She’d go to her father, force the truth from him; then she and Tom would be on the outs.

As much as Braxton would love to see that man get his just desserts, he couldn’t do it to Lenna. Tom was her father. He’d always be her father. And no matter how much Braxton loved her, her dad would always be between them in some form or another.