Tied Up by the Boss (Office Kink #2)(8)

“Okay,” he said, turning to me and startling me out of my focus. “How did it go?”

I sat up straighter. “I completed everything on the document and added it to a folder on the shared drive. I sent you a link via email about ten minutes ago. It’s ready for your review.”

“I’ll take a look at it tonight. Something’s come up and I have to leave earlier than I intended.”

“Anything I can help with?” I asked, surprising myself. When had I ever offered to help someone at the office?

Morgan gave me a sideways glance. “No, but thank you.”

“I’ll walk you out then.”

Morgan shook his head. “Gallant, Parker. However, I need to make a phone call. You’re dismissed until morning.”

He looked exhausted . . . and worried. Not at all like his typical, poised self. I wondered what was up, but I doubted he would tell me if I asked.

“Good night, sir.” I left and went home.

My phone buzzed about nine and I checked the caller ID. My ex, Paul. I hadn’t told him what went down with Chris from CyGen, but it was possible it had gotten back around to him already, since Paul worked for Chris. I really didn’t feel like talking about it now, but I might as well get it over with.

I picked up. “Hey?—?”

“What did you do?!” Paul barked. I could hear the near hysterics in his voice.

“I can’t even say hello before you lay into me?”

“Parker, I’ve got HR up my ass claiming I spread vicious rumors about my boss, Chris.”

“What?”

“I was dragged out of my office yesterday only to have HR tell me I’d have to meet with the board to discuss allegations that I was blackmailed by him! Coincidentally, right after NetSmash had a proposal pitch with him?—that involved you!”

“Oh my god, this is great news, Paul! You can finally get the bastard for screwing you over.” Shit, if Paul could take Chris down, being in my current predicament would be totally worth it.

I heard him sigh and hit his phone against something. Maybe his head. “Parker! None of it’s true. I made it all up!”

“Excuse me, what?” Did he just say he made it up?

“What happened in that meeting with Chris, Parker?”

Suddenly I was seeing red. I relayed every hateful thing I said to Chris, in honor of my stupid, psychopathic, good-for-nothing ex, from personal attacks on his character to blatant accusations about his underhanded business practices. The anger seethed in my veins when I realized everything I’d said was a big fat lie.

“How could you do this, Parker? I’m going to get fired!”

I snarled. “Are you seriously blaming this on me? You lied to me and tried to fuck over your boss! And you expect me to feel sorry for you? Fuck you, Paul.”

“Fuck me? You’re the dumb asshole who went off on him at a proposal pitch in front of your team.”

“In your defense!”

“Oh, you’re such the martyr, Parker.”

“You’re disgusting.”

“I’m completely ruined because of you.”

“Save it!” I yelled. It echoed throughout my kitchen. “I almost got fired, too, you know. I really should have kept my mouth shut. But I thought I was doing you a favor. Standing up to a bully. Even if it meant losing CyGen as a client. Little did I know, you were the bully, Paul. You deserve to get fired. I’ll gladly provide a statement if they need one. Have a horrible fucking life.”

I hung up before he could reply, then blocked his number. I turned off my phone and grabbed a beer from my refrigerator after I kicked it.

I plopped down on my couch, my heart still racing. I never expected Paul to do something so juvenile. Why would he make something like that up? What would he get out of it? I left him for this very reason. There was always drama. It followed him around like a lovesick puppy. He couldn’t keep his shit together unless someone else was handling it for him. I guess I had to learn that the hard way.

Good riddance.

I downed my beer and stared at the ceiling, feeling sick.





Chapter Five





Morgan





I yawned as I got into the office. Mum had a bad night. Sarah had run her to the ER to get a different kind of medication after her breathing became more labored than usual, but by the time I met them at the hospital, Mum was dozing. I stayed as they made sure she was stable. We didn’t end up leaving until midnight. And I felt it in my bones.

Parker arrived on time, this time without a bribe. “You look terrible.”

Nice to know I looked as good as I felt. I rubbed over my rough face. I didn’t have time to shave this morning. “I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night.”

“Maybe you should go home and get some rest. Wouldn’t want you getting sick.”

Parker actually sounded sincere. It was strange not to hear sarcasm dripping from every word. I still erred on the side of caution. “As I said, I’m fine.”

“Whatever you say, boss.”

“Pardon?”

He blinked and cleared his throat. “Sir.”

I sat back in my chair and studied him. He looked sharp in a dark tweed suit and maroon tie, cheeks flushed from the chilly San Francisco morning. Unlike me, he had shaved today, accentuating his chiseled jawline. I ached to run my teeth along it. My god, this exhaustion had taken away my entire sense of propriety. I shook the feeling off when I realized I was staring.