Rural Romance by Alexa Riley

Chapter Nine

Lux

Heat rushes to my face because I’ve just been caught kissing my boss. Could I be any more cliché? I haven't been here five minutes and I’m already messing up. I’m really starting to think that moving to the city was a big mistake.

The woman at the door looks genuinely shocked while Bastian looks pissed. My stomach tightens, and with all the emotions surrounding me right now, it’s hard to read the mood in the room. I can’t tell if the woman is about to lose it or not, but either way I need to get the heck out of here.

I’m in desperate need of space between Bastian and me for a moment. One second alone with him and I fell under his spell. When he’s close, I lose all control, and even now it’s taking all my control to not reach up and touch my lips. His kiss has left an imprint on me in a way I’ve never felt. I didn't know a kiss could be that powerful as it literally took my breath away.

“I’m sorry.” I hurry to get out of my chair and make my escape but trip over Bastian’s foot in my rush. Thankfully he catches me before I can face plant on the floor, but it’s still somehow just as embarrassing as getting caught kissing. Juno is going to get a good laugh about all this later when I call her.

“So it’s not only heels?” Bastian teases under his breath, but all I want to do is get out of this office. I just need him to stop being so damn charming while I’m trying to do it.

“Sorry,” I mutter again before trying to take my hand from his. His fingers tighten for a moment before he finally releases me, and though he’s let me go, I still feel his possessive hold like an invisible rope. I head straight for the door, and the beautiful dark-haired woman quickly steps out of my way. “Sorry,” I say to her too as I walk past her, because “sorry” is apparently the only word I know right now.

I close the door behind me and lean up against it, releasing a breath. What if she reports us? I can’t lose this job, and who knows what will happen to Bastian. I’m sure there are other temp agencies I can reach out to, but who knows how long that will take. Bastian hadn’t said a word after being caught kissing me. He only stood there while I was the one issuing the apologies. Frustration spikes because of course he didn’t say anything. I wasn’t kissing myself in there, so he could have at least taken some of the responsibility.

“You okay, dear?” Katie asks, giving me a confused look at my distress.

“I’m fine,” I respond too loudly.

Her eyebrows pull together, and she keeps assessing me. I have the worst poker face, and she doesn’t look like she believes a word of what I’m saying. I’ve always been terrible at hiding my emotions, and it’s why I hardly ever get anything past my brothers. I fold like a cheap chair.

Behind me, there’s shouting coming from Bastian’s office, and I cringe. I can’t tell what’s being said because even this close the words are muffled through the thick wooden doors.

“Don’t worry about them.” Katie waves her hand. “Ms. Starnes can get worked up rather easily.” My stomach drops.

“Ms. Starnes?” I repeat.

“Selma Starnes. It’s an old habit calling people by their last names, but Bastian doesn't like us being so formal when it’s just us around.

“Is there a bathroom?” I look around because I’m pretty sure I’m about to throw up.

Katie motions to a door across the way. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I just need a minute.” When I get to the bathroom I lean over the sink and put my hands under the cold water. I pat the back of my neck and forehead to try and cool down so I don’t lose the contents of my breakfast. When I look up in the mirror I see my cheeks are red, my lips are swollen, and my eyes are wide with fear.

He’s married. What the hell.

Shame hits me next, and I have no clue what to do now. Do I quit or just walk out? Or do I wait to be fired by him or his wife? I was about to take him up on his offer for dinner, and after that kiss I would have taken him up on just about anything.

I hate to admit that I was completely dazzled that he’d gone to those lengths to track me down. He wanted to see me again so badly that he did all of this and got me a job. After our long talk Friday he knew I wasn't into the bunny thing and was looking for an opportunity. Now I just see that whole conversation as manipulative, and it makes me mad at myself.

He’s probably one of those typical rich assholes that doesn't like not getting what he wants, and that’s what this is really about. He’s really no better than the other men that night. At least they were honest about what they wanted. I bought into the whole good guy vibe because I’m naïve. This is exactly what my brothers feared the most about me moving away.

At least his wife knows her husband is up to no good. If she even cares with the way Katie waved off their fight.

After a long moment in the bathroom I get myself together and take a deep breath. I can’t stay in here all day letting my thoughts spiral, so I decide to face whatever is waiting on me and head back to my desk. I’ll do my best to play it cool until I’m told otherwise.

