Coldhearted Boss(43)

Her eyes widen with approval. “Oh. I hadn’t thought of that.”

My phone burns like a beacon across the room. I know what I should do in this moment. She’s obviously trying desperately to get in contact with someone.

She mistakes my hesitation for something it’s not. “Don’t worry, I won’t ask to borrow your phone. I know you don’t trust me, though it’s a little silly. What do you think I’m going to do? Hack into your bank accounts?” She groans and moves to the ladder. “You know what? I’ll just ask one of the guys to borrow—”

My phone hits her pillow and then I turn for the bathroom.

“I’m showering. You have until I’m finished.”

Truth be told, I actually don’t trust Taylor with my phone. Why would I? A month and a half ago, she stole my wallet and all the cash that was inside of it. I’d be a fool to think I could trust her. An absolute fool.

When I’m done showering, she’s still talking on my phone. I hear her laughter, light and carefree through the bathroom door.

“I miss you too,” she says sweetly. My stomach twists into a knot as I brush my teeth hunched over the sink, scowling like the grump she’s turned me into.

After I change into some lounge pants, I walk over and hold out my hand.

Her eyes lock with mine and she keeps talking.

I motion for her to hang up.

She holds up her finger and points to the phone, clearly hoping to continue her conversation.

I reach out, take the phone, and hang up. She can call her boyfriend back later, sometime when I’m not here listening to her flirt with him.

“Ever the gentleman,” she says with a snide glare.

“You’re welcome for allowing you to use my cell phone.”

She rolls her eyes and starts down the ladder. “You know I keep telling myself to take the high road, but with you I find it absolutely impossible. Why do you have to be so rude all the time? Are you like this with everyone in your life?”

“Just people who try to take advantage of others.”

My comment is very clearly referring to the time she took my wallet and we both know it. She grinds her teeth and is about to let out a string of words sure to send me into an equally annoyed rage, but then she turns on her heel, storms into the bathroom, and slams the door behind her. The whole cabin shakes.

“I’d like to be reassigned to a new cabin!” she shouts through the wood. “If I’m going to have to deal with you all day, I need a break at night.”

“Too bad.”

“What?” she shouts.

I raise my voice so she can hear me through the door. “Too bad!”

The door flings open and she stands there with her toothbrush in her mouth, white suds foaming at the corners. “Why do you even want me in here with you anyway? I know you don’t like me any more than I like you.”

With the toothbrush in the way, her words come out warbled, but I still understand her perfectly.

“Keep your enemies close,” is the only response I deign to give her before I flop back on my bed. I’d grab my paperback and start reading, but, well, that’s not an option. Instead, I fold my hands behind my head and stare up at the bottom of her bunk.

She spits out her toothpaste in the sink, the faucet runs for a few seconds, and then she’s back out here. This cabin feels as confining as a jail cell when we’re both in it, like two caged animals.

My eyes go to her—as they always do when she enters a room—and I watch as she stalks over and leans down, her head dipping beneath the bunk. Her hair grazes my bare chest. Blood rushes south without my consent.

“Just to be clear, anything that happens in this cabin is outside of work. Is that clear? From dusk till dawn, I’ll be sweet and doting, will fulfill your every need—but when we’re in this cabin, don’t expect me to treat you like my boss.”

I can’t help the snide smirk that curls the edge of my mouth. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. As long as you’re on this property, I’m always your boss.”

Yes, Ethan, you’re always her boss, so stop trying to sneak glances down the top of her shirt.

She fists her hands by her sides, swallows whatever retort was forming on her tongue, and hurries up the ladder, apparently ready to be done with me.

I have no choice but to stand to turn the lamp off. The cabin’s plunged into complete darkness. I have no clue what time it is. I don’t even feel tired, but there’s nothing else for us to do out here unless we want to kiss and make up, and right now we’re probably closer to biting than kissing.

“Oh, and I wasn’t going to mention it because I knew you’d only accuse me of snooping, but what does it matter now? Your opinion of me can’t get any worse—”

“Just say it,” I snap.

I can sense her desire to strangle me as she speaks with a clipped tone. “A woman named Isla texted you while I was on the phone. I didn’t try to read it, but it popped up, and well…she’s wondering where you’ve been.”

“So you read my text messages?” I ask, sounding pissed.

“Like I said, I couldn’t help it. Also, I was a little curious. Who would possibly want to text you? Finding out it was a woman wanting to know where you were was shocking to say the least. She should count her blessings that she can’t find you. I’d love to be in that predicament.”