“Ellie.” That’s it. Derrick just said her name then turned and walked across the room, stopping next to his desk.
“Your manners need some work.” She didn’t bother mumbling as she followed him. If he wasn’t going to be subtle, neither was she.
“So I’ve been told.”
“Then there’s the very real sense you’re setting me up.” Not so much a sense as a fact. If he planted one rumor, he could plant many. And that seemed to be his intent.
“How so?” He had the nerve to look confused.
She refused to believe he was that clueless.
“I complain about a story on the internet about us and suddenly there’s a photo of us up there, complete with a new quote from you.” An annoying quote. One that didn’t say anything yet managed to say a lot. “I called them and denied that we were together and you…actually, I don’t know what you were doing when you talked to the Insider.”
“I was being a gentleman.”
She took a few steps. Hovering there in his office gave her confidence. “You mean the I-don’t-kiss-and-tell thing? Oh, please. You were toying with them because it amused you.”
“Admittedly, I’m not often at a loss for words, but I’m not sure what to say to that comment.”
“You could admit you set me up to be featured on the Insider. Again.” The sound of a cough and rustling had her turning around.
Jackson stood there with his attention focused on Derrick. “Do you need anything from me, sir?”
“No, but it would be wise to stay close by in the hall in case Ms. Gold brought a weapon.”
She had forgotten poor Jackson was still there. Hearing the door click behind her as he left, she tried not to fidget. Now it was the two of them temporarily trapped in a room bigger than her entire apartment.
Rather than retreat, she stepped forward. Followed Derrick’s trail until she stood on the opposite side of his desk and watched him slip into his chair. “As if I could have gotten anything through the two rounds of security.”
He leaned back. “I find myself a bit more careful these days.”
“These days?”
“Since your brother stole from me then turned around a few days later and tried to throw the scent off him by taking public shots at me.” Derrick motioned toward the chair next to her.
“So, that’s it. The rumors, the photos, the fake social news suggesting we’re together.” She dumped her purse on the seat but remained on her feet. “You’re coming after me to get even. This is some sort of weird revenge.”
Derrick nodded. “A fascinating theory.”
That really was the only explanation. Even though money had always been tight, Noah wasn’t the type to steal.
“I see the dramatic streak runs in the family.” Derrick’s exhale filled the room. “Lucky me.”
Right. I’m the dramatic one. “Says the guy who has a private butler and an office set off from everyone else.”
“Security.”
Everything inside her froze. “Excuse me?”
“Jackson is my head of security.”
She relaxed but not much. Something told her she needed to be on her toes with this guy. He might talk smooth and look like he stepped out of her hottest fantasy, but that didn’t change the facts. He was a ruthless jackass. “Do that many people want to kill you?”
“My family has significant business interests. That sort of thing tends to attract trouble.”
She’d never been called that before. “Are you referring to me as the trouble?”
He shrugged. “Let’s hope not.”
She’d taken about all of the put-her-on-the-defensive moves that she could stand. It was time to get to the point so she could run out of there. “Mr. Jame—”
“I believe I asked you to call me Derrick.”
That’s what she called him in her head… “Do you think that’s wise?”
“I’m afraid you’ve lost me.”
“You and my brother are locked in some sort of public pissing match. You’re threatening him with lawyers. He’s making you look bad on the internet, which has bled over to traditional media.” She put her palms on his desk and leaned in. “What I’m saying is that fake rumors or not, we’re on opposite sides of this battle.”
His gaze skimmed over her. “We don’t have to be.”
He hadn’t moved but the heated words swept over her in a caress that had her shaking her head and standing straight again. She not only needed to be careful with Derrick, she needed body armor.
She blocked out every other thought and concentrated on the guy she’d come to think of as cold-blooded. “Has anyone ever pointed out your cryptic way of speaking?”