Bastard Boss

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Bella

The minute I hang up with Tyler, I shut my door, lean against the hard surface for stability, and draw in a deep, calming breath that doesn't calm me at all. The problem is that my door reminds me of his door, and the naughty things he did to me against it. This trip, which, no doubt amounts to me and him together in an intimate setting at least a few times, is dangerous. Tyler knows this, too. I know he knows. Neither of us believes what happened between us was right, which I'm sure is why he so harshly dismissed me.

At least he waited until, after my orgasm, I think a bit bitterly, considering how horribly he treated me. It wasn't necessary. But setting aside my personal feelings that have no more room in this situation than did our behavior, I focus on the reason for this trip. Obviously, Tyler found out something about the new studio head or he wouldn't believe this trip a necessary evil. At this point, I have to assume that Dash's deal is really in danger. And I can't in good faith hide these negotiations from my brother. I love him too much to end up shocking him with a crisis.

Decision made, I push off the door and straighten with determination. He'll be at the coffee shop. It's time to talk to him and confess my worries.

I load up my briefcase, grab my coat and purse, and head for the door. Once I'm in the Hawk Legal lobby and headed toward the elevator, Morgan, the new receptionist, a pretty twentysomething blonde, calls out to me, "Bella!"

Halting, I backstep with the realization I haven't even told the team I'm leaving and won't be back for a few days. I rotate and close the space between me and Morgan, already anticipating what might come next. "Please tell me I don't have a problem to solve."

"Oh, no. Nothing is wrong. I just wanted to apologize for letting Josh back in the cafe today. I had no idea he was a problem."

It's then that I realize I didn't even ask Tyler what happened between the two men. Not that I think Tyler really gave me the chance, but he also didn't confront me about Josh showing up to speak to me either. I make a mental note to ask Tyler exactly what was said between him and Josh, because I don't seem to be fully abreast of the situation.

For now, I focus on Morgan. "He's not a problem. He's simply working through a few things, and he came to apologize for allowing that to overflow into his work. Also, I'm heading to LA for a few days. I'm leaving this afternoon, so please take messages and forward them to me. I will still be working for my clients when I'm gone."

"Of course," she agrees. "Please let me know if I can do anything to help. Honestly, I'd love to be considered for the assistant position I saw posted, working for you directly."

I'd almost forgotten that I've graduated to a place in the firm where I've been allotted my own assistant but have had little time to interview. This is because I need an assistant. Oh, the irony. But perhaps Morgan is making this simple for me. The reception spot is often the place where we try people out and promote them and so far, Morgan has been excellent. "Let's chat when I get back," I suggest.

"That would be great. Let me know if I can play that role while you are gone. Anything you need, I'm here." She hands me a piece of paper. "My phone number."

"Text it to me. I'm too scattered right now. I will 100% lose it."

"You bet," she says. "And I'm an excellent organizer. You will never lose anything with me on your side."

"I love it. Talk soon. I need to go now, though."

"Good luck in LA."

"I might need it. Thank you."

I walk away from her, thinking about how far I've come at Hawk Legal, and how far I could fall if I end up in bed with Tyler. Not that I think he intends any such thing, not after the horrible way our encounter ended, but the weird sexual chemistry between us was not gone this morning. I don't want any of this to get out and affect the perception of my abilities. The whole office would think I slept my way to the top, and for who? A man who will never want more than sex. And I do. I'm at that point in my life where I think I'm done with random, useless relationships that really amount to flings.

It's time to get back to work and back to business in all ways, especially with my boss.

But I'm really not as angry with him now as I was last night. The truth is, he's vulnerable after his father's death, and in ways, he'd never admit or probably even see in himself. He doesn't really want or need sex. He needs a friend, but he's afraid of the connection. Sex is just the way he hides from anything real. I need to show him I'm safe. He can trust me without any reason to find a way to divide us.

He doesn't have to fuck me until I hate him and walk away.

Friends don't walk away from each other.

They stand by you.