“I need you to put these binders together. This is an example one of how they should all look.” Katie hands me a blue binder. “I printed off all the pages, and they are in the copy room for you.” She points down the hallway. “They’re probably still printing, but everything you need will be in there too.”

“How many would you like me to make?” I snag my phone off my desk and slide it into my pocket.

“Let’s start with fifty for now.”

“I’ll go get to it.” When I get to the printer, it’s still going, so I pull my phone back out and send an email to the agency about this place not being a fit for me.

After that, I grab a stack of papers and take it back to my desk. I’m not there for ten minutes when Selma comes walking out of Bastian’s office. Her eyes look me up and down before she shakes her head and walks away. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding because I thought for half a second she might slap me or something. Not that I would blame her. I don’t know what I’d do in her situation.

My phone buzzes in my pocket so I go back to the copy room to grab some more binders. When I pull it out, I see I have an email response from the temp agency.

I’ll see about getting a replacement for you, but keep in mind you’ll be moved to the bottom of the pile as I told you before. Do not walk out or leave them high and dry. I will not allow this agency’s perfect record with Balman and Pierce to be marked. They are a big name in this city.

Yikes. I’m in trouble any way I look at it, so I decide to stick it out and put my phone back into my pocket. I’ll just stay clear of Bastian and keep my head down.

Just as I’m telling myself this, Bastian walks into the copy room and shuts the door behind him. When I hear the lock click into place, every part of my body goes on red alert. He turns around and stalks towards me, and my fight or flight kicks in. I back away from him until my back hits the far wall, and then I’m trapped.

“This isn’t happening,” I say, holding my hands in front of me.

To his credit, he stops when I say so, but I’m surprised when a look of confusion crosses his face.

“I’m sorry I kissed you at the office,” he admits, his voice soft and soothing. “You test my control even though I know this isn’t the right place.” He actually smirks as his eyes move over my body and he comes into my personal space. “But tonight you’re fair game.”

Before I know what I’m doing, my hand lashes out and makes contact with the side of his face. A stinging sensation pulses from my palm, and I try not to wince. “Ouch,” I say and shake out my hand. I had no idea slapping someone would hurt so much.

“What the hell?” He’s shocked as he brings his hand up to his reddening cheek.

“Are you serious right now? You’re married,” I hiss at him.

“I am not married.” He says it with so much conviction that it surprises me.

“Sure, and she didn’t just catch us kissing in your office,” I spit, and I’m not prepared for his reaction.

He throws his head back and lets out a laugh so long and deep that I’m confused. I suppose this is better than him throttling me, because I’m starting to think I’ve gotten something wrong. It’s not the first time I let my imagination run wild and get me into trouble.

“Selma is my sister, Bunny.”

My mouth falls open, and I stand there in shock. What am I supposed to say to that? Oh god, is he actually a good guy?

“I’m sorry?” It comes out more like a question, and I think my stomach drops to my feet.

“You use that word far too much.”

I start to say it again but quickly shut my mouth. I think he’s trying to hold back another wave of laughter, and I think about how this day keeps getting more embarrassing the longer I’m in his presence.

“About dinner—” he begins, and I cut him off.

“I know, it’s fine. We shouldn’t date anyway.” I give him a polite way to get out of his offer from before, but he looks at me like he thinks I’m crazy.

Honestly, why would he even want to date me at this point? It’s clear he’s the whole package, and I’m just some crazy featherbrain that’s falling all around him.

“That’s not what I was going to say. I thought since you smacked me that maybe you’re the one that owes me a favor. So you should cook our dinner tonight to make up for it.”

“You still want to go on a date?” I ask, not believing this guy wants anything to do with me.

“Can you really cook?” His smile makes my knees weak.

“Of course. It’s one of my favorite things to do.” I actually miss the kitchen back home, but the one in my apartment isn’t terrible.

“Then after work we’ll go to my place, and you’ll make us dinner.”

“Okay,” I find myself agreeing with him without an ounce of hesitation.

Slowly, he leans down and brushes his mouth against mine. “Sorry, Bunny. Like I said, I have no control with you.”

When he pulls back, I can’t help but think he has a lot more control than I do right now. I stay frozen in place as he goes to the door and unlocks it. But before he walks out, he turns back to me and smiles.

“Oh, and Bunny, stop emailing the temp agency. You’re not going anywhere.”