Page 56 of His Flash Mate
“He is.There’s a lot of bad men in the world, and he’d rather I not get involved with any of them.”
“I agree with him there.”
“What if he thinks you’re one of the bad ones?”I asked.
“Then I’d do everything in my power to prove to him that I’m not.”
I didn’t like the look in his eyes.He was being too serious.Too determined.All my warning bells were ringing.
“Are you going to move?”
The music was too loud to hear him sigh, but I saw it in the way his shoulders moved in his tailored suit.
“What do I need to do to get you to stop pushing me away?”
“Moving would be a good start.”
He studied me for a tense moment, and I got the feeling he was thinking about doing the opposite of what I’d asked.His hands slowly fisted at his sides before he stepped aside and motioned for me to go.
As I passed him, I heard him say, “You won’t be able to run forever.”
My initial assessment of Konni was proving accurate.He was dangerous, but not for the usual reasons most women avoid men—questionable morals and obvious red flags.Konni didn’t seem to have any of those.Instead, he wanted more than a single night with me, and that wasn’t going to happen.Ever.
Nervousness twistedmy stomach as I walked into the Steele building almost an hour early.I was less of an emotional mess than I’d been on Friday, but only barely.I had no idea what had been said to Lianna, if anything, and wasn’t yet sure if I wanted to march up to my desk without stopping by HR first.
So I went to the cafe and ordered a coffee to give myself some time to calm down and watch for Gail.
While sipping my coffee, I saw Konni walk in.
His suit hugged his shoulders and waist in a familiar, mouth-watering way, and I mentally kicked myself again for not being able to remember what had probably been the best night of sex in my life.I was distracted enough by my regret that I almost missed the respectful nod the security guards gave him as one used his badge to activate the turnstile for him.
They didn’t do that to other people.
Curious, I stood with my coffee and casually followed in Konni’s wake, keeping a careful distance to see which elevator he got on.No one joined him.They all held back.The doors closed.I watched the numbers on the display climb to my floor—the executive floor.
“Ms.Elmantas.I’m glad to see you.”
I turned toward Gail and returned her welcoming smile.
“Do you have a moment?”she asked.
“I was actually hoping to talk to you,” I said.
We walked to her office.
“I’ve spoken with Ms.Stonestock.She interpreted the recent issues you’ve been having as an attempt to avoid work, citing the technical glitches you reported earlier last week and the meeting with me that kept you away from your desk longer than expected.
“I clarified those instances and shared IT’s findings, which confirmed you didn’t cause those issues.After she understood you left due to a family emergency, which is not something Steele Corporation would ever hold you accountable for, I asked if she would like you to return to your position, as other departments would be very willing to take you if she wasn’t.She said you’re welcome to return.”
Gail paused for a moment, then added, “I encourage you to keep your existing position.Although there are other departments with openings, switching to them won’t resolve personality conflicts, if that is what this is.”
Her keen awareness of the situation and frankness were the green light I needed to speak my mind.
CHAPTERTEN
“I’m notsure if it’s a personality conflict or something more,” I said honestly.“I feel very unwelcome in that department.
“Whitney and Shana are quiet and give direction when I ask, but they have made it clear through comments made that they believe I’m only here to seduce the CEO, whom I have never met or seen.It’s frustrating being accused of something I’m not doing.
