by Mia Carson
“I think the lady said to leave her alone,” he snapped, leaning down to be eye level with the cretin.
He glared and let go of Belle, but Greyson didn’t release his arm. “Let me go, man.”
“You better learn some manners the next time you come in here,” he warned and squeezed tighter. The man gasped and fought to free his arm, but Greyson dragged the man closer. “Understand me?”
“Yeah… alright, whatever. Just let me go, you jackass,” the guy yelled.
Greyson let the man’s wrist go so suddenly he stumbled backwards and fell into the crowd of onlookers. They jeered and laughed at him as he scrambled to his feet and hurried away. Greyson took a step after him but stopped himself. In the old days, he would’ve followed and decked the guy, but he couldn’t do that, not anymore. He had gone to anger management classes. He was all better.
Yeah right, he mused and turned to Belle, who was staring at him. Her confused glare wasn’t what made his chest tighten and a throbbing erection swell in his jeans which he was thankful were loose. He was used to seeing her with her hair down and in jeans and sweaters, but what she wore made him wish she would take his hand and go with him tonight. The black dress was a halter, tied behind her neck, and clung to every delectable curve. His hands itched to run down her sides to her full hips and even more perfect ass. Her breasts were pushed up, and her cleavage was wonderfully visible without him wishing she’d bend over his desk. When she reached up to brush a fallen curl from her face, he noticed the neon-green nail polish, multiple silver bands on her fingers, and the piercings running up her right ear. This was certainly a different side to the Belle he thought he knew.
Tonight, she looked tougher than nails and stood with her feet planted, her hands on her hips. Ready for a fight.
“God, you’re gorgeous,” he let slip before he stopped himself.
Her eyes widened, and she glanced down at herself. “What are you doing here?” she asked, completely ignoring his compliment.
“Came here for a drink. I needed it after today,” he said smoothly as every fiber in his being shook with the urge to drag her against his body and kiss her until she moaned his name.
“That's not my fault,” she muttered and crossed her arms, pushing her breasts up even more.
“Really? That’s what you’re going to say to me?” he said, astounded by her nerve.
“Yeah, it is,” she snapped. “What do you want me to say? Sorry I refused to be treated like your lackey? Like I wasn’t even good enough to rate a thank you? No wonder the other ones quit! You’re only nice to the people you need or so you can get them in bed.”
Fuming, he straightened and glared down at her. “You know nothing about me.”
“And you know nothing about me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to find my friend and get a new drink.” She turned around with a huff and pushed through the crowd that closed in around them.
Greyson considered letting her go for a split second before he followed her.
“What are you doing?” she asked hotly when she glanced over her shoulder at him. “I’m fine, really. Thanks for saving me. Now go away.”
“I think we need to talk,” he said loudly as the music changed to a song with a deep bass and pounding drums. “Belle, please.”
“Why?” she asked, whipping around to poke him hard in the chest. “Give me one reason.”
“Because,” he yelled and glared at the speakers by their heads. “Can we talk somewhere a bit quieter?”
She rolled her eyes but took his hand and dragged him through the crowd. He stared in amazement at the warmth flowing from her palm to his and the firm grip she had on him. Once, a long time ago, he had felt a shock like this rock through his body, but he always had a feeling something would go wrong. Belle was different, and it baffled him. He could picture them together for a long time, being happy together.
Chilly night air hit them as they reached the outdoor patio, and she didn’t release his hand until they found a quiet corner, alone. She dropped his hand, and he wanted nothing more than for her to take it again.
“It’s quiet. What do you want to talk about?” she asked.
Goosebumps broke out across her bare shoulders as the night air enveloped them, and he frowned, shrugging out of his black leather jacket. Ignoring her protests, he draped the jacket over her shoulders.
“Didn’t you bring anything?” he asked with a frown.
“No. I didn’t plan on being outside,” she said and watched him curiously. She tugged the jacket around her tighter, and when she let out a sigh at the warmth from his body, his jaw clenched and he forced his feet to stay where they were. He wanted to kiss her. God, did he want to kiss her. “What do you want to say?”
What did he want to tell her? That she was wrong about him and everything she’d said? That she was being an idiot for quitting what was potentially a great chance at his company, being his assistant and helping him every day? As the reasons ran through his mind, he dismissed each one as he realized they were all about keeping him happy. He scuffed his boot on the patio and shoved his hands deep into his pockets.
“You may have been right about a few things,” he said quietly, not meeting her eyes.
She didn’t speak for a minute, and he chanced a glance up as her eyes narrowed. “I’m listening.”
“I have been treating you like a lackey because that was what I needed,” he told her. “However, you took this job to be an intern and work with my team. And you do have talent. I lied about that.”
“I know,” she said simply, a smirk on her face.
He tugged his beard. “How did you know I lied?”
“You’re not as mysterious as you think.” She tugged on the jacket harder, and her smirk turned into the smile he loved seeing every morning when he reached the office.
“Well, either way, I… uh, I wanted to say that the job is still yours if you want it.”
She laughed sharply. “You’re kidding, right? Is that seriously your way of apologizing?”
“I never said I was apologizing,” he growled.
