Mr. Big Jerk: A Forbidden Second Chance Romance (Kinda Cocky Series Book 3), стр. 22
It was right before that damn warning sound blared from the speakers of my computer.
“What now!?” I roared.
I heard doors slamming in the distance as my voice ricocheted around the room. I stormed over to my computer and fell into my chair, wiggling the mouse on its pad. I clicked through multiple avenues before tracking down the source of the warning. And damn it, if it wasn’t Roxy’s desk again. With those fucking failed attempts at her password.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine times.
“You’ve got determination. I’ll give you that,” I murmured.
And even though I sent out a form for her to reset her password, it didn’t stop a grin from spreading across my face.
Determined and stubborn. A beautiful combination.
The combination reminded me of my ex, though. She had been determined and stubborn. Strong and independent. Resolute to a fault. And she left me high and dry for one of my old SEAL buddies. It reminded me very quickly why I don’t mess around with relationships any longer.
And that was all it took to finally push Roxy from my mind.
11
Roxy
One Week Later
Clint was stubborn; I’d give him that. But, it was fun playing around with him. At least, for a short time, it was. No matter how many times I set off that alarm with punching in wrong passwords, he didn’t come down to face me. He didn’t grow a set of balls large enough to come stare me in the face after what happened the night of my birthday. However, as the week progressed, he became bolder and bolder.
And pretty soon, he started passing by my desk every morning in the most amazing suits I’d ever seen on a man.
“Morning, Roxy.”
“Here, brought you some coffee from the lounge.”
“Don’t forget, you have an extra half hour for lunch. Don’t think I didn’t see you clock back in early yesterday.”
I knew he was taunting me. I knew he was wearing those suits just so I’d run my eyes over him. And damn it, it did the trick. Those suits clung to him in all the best ways, and I salivated over the muscles beneath the pristine fabrics. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop staring at him. I couldn't stop looking forward to seeing him every morning. And I sure as hell couldn't rid my nose of the smell of his cologne whenever I laid down at night. All week, he’d been torturing me. All week, he’d been driving me crazy. He knew it, too. I saw it in the smirk he gave me every morning whenever he walked through those front doors and stopped me dead in my tracks.
Every.
Single.
Time.
Damn it. He’s sexy as hell.
Every time I turned around, I was making excuses for needing to go up and see him. Files I ‘needed’ to deliver myself. Signatures I ‘needed’ to acquire in person. Files that ‘needed’ to be pulled for new clients and cases. Anything to get the smallest glimpse of him and be in his presence for a little bit longer. I spent the entire week coming up with reasons to be near him. I spent every night fantasizing about him until I slipped into a fitful slumber. And I did absolutely nothing to stop my eyes from lingering on his body every time he walked by my desk.
It was pure and utter torture.
And I loved it.
“Roxy?”
Clint’s voice through the desk intercom pulled me from my trance, and I scrambled to answer him.
I cleared my throat. “Yes, Mr. Hearthstone?”
“Come up to my office, please. At your earliest convenience.”
“Of course, sir. Right away.”
I stood from my desk and ran my hands over my dress. I slid my feet back into my heels and fluffed my hair out before reaching into my purse. I pulled out my compact mirror and did a quick check of my makeup, just to make sure I didn’t need to touch anything up. And after running a smooth layer of red lipstick across my lips, I started for the elevator, while trying to ignore the fluttering of nerves in my gut.
What did he want me for? Was something wrong? Did he simply want to see me? Was I in trouble for something? As I rose up the elevator, I wrung my hands together. There was no telling what he wanted, and I knew whatever he asked of me, the answer would always be ‘yes.’
Yes, Clint. I’ll get those files right away.
Yes, Clint. I’ll run out and pick up your lunch.
Yes, Clint. I’ll gobble down your cock for dessert. Whatever you want.
“Come on. Pull it together,” I breathed.
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open, revealing the top floor. And as I gazed down the hallway at Clint’s office, I froze. I don’t know what happened, but I couldn’t move. Something held me in place as my breathing came in short spurts.
You’re being stupid. It’s only Clint. It’s only your boss.
It’s only the man I fantasized about every night for the past four nights.
As the elevator doors started to close, the jarring sound ripped me from my trance. I leaped off the elevator and started down the hallway before knocking softly on his door. I heard his voice call out for me to come in, and I slipped inside, quickly closing the door behind me. Like he always wanted.
And when his eyes rose to me, I saw them lingering against my chest for just a few seconds longer than they should have.
It filled me with a great deal of pride.
“Anything I can help you with, sir?” I asked.
He stood from his desk. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”
“Of course. It sounded urgent.”
He walked from around his desk. “That’s because it is.”
My heart slammed against my chest. “What’s going on, Cli--Mr. Hearthstone?”
He chuckled. “It’s fine.