“Bossman get you down?” Stu says, and I snap upright like he’s thrown ice water over me.
“What?”
“I know he stopped by your office a few days ago. You haven’t been as happy ever since.”
Holy Stalker, Batman. Not that I’m one to judge, but still.
“You my big brother, Stu? Always watching?”
“No, uh.” He flushes. Poor guy. He’s obviously into me but trying to stay professional. Which is more than I’ve done with Jackson. “Just trying to show you the ropes. I feel responsible, ’cause I got you hired.”
You hired my boobs. My snark self rears her head. My brains are just along for the ride.
“I know Jackson King is a big name, but he’s not a nice guy. Kinda a jerk, actually. He’s got a reputation around here for being a royal dick. The ladies always fall for him.” Now, Stu sounds whiney and jealous. “But he treats them the same as any employee. Barely says a word that isn’t rude.”
“I’m fine, Stu. He didn’t say anything rude. And I like working here, so far.”
“Well, great.” Stu casts about. “Got any plans for the weekend?”
Groan.
“Hanging with my boyfriend,” I lie cheerfully.
Stu pushes off the table, away from me. Of course, I’ve been sending I’m not interested vibes for days, but now that he thinks a man has claimed me, he’s finally taking a hint.
Jerk.
“Right,” he says. “Well, I’m off to the meeting with Finance. We’re setting a project to test their structure before the next 10-Q filings. Which is in a week. I might need you on it.”
“Great.” I fake enthusiasm at the promise of overtime and mentally upgrade Stu from jerk to dickhat.
“Okay.” Stu shoulders his laptop case. “I’m heading up, now. You want me to hold the elevator?”
“No, thanks.” I fight back a sarcastic reply. “Gonna take the stairs. Need the exercise.” I let out a sigh when his footsteps fade away.
“Is Stu bothering you?” A low voice makes me jerk and almost spill coffee all over myself. King prowls in, looking like he’s ready for the cover of GQ. “I’ll have a word with him if he’s being inappropriate.”
“No. He’s fine.” Lordy, I’d forgotten how broad his shoulders are. “It’s fine.” I’m babbling. “He’s just awkward. All geeks are.”
“Are we?”
I arch a brow. “You, especially.” Crap. Here goes the truth serum again. “The last time I saw you, you told me to leave. No explanation. No nothing. You tossed me out and didn’t tell me why.”
“You know why.” His deep, quiet voice makes my cheeks flush and my pussy purr.
To hide it, I roll my eyes. “Stu just asked me the same thing about you. Wanted to make sure you weren’t bothering me or being rude. Apparently, you have quite the reputation, Mr. Mean.”
“What’d you tell him?” His jaw is clenched tighter than normal.
“I told him you huffed and puffed but didn’t blow my house down. Relax.” I smirk, and the tension in him eases a little. “I left out the part where you told me it wasn’t safe to stay.” I glance around the empty conference room. “Which reminds me. You said we shouldn’t be alone.”
A group of people pass the open door, chatting loudly.
“We’re not alone. And we shouldn’t.” He fixes me with a look, and his tousled hair falls over his hollowed cheek. It should be illegal for a man to be so beautiful.
“I think I can handle you.” Maybe.
Something flickers across his face. He looks away. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“I know you’ve never dated anyone,” I blurt, mainly to distract him from the thought that put the pain in the expression.
“So you’ve mentioned. You still stalking me, little hacker?”
“No.” Yes.
He smirks as if he knows it’s a lie.
I grin back. “Thank you. I can handle Stu. But it’s nice to have someone check on me.”
“If anyone here harasses you, I want to know about it. Understand?”
A thrill goes through me, but I hide it.
“Wonder Woman today?”
“What?” I blurt, before I realize he’s talking about my shirt. “Oh, yeah. Well, you’re Clark Kent.” I nod to his suit and tie.
“Ouch,” he grimaces. “He was a nerd.”
“He was Superman,” I correct. “And you are a nerd.”
He shrugs. “Billionaire nerd.” A grin hides just out of sight on his mouth. He’s handsome now; he’d be breathtaking if he’d smile. “Like Iron Man. Or Batman. He’s more my style.”
“Or Lex Luthor. Maybe you’re not a hero.”
The smile lurking in the corner of his mouth disappears, to my dismay. “Yeah,” he mutters. “I’m definitely the bad guy.”
“I was kidding. You’re not a villain.” I step closer, put my hand on his arm before I remember myself. “You act big and bad, but I know what you’re really like. You’re the one who comes to the rescue. I remember what you did for me in the elevator.”
“No,” he says. His eyes drop to my hand and up to my face. I remove it and step back, flushing a little. “You’re mistaken.”
My whole body heats from his nearness. He keeps shutting me down, but the fact remains, he’s still standing here. I know he has a thing for me. He just has too much integrity to act on it. “So why are you here? Marking your territory?”
“Me? You’re the one who set my secretary back on her heels.”
“I did not,” I sputter, then grin. “That was just a little cat fight. And she deserved it.”
He holds up his hands. “All right, kitten. Sheath your claws.” Smirking, he strides off, looking almost… happy?
What was that all about?