Her Mane Men (Paranormal Dating Agency Kindle World)(24)

Shit, he knew, or at least thought he knew I was with the one who helped emasculate him in front of the staff.

“Man?” I offered as a question, still unsure if he actually knew anything.

“Sure, if you want to play it that way, sure.” He pushed it forward again. This time it landed on the floor, where I left it. I might sign the first one as a way to get my part of the story in, but there was zero chance I was going to even read the second one now that it was on the floor.

“Actually, I was with two of them, and they took care of me and now I feel well enough to be at work.” He cringed at my words, which I miraculously was able to make 100 percent true. Yay me.

“Where is your doctor’s note?” He stood, leaning over his desk and looking down at me.

“You and I both know the employee handbook says doctors’ notes are needed to return to work after three consecutive absences.” And even that the company was flexible on when it came to flu season or the stomach bug that we had run through the place last spring.

“Sign it,” he seethed, pointing to the floor.

“Not going to happen.” My calm amazed even me and set him ablaze in anger.

“Then, off you go. You can return in the morning after a meeting with Human Resources.”

“My pleasure.” I grabbed the phone out of my pocket, clicking on the camera. “And do me a favor and quit staring at my ass every time I walk away. That, my little friend, is the stuff that gets people fired.”

“You have no proof.”

I held up my phone, letting him think I had more on it than the last thirty seconds. “Ahh, but I have a plethora of witnesses, so I highly doubt that matters.”

His eyes never left my phone, his face now burning with anger. This escalated quicker than his normal MO and, for the first time, I felt less than safe physically in his presence.

“You are on official leave pending an investigation into blackmail, Madeline. Security will escort you out.” He made no move to call them.

“I’ll manage quite well on my own.” I stood, nonchalantly making my way to the door, the phone facing him the entire time. “After I head to Human Resources, as is my right.”

“You will not win this one. You roll with those vermin, you’re going to get burned”

“Your analogies don’t even make sense. Remember, no ass staring.” I tsked, my adrenaline pumping.

As I walked out the door, his voice filled the office for all to hear. “Bitch.” Classy.

After a not so brief discussion with the head of Human Resources and filling out a thousand pieces of paperwork, I left work for the day, possibly forever. I was fine with it, all of it, until I walked in the apartment. That was when the tears began to flow uncontrollably, resulting in my falling asleep on the couch and remaining there until the sun was already setting.





Chapter Fourteen


I grabbed my phone, still half in sleepies to find I’d forgotten to turn it back on after shutting it down during paperwork fun. As it came back to life, it exploded with notifications, most of them from the guys.

Sorry.

I typed in and sent Curtis my apology before even reading their messages or listening to their voice mails. We’d left it at, “Let’s do dinner,” but hadn’t made any formal plans, so my lack of communication was filled with extra rude.

We were worried.

I was going to have to make it up to them, and my wheels started turning with how to do just that when the same message came through from Parker’s phone.

I quickly formed a group text. This two men thing had some communication kinks to work out, but this was a stopgap until I figured it all out. This way we all were in the loop.

I can tell. I had a bad day at work and forgot to turn my phone back on.

I would need to tell them the entire story, and I would, but not until I knew what was happening next.

You should’ve called us. We could have cheered you up

Parker was too sweet, and he was right. They would’ve cheered me up, among other things.

It’s all good. I just need to deal with HR today is all.

Dinner? Curtis asked, probably seeing through my all good bologna.

Dinner for sure. It’s Friday. I expect dancing.

And dancing you shall have, Parker added far too quickly. My attempt to lighten the mood had miraculously turned into me having to show the clumsiest side of myself I don’t really dance. I was less than graceful and had little rhythm on a good day.

We do. Parker sent back almost instantly.

I envisioned them dancing, slow dancing at that, and naked. I needed to get a grip on that.

You really are ok? Curtis asked when I didn’t respond quickly enough thanks to my naughty daydreaming. Before I could respond, a second text came in with one little word: Here.

I scurried downstairs without a second glance. They were here. I’d interrogate them as to why they’d been so close later. Now? Now, I just wanted to see them.

“You look amazing, as always, but tired.” Curtis greeted me with a kiss on the cheek as Parker gave me a half hug.

“I will rest later. Just come on up while I get ready and then we can dance our feet off.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Parker took my hand, entwining our fingers.

Within twenty minutes, we were out the door, the events of the day pushed down. Tonight was about us, not a jerk of a boss. They somehow managed to find the perfect place for us to spend our date. Dinner had been delicious, the conversation perfect after the rough day I’d had, light and, in many cases, humorous. That said, I was ready to leave, my body craving alone time with the guys. After dancing, that was, or so Curtis reminded me as he whisked me onto the dance floor, Parker in tow.