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“Unlike you, Mia, I don’t care what people think.”
“Someone has to for the sake of this company, especially when the gossip is that my brother is hot for his assistant.”
I press a hand to my chest and try not to freak out. Do people think I’m sleeping with the boss, too?
Aren’t you?
Okay, I am, but do educational purposes really count?
“She’s pretty, and he’s human. That doesn’t mean they’re involved or that she’s his girlfriend.”
“But is she?”
“Fuck if I know. There’s no proof he’s pursuing Kiera. Frankly, I hope he’s dating someone or at least considering it. And if he is, after the Amber debacle, you should be happy for him.”
Mia sighs. “Why will you never give me a straight answer? This is bullsh—”
“Language.” Jake’s voice lowers an octave.
“Don’t give me that shit. You don’t own me.”
I risk a peek around the side of the car to find Jake pressing Mia against the vehicle, his hands bracketing her head and caging her in. His face hovers inches above hers. I can practically feel the tension sparking between them.
Wait. Are they…into each other?
“What did I say about language?” Jake growls.
“I can say whatever the fuck I want to say.”
As if they’re the only two people on the planet, they share a long moment of silence. Their exchange is so intense, I can’t tell if it’s an argument…or foreplay. Whatever the case, he isn’t backing down—and neither is she.
Eventually, Jake’s face softens. “How long have we known each other?”
She pushes at his chest. “Long enough for you to get on my nerves. Look, you and Jonathan own equal percentages of this company. If he gets caught in some…legal altercation, he’ll be taking you down with him.” Her brows furrow. “Why aren’t you more concerned?”
“J has everything under control.”
Mia gives an exasperated sigh. “That’s not an answer. If you’re not going to help me, I’ll find the truth myself.”
She starts to shoulder her way past him when Jake grabs hold of her arm and, with a gentle tug, hauls her back to his side. “Leave it alone. Everything is fine. He’s working on something that could really help KH Industries explode. Kiera is pitching in. But what’s happening is coming fast, and he’s been under a lot of stress. I’ll be helping out and doing what I can to help squash some of the rumors. I can’t say more, but I need you to trust me, okay?”
“Why would I ever do that? I know you too well. If you’re both hiding something, I have to get some answers and start doing some damage control before the sharks start circling.”
I close my eyes. I had no idea introducing myself as my boss’s girlfriend to someone as influential as Maya would throw Jonathan’s entire inner circle of friends and family into an uproar.
“God, do you have such daddy issues that you refuse to trust anyone with a penis? That you’ll happily throw all the men in your life under the bus to save yourself?”
“Don’t turn this on me. It’s not just me I’m trying to save.”
Jake throws up his hands in surrender. “You keep telling yourself that. In the meantime, don’t do anything rash. And try not to be so stressed out.”
“I’m not stressed.” She crosses her arms over her chest, wearing her sass like armor.
“You’re totally stressed. You know, baby girl…” He saunters close again until he backs her against the car once more. “I’d be happy to relieve that for you.”
“Not interested.” But the shudder of her body suggests she absolutely is.
“Liar.” His voice turns to velvet. “I could make you feelsogood.”
