Romance Warfare: a Tigress' Guide to NOT Secure a Mate(20)

Adam shook his head and turned to his office. As he opened the door, he looked back, and saw Eva still facing the shredder. Her shoulders were shaking slightly and she gave a quiet sniff. Adam stepped inside and eased the door shut between them.

***

A short time later, Adam was startled from his thoughts by a sharp knock on his office door. Before he could answer, the door bounced open and Dean was there, a guarded look on his face.

“Can I come in?”

Adam sighed heavily. “Yeah, come on in.”

Dean made his way to his normal spot, settling into the creaking leather chair. He didn’t look as relaxed as he usually did. Instead of lounging he was sitting upright, his fingers steepled under his chin.

“I want to apologize for last night.”

“Okay…” Adam prompted.

“I’m sorry for bringing Rachel around. I just wanted to…show you.”

“Get on with it Dean, I don’t have any patience for your games or witty banter today.”

“I thought if I brought Rachel around that Eva would get a little jealous and realize how she really feels about you. She likes you, Adam, still loves you even. And you love her.”

“I don’t think she loves me. She won’t even talk to me. She’s calling me Mr. Frost.”

“That’s kind of hot.”

Adam flung a pen across the desk at Dean, hitting him in the chin and leaving a streak of ink across his skin. Dean laughed as he scrubbed at the mark with his fingers.

“So, you thought making Eva jealous was a good idea. Using jealousy to get a reaction from her is bad idea. She has the means at her disposal to get even. Like spitting in my coffee.”

“I get it. My meddling backfired on me. I’m sorry. But you have to get her to listen. You have to make her understand that you care for her. You do care for her, don’t you, Adam?”

“I don’t…I’m not…” Adam trailed off, trying to collect his thoughts.

“Listen, if you do, let her know. Propose. But just know, Eva’s not the kind of woman who’s going to want to hear about clan alliances and arranged marriages. If you love her, show her.”

Adam shook his head, worrying at the skin of his lips with his teeth.

“Either you want her or you don’t. Make up your mind. But don’t ask her to marry you if you don’t really love her. Understand?”

“I can’t promise that.”

“Then don’t ask her.”

“It’s the right thing to do.”

“The hell it is. If you love her, claim her. If not, leave her be. I’ll claim her myself.”

Adam jumped up, pushing over his chair and flying around his desk. He snatched Dean up by the collar and pushed him toward the door.

“Get the hell out of my office. And keep your f*cking hands off Eva Carey.” He pulled the door open, flinging it into the wall, and pushed Dean out.

Dean straightened his tie and ran his hands over his hair. Eva was staring at them both. Dean gave her a friendly smile and winked before looking back to Adam. “Remember what I said.” He stalked out of the office and down the corridor without looking back.





Chapter Six


“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you.”



Eva waited until Adam closed the door to his office before getting up and following Dean down the hall. She grabbed a piece of paper from her desk and headed out of her office. Instead of waiting for the elevator she took the stairs up to the next floor and caught him just as he was stepping into his own office. She touched his shoulder.

“Can I talk to you?” she asked.

He stepped back and waved her into the office first. His office couldn’t be more different than Adam’s. Where Adam’s was all warm wood and cozy colors, Dean’s was slick and modern, glass and shiny blacks everywhere. Eva took a seat on a boxy, brightly colored chair.

Dean took the chair next to her and leaned forward, placing a friendly hand on her arm. “What’s going on, Eva? Can I help you with anything?”

Eva thrust the paper in her hand to him and sat waiting as he read it.

“You want to resign?” Dean asked incredulously.

“Yes. Because of…personal reasons. I don’t feel like I can work here any longer. Thank you, though, for getting me this job here. It really meant a lot to me.”

Dean sat back and stroked his chin. “I see. And do you have something else lined up? Something that’s going to pay as well?”

Eva felt the heat of her blush travel up her neck and spread across her cheeks. “Um, not just yet. I’ll get something soon.”

Dean sat back, thinking, re-reading bits of her resignation letter still in his hand. “I don’t want you to quit.”

“I don’t think I have another choice,” she answered. “You know why.”

“There’s always another choice, honey.”

“Dean, please, I can’t work for Adam anymore.”

Dean crumpled her resignation and tossed it toward the wastebasket. It bounced off the edge and landed on the floor. Dean laughed. “I always sucked at basketball. Anyhow, back to the matter. I’m not going to let you quit, Eva.”