Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
He cast his ice-cold gaze around the room. “It will not be accepted. A committee is being formed and new anti-bullying protocols will be set in place. Every staff member will attend a series of anti-bullying seminars that will be mandatory. You will not be employed here otherwise.” He drew in a long, deep breath. “That we have to do this sickens me. That people refuse to grow up and leave high school behind is a frightening thought. But again, it will not be tolerated here. You bully someone with words, gossip, belittling, you will not work here. And no one is immune to this.” He picked up his phone. “I will leave HR to finish up. Any and all questions can be put in writing and directed to them and the committee we have created. I will be the head of it.”
And he walked out.
BANE
I stared out the window, leaning against the back of the sofa. The office was quiet since I couldn’t be bothered printing anything right now. I sipped some whiskey, the glass a heavy weight in my hand. It was unusual for me to imbibe during the day, but the last week had been hell. From the moment I realized it was Myers those women were disparaging, I had been livid. I despised any sort of person that talked down to others. That made someone feel less. I was upset enough to know a group of women were doing that in my company, but when I knew their target was Myers, it was no-holds-barred. I spent hours going through our HR manuals. Talking with Lawson and Anderson. Laura and Jessica in HR. Our lawyer. When I informed them I wanted this new policy in place and offered to head it up, they were surprised, shocked, but supportive. They, too, disliked the idea of adults still acting like spoiled teenagers.
There was no place for it here.
I swallowed the last of my whiskey and set down the glass. I was restless, upset, and edgy. I needed to go home, hit the gym, then come back tomorrow and finish the model. They would be here next Thursday, and I wanted some time for tweaks. It amazed me once I saw a concept model the number of small changes I would make. Wearily, I rubbed my eyes. I needed something else, but I couldn’t have it.
My door opened, and Myers came in, shutting the door behind her. I met her eyes in the reflection of the window, watching her approach me. She was lovely again today, her hair down, a pretty blouse setting off her coloring.
She stood in front of me.
“You should have come to me,” I informed her.
“I can handle myself. I don’t care what they say about me.”
“I do.”
“Why?” she asked quietly.
I knew what she was asking.
“Because no one should feel less.” I let out a long sigh. “Especially you, Myers.”
I held her gaze. “I know I’m not an easy boss. But you can come to me about anything. I’ll listen. And I apologize if I have been unkind or mistreated you. I know I can be…hard to handle.”
She smiled, her eyes crinkling. “I kind of like you hard to handle. You make me laugh.”
I chuckled. “I had no idea.”
She nodded. “I keep track when I do.”
“Keep track?”
“In my notebook. When I make you laugh, when you make me laugh.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice and shooting me a wink. “I’m winning.”
I shook my head. “You’re an odd girl, Myers. But I rather like that.”
For a moment, there was silence, our eyes locked on each other. I felt the heat grow between us, warm and pulsating. The urge to kiss her, hold her, grew.
“Why?” she asked again.
Bravely, irrationally, stupidly, I raised my hand, stroking it down her cheek. “Because it’s you.”
I didn’t know who moved first, but suddenly, she was in my arms, our mouths fused together. I plunged my tongue inside her sweetness, tasting her. A tortured groan escaped my throat at the feeling of her in my arms. I bent, lifting her, setting her on the back of the sofa, standing between her legs. I wound one hand in her hair, deepening the kiss, devouring her. The other hand rested on her perfect ass, and I ground against her.
It didn’t matter that I was her boss. That she irritated me daily. I didn’t care that she was my assistant. The desk and the coffee incident didn’t matter. Her hilarious way of getting rid of my mother was brilliant. She shocked and beguiled me at every turn. Every day was something new and different. Often outrageous. I had never felt so alive. She was the woman I thought of constantly. I was becoming obsessed with her. I couldn’t deny it. I wanted her.
She whimpered as I dragged my lips across her cheek, kissing my way down her neck.