Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
“Let’s hope you treat them nicer,” she mutters.
“Excuse me, Miss Renee?”
Piper meets my eyes with a defiant look. “You intimidate people. I think that’s why you needed us to get to the bottom of this.”
Jennifer nods. “A lot of people are a little afraid of you.”
Oh, great. It’s two on one and I never asked for their opinions about managing my staff.
Still, what if they’re right?
What if this blind spot has cost me months of precious time where we could’ve stopped this fuckery in its tracks?
“Miss Renee,” I stop.
She bites her lip. Something about that gesture I’ve seen her do countless times puts me weirdly at ease.
“Finish your thoughts,” I say, swiping a hand through the air. “Your honesty is an asset and you might as well finish breaking my balls.”
That makes her blush like a fire engine.
“While you’re in a tizzy about your reputation, maybe you should consider the perception that you’re kind of a tyrant. Your people might be more honest and motivated to help if you’d stop being a porcupine,” she says softly.
Damn. She’s right and the little black dress she’s wearing fits her like a glove, grinding down what’s left of my pride.
“I should go,” Jennifer says nervously. “My DoorDash is probably in the lobby by now...”
My eyes flick to Piper, sure that she’ll use the excuse to escape with her friend.
She swallows so hard it’s visible. “See you later, Jenn.”
She wants to finish this?
Interesting.
I watch Jennifer skitter out the door with a hand pressed to her mouth like she’s trying hard not to laugh—or vomit.
When the door clicks shut behind her, I say, “Miss Renee, you’re a beautiful woman with a terrible mouth.”
“And you suck at compliments.” She steps closer, her eyes a green brushfire.
“My personal relations aside, I appreciate everything else you did today. I mean that sincerely.”
“Do you?” she whispers softly, her eyes cold and assessing.
There’s a silence before I sigh.
“Am I really such a fucking dragon in a suit?”
“Fire-breathing,” she bites off. “Which makes it more amazing that the man I met in Hawaii wasn’t. He knew how to have fun and treat a lady—or at least he did a really good job pretending he did. I like to think you have an actual human side, but you don’t show it much. Why?”
“Why?” I clip. “If I handled my entire staff the way I treated you in Lanai, you know where that would get me.” I don’t need to say trouble.
“Sucks. Because I really liked that Brock.”
I tilt my chin up, staring her down.
What the fuck does that mean?
She doesn’t like this one? And why does that feel like such a hornet sting?
I’m a competent manager for a company this size. Women would throw themselves at me in legions if I’d let them.
Yet somehow I’m still standing here, captivated by this green-eyed medusa, dazed and pissed off.
“You have nothing to say to that?” she asks quietly.
“Go out with me.” It flies out of my mouth like a bullet.
I’m fucking bristling.
She stands there like a startled deer, her mouth parted and too inviting.
“Um, what? Why would I—”
“Tomorrow night. After we’re done for the day, I’ll give you a proper night in Chicago.”
She sucks her bottom lip, making that red target brighter.
“Like...what do you mean? Another date?” Her voice is so soft I barely hear her.
Fuck, I don’t even know how to answer that.
If I admitted what kind of jackass thing I’m craving, I’d talk myself right out of it.
“A business meeting, Miss Renee,” I offer. “To show you I can appreciate my people without sending them off to die in the salt mines. And to reward you because your sleuthing skills are invaluable.”
“A business meeting?” Her face falls.
Fucking idiot, saying the wrong thing again.
Why couldn’t I have Gramps’ charmer gene? Apparently, that skips a generation too, and I wound up with foot-in-mouth syndrome.
“Call it dinner or hanging out or having me as your tour guide. Whatever. I don’t care. There will be exquisite wine and a fancy new dress waiting for you before we go,” I promise.
She smiles so wide her teeth shine like a string of pearls.
“That’s not necessary. But I guess I won’t turn down the chance to see Chicago.”
“I’m glad you agree. Also, I won’t have you thinking I don’t know how to dress you up like the sexiest woman alive.”
Her face heats as she looks away.
“...Mr. Winthrope, I don’t need fancy dresses. Really,” she insists.
She still won’t look at me.
I take a step forward until we’re toe to toe and I’m peering down at her. “Will you keep calling me Brock?”
Her eyes swing up to mine. “Depends. Will you ever drop the Miss Renee thing?”
My lips curl up.
“If you’re just Piper, that sounds like a date, and I don’t think you want it to be.”
“Um. I can’t answer a question I haven’t been asked, can I?”