Page 4 of Deal with Mr. Cruel

“I wanted a chance to explain everything.”

Mae let out a laugh. “Well, you should have done that before you took my clothes off,” she said, frantically gathering her dress and panties from the floor. She started toward the bathroom. “You know what? You’re just like him.”

“Who?”

“The man everyone hates.”

She slammed the bathroom door, but not before seeing the hurt flash in his eyes.

Just then, the bartender placed two bubbling champagne flutes onto the countertop, bringing her out of her memories and back to the party.

“Thank you,” Mae said softly as she left a few dollars in the tip jar.

She walked carefully through the crowd to find Nico. Everyone’s glasses started clinking. In the front of the room, Jonas was being pushed forward as everyone circled him. He had his hands in his pockets, and he shrugged awkwardly. Even awkward, he was still annoyingly handsome. Dark hair fell in his face as he laughed uncomfortably. For being a big CEO, he sure didn’t like public speaking. She couldn’t help but smile as he squirmed. For a brief moment, she let her real feelings surface.

Just then, he looked up and his eyes caught hers. She felt her cheeks flush. His eyes were a striking green. Somehow, at this crowded party, she felt like she was the only one in the room. Fearing he could see right through her, she tore her eyes away and walked in the opposite direction. She couldn’t stay here any longer. She had to get out of here. Mae spotted Nico and bore toward him.

“Whoa, sis. What’s up?” he asked, eyeing her.

“Nothing. I’m just tired,” she said, handing him his champagne.

He checked his watch. “Uh. It’s just after eight,” he said, raising an eyebrow.

“I know. It’s been a long day.”

“Okay,” Nico said hesitantly.

“I’m fine, I’m fine.” She waved him away. “You don’t have to come home with me. I’ll get a cab. You go have fun,” Mae said reassuringly. She knew the other players had plans to go out to bars after this. While Nico lived with her, she didn’t want him to feel babied. At least not all the time. In fact, it was probably time he started looking for his own place. Although, she wasn’t sure if she was ready to let him go just yet.

“Are you sure? It looks like the boss man is about to make a speech,” he said, nodding toward the front of the room.

“I’m sure.” She hugged Nico quickly and placed her unfinished glass of champagne on a nearby table. She stepped outside just as everyone started chanting, “Speech! Speech! Speech!”

Outside in the cool air, she took in a deep breath. Away from Jonas, she could relax again. What was it about tonight? Usually, she was fine working in the same office. Well, not fine, but fine enough. She kept her distance and kept their communication typed out between their inboxes. Some days, when she felt that pang in her heart, she felt tempted to look for another job. But she wanted to be close to Nico so she could keep an eye on him. Or maybe it was she wanted to be close to Jonas, too.

Mae shook her head and held her hand out for a cab. Almost immediately, one pulled up to the curb. She opened the door and gave the driver her address. The car slowly pulled away as she glanced up at the building where she worked. Leaning her head against the window, she let out a sigh. She couldn’t wait to get home, change into an oversized shirt, and crash on the couch.

“Did you have a good night, miss?” the driver asked, looking at her in the rearview mirror.

Mae nodded. She had gone and showed her face and bared more than she intended in this red dress. Instead of bailing, she went to a party for the man she used to love. She never told him. It was probably better that way.

Chapter 3

Jonas

Jonas stood at the bar pretending to listen to a bubbly redhead who kept mixing up football terminology with baseball, trying to sound like she actually watched the sport. He politely nodded and looked around the bar for anyone to come save him. He spotted Nico talking with a few players and wondered where Mae was. He was kind of annoyed with her for leaving tonight’s party so quickly, and the blur of her red dress walking out the door kept playing repeatedly in his mind.

He had come out to the bars to try and distract himself. Now he was stuck listening to this girl talk about how she watched the touchdown in the ninth inning. He couldn’t help but let out a laugh under his breath. She raised an eyebrow at him questioningly. He cleared his throat and let her continue. Jonas was used to women like this. Pretending they cared about the sport of baseball, trying to impress him. He knew they weren’t really interested inhim. They were interested in who he was or who he could connect them with. That’s why nothing serious ever came out of nights like this, and that’s exactly how he wanted it.

He spotted Chad across the bar and gave him a look that could only be determined as a cry for help. Chad nodded knowingly, finished his drink, and walked over to Jonas. He was one of the vets on the team, and they had formed a solid friendship over the years. Despite being the oldest on the team, Chad could still hold his own with the team, on and off the field.

“Hey, boss. Sorry to interrupt, but I have someone I need you to meet.”

The redhead shot Chad a look, and then softened when she realized who he was. Her interest was even more piqued. “Aren’t you—?”

Before she could finish, Chad cut her off. “It’s business, darling.”

Jonas looked at her with as much regret as he could muster up, while internally breathing a sigh of relief.