I stare at the floor. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make trouble.”
He sighs, rubs his eyes. “You didn’t. He’s been looking for an excuse to challenge management ever since Carter left. You’re just a convenient target.”
I bite my lip, unsure what to say.
He comes around the desk, kneels beside me so we’re eye to eye. “You’re not in trouble, Marnie. But you need to be careful. This place is full of people who want to see you fail.”
My voice shakes. “Why though? I haven’t done anything!”
He studies my face, and for the first time, I see him without the armor—just a man, tired and raw. “You haven’t, but people get jealous. They see how pretty you are. How smart you are. I’d be careful.”
I stop.
“But that old guy can’t possibly care about those things.”
James shrugs his broad shoulders.
“I don’t know because this shit can be hidden. Maybe he has a granddaughter who wanted to work as a paralegal, but you got the job and she didn’t. I don’t know.”
I pause.
“But why does it matter to you? I mean, you’re the boss.”
James inhales before fixing me with a look. “It matters because I can’t stop thinking about you, sweetheart,” he says, and the words punch the air out of my lungs. “Because every time I see you, I want to fuck you on this desk and also protect you from every asshole in this building. It’s not rational, but it’s true.”
I swallow, my cheeks burning. “James, we agreed?—”
He holds up a hand. “I know. I know we said no workplace drama. But I can’t help it.” He drops his hand, looks at me, and there’s something almost vulnerable there. “Let me takeyou somewhere safe. My place tonight. We can talk about the evidence, or do nothing, or whatever you want. I just need to see you outside of this war zone.”
I nod, not trusting myself to speak, but alarm bells are going off. Is it okay to hang out with one man alone? It’s always been the three of us together. Is this tete a tete against the rules? What’s going on?
But James merely nods, looking very masculine. “Good. Six o’clock. I’ll text you the address.”
I swallow, nod, and leave, heart in my throat. The sun is setting, the office shadows growing longer and more menacing. I’m still confused, and my mind fills with questions that I can’t answer. What in the world is going on? Is our trio becoming a duo? Or is this completely normal, and I’m expected to have sex with each man individually, as well as together? What are the rules?
As I gather my bag and shut down my computer, my phone buzzes again. I check the screen and my stomach flips.
Brent: “Drinks at my place? 7pm. Just us. Bring the files.”
A second later:
James: “Change of plans. Nine at my place instead. Can’t wait to see you.”
For a moment, I stare at the screen, both messages glowing like hazards. Holy shit, is this really happening? Or maybe they both know that I’m meeting the other person? My brain is tangled, and clearly, the game is changing, but I’m not sure who’s playing whom anymore.
But I do know one thing: The next move is mine.
I pull on my coat, step into the night, and let the cold air wake me up.
This is going to get messy.
And I can’t wait.
15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN — THE FIRST DATE
Brent
