Page 118 of King of Pride

“Why do you want to go home early, Mrs. Bishop?” His eyes narrowed slightly. “Your husband isn't home. What are you going to do there by yourself?”

Rose bit her lip.

“Nothing. I just want some personal time. It’s not like I need to have my husband around me every second of my existence.”

Maverick placed both hands on the desk and leaned forward slightly, his eyebrows lifting.

“Why does it bother you that your husband is always around?”

Rose stared at him for a second before letting out a long, frustrated breath.

“Why are you doing this to me?” she complained. “Don't tell me you're actually going to make me stay late.”

“Why do you want to leave early?”

“Why do I have to tell you?” she shot back. “It’s nothing. I just want to go home early.”

She folded her arms across her chest, her expression turning stubborn.

Maverick merely watched her.

“Are you really not going to let me leave early?” she asked.

He shook his head.

He didn't even bother giving her an explanation.

Rose's arms dropped to her sides.

“Come on,” she pleaded, stepping closer to his desk. “Don't do this to me. Please. It's only a few hours early. You can allow me that much, can't you?”

She leaned slightly toward him, giving him her most innocent expression.

“I've been working so hard. I'm not behind on anything. I've finished everything you gave me.” She paused, then smiled hopefully. “I've been a very good employee, Mr. Bishop. Consider it a little reward.”

“How can that be a reward if you were simply doing your job, Mrs. Bishop?”

Maverick raised an eyebrow, looking at her as if her argument made absolutely no sense.

Rose’s mouth fell open.

She stared at him in disbelief, unable to believe the way he had answered her. After a moment, she snapped her mouth shut and glared at him so fiercely that the corner of his mouth twitched.

He quickly hid his smile and settled back into his chair.

“If you want to leave early, you need to convince me,” he said calmly. “So go ahead. Show me how you're going to convince me.”

Rose stared at him, practically stunned by his audacity.

She took a long, frustrated breath before forcing a smile onto her face and smoothing out her expression.

“Don't do this. Come on. You have to understand that I just want a few hours to myself. Are you really not going to give me that?”

“I already told you. You have options.” His voice remained maddeningly calm. “Convince me, and you can leave.”

Rose clenched her teeth.

‘This demon is always so stubborn.’