The Boss's Pet (2)

The Boss's Pet (2)
RHYS

I want to barge into the office and give the employee a piece of my mind, but Kira beats me to it.
A cold chuckle escapes her mouth. "Is that so?"
"Isn’t it obvious?" The other woman’s tone is dripping with so much spite that I know she is glaring at Kira even if I cannot see her.
I hear the sound of liquid pouring, then Kira speaks again. "You say it like it’s something wrong, but I have read the company policy normally, backwards and sideways for safe measure. There is no rule against relationships between colleagues. So even if you were right, it would be none of your business."
"Besides," Kira continues, her voice echoing through the hall, laced with annoyance. "No, I am not his pet. Get your nonsense out of my sight before I set up a meeting for you to tell Mr. Redmond what you think of his personal life."
The woman walks out and all but scurries out of the kitchen. When she sees me, she freezes, her glasses nearly dropping to the floor.
"Mr… Mr. Redmond, I didn’t mean…" I want to fire her on the spot and warn everyone else against uttering a word, but Kira clears her throat as though she has something to say.
I shoo the woman away with a wave of my hand, and she disappears into the elevator as though I just spared her from the death sentence.
"Don’t even think about it," Kira says as soon as we are alone. "It’s merely a tiny rumor at the moment. Firing anyone for spreading it will only confirm what they think."
Like she said, what we have been doing is not against the company policy. However, there is a thin line between office relationships and what might be considered as climbing the boss’s bed for favor in the workplace.
If the rumors spread, Kira’s reputation would take the hit.
She walks past me and enters my office. I follow her just as she places a cup of coffee on my desk. "I will not be burning the midnight oil, boss. Unless you need anything else, I will be on my way."
Kira is right in my line of sight, but there is an invisible barrier between us. I wouldn’t be able to hug her if I tried. I swallow hard, reminding myself to stay in my lane.
Unless she gives the green light, I cannot so much as touch her fingers.
When Kira turns, our gazes meet, and I know she can see the plea in my eyes. I want her to let me touch her, kiss her.
Her eyes shift, and I can see the desire in them. She wants it, too.
However, she walks past me, muttering a low, "Goodnight, Mr. Redmond."
_________
This must be my third scotch in the last hour. Or ten minutes. I’ve lost track of time. I ditch my glass and down the rest of the amber liquid straight from the bottle, frowning at the burn as it goes down. It isn’t nearly enough to distract me from thoughts of the woman I haven’t seen in a week.
Since that stand-in at my office, I have been working at home, hoping it would be easier if we don’t see each other as often.
Ironically, the distance has made things worse.
"Another date this evening?" Shane grumbles behind me. I turn just as he flops onto my couch, putting his feet on the table. "You amaze me sometimes, Rhys."
"Why are you here?" I demand. I’m not in the mood to deal with his theatrics.
"Can’t you guess?" he taunts. "I have been keeping an eye on your little…" My glare makes him change what was probably an offensive word to "friend."
He exhales a dramatic breath. "Can you not look at me like you want to kill me?"
I do want to kill you for wasting my time.
"Apart from the usual, she has been visiting a certain address quite often. Maybe you have been replaced."
I glare at the idiot. "Stop investigating her."
"Have you conceded defeat?"
When I grab the gun tucked at my waist, he flees from the couch. "You don’t have to resort to violence! I only came to remind you of Phoenix Industries’ anniversary banquet, in case you were too busy moping to pay heed to it."
I secure my gun. "Do you think I’m a fool? I wouldn’t forget."
I don’t even remember when the banquet is, let alone the venue.
Shane knows this, but he doesn’t call me out. "Are you going alone? If you are taking a companion, I have to do a background check to ensure she is not affiliated with any of our enemies."
I frown. I’m about to dismiss him when a thought crosses my mind. I swirl the drink in my glass, letting the ice rattle as I think about my actions. My brain must be temporarily under maintenance, because I say, "You have already snooped into her life more than enough. I’ll handle this myself."
I dismiss Shane, but he doesn’t leave without stealing two bottles of my finest wine. Lucky for him, I’m too focused on the type of dress I should buy to care.
After an evening of shopping in the women’s section long enough for the saleswoman to give me questioning looks, I finally find the best dress for Kira. Deep blue with a plunging back and spaghetti straps. She would look perfect in this, of course she would. But again, Kira would wear a sack and still look phenomenal.
I send the dress to her apartment with an invitation to the banquet and let out a breath of relief. Finally, after a week of restlessness, I will be able to catch adequate sleep.
The doorbell wakes me the following morning. My annoyance turns into excitement when I remember I sent an invitation to Kira. It must be her response. The reminder that I shouldn’t be letting a woman influence my joy or sorrow flies out the door when I open it.
I immediately recognize the white box I sent the dress in.
"Did she not like the dress?" I ask the delivery boy, a teenager with a ridiculous mohawk.
He is as confused as he looks, shaking his head. "I don’t know."
Shocker.
I take the box and open it on the spot. The dress is lying inside with the invitation on top of it, both covered in blood.