Or is he being inappropriate? Is he hoping I’ll be on my knees under his desk giving him weekly blowjobs, and this is his way of hinting at it?
God, this is confusing. I have no idea how to respond. Humor? Outrage? Disdain?
Painfully uncomfortable, I resolve that if he’s going to be wily and impossible to pin down, I will too. I keep my voice and expression neutral, as if maybe I’m bored by this entire conversation.
“The donkey wasn’t dying. It was getting its tooth pulled.”
“No. It was dying.”
“I think you’re remembering it wrong.”
“I’m remembering it perfectly.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“What color was the Chihuahua?”
“The Chihuahua was hairless.”
“What kind of animal did the raptor see in the bar?”
“A dove. And I didn’t say raptor, I said predatory night bird. And it wasn’t in a bar, it was in a clearing.”
We stare at each other. Neither of us smiles. The room feels stuffy and too small. I have no idea if we’re fighting or flirting. I’ve had root canals more pleasant than this.
“Predatory night bird? So you’re an owl.”
A faint look of disgust crosses his handsome face. “I’m not an owl.”
“You sure? You kinda resemble an owl.”
“In what way do I resemble an owl?”
“Lots of ways. Big unblinking eyes. Stocky body. No neck.”
He narrows his eyes at me. I resist the urge to stick out my tongue.
Our stalemate is interrupted when someone knocks on the door. We turn to see a young man standing outside. He’s tall, handsome, and looks a lot like Cole, except he’s blond. Smiling broadly, he raises a hand and wiggles his fingers in greeting.
Cole walks to the door and opens it. I can tell by the new tension in his shoulders that he’s irritated by this arrival. To the man standing outside, he says brusquely, “You’re interrupting.”
“Yeah, I can see that.” He chuckles, then leans around Cole and grins at me. “Hi there. I’m Carter, Cole’s brother. I hear you’re his new assistant.”
“Hi, Carter. I’m Shay. And yes, I’m your brother’s new assistant, but I’m not sure for how long.”
Horrified, Carter looks at Cole. His tone turns accusing. “It’s not even nine o’clock! What crap are you putting this poor girl through already?”
Cole turns and gives me a lethal look. I return it with a sweet smile.
At least one of the McCord brothers is on my side.
Cole
As always, my little brother has impeccable fucking timing.
I turn away from Shay’s smiling face and tell him to get lost. Then I slam shut the door and turn back to her again.
“That’s a nasty habit of yours,” she notes as the door rattles in its frame.
“It’s one of many. What did you mean you’re not sure how long you’ll be my assistant?”
Her expression indicates she thinks I’m an absolute idiot. And an asshole to boot.
Through clenched teeth, I say, “What’s that look?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
This woman. This stubborn, infuriating woman. Drawing a deep breath, I start to count to ten. I only make it to two before I snap. “I’m not going to fire you, if that’s what you meant.”
“Maybe that’s not what I meant.”
When I only stare at her with a growl rumbling through my chest, she relents.
“Okay, that’s what I meant. Are you?”
“I just said I wasn’t.”
“I know, but I’m giving you a chance to change your mind.”
“Why would I change my mind?”
She gives me her you’re-an-idiot-and-an-asshole look again. I suspect it will become her signature expression. I’d take her over my knee and give her a spanking she’d remember forever, but the goddamn walls are made of glass.
And she works for me now. I can’t spank an employee.
No matter how much I want to.
I cross the few steps from the door to where she’s standing, lean close to her face, and speak in a low, deliberate voice while staring into her eyes. “I’m not firing you. Are you going to quit?”
All sass and defiance, she lifts her chin. “No.”
“Good.”
When she arches one perfect brow, I amend that to, “I mean, fine. If that’s your decision.”
“That’s my decision.”