Arrogant Boss

Keep it together, Emily, I told myself, despite the fact that my stomach had descended into a knot of nerves the moment I’d heard his irritatingly smug voice behind me. I didn’t think I’d even be able to handle another sip of my drink from the way my stomach clenched. My useless attraction to him was getting inconvenient.

I slid into the seat next to Josef and Sasha. As we spoke, I found out that they’d both worked at Hunt for about two years. The entire company seemed incredibly young.

“Hunt has really been growing exponentially the past couple of years. I’m guessing you joined the team just as it was starting to pick up steam?”

Sasha nodded. “Yep. There were no shoes to fill, which I liked. It’s really a great workplace since we’ve been able to build something from scratch. We’ve gotten to try all the new crazy product ideas the company has come up with.”

“You mean what Julian has come up with.” Josef nodded to where the CEO was throwing darts. He had a wide-legged stance and was facing the dartboard with a look of deep concentration. His bicep curled once, twice… and then he threw the dart. I swallowed and looked away.

“Hey, judging by the size of our last Christmas bonus I’m not complaining. The man is a machine.”

“But he still goes out with you all like this?”

“Sometimes,” Sasha nodded. “Doesn’t happen very often though. He’s busy. You know how it is.” She waved a hand in dismissal, and I could see it-all too well. Julian at events and galas and meetings with foreign investors.

Josef grinned. “Look, Trent is in the lead. Seems like it’s only by a few points, though.”

We all glanced over to where they were facing off. Trent wore a smug expression.

Julian was throwing, his powerful body leaning slightly forward. He had three darts in one hand and threw first one, then the second… His smile grew wider by the second.

Trent said something to Julian that we couldn’t hear, but Julian’s response was clear to all-a raised eyebrow. Then he threw his final dart straight into the bullseye.

“No way!” Trent exclaimed.

Sasha laughed at my side. “He’s going to be insufferable now.”

“Julian?”

“No, Trent. Won’t shut up until he gets a rematch.”

I watched Julian’s smile, all glorious victory. He was a man who loved to win, it seemed, but not to gloat. Both of them ambled over to us, Trent audibly complaining, and joined us at the table.

Julian slid into the seat next to me. I was aware of the palpable heat of him next to me, the warmth of his body as our thighs touched.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hi.”

“You didn’t say hello to me earlier.”

“Didn’t I?” I took a sip of my beer, trying to stave off the nerves in my stomach. “I must have forgotten.”

He gave a husky laugh. “I’m sure, Ace.”

“Congratulations on your victory.”

“You saw that?” There was a trace of smugness in his voice.

“Yes. I’d say it was comparable to Gettysburg or Waterloo.”

“Mine was far more legendary.” He reached over and grabbed my drink. “What are you drinking?”

“Lager.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

He took a sip. “God, but that’s light.”

“I’m sorry, Mister-I-only-drink-aged-whiskey.”

He eyed his own high-ball glass. “I had a beer earlier. I just prefer ones that aren’t, you know, water.”

“Funny,” I said dryly. His hand rested on his thigh, distractingly close to mine. It was broad and tanned with square nails.

I sighed. It only seemed natural that even his hands had to be the epitome of masculinity.

“Something bothering you, Emily?”

“No.”

“I’d hope not. Especially not now that I’ve graced you all with my presence.”

I glanced meaningfully around at my co-workers around the table, engaged in laughter and conversation of their own, and Sasha and Rachel over by the dart board.

I turned back and gave Julian a pointed look. “Yes, clearly we are all basking in your glow.”

He laughed again. Relaxed against the worn leather of the sofa like this, his handsome features seemed entirely human. His brown hair gleamed under the low lights and for a moment I could imagine him as anyone. Just an ordinary man, with no Amex cards or scheduled Forbes interviews.

“Where were you before this?”

His eyes softened. “Why do you want to know?”

“Just making conversation,” I said, forcing myself to look away from his dark-green eyes. I kept a hand glued to the table to keep myself from vaulting at him. How could the others act normal around him? He seemed to set my every nerve ending on fire.

“I had dinner,” he said quietly. “Not that far from here.”

I took another sip of my watery beer and thought of the photo model he’d surely been wining and dining. “Was she pretty?”

His smile was back, teasing and quick. “Emily, why are you asking me that?”

“You’re impossible.” I rolled my eyes, trying to hide the flush of embarrassment already creeping its way up my cheeks. He leaned in closer and I could smell him, the light cologne of musk and smoke.

“Yes. She was very pretty.”

My stomach dropped. “Awesome.”

“But too old for me. Plus, she happens to be my step-mother. My little brother was there too.”

I shook my head at his dancing eyes and the crooked grin on his face. Asshole.