“And that, right there, is the problem,” she said, pointing at him. “If you can’t apologize, then why would I come back? So you can treat me the same? I worked my ass off all week, and I never got a simple thank you.”
Greyson paced away from her, staring at the street and the people walking down the sidewalk. He knew she was right about that, too, and honestly, he couldn’t even come up with a reason to explain his coldness to her. Had he really done it simply because she had turned him down? Ignored all his attempts at flirting? Was he really that much of a bastard?
He turned back to face her and nodded. “I’m sorry for treating you like a secretary,” he said and held out his hand for hers. “Mind if we start over?”
Belle hesitated but finally slipped her hand into his, gripping it hard. “And what does that mean, exactly?”
He didn’t let go and stared down at their clasped hands. “It means I want you to come back.”
She laughed and tried to pull her hand free, but he gripped it in his. “Greyson?”
“I know I can be an arrogant asshole,” he said and blew out a breath, “but you’re the first person to call me on it and I think… I think I need that around more.”
“You want me around to tell you when you’re being a jackass?”
He nodded firmly. “Yeah, I do, and you’re the first assistant I’ve had who managed to keep me on track. I need you back.”
“That's not good enough,” she announced and moved to within a few inches of him, their clasped hands the only thing separating their bodies. She licked her lips, and his eyes narrowed on her mouth, enjoying the way her cheeks immediately reddened. “If you want me back, make it worth my while.”
He leaned in closer, and her breath caught. “I will have you shadow Tim and the rest of the team when they’re working on the new game,” he promised. “You’ll be able to get your hands dirty with them, and
when we have time, I’ll help you with your personal designs, but I still need you as my assistant. Deal?”
As she mulled over his proposal, his eyes flitted across her face again, the soft curves in the low lighting behind him, the piercings he hadn’t noticed on her right ear. This was the Belle he wanted to see every day at his office. She was a hard woman, which was just what he needed. Someone to put him in his place when he stepped out of line. If Tim hadn’t come clean and said he could be just as arrogant as she’d said, he would’ve ignored her words completely.
No one else was willing to stand up to their boss. No one except her.
“Deal,” she said and squeezed his hand tighter. “But if you don’t hold up your end, I’m quitting and you’ll never see me again.” She whispered the last part, and her blue eyes shimmered with confused attraction.
Greyson knew just how she felt and smiled. Instead of leaning down to brush his lips across hers, he said, “Perfect.”
“Good, that’s good,” she whispered and pulled her hand from his. “I need to find my friend and get home. I have to work in the morning. Here’s your jacket,” she said and tossed it at him.
“Work?” he asked, but she was already back inside and had quickly disappeared into the crowd of party-goers on the dance floor. “What is she talking about?” He held the leather tightly in his hands then brought it up to his face. Apples and cinnamon hit him hard and he cursed. She was going to be trouble.
He slipped his jacket on and headed back inside. A hand fell on his arm, and he turned, hoping it was Belle, but it was the blonde from the bar.
“Hey, I was wondering where you ran off to,” she said and leaned in close enough to kiss him. “Care to dance with me?”
“I have to go,” he said gently and pulled away from her. “Sorry, doll, maybe next time.”
She pouted but let him go. He was near the front door when another pair of hands snaked over his shoulders and gripped his jacket hard, forcing him to turn. “Greyson, you haven’t called me,” Aiden, one of his usual weekend women, crooned as she leaned in to kiss him, but he pulled back. “I’ve missed you. Haven’t you missed me?”
He eyed her clingy blue dress that barely covered anything vital and coughed. “I have, but I'm just not feeling it tonight. Maybe next weekend, alright?”
She narrowed one eye at him and pursed her lips. “You’ve never turned me down before.”
“An off night,” he said. “I’ll call you soon, promise.”
“You'd better,” she called after him, but he didn’t turn back around. He stalked to his Mustang, Belle’s scent surrounding him, and wondered what it was about the woman that got under his skin so easily.
One week and she had managed to force him to apologize for being an ass. What would happen when she was there a month? He slid behind the wheel and revved the engine, wondering if either of them would be able to handle whatever happened next.
Chapter 3
Belle somehow survived the weekend, working the gallery on both days with Carrie and finishing her homework late Sunday night. Monday, she dragged her butt into the office, worried she would get the stink eye from everyone there, but they whistled when she walked in and cheered for her.
Tim laughed as he approached her. “Oh, man, you’re a lot better for this place than I thought.”
“Why’s everyone so happy?” she asked, confused.
“You put him in his place, that’s why. I think you’re going to be really good for him,” he said, and with another smile, he walked away whistling, leaving Belle to hurry to her desk.
Sitting by her mouse was a steaming cup of coffee. She set her bag down and glanced around, but Greyson wasn’t anywhere close by. She smiled, remembering Friday night at the bar, and cupped the warm mug in her hands. She’d been sure that night he was going to kiss her, and she’d been tempted to do the same, but all the old fears rose up and she’d run off before anything could happen. After all, he was her boss again. She wasn’t going to risk this job a second time by getting involved with him.
