No sooner had I said those words, I spotted Bruno ahead of me, and my internal body temperature grew. I needed no damn artificial heat; anger and annoyance had warmed me up. Seriously, I'd have to do this until we fucking launch? Endure a series of unpleasant days at my own company because of this man of all people. I didn't want my rage to be noticeable, so I entered the elevator door he held open and pressed the button.
"Good morning."
Unable to help it, I rolled my eyes. "I made myself perfectly clear long ago, a good morning for me is one where I wake up and learn you're dead."
Seconds passed as we stood in stiff silence while the elevator moved, the motor's noise louder than either of us.
"Alex, you know I'm sorry. I've done everything possible to make it up to you."
Just then the elevator doors opened, and a few people stepped inside. Thank goodness he stopped his sob story.
We continued to climb higher until finally we arrived at the Amoré Nights floor.
When we exited, I told him, "This is my place of business. I don't want to hear anything from your mouth that is not about the company. You are not going to ruin something important to me."
Bruno looked wounded; that man had really perfected the look. "Why would I do that? Greenslate wouldn't have even invested if it wasn't for me."
His eyes widened when the words left his mouth, and Bruno glanced away. That half second told me everything, and a series of ideas formed in my mind.
"What?"
"Forget it."
I grabbed his arm and pulled him into my office. The door slammed behind us. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Speak clearly."
"Alex, calm down," he said, holding up a hand.
"No. I didn't even know you worked at Greenslate until recently. I haven't said your name in a year, and that rule includes my friends. So you being the reason they invested in my business makes no fucking sense."
Bruno spoke quickly. "Greenslate is the big league. They don't normally invest in small start-ups, so I talked my boss into it."
I clenched my jaw. "Fuck! I don't want to owe you anything."
"You don't. I'm the one who owed you, so I wanted to help."
Frustrated, I lowered myself into my chair. Bruno continued explaining, but I barely registered the sounds. Other than the one in my mind, which was now filled with many thoughts.
What the hell was this man up to? What was his angle?
Bruno lowered one of the coffee cups he'd been carrying since I spotted him downstairs onto my desk, and I blinked as I looked at him.
"Espresso and sweetened condensed milk."
Annoyed that this man who'd wrecked my life thought remembering how I took my coffee, or getting my dream company funded, would make up for anything, I slapped the cup off my desk. The hot liquid splashed as it fell, and some droplets splattered onto Bruno's pants.
"If I want coffee, I can get it myself. I also have a damn secretary. Greenslate didn't send you over here to fucking sniff around me."
"Alex."
"Ms. Ortega. That's what you should refer to me as, Mr. Gasol. We have no relationship whatsoever. You might have forced yourself into my space, but you need to remember your place."
Just then, a familiar ringtone sliced through the tension. I would have ignored it if he had not been right there, but I was more than ready for the conversation to end, so I grabbed the phone.
"Hello." I smiled when I recognized the voice. "Oh hi, handsome."
Bruno still stood in front of me. For fucking what? Couldn't he take a hint? Fine!
"Dominic, last night was just what I needed. Your cock was amazing. Is there any area you aren't capable in? Kitchen or bedroom, there seems to be no space where you do not shine."
