Page 33 of Total Abandon

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She laughs, her hand landing on my chest. “Did you justwomanme?”

I roll my eyes and meet her gaze when she shifts her head to look up. The result is that we’re almost nose to nose and the air between us suddenly feels weighted, dense with tension. “Why is it so hard for you to accept comfort from me? You were clearly upset,” I challenge, keeping one hand at her back and using the other to smooth her hair back from her face.

She nibbles on her bottom lip as I get lost in her azure, blue pools. She’s so close it really wouldn’t take much to lean down and kiss her. And god, I want to. I really fucking want to. My dick leaps to attention, as though he’s only just realized I have a woman pressed to me. She shifts on her feet, and I’m so distracted it takes me a second to realize she’s trying to extricate herself. I drop my arms reluctantly, watching her take a step back. Literally and emotionally.

“Thanks for the weird corridor cuddle, same time tomorrow?” She’s deflecting with humor and we both know it. I letout a low chuckle and shake my head. Of all the women to be drawn to, it’s this complicated, fiery, confusing little creature that’s entirely off limits.

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“Get back to work, I’ll handle Smith.” My fingers itch to reach out and touch her again, but I don’t.

She nods. “Yes, boss. I’ll see you at six.”

I grunt my agreement, sliding my hands into my pockets as she turns and walks away. I’m very aware that the entire boardroom full of my management team probably just gawped at the whole thing, but even that doesn’t stop me from watching her until she reaches the elevators at the other end of the hallway. We’re leaving for Ohio tonight to visit her parents, and I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be a taxing trip. It’s only as I’m walking back to my office that I realize the prickling rage has drained from me entirely. Which is a new experience, especially so soon after it’s been called to action.

Smith is sitting in one of the cream leather chairs opposite my desk, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. He lifts it to look at me as I close the door. “I didn’t know she was your fiancée, I—”

“That shouldn’t matter. You don’t speak to anyone like that here,” I cut across curtly, striding around to my chair. I fold myself down into it and undo the button on my suit jacket.

“It won’t happen again.” He swallows, his eyes darting nervously around the room.

“No, it won’t. Because you no longer work here,” I say matter-of-factly, leaning back in my chair. The soft leather creaks quietly. I watch his face turn from red, to purple, to pale and clammy, all in the space of a few seconds. He moves to stand, but I stop him. “Sit,” I order quietly, the command slicing the air as a small kernel of that rage flickers back to life. The man obeys, meeting my gaze with a guarded confusion. “What are you on?” I lean forward, placing both of my elbows on my desk, my hands laced on the ebony-stained mahogany top.

“What? I’m not—”

“Don’t even fucking think of lying to me,” I growl, clenching my teeth together. He opens and closes his mouth a few times, his eyes wide.

“Fuck!” he curses, running a hand through his thinning blonde hair and tugging at the strands.

“Start talking, Smith,” I warn. He only has my attention for a short period of time, and if he doesn’t come through with an explanation, he’ll regret it.

“I injured my shoulder in college playing football, had to have surgery. I pulled it a few months ago in a fender bender, started taking the pills my doctor gave me for the pain and now…” He trails off, swallowing audibly. “Now I’m hooked on that shit. I tried to get off it, but it’s fucking impossible.” He digs his fingers into his eye sockets so hard it must hurt.

I nod, contemplating. “Okay, here’s what’s going to happen. You hand your resignation in, and I’ll make sure you get into the best rehabilitation center the city has to offer. But if you duck out, I’ll make sure you never work in the tech space again. Understood?”

He lowers his hands and blinks at me. “Why would you do that for me?”

I laugh coldly, sinking back into my chair once more. What people never understand about me is that I’ve cultivated a reputation for being an asshole on purpose. No one fucks with me lightly. But my ethos has always been firm but fair. Life happens. Shit happens. And here is a man who desperately needs help to get back on his feet. I have more money than I can spend in a lifetime, so why wouldn’t I? I’m human, just like everyone else. “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, Smith. But there is one more condition.”

His brows knit together and his shoulders sag. He looks fucking exhausted. “Anything,” he agrees.