Page 78 of My Grumpy Alpha

I raise my fist.

“You coming?” Ava calls back.

“HAHA.” I pull Marvin in for a side hug.

“Yup, just thanking Marvin for all that he does, just thanking him so hard…” Marvin grunts as I hug him. I lean down and whisper, “Do that again and I’m driving you off a cliff, mm kay?”

I expect him to cower, instead, he turns to me.

“Keep her safe, mm kay?” And slaps me on the chest and walks away.

What the hell sort of parallel universe have I created?

At my own company?

He drives off.

And I chase after Ava.

Funny, I always told her to run.

Who’s running now?

“Wait up,” I call after Ava. I say hi to the doorman, then instinctively put my hand on the small of her back. One would think we were dating.

Dating.

The most terrifying word.

I think I prefer just saying we have an arrangement even though everything in me screams to claim her and make her know how important she is.

We get in the elevator.

It’s quiet.

She yawns again.

And while I want to get her naked, I realize that my haunting reality is that I’d rather see her in sweats, with a glass of wine, watching TV and that I’d still be satisfied.

What the hell?

I’ve gone soft.

I’ve grown feelings.

This can’t happen.

And then I wonder why not? Why can’t it happen? Because she might reject me? Because it’s not fair to trap her with me for the rest of her life? Because her career is at stake.

Then again, I own the company, people will talk, but I’m still the CEO. Would Xavier use it as leverage?

Would she feel used?

“Hey,” Ava taps me on the shoulder.

“Are we getting off?”

We already got off.