“Okay,” he said easily.
Phew, she was worried about nothing. Feeling stupid, she leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheek as he stopped the car. Alex cupped the back of her head and took her mouth with his; turning what should have been a quick peck into a toe-curling, head-spinning, amazingly hot kiss.
“Damn,” she whispered as he pulled back.
Alex smiled and her heart nearly stopped.
“You’re so gorgeous,” she blurted out.
His grin widened. “Thank you.”
“Gotta go,” she said quickly, opening her door.
“I’ll pick you up tonight at five-thirty,” he said.
“No need. I’ll make my own way over to your apartment after I’ve been to my place.”
“I’ll be here at five-thirty,” he said in a firm voice that brooked no argument. “Call me if you have to work late.”
“Okay,” she replied. She knew he was worried about her after last night. She was used to taking care of herself. It was an adjustment having someone else worry and fuss over her. It was also kind of sweet.
Tara walked inside. She glanced into Tim’s office but he wasn’t in there. Tim wasn’t a morning person. She grabbed her mug and made her way down to the small staff room to grab some much needed coffee.
As she walked back to her office, she heard Tim’s raised voice. She quickened her step; she’d hoped to be at her desk before he got in. Tara came to a stop as she peered into Tim’s office to see who he was yelling at.
Seriously, it couldn’t be. It must be someone who looked like him. She’d just left him…
“Tara, what is this guy talking about?” Tim barked as he saw her. Oh shit, she was in trouble. When Tim got really angry, he started to look like a bulldog. His cheeks puffed out and his eyes grew small and beady.
The other man turned around and yep, it was Alex. He had the gall to smile at her.
“Alex, what are you doing here?” Her voice squeaked. How embarrassing.
“What is he doing here? He’s making outrageous demands, that’s what he’s doing,” Tim yelled. “Get in here and shut the damn door.”
Tara practically ran into the office, slamming the door shut behind her.
“Do you swear at all your employees?” Alex asked quietly.
Oh crap, this was going from bad to worse. When Alex was at his most quiet you knew he was furious. Tim didn’t understand that, though. Tim was a yeller. It was the only language he understood.
“Swearing! That wasn’t swearing. Swearing would be saying, who the fuck is this guy, Tara? And what the fuck makes you think you can send him in here, demanding things for you? I thought we had an understanding. You fucking well do what you’re told and I won’t fire you!”
Oh God. Oh God.
“Apologize to her,” Alex said coldly. His face grew scary. “Now.”
Tara grabbed Alex’s hand. She’d never thought of him as violent. He always displayed incredible control.
But he hadn’t met Tim before.
“It’s okay, Alex.”
He turned his blue gaze on her. Piercing her. Tara immediately dropped her gaze, not because she was scared of him, but because she knew he needed her help to regain control.
“Sir, please.”
She heard him take a deep breath and knew he was gathering back his control.