Down to You (The Bad Boys #1)(23)
Author: M. Leighton

Just the thought of that has me snickering to myself, which is what I’m doing when Cash comes out. He’s not adjusting his clothes or anything that obvious, but I know what he’s been up to. And I’m furious.

“You about done?” he asks casually.

I snort. “Are you?” I could kick myself for letting my upset show, but it sort of slips out before I can stop it.

Cash’s brow wrinkles for just a second. “I’m ready whenever you are. I know you need to get home.”

How convenient that you remember that now! You’re probably ready for bed. A real bed.

Gritting my teeth, I toss my rag in the bleach and snatch my purse from beneath the bar. I refuse to rush just because he’s finally ready. Refuse! Yes, I’ll be the one paying for it when I’m exhausted tomorrow, but tonight passive aggressive is all I’ve got.

He leads the way back to the carefully concealed door at the back of the bar. As I suspected, it’s an office. And a nicely decorated office, too. Especially considering that it’s located in a bar.

The color palette is both soothing and masculine with its rich creams and calming taupes. There are black accents found throughout the room in the throw pillows on the sofa and the lamps on the end tables. They tie in to the huge black desk and expertly-carved cabinetry behind it.

There’s a partially open door on the back wall. It looks as though it leads into an apartment. A very nice and spacious one from what I can see.

With a sinking sensation, I realize he and Taryn were probably back there. In a real bed.

I feel sick.

Cash motions me to a plush black and taupe striped chair in front of the desk as he takes the black leather chair behind it. He clicks a few buttons on the computer and prints off some forms, sliding them across the desk to me. I take a pen from the cup of pens sitting to my left.

Silently, I fill out the necessary tax forms and employee forms as Cash makes what I assume is an employee file. When I’m finished and there are no more papers to sign, I lay down my pen and wait. He finally looks up at me and smiles.

“So, how are you liking it? Besides Taryn, of course.”

I force my lips into a smile. “Fine, thank you.”

I see a frown flicker across his forehead again. “Is there anything you need to talk about? Anything I can do to make your job easier?”

Other than stay the hell away from me?

I bite my tongue and hold my smile in place, shaking my head negatively. He nods, watching me closely. “All right, well I guess I’d better let you get on home then.”

With a curt nod, I stand and leave as quickly as I can without being obvious. After I’ve passed through the exit and am making my way to the brightly lit parking lot, I give in to the urge to scream in angry frustration. Just a little. It’s more like a growl, actually.

I stomp to my car, throwing my purse onto the hood to search inside for the keys. That’s when I hear footsteps. I whirl, startled, as Cash comes to a stop beside me.

“Are you all right?”

His frown is still in place, but his eyes are wide. He’s obviously concerned. He probably heard my scream-growl, since he was coming outside.

Great!

“I’m fine.” I hiss. “Go back inside. I’m just leaving.”

“I forgot to give you your copy of the Release of Liability,” he explains, handing me a folded sheet of paper.

I snatch it from his fingers and stuff it into my purse. “Thank you. Good night,” I say dismissively, returning my attention to the hunt for my keys.

Cash grabs my shoulders and turns me toward him. “What is your deal?”

And I snap.

“Get your hands off me,” I demand, wrenching away from him. He looks stricken, which only makes me madder. “You don’t get to touch me. I’m not Taryn.”

“What?” He looks genuinely confused. Then he rolls his eyes. And I see red. “Is this about that kiss?”

I ball my hands into fists. It’s all I can do not to physically lash out at him. “No, it’s not just about the kiss. It’s about kisses and body shots and late night booty calls in your office and an assortment of things that shouldn’t be going on here!”

I’m getting loud and I know it. I’ve also taken a step forward that puts me right up next to Cash’s chest, which is where my index finger is currently buried. I look at it as if I have no idea how it got there, mainly because I don’t.

I look up at Cash, but he’s looking at my finger, too. Slowly, deliberately he wraps his long fingers around my hand then straightens his arm, pulling it out to his side. He tugs sharply, nearly causing me to fall into him.

“Is that what this is about? You think I’m sleeping with Taryn?”

“Of course I do! I’m sure it’s no secret.”

“Why do you say that?”

He’s so calm. Curious almost. It’s disconcerting.

“Well, first of all she’s gorgeous and—”

“You’re gorgeous,” he says softly.

My stomach flips over, but I continue. “And she flirts very openly with you.”

“I wish you would flirt very openly with me.” His eyes flicker to my lips and they throb like he’s touching them.

“Stop doing that. Don’t act like there’s nothing going on.”

“I’m not acting. Taryn and I have a history, but that was before she started working for me. I have few rules, but one is that I don’t get social with my employees. And now she works for me. That’s it. Nothing more.”

“But you kissed her. I saw you.”

“No, you saw her kiss me. You saw me not cause a scene in the middle of the club.”

“Well, you didn’t look like you hated it.”

“But I did. The whole time, all I could think about was kissing you instead.” He starts to bend his head toward mine.

Blood is roaring in my ears. “But you don’t get social with your employees,” I remind him quietly.

“I’d make an exception for you.” His face is getting close and closer. Slowly. A centimeter at a time.

“But it’s your rule.”

“I’ll break it for you,” he whispers.

“No, don’t do that,” I say breathlessly.

“Fine, then you’re fired,” he says just as his lips meet mine.

They are warm and the pressure is light. At first. As much as I want to resist, my resolve goes out the window when I feel his tongue run along the crease of my lips. Without thinking, I part them.