Boss I Love to Hate: An Office Romance(52)

My cheeks warmed. I could feel the heat rising to the tips of my ears. “That is so against the Charles rulebook.”

He nodded. “And my rules, too, but I think, since I agreed to this and am playing a part, kissing you is an exception.”

“So, you’re going to kiss me again?” The question flew out before I had a chance to stop it. Crap, I didn’t think I could handle another one of his kisses.

He paused, as though debating on what to say. “Only if I have to,” he said, his emotions now hidden.

I guessed kissing me was a chore then. My heart sank, and I didn’t know how to take that, yet I didn’t want to think about it too much, too deeply.

And, with those five words, we were back into the normal world of secretary and BILK.

Once inside the cocktail area with multiple highboy tables, the first people I spotted were Jeff and Jean across the room.

I grabbed Brad’s hand and headed toward the bar. “I need another drink.”

“Shouldn’t you eat a little bit still? Maybe after dinner.”

“Okay, Dad.” I grabbed a shrimp cocktail from a server’s tray that passed by. “I have been eating. See, food. In my belly. Now, drink.”

Brad shook his head, amused, and followed my lead.

“Sonia,” I heard someone call.

When I lifted my head, I saw Ava and her boyfriend, Chris.

I nearly bum-rushed her and pulled her in. “Where were you? I tried looking for you after the church.”

She flattened her pink dress with a tulle skirt. “We took a little detour after the ceremony.” Then, she leaned in, her cheeks flushing a pretty pink. “We got a little delayed when Chris saw me in this dress.”

I laughed but couldn’t ignore the pang of jealousy in my chest. “It’s quite a beautiful dress.” I stepped back to take in the way the tulle flared out by her hips.

She shimmied with an exaggerated effect. “Brad, you’re looking good.”

I had to bite my lip to prevent my laughter at her over-the-top flirtation in front of a boyfriend she’d dated for years. Chris knew she was harmless, but if it were the other way around, I didn’t think Ava would be too understanding.

“Thank you. Thank you,” he said with a little bow and not at all modest. “I have to say, I have a great tailor.”

“Yes, you do.” Ava pointed her nose in the direction of Jeff. “Better than that loser wannabe. Did he come over to get your attention yet?”

Brad snaked an arm around my back, pulling me close. And a shock of warmth filled me. I wanted to deny it but couldn’t because it felt different since we’d kissed.

“Yes, he did, and I have to say, I don’t know what my little bae ever saw in him.”

Ava’s eyebrows shot up to her hairline. Bae? she mouthed toward me and in front of Brad.

“Nicknames already. I like,” Ava said, flicking my shoulder. “Your bae is a nickname kinda girl. I know she also has a nickname for you.”

If my look could shoot bullets, Ava would be on the floor.

“I’ve heard.” He smirked and dug his fingers into my waist. “I want to know what it is.”

He didn’t know the extent of it.

I wasn’t about to tell him I had a picture of him on my wall that I threw darts at daily and that he was nicknamed BILK—Boss I’d Like to Kill—on my phone.

That was a secret I’d take to my grave, except for Ava knowing.

“I’m your bae, and you’re my babe.” I nearly choked on the word.

Jeff and I had never given each other nicknames. We’d dated for years, and he thought the gooey couples that made up nicknames were losers.

“Chris calls me babe, too, don’t you?” Ava said, slipping her arm through his.

He nodded, mute as always, and then kissed her cheek.

“No, really.” Brad rubbed my arm, and tiny goose bumps sprang to life. “What’s your particular nickname for me?”

Ava’s eyes widened, and a chuckle escaped her. “Maybe we won’t go there today. Tomorrow maybe, but not today.”

Brad turned on the charm. “Come on, Ava. Do tell. I want to know what Sonia calls me when I’m not around.” Brad’s seductive voice was soft and coercive, and in any minute, I had no doubt that Ava would spill.

I tugged Brad toward the bar. “Drinkie, drinkie time, babe.” I threw a single wave Ava’s way and led us to our drinking destination.

“Smooth, but you know I’ll find out anyway.” He popped my nose with his pointer finger before we stopped by the bar. “I like your friends,” he said after he handed me another Long Island.

“Thanks. We go way back. I’ve known Ava since the first day of college.”

Brad thought on that for a second. “I’ve only really had Charles and Mason. I was in a fraternity in college, but when it comes to knowing me and knowing who I can trust, there have only been my brothers. And, after my parents died, we’ve only grown closer.”

He tipped back his beer that the female bartender, who was eyeing him, had placed on the counter. It was unnerving that he hadn’t paid attention to her when she was blatantly staring. Maybe the beautiful were immune to the attention. But this was Brad, so he knew. He was probably ignoring the attention.