One Bossy Offer (78)

My eyes are riveted, undoubtedly shining with hunger and a guilt I can’t hide.

My latest blunders haven’t left my brain for a single second through this mess.

And I’m reminded of that again as she turns, nodding her thanks to the crowd without ever meeting my eyes.

“Thanks, guys, but I should get back to work.” She starts walking toward the door, waving at smiling faces.

I expect her to look back, to show me the slightest acknowledgement.

Nothing.

Damn, I’ve really fucked this up.





Later, when I’m ready to sign off for the day and get some well-earned rest, she’s still logged into the crisis team chat, her icon lit green.

Since I know she’s here, I take the elevator down one floor and walk into her office, stopping in the doorway.

“When you’re here this late, you should shut your door. Any psycho could barge in.”

She looks up and rolls her eyes.

“Too late. One already did.”

I smile like the idiot I am, knowing I set myself up for that.

That gets her moving, though, packing up her things as she stands.

When she reaches the doorway, I’m still standing there unmoving.

“It’s too late for this. Miles, I’m exhausted.” Her words are clipped and ice-cold.

“How are you really? Beyond the big fire we just extinguished, I mean.”

She scoffs, wrinkling her nose like I’m drenched in gasoline.

“I’m dandy. How do you think I am?” She pushes past me—rather, she tries.

After a second of fight, I think better of it and let her pass, holding in a sigh.

Still.

I can’t leave this festering.

So I chase her to the elevator, calling, “Jenn, wait. Let’s share a ride home.”

She whips her head around, scowling.

“Let’s not. I don’t share car rides or anything else with dudes who just use me to get their rocks off.” She pauses. “Or guys who charm their way into my grandmother’s will. Screw you, Miles.”

The acid in her voice shocks me.

“Will? What the fuck?”

“You heard me.”

“Wait, you have to explain that last part. Jenn, I didn’t know. What about the will?” I follow her into the elevator, standing at her side with a glare that could scratch diamond.

“Go away.”

“Tell me what happened.”

She jerks her face up to meet my eyes. “Maybe I would, if you hadn’t kept the whole Pinnacle Pointe hack job as tight as a drum. It would’ve been nice knowing what we were dealing with, instead of hearing it from Google or waiting until you decided we deserved an explanation.”

“Tit for tat, huh?” I snort. “Fair, I suppose. For the record, I never used you. I’d take a scalpel to my own balls before I—Jennifer!”

The elevator chimes and the doors open. She doesn’t wait a nanosecond before storming out.

“Scalpel sounds like a great choice, Dr. Dickhead.”

I race in front of her, holding out my hands. To any bystander, I’m sure I look like a desperate fucking mess. The fact that she turned me into such a depraved creature should end this right there.

“Don’t make me push you,” she warns, knowing full well she’d have the same chance of moving me as Mount Rainier. “Miles, will you move?”

“Come home with me,” I snarl, grabbing her hand.

For a second, she twists sharply. The hate glowing in her eyes spears me, and still I hold on.

“Let go,” she spits.

“No. Not until you understand I never meant to hurt you, kitten. Curse me. Scratch my face. Call me every filthy name in the book. I know I deserve it. Hell, have me arrested. I’ll suffer it all—whatever the fuck you want—if you’ll just hear me out.”

Her glare never softens.

The sigh I hold in burns my lungs. “Jenn, I’ll explain everything as soon as we’re somewhere more private.”

I release her arm, expecting her to bolt, but she just stands there glaring at me.

“Nope. You should’ve done that days ago, and I don’t have the time or synapses left now. I have dinner with my parents and two giants who need some love. I’m not your plaything anymore.”

“If you won’t make time, I will. I’m coming with you.” The words are out of my mouth before I comprehend what that means.

The rancor on her face vanishes, replaced by shock. “You’re what?”

“I’m coming, I said. We need to talk about this tonight.”

“About what?” she hisses.

“Everything,” I whisper, leaning closer until we can’t help but breathe each other. “Everything I wish I could stop fucking up.”

“...you can’t be serious,” she says quietly.

“Tell me I look like I’m joking,” I growl.

Then I lunge forward, throwing the massive glass door open, holding it for her. She stalks past me, guarded, but doesn’t run.

I follow her outside into the soft nighttime rush of traffic.

“Wrong way. Benson’s parked over there.” I point to the curb.

“I’m not going home with you. I’m never making that mistake again.”