“Uh, Gabriella had a prior engagement. I’m sure she will be back later,” said Mr. Harold, walking up behind me. He must have noticed where I was looking.
“Right. I can handle myself,” I said, clearing my throat. A subtle nudge that I didn’t need a handler, especially in the form of his bristly daughter.
“I’m sure you can.” He placed his hand on my shoulder with a chuckle.
I wasn’t sure I liked the laugh that accompanied his vote of confidence in me, as if he wasn’t fully convinced. What more did I have to prove to this man? I could do the damn job he hired me for without being supervised. I swallowed my annoyance down and gave him a wide grin.
“Back to work,” I said, gesturing toward my office.
“That’s a good man.” He nodded before heading for the elevator.
But I couldn’t work. My mind kept going over the possible conversations that may have played out in Gabriella’s office. Had she told him about us? It was highly doubtful. I wouldn’t have a job anymore if he found out I had been buried deep inside her daughter, making her scream, when he was in the same building. My cock twitched against the fabric of my pants, but I willed the thoughts away.
Whatever they talked about, I was still in charge. Unfortunately for her.
Gabriella did end up coming back to the office shortly after lunchtime, and we were back to our game of avoiding each other, even though we had to work together. We were a day in, but we were proving that it was possible to get things done, even without being face-to-face. I didn’t have to see her sour expression, and she didn’t have to deal with my “asshole” demeanor, as she so blatantly expressed.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t sneak a few glances in her direction when she wasn’t looking. If the eye candy was there, it would be stupid to pass up on getting a look. She was in something more modest than yesterday’s dress that had my eyes nearly popping out of my head. Instead, she wore a light gray pantsuit, but she could somehow make suit pants look sexy. It was irritating how fuckable she looked in whatever she chose.
I shut my eyes firmly before opening to focus on my computer screen.
Focus.
It was nearing 5 p.m. Almost time to get the hell out of here and away from her. I picked up my phone and scrolled through my contacts, landing on my best friend, Wyatt.
Me:Basketball tonight?
Wyatt:Hell yeah. 6?
Me:I’ll meet you at the gym.
I locked my phone and slipped it into my jacket pocket. This was perfect. I could use a little game of pickup to release some of my stress and annoying sexual tension.
I decided to cut out early. I was done with everything anyway. Leaving twenty minutes early wouldn’t hurt anyone, though I was sure Gabriella was keeping tabs on me. And not in the way that she liked me, but in a way that she was seeking to destroy me any chance she got.
I was able to slip out undetected by her and headed home to change for the gym. I figured I could get in some weights before Wyatt arrived for our game. At my apartment, I changed into black basketball shorts and a white, loose-fitting tee, before walking down the block to Equinox.
The place was just starting to bustle with the after-work crowd as I made my way to the weight rack. Selecting a pair of weights, I began my set of shoulder exercises. By the end of the first few sets, my brow was damp with sweat and I had already forgotten about the meeting between Gabriella and her father. I had forgotten about her completely.
But then my phone pinged and there she was. I rolled my eyes as I swiped up at the screen.
Bitchzilla:You left early. You had a contract to sign.
Me:There’s such a thing as DocuSign. Send it.
Bitchzilla:Do I need to remind you of your contract hours?
Me:And what about you of yours? I didn’t realize you could take a three-hour lunch at 9:30 AM.
Bitchzilla:I didn’t realize you were keeping tabs on me.
Me:I could say the same.
I watched as the three dots bounced on the screen as she was most likely thinking up a snarky retort. But she must have changed her mind because her text came through a minute later.
Bitchzilla:Sign the contract. Tonight.
I locked my phone and tossed it on the bench before picking up the weights again and letting my annoyance fuel my next few sets. Who wassheto bossmearound? She seemed to be forgetting what her position was. After rage lifting, I headed up the stairs to the gym where I found Wyatt tying his shoes just behind the basket across the court. He looked up and spotted me, giving me a nod.