Carrie, of course, had been no help at all. When Belle told her what happened, she had asked why the hell she hadn’t gone home with Greyson. Now, waiting at the office for him to arrive, she wondered what would’ve happened if she had kissed him. Would he have asked her to go home with him? She pictured those large, strong hands on her hips, drawing her in close for a kiss. She closed her eyes and imagined his lips pressed against hers, hungry for her touch. It wasn’t hard to imagine him leading her back to a candlelit bedroom and his massive four poster bed. She couldn’t picture him in anything else.
“Morning, Belle,” Greyson said and tapped her desk.
Belle fumbled in her chair and nearly spilled her coffee. Her cheeks burning, she glanced up at his curious smirk. “Morning, boss,” she replied and cleared her throat, shoving her X-rated fantasies aside. “How was your weekend?”
“I was about to ask you,” he said and motioned for her to follow him. “You have bags under your eyes.”
She touched them and frowned. “I had work,” she said. “Thanks for pointing out how horrible I look this morning.”
He sat down behind his desk, his brow furrowed. “I never said you looked bad,” he said gently, and she perked up at the change of tone. “I was wondering why you’re still working another job if you work here.”
“I have to pay the bills,” she shrugged, and when he tugged at his beard, she sighed. “It’s fine, really. I just didn’t sleep much. I had some last-minute assignments for a class. All online means extra work.”
“You do this often?” he asked.
“Do what?” she replied and sat down in front of his desk. She tucked her hair behind her right ear, and he smirked when his gaze shifted to the piercings in her ear. She used to take them out for work, but after he saw them Friday night, she had decided he really didn’t mind so much.
“Spread yourself too thin? You’re too young to be rundown like this.”
She bristled at the too young comment but smiled again and straightened. “I’m fine. It's nothing I haven’t dealt with before. So, what’s the new plan?”
The way he eyed her said he didn’t believe her, but he let it drop, though the promise in his eyes said this conversation wouldn’t be the last one about her working too much. “This morning, I’m going to have you take care of your usual tasks for me. After lunch, you’ll hop over and shadow Tim for the rest of the day unless there’s some emergency and I need your wonderful assistant skills.”
Belle grinned and hopped up from her chair, eager to get started. He chuckled behind her, and she shot a look over her shoulder. “Do I amuse you?” she asked.
He leaned forward and folded those hands she had fantasized about all weekend. “Not amuse. Intrigue would be a better word. One of these days, Belle, I want to actually get to know my new employee.”
“Intern,” she corrected. “Just an intern for now, remember?”
“For now,” he repeated with a nod, and she left his office to get to work.
Excitement flooded her. She was finally going to see the team in action as they moved through the process of working out the latest kinks of the MMO. It was going to be a hectic week. The gallery she worked at on the weekends had a new show coming in, and she was in charge of setting it up every evening this week and then working the opening party on Saturday. She tried not to think of the assignments piling up in her classes, nor how little time she was going to have to work on her own projects, but that was the cost of making it through.
The road had been long and anything but simple, but Belle was determined to make something of herself. The talent was there, and she knew she had the drive. If working with Tim was what gave her that extra boost she needed, she would put everything she had to on hold—including sleep—if it meant succeeding.
As she answered the e-mails for Greyson and checked on the status of several documents being prepared for him to look over, her mind drifted again to Friday n
ight. From what Tim had said, it sounded as if Greyson did not apologize to anyone lightly. He even stepped in and took care of that creep for her—not that she couldn’t take care of herself, but it had been quite chivalrous. Carrie had nearly swooned when she told her that part of the story, but all it did was make Belle wonder who the real Greyson was. He’d been at the bar alone. She was curious, since he was so popular, why he wasn’t with someone.
“Hey,” Kelly said and sat down on the other side of Belle’s desk. “I hear Friday night was interesting.”
Belle’s fingers froze on the keyboard. “How did you hear?” she asked quietly.
“He told me to expect you back this morning after the episode on Friday,” she told her, grinning.
Belle sat back in her chair and tugged at her ear. “Sorry about that. I’ve always had a bit of a temper, and he just pushed too far.”
Kelly cackled loudly and patted Belle’s hand. “Oh, sweetie, we’re all impressed. Don’t worry. Between you and me, he’s needed a swift kick in the ass for months now. Four assistants in one month? That’s a little ridiculous, even for him.”
Belle let out a breath of relief. “Good. I thought I was in trouble.”
“Nope. We’re all rooting for you now. He told me the terms of your return,” she said and motioned Belle closer. “Don’t hesitate to hold up your end.”
“No problems there, don’t worry,” she said, and her eyes caught the coffee mug. “Did you leave coffee for me this morning?”
“No, not me,” Kelly said and her grin softened. “But I think I know who did.”
Belle swiveled her chair around when Kelly peered behind her and grinned when Greyson glanced away from his monitor and saw them both staring at him. He frowned, but his lips twitched in a smile before Belle faced front again.
“You’re going to be good for him, I can tell, but just be careful. He’s quite the man, so I’ve heard.”
“What?” Belle spat out and laughed nervously. “Oh no, nothing like that. No, he’s my boss, and I’m just the intern.”
