Page 80 of The Rebel Billionaire

Daphne smiles, but there’s a slight edge to it. The problem is, when you keep turning people down, they start to take offence.

“Maybe one day. You don’t want people to think you’re pining over the boss.”

I stare at her wide-eyed and force out a laugh, something I’ve perfected over the years when sidestepping questions from members of the press.

“I’ll admit he’s good-looking, but don’t you think he’s a bit old for me? Not to mention far too serious.”

She stares at me for a second, then grins, her face relaxing.

“True, I bet he folds his socks and boxers. Probably has a team of people to do it for him.” She smiles before her expression becomes more serious. “Just checking. You wouldn’t be the first. Evelyn from the secretarial pool stepped in for Callie last year when she was sick. She thought she’d won the lottery when she was sent upstairs. They were working late one night… she thought… I’m sure you know what I mean.” She sniffs. “It didn’t end well. He turned her down flat, and she’s back in the secretarial pool.”

“Really? That’s awful,” I say, shocked.

“Yes, poor thing, she thought it was her way out,” Daphne replies.

I shake my head, meeting her gaze.

“No, I mean, poor Alex. That’s not okay. The office is supposed to be a safe space.”

No wonder he’s the way he is, reserved and distant. Sexual harassment goes both ways and is not something that should be laughed at or gossiped about in the kitchen.

Daphne flicks her hair, clearly not seeing it from his point of view.

“You better take him his coffee.”

“I’ll catch you later,” I say, not wanting to make an enemy, but I’m also not going to stand there and let someone gossip about me or anyone else.

I grab the coffee and head towards his office. He’s sitting at his desk, staring at his screen, a frown marring his brow.

“Morning, Alex,” I say, placing the coffee on his desk.

He looks up. “Morning, Brooke. Is everything ready for our nine o’clock?”

“It is. The reports are printed, and the presentation is saved on the group drive in your folder.”

He nods.

“Will there be anything else? If not, I’ll go and check emails,” I ask.

“Don’t worry, I’ve already done it.”

I look up, meeting his gaze. He smiles, my heart somersaulting in my chest.

“You were here until eleven. We have a meeting at nine.”

“But…”

Shit, I should have been in at seven. The only problem was that Mum rang, followed by Kat.

“Don’t look so worried. I woke up early, and after going to the gym, I decided to come in,” he says.

Does the man never sleep?

He must have been in at the crack of dawn, especially after having his driver drop me at home first.

“Is there anything else you’d like me to do?” I ask, suddenly feeling off-kilter, since my morning routine has changed.

“Get yourself a coffee and take five minutes,” he says. “I’ll be having words with Dominic about these last-minute changes.”