Bedroom Bully by Harper West

23

Rebecca

“Sooooo,”Kelly dragged out as she stalked me down to the breakroom on our floor, “I heard from a little Britty-Bee that you might be giving Mr. Doctor a second chance.”

I rolled my eyes as I filled up my empty to-go coffee. “Word travels fast.”

She rushed to my side and jumped up to sit on the breakroom counter. “Well, it’s not like you fill me in, so.”

I snickered. “Sounds like someone’s jealous.”

“I’m hardly jealous. But I am curious.”

I sighed heavily. “Well, I don’t know if I’m going to be giving him a second chance.”

“Does that mean you won’t be using any of your fun, new toys with Mr. Doctor?”

I rolled my eyes. “I haven’t even opened them yet. I’m still not sure if they’re for me. I mean, they were fun in my dreams. The idea of them intrigued me. But I still feel so embarrassed with how Michael treated me at the bowling alley that I’m not sure I want to indulge that side of me with anyone.”

She rested her hand on my shoulder. “Hey, look at me.”

I peeked up at her. “Yeah?”

Her face grew stern. “Don’t let anyone take away your happiness. If it wasn’t for him? Then, that’s on him. Not everyone has the same kinks, but don’t let that shame you for yours. You have a little kink in you, and it’s your choice if you want to indulge it, or even talk about it.”

I smiled softly. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

Then, she scooted closer. “So, about that ankle bar you bought.”

“Yes,” JoJo said behind me, “I’d love to hear all about that.”

My back stiffened and Kelly’s eyes widened as her gaze shot over my shoulder. I wanted to turn around and smack the ever-loving shit out of him, but I resisted the urge. He came over to where we were and reached around me to snatch the coffee pot from my hand. I didn’t even bother watching him as he poured his coffee before handing the pot back to me.

“Looks like you need to make some more,” he said.

I slid the coffee pot back onto the hot plate. “You emptied it, you refill it.”

Kelly balked at the way I got snippy with JoJo, but I didn’t care. Even as he stared down the back of my head, I refused to give him the time of day. I was already embarrassed that he knew what we were talking about, and I could almost guarantee that he’d find some sort of retribution because of it.

And as he stood there, quietly stirring creamer into his coffee, Kelly slid off the counter. “Why don’t we take this conversation into your office?”

I nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

JoJo cleared his throat. “Have a good day, ladies.”

“You too, Mr. Ryker,” she said.

I, however, ignored the fuck out of him as I left the breakroom.

“He’s so damn creepy sometimes,” Kelly whispered as she walked alongside me.

I shook my head. “He’s always been like that. His entire life, he’s done nothing but manipulate and hover. He’s no better than his parents.”

She whistled lowly. “Someone’s got some strong feelings today.”

I walked into my office. “I have strong feelings every day. But today, I have a particularly big dose of ‘fuck you’ for the entire world to chew on.”

She smiled. “All right, I can get behind that. Oh, are you free for lunch?”

I pointed at her. “Me and Brit are probably heading to that Thai place she loves so much. You coming?”

“Hell, yeah. Their soups are to die for. Meet you guys downstairs?”

I nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Sounds like a yummy plan,” JoJo said as he walked up behind Kelly.

I glared at him. “Do you need something?”

He grinned. “As a matter of fact, I do.”

Kelly eyed me carefully. “You want me to hang around?”

“No,” JoJo said.

“She asked me,” I said.

His eyes grew hardened. “It’s sensitive business. She can’t be here for it.”

Kelly kept her eyes on me. “You just say the word.”

I drew in a deep breath. “I’m good. I’ll see you and Brit for lunch, okay?”

She nodded slowly. “Let me know if you need anything.”

And after she slipped around JoJo, he wasted no time slipping into my office and trying to close the door.

“Actually, leave that open,” I said.

He quirked an eyebrow. “Like I said, this is sensitive--.”

“Leave. It open.”

He stared me down. “Very well.”

I didn’t want to be behind a closed door with him, but I also wanted his time and attention. At this point, I wasn’t trying to figure out why the fuck I felt that way about some sick, twisted man, but I went with it. I didn’t want him touching me, though.

What I wanted were answers.

“So,” he said as he came to stand by me near my desk, “any particular reason why you aren’t wearing a dress today?”

I shrugged. “Didn’t feel like it.”

He chewed on the inside of his cheek. “But yoga pants and a baggy shirt are work appropriate?”

I snickered. “You’ve got H.R. individuals downstairs in tank-tops and booty shorts because you refuse to fix their A/C, but my pants are an issue?”

He furrowed his brow. “You’re particularly spicy today. Is something the matter?”

“Actually, yeah. Something is the matter, and you’re at the root of it.”

He slid his hands into his pockets. “Allow me to clear the air of my name, then.”

I set my coffee down and took my opening. “Remember that car accident back in 2011? You know, the one that sent you and my sister to the hospital?”

His eyes grew dark. “What about it?”

I stood toe-to-toe with him. “It’s funny, I tried looking up information about it last night, but the local newspapers never wrote about it. Which is odd, because that little local newspaper and magazine station wrote about everything that happened in town. Even rumors and hearsay.”

“Get to the point, Rebecca.”

I held my head high with pride. “I think your parents paid people off so they wouldn’t write that story. I think something stinks about the accident. I think the scar etched across my sister’s back is because of bullshit you got her into, and she’s so damn scared of you she won’t even talk about it. My sister was funny, and outgoing, and beautiful, and vivacious until you met her. Until you sucked the ever-living life out of her while crushing on me all those years.”

He barked. “Get to the point!”

I lost my mind and wrapped my hand around his tie so I could pull his face down to mine. “My point, you asshole, is that I’m on to you. You ruined my sister. You ruined her life. And I’m going to find out why. I’m going to find out what the fuck was so damn important that your parents paid people off not to write about it. I’m going to figure out why you walked away unscathed while my sister can’t even make a life for herself because she’s too drugged-up to know the damn difference. And when I do, I’m going to ruin you the way you ruined her. The way you’re trying to ruin me. You understand?”

He knocked my hand away and hovered over me, but I stood my ground. I dared him to put his hands on me with that fucking door open. His growl rumbled up from the back of his throat. He gnashed his teeth together like a wild animal ready to tear into his prey.

But, instead of coming at me the way I figured he would, he started stepping toward the door.

“When you realize how utterly wrong you are, I’ll expect a very hefty apology. And you won’t like the format I request for it.”

I scoffed. “Nice words coming from the man who almost got my sister killed.”

He whipped around. “I would have never--!”

I tilted my head. “Cat got your tongue?”

He waved his hand in the air, as if to dismiss the entire issue. “Fuck you and what you think. Get on with your day and then get out of my sight.”

“Best thing you’ve said to me all month.”