I step in, panic replacing the numbness. “Please don’t fire me. I promise that I won’t?—”
“I’m not firing you,” he rumbles, his hand coming to my back, where Gris’s had been. “But I do want to know why I frightened you so much.”
My skin shivers again, but for a completely different reason. His touch sparks a sizzling that I thought my body was incapable of. I straighten away and he drops his hand.
He’s right in front of me. The heat of his body, radiating out so that I can feel the warmth. I have this urge to press into him, let his body protect mine. For once, I’d love to borrow someone else’s strength.
I know it’s stupid to make myself vulnerable to a man, any man, but especially one this powerful.
Still, I can’t shake the thought that he’d feel so good. “It’s nothing.”
“I’ve noticed the black eye,” he fires back, his voice hard and unyielding again. “Who gave it to you?”
I shake my head, my eyes growing wide. This is still my first week of work, I’m not sure I’m ready for heart to hearts, least of all with my very demanding and grumpy boss. “My ex-husband.”
“How long have you been divorced?”
No. No. No. It’s too soon for him to know this much about me. Honestly, I hoped never to tell anyone here about my past. Not ever. “We split a year ago, but the divorce only finalized recently.”
“You initiated?”
This is getting so personal. “I don’t think?—”
“Does he know you work here?”
“No.”
Rush gives me a quick nod. Then his hand comes to my back again. “My father was a piece of shit, but my mother was a strong and loving force in my life. I have never, nor would I ever, raise a hand to a woman. Understand?”
I give a tentative nod. His words ring with sincerity, and I appreciate them. “Are you upset that we ate in the conference room?”
“There is a breakroom,” he says by way of answer. “I know the views aren’t as good, but it’s a far more appropriate place for employees to dine.”
“It won’t happen again.”
“Good.” Then he gestures toward the couch. “Would you like to sit for a minute and collect yourself?”
I shake my head. How bad do I look? “That won’t be necessary.” I turn, making a dash for the door.
I have no idea how close I just came to being his fourth fired assistant, but I don’t want to find out.
Making my way to the bathroom, I splash water on my face, then use the hand dryer to dry the spot on my shirt.
Thank goodness it’s Friday and I’ve got the weekend to compose myself before facing another week.
Because this job is pushing all my most sensitive buttons.
CHAPTER SIX
Gigi
The day finally ends,and I pick up Emma, bringing her upstairs. We make grilled cheese and tomato soup, and while she plays with her dolls, I FaceTime with Erika as we try and pick her first-date outfit.
“I’d go more casual,” I say, as she poses in a fitted, knee-length red dress.
“Right,” she turns, looking at the back of the dress in the mirror. “Don’t want him to think I’m too excited.”
“Are you? Excited?” I ask, curling up on the couch, my yoga pants and fitted T-shirt a welcome change from my skirts and blouses. My hair is up in a high ponytail, and I sink into the cushions, enjoying Erika’s fashion parade while I am doing my best impression of a couch potato.
