Brazen Bossman: A Hero Club Novel, стр. 44

I hear Kate’s heels against the marble floors as she hops down from the desk. “The meeting wasn’t on the calendar when we left our desks. It was a simple mistake and we are on our way now.”

I look over my shoulder at her then back to Nathanial. He’s watching me with careful eyes, and I can feel the heat of him prickling my every pore.

“I just needed a bit of a pep talk for my day, Mr. Lennox.” I square my shoulders. “My friend was happy to oblige.”

He keeps his eyes on me, never letting them drift, even as he speaks directly to Kate. “Ms. Baxter, if you could, go ahead on to the conference and let them know I’ll be along shortly. I’d like a word with Ms. Kingston alone.”

Kate comes to my side and places her hand on my arm. “You’re good?”

She’s always been this way, making sure that I’m absolutely comfortable in a situation before she exits said situation. We ladies have to keep each other safe nowadays, but I know without a doubt, I’m safe with Nathanial, and I am absolutely okay being alone with him.

“Of course. I’m okay. Go ahead. I’ll be there in a second.”

She nods in understanding then slips by Nathanial and disappears down the hallway.

“I have a feeling you’re ignoring me, Piper,” he says softly, not moving from his position.

“If I were ignoring you, I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you.”

The sexual tension between us has always been thick and present. One would think that would have lessened since we have officially scratched that itch, but honestly… it’s even worse now.

“I’ve made you angry, haven’t I, and don’t lie to me.” He reaches out and cups my cheek in his hand.

My eyes drop closed and I nuzzle my skin into his touch. “I’m not angry, Nathanial. I’m just confused, stressed, and nervous.” I huff out a breath.

“Don’t be. Everything has a way of working out the way it’s supposed to, doesn’t it?”

“How can you sound so confident?” I reach out and grip the left lapel of his suit coat.

“Because when I’m in control, everything is better.”

He leans in, closing the gap between us. Our lips are so close I can smell his peppermint toothpaste when the sound of his cell phone ricochets off the walls.

“Fuck,” he mutters under his breath, before he pulls it from his inner pocket and peeks at who is calling. “Piper, I need to take this. I’ll see you in the conference room, okay?”

The shift in his mood and the tension radiating off him is so quick that I’m left with a raging case of whiplash.

“Yeah. Of course. Take your time. I’ll let everyone know.”

He nods once then turns on his heel with his phone to his ear, stalking back down to his office.

I don’t move until I hear the click of his door closing at the end of the hallway. Once I do, I move with quiet, soft steps like I’m a dumb blonde sneaking down the corridor toward the killer in a horror movie, when she should be running screaming in the other direction.

I can hear my mother’s voice in my ear with each step I take closer and closer to his office.

Don’t eavesdrop, Piper. That’s rude, unacceptable, and childish.

I shove those words down, ignoring them completely, as I come to a halt right outside of his office door. Honestly, I look so obvious that I might as well have a glass pressed between the door and my ear.

I’d be lying if I said going to get one hadn’t crossed my mind.

I close my eyes to focus on hearing anything I can. I can’t make out the words he’s saying exactly, but I can hear his tone and it sends a shiver down my spine. Not in the good way.

He’s upset. Very upset.

I catch a word here and there, but I’m not able to make out a complete phrase.

How… when… impossible… I don’t understand… How bad… Doctor… Unacceptable… Dad.

Did something happen with his dad? I don’t even know what is wrong with him, but my mind automatically goes to the worst place.

I shake off the thought. I’d never wish losing a father on anyone, no matter the kind of relationship they had; so I can’t even bring myself to finish that thought.

There is silence on the other side of the door. Complete silence that is almost deafening. I want more than anything to open the door and take him in my arms, absorbing any of his stress and worry into myself so, for even a moment, he can feel at ease.

Inability to trust my own feelings stops me, and I step away.

Nathanial

“How bad is it, Mom?” I ask with my head in my hands.

It feels like an eternity passes before she finally answers me. I can hear the ticking of my clock on the wall and the sounds of the busy New York streets below. I can hear everything around me, yet nothing at all.

“I’m fine. It’s just a little bump on the head.”

“Which was caused by him,” I growl.

“Nathanial, I was trying to help him shower this morning and he got upset. He wouldn’t let me dry him off and he tried to take the towel from me. I didn’t loosen my grip and fell when he pulled it.”

“That’s fucking ridiculous, Mom, and you know it. Sick or not, he shouldn’t do anything to hurt you. Ever.”

“Don’t curse at me. I know you don’t handle things like this well, especially where your father is concerned, but I’m still you mother.”

That tone has sent my tail between my legs too many times to count, and it still does now as a grown man.

“I’m sorry, Mom.” I clear my throat. “Look, I have a meeting to run and they are waiting for me. I’m already very late. I need to go.”

“Don’t freak out over this. Promise me. It doesn’t help anyone. It’s not like he hit me,