Page 102 of Love In Hiding

Bite his head off.

Throw all her frustration right in his lap and dare him to handle it.

And shewasgoing to.

She knew it, he probably knew it too, and she’d already accepted she’d regret at least half of it later.

But she had to get out the anger, the jealousy, the irritation, the whole messy knot of emotions she’d been choking on since Nelson’s little visit.

One way or another, it was coming out. Even if it was selfish of her to dump it on him so she could feel better.

“I heard Noelle is trashing me again. That she found out who we are and thinks that’s the reason she got called out.”

“Nelson told you?” he asked calmly.

“Does it matter who did?”

“Not really. But he’s the only one who I can see doing it right now. The timing is right and he was by the door when Noelle was in my office. What else did he hear?”

“You’re not denying it?”

“Nope. She knows. She has an issue with you. She thinksyou are riding a high horse because West is your cousin. You know, all those things you thought would happen when people found out. So they are. I’m not sure why you’re upset unless it’s because of the person who found out.”

“You’re right. I didn’t want people to know for that reason.”

“And you were told it’d come out, so you’ve had time to prepare. What’s the big deal?”

She hated how calm he was. “I’m not acting this way because of West. It’s who I am.”

“I know that. I think most do. If someone has a problem with it, they will take it up with you.”

She crossed her arms, her chair squeaking as she rocked back and forth in it. “What else did she say?”

“Does it matter? I took care of it.”

“I want to know what was said and what you took care of.”

“She thinks you’re bitchy. We’ve all seen signs of it, myself included. I’m not offended by your personality. I’ve learned how to handle it,” he said, a smirk lifting at the corner of his lip.

Nowhe was joking.

Any other time she might find that statement funny.

Butnotnow.

She ignored it. “She should look in the mirror then if she thinks I’m bitchy since she went to you to complain.”

“She admitted she was that way and then said that, since I’m her boss, she hoped she could come to me to vent behind closed doors.”

“And you let her?” she asked, her voice rising. “You let her trash the woman who was in your bed this weekend as if I mean nothing?”

Thatgot a rise out of him. “London,” he said, his voicelow but touched with a growl like quality. “What am I supposed to say to her? No one knows about us. Do you think she’d be stupid enough to say those things about you to me if she knew of our relationship?”

“I don’t know,” she snapped. “Maybe she’s trying to get you to look at her that way.”

“What are you talking about?” he asked, his patience portal closing in now, his shoulders stiff, his head angled, his eyes ready to drill a hole into her.

“I heard she’s been flirting with you. I saw it myself with the first meeting.”