Laura Lee

“What are you so smiley about?”

“I could ask you the same. Considering the current circumstances, you must’ve been talking to someone pretty special.” He looked around. “Speaking of pretty special someones... where is your beautiful assistant?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Maui. Why do you care?”

“Why didn’t she come back with you?”

“Because I told her to take a couple of days off,” I answered matter-of-factly. “She’s never been to Maui before—I wanted her to enjoy it. There’s not much she can do anyway until we figure out what’s going on.”

Liam’s eyes lit up with amusement. “Interesting.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

He laughed. “Are you still going to lie to my face and tell me you’re not fucking her?”

I rubbed my temples. “Jesus, Liam, not this again. We have other shit to worry about right now.”

“So, you are fucking her. Glad we finally got that out of the way.” Liam held his hands up when I glared at him. “Hey man, I’m the last person who would judge you. Quinn’s brilliant, driven, and fucking gorgeous. Quite frankly, I’m surprised it took you this long. I only made it six months with Avery before I snapped.”

“I’m not just fucking her,” I growled.

He steepled his fingers. “No? Then what are you doing with your lovely assistant?”

I rolled a pen back and forth over my desk. Fuck it, if anyone could keep a secret, it was this man. “I... want to be with her. With or without the fucking. I really like being around her, whatever the reason.”

Liam smiled. “It’s about damn time you admitted that. Does she know?”

“Yes, she knows. She feels the same. Now can we move past all this feelings bullshit and—”

When I stepped into my office, I had to look back and check the nameplate. Ronan’s name was still on the door, but for some reason, our COO’s assistant, Ms. Stuart, was sitting behind my desk. Was she acting as his temp in my absence?

She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “May I help you with something, Miss Montgomery?”

“Um... no, thank you. I appreciate you filling in for me, but I’m back so you can return to Mr. Moore now.”

She appraised me thoughtfully. “Miss Montgomery, I’m afraid you’re mistaken. You now report to Mr. Moore. There was a company-wide memo a few hours ago. I’m guessing you haven’t had a chance to read it?”

What the hell?

“No, I haven’t had the chance to read anything because my system access has been blocked for the last few days!”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “There’s no need to shout.”

I looked back to Antonio and Sylvie. “Did you guys know about this?”

Antonio threw his hands up. “Yes! That’s what we were trying to talk to you about.”

“This has to be a mistake.” I headed toward Ronan’s office and reached for the handle.

Ms. Stuart jumped up from the desk. “You can’t just go in there! He’s very busy.”

“That’s bullshit, Ronan! What’s the real reason? You don’t think I should report to you any longer because of our personal relationship?”

He stretched his neck to the side. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken there as well, Miss Montgomery. We do not have a personal relationship.”

I blinked a few times to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. “I’m sorry, what? What about everything that happened in Hawaii?”

Ronan loosened his tie and popped the first button on his shirt open. “Surely, you don’t think I should be held accountable for anything I said during pillow talk?” He gave me a slimy grin. “Miss Montgomery, your pussy is truly exceptional, and I enjoyed our time together, but that’s run its course now, don’t you think? I trust that you will remain professional and not breathe a word about our sexual encounters to anyone.”

“Wow... I don’t know what the fuck to say to that.” I pinched the bridge of my nose to fight off the looming tears. “So... to be clear, when you said you wanted to be with me on a personal level, you didn’t mean a word of it? It was all just ‘pillow talk’ that I shouldn’t take seriously?”

He swallowed. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. I’m glad we’re both in agreement. Now if you’ll excu—”

I held my hand up to cut him off. “Stop. Just fucking stop lying to me! If you can’t be man enough to tell me the truth, then fuck you, Ronan. Fuck you and your lateral move bullshit. You don’t need to worry about my professionalism—or lack thereof—because I quit.”

If I wasn’t mistaken, I’d swear he looked upset, but that was quickly masked.

“You’re being childish, don’t you think?” He couldn’t possibly have looked more bored as he said that. “You and I both know that you won’t find a better opportunity than what you have here. Or a better salary. Quite frankly, Miss Montgomery, you’re crazy if you think leaving is the best answer.”

I laughed, a little maniacally if I was being honest. “You know what? Maybe I am crazy considering how many stupid, reckless decisions I’ve made over the last month. But don’t worry; I’m seeing things perfectly clear now. I couldn’t be more confident that leaving is the best solution. I’ve put up with you for two years too long and I’m not going to waste another minute of my life doing it.” I walked across the room and opened the door. Before leaving, I turned back and said, “Fuck you, Ronan. I’m sorry I ever met you.”