Bastard Boss

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

Bella

I walk into my front door and lean on the hard surface and exhale with relief.

Somehow, I survived this day, but it was hard. Seeing Tyler first thing outside Gavin's office was awkward and emotional. And Gavin was weird, too. He kept staring at me, almost as if he knew something he should not know, but that's crazy. Tyler is a private person. I don't believe he would talk about me to anyone. My cellphone rings and I snake it out of my jacket to find Dash calling.

"Allie and I are on our way over. We got you a little celebratory gift. We just wanted to make sure you were home."

I grimace at the idea of company despite how much I love them both, but then again, maybe company is exactly what I need. "I'm here. I just got here."

"See you in thirty to forty-five minutes."

"Perfect. I have time to change and get comfy."

We disconnect and my doorbell rings. I frown because I'm not sure who would be here. Perhaps this time I really do have a package delivery, or a neighbor visiting with a package meant for me.

I grab the things I've set on the floor, place them on the entry table, then open the door. I blanch and my heart lurches at the sight of Tyler standing there. His suit jacket is gone, and his white shirt sleeves are rolled up to display powerful forearms. He smells so good I want to lick him all over and I hate him for stirring such thoughts in me. "What are you doing here?"

He lifts a folder in his hand. "I need to go over some contractual information with you."

My eyes go wide. Damn it, I must have missed something in the contract and Dash is on his way over here. "What is it?" I ask urgently.

"Can I come in?"

I hesitate but I nod and back up, allowing his entry. I shut the door and lean on it again. He turns to face me. "Let's go sit."

No, I think, but what I say is, "Right. Let's go sit. The kitchen table will be good."

He motions me forward. "Lead the way."

I move ahead of him, my knees weak with the heaviness of his eyes on my progress. The walk across the living room feels far and wide, but finally, we reach my table, the smaller one off the actual kitchen rather than the large dining room table. I stand on one side and wait for him to sit. His lips quirk as if he knows I'm waiting to choose my seat, based on where he places himself. He goes opposite of me, and we both settle in. The table is smaller than it seems normally, and we are closer than I intend.

"I thought this was better done away from the office." He slides the folder in front of me.

I can only assume he means due to distractions.

I open it and stare down at a document that reads: This agreement is between two parties, Tyler Hawk and Bella Bailey.

I blink and my gaze jerks to Tyler's. "What is this?"

"We're not going to stay away from each other, Bella. I'm going to be followed by a PI, looking for me to screw up. If I touch you, and you are not my fiancée, I lose everything. The company loses everything."

I'm shell-shocked. "So wait, I'm the problem here?"

"That's not what I'm saying at all. I trust you. I know you won't screw me, Bella. I need to trust the person I call my fiancée. And that gives us time to fuck each other out of our systems"

He might as well have stabbed me right in the heart. "Right. Because it's all about sex." He opens his mouth to speak and I hold up a hand, anger churning in my belly. "Everyone will think I slept my way to the top. No." I shut the folder and slide it to him. "I don't need to fuck you out of my system, Tyler. You just finished this for me."

"I'm not going to let this screw you, Bella. I want you to open a film division for Hawk Legal. We'll set it up as another company. Additionally, I'll ensure your salary is double, as you will head that division. Furthermore, I know money isn't an issue for you, but this is a mammoth-sized commitment. When I inherit, there is a substantial payout for you in the contract. I do not want to take advantage of you, Bella, but I need you by my side. And I want you by my side."

I swear I can feel my heart shattering into pieces and then exploding into anger. My voice quakes and I say, "The crazy part is I would have done this for you, as a friend. For you and the company because you know—I just would have. And I didn't need a contract to go away. I learned the hard way that love is rare and my parents were lucky to have it. I don't want to get married. I don't want to fall in love and be burned by nastiness like this." I lose control and throw the folder at him, before standing up. "I'm done. We're done. And, no, I'm not going to quit my job. I'm going to stay and congratulate your new fiancée on her future happiness. Everybody will think I mean her life with you, but I'll mean her big payday."

"Bella—"

He is on his feet rounding the table. "No." I point at him and back away. "Don't even think about touching me."

He curses and scrubs his jaw, and somehow, he manages to look tormented, like I really matter to him. How many women has he made think they mattered to him when they were just sex? "Forget the contract," he says. "Just do this with me. Date me. Marry me. This isn't how I wanted this to work out. I thought we'd both have the freedom—"

"To fuck each other out of our systems? Leave, Tyler."

My doorbell rings and I say, "That will be Dash and Allie."

"Of course, it is," he says. "Now I have to leave, but this isn't over. We are not over."

"We are so over, Tyler. You insulted me, and tried to pay me off. I feel like a whore. You made me feel like a whore."

"Bella," he breathes out. "God, woman. I don't think—" The doorbell rings again, and he huffs out a breath. "I'm going." He rotates on his heel and strides toward the door.

I follow him, and why on Earth do I want to scream for him to stop? Why do I hurt so badly at the idea of him leaving? I reach the edge of the foyer as he opens the door to face Dash and Allie.

"What the hell are you doing here, Tyler?" Dash demands.

"Ask your sister," is all Tyler says, and then he disappears out into the hallway.

Dash and Allie step into the foyer, and Allie is holding a Golden Retriever puppy. I've wanted a Golden Retriever since I was a kid, but my mom was busy, and often traveled all over the place with my father. I just couldn't have a dog. In my mind, when I think of getting a dog, it's a Golden.

"Surprise!" Allie says, while Dash counters with, "What the fuck is going on, Bella?

I burst into tears.

The End...for now

Tyler & Bella's story continues in Sweet Sinner which is out very soon! Pre-order now! Also, did you love Allie and Dash? Their story is told in the Necklace Trilogy which is complete and available now! Keep reading for an excerpt from their first book :)

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