Page 37 of Boss from Hell
I didn’t know I was frowning until Lillian asked me if anything was wrong.
“Nothing’s wrong. Chris has sent me a bunch of photos of tuxedos to choose from, but I’m always terrible at picking clothes. That’s why I have a stylist who shops for all my clothes.From suits, shirts, ties, and even socks. Made my life a whole lot easier the day I hired her.”
“Why is Chris sending you photos of tuxedos to choose from?”
“He’s getting married and he’s asked me to be the best man. This is part of it, I suppose,” I muttered.
“Can I take a look?”
I handed my phone to her and she peered down at the screen, her brow creased in concentration. Her face looked so fresh and clean. So fuckable.
She handed my phone back to me. “The dark grey in the second photo is extra special.”
I looked at the second suit and nodded. “Yeah, I like it too.” I typed a reply to Chris, then set my phone back on the table and looked at Lillian.
“Thank you. You’ve saved my life. I hate choosing clothes.”
To my surprise, she laughed. She had never laughed before. I stared at her with fascination. “My mom did all my dad’s clothes shopping. I doubt he ever picked out a shirt for himself in all the years they were married.”
Her voice carried the warmth and love she felt for her family. She even looked different. It made me wonder about her. I knew hardly anything about her. And suddenly I was curious, intensely curious about her. I wanted to know everything there was to know.
“What?” she asked. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
I said the first thing that came into my head. “I was wondering if you’d like to do some shopping. Take my credit card and buy yourself something sexy to wear for tonight.”
Her expression became inscrutable, then she dropped her gaze, and all the warmth that had animated her face when she was talking about her family was gone. When she looked up, the calm, unflappable mask she wore in the office was back.
“It’s okay. I already have something sexy to wear tonight.”
I couldn’t understand it. Women loved it when I offered them my credit card. Getting it back was usually the problem.
“Well, get some underwear then. I keep ripping them.”
“Why? Why do you want me to use your credit card?” Her voice was cold.
The question confused me. What the hell had offended her? I shrugged. “I want to buy you something.”
Of course, I wasn’t doing it from the goodness of my heart. Generosity ensured that when I ended the relationship, a woman would not feel used or at least less used. If anything, she would feel clever having left with something of value.
I’d never seen her solemn blue eyes look so distant and sad. “I don’t need expensive gifts from you.”
She pushed her chair back and walked to the second bedroom where all her clothes were. I was gobsmacked. No one had ever reacted like that when I offered them free money. I didn’t know how to react in turn. She returned a few minutes later, dressed.
“All the best for your meeting with Jed Burner.” Without a smile or hint of friendliness, she turned around and left, shutting the door firmly behind her.
“I’ll be damned,” I said aloud.
I pushed her out of my mind, determined to get some work done. It worked somewhat, though it felt like war, with Lillian pushing into my mind and me forcing her out. It didn’t help that her scent was everywhere, disrupting me and creating a longing for her.
I was glad when it was time to get ready for my meeting with Jed Burner. As I dressed, I couldn’t help but wonder what Lillian was doing at that very moment.
Jed Burner was already at the restaurant when I got there and he stood when he spotted me crossing the room. We shook hands.
As we ate, I quizzed him about his current job and how he had managed to turn it around that fast. It felt good to be free from the thoughts of Lillian.
“The kind of questions you’re asking are making me think you have an interesting offer?” Jed said as he tucked into swordfish and grilled potatoes.
I smiled. “I might have.”