Chapter 13

Well, at least that's what I thought would happen but I was surely mistaken. In fact, I was taken aback by his response.

He did just stand there for a couple of seconds. I was starting to believe he had frozen to the damn spot.

His icy, silver glare rose from the ground and met me. "Is that so? Well, that just sounds splendid." He snarled through gritted teeth.

Bryce didn't wait for another word to escape my lips and simply migrated to his office.

That was what actually happened. And for the rest of the day, he never went out. He didn't call me in and I certainly didn't go in there. I just carried on my duties, finished off the contracts and when it was home time, I packed my stuff.

But could I just really leave without telling him.

No.

Hesitantly, I stalked over to his office door and knocked. After a few seconds, he told me to come in quietly.

When I walked in, he was seated at his desk with his back towards me. It kind of reminded me of the day he summoned me here for the first time. And to think, that was three days ago.

"Umm, I'm leaving now. Do you need anything else before I go?" I asked nervously, the events of today replaying in my mind.

"No. You can leave." He said in a dismissive tone. That cold tone he only could execute so impeccably.

I was about to leave when he spoke up again. "Before you leave, here is your pay check." He said, turning around.

Bryce reached for his desk drawers and pulled out a white envelope. He stretched his hand out for me to reach.

I walked closer to him, then took the envelope from him but before I could retract, he grabbed my hand. Some delicious feeling surged through my veins immediately. Gosh, I need help.

He looked at me with those piercing eyes, with a hidden emotion I couldn't decipher.

"Don't go out with him." He stated, more like pleaded. "Hunter is not a good guy. He will only hurt you."

I slapped his hand away. "And why would I take your advice?" I retorted sarcastically. "Listen, Bryce, I can go out with whoever I want and you don't have a say in it. You, for all I care, can date whoever you want. You can even go screw Tatiana right now. You are just my boss, not my father or my husband. Let's get that straight. I never want to have this conversation again." I said in one breath, then took a pause.

For some reason, his grip on my hand tightened. His eyes darkened nefariously. He stood up, slowly and it was scaring me because his eyes were deeply fixated on me. "Fuck that shit. I tried to ask nicely, but I'm done with that. You aren't going out with him. Period. All he wants to do is get in your goddamned pants!"

By now, he was only a few inches away from me, his iron grip on my hand. My heart was beating so fast right now. This was the side of Bryce that I feared since the day we got together.

I wish I had just left without talking to him. Why hadn't I just done that?

"Bryce, let me go." I said, not making the mistake of showcasing my fear. I need to stand strong.

But he didn't listen. All he did was step closer to me, so that our chests were touching. His grip now starting to hurt.

Oh, so you want to be stubborn, hey? We'll see about that.

I met his stare, with one of my own. I slowly glided my hand up his chest, which was heaving, and to the nape of his neck. His glare faltered, and his grip loosened.

I smirked inwardly. I then grabbed his neck and pulled him down towards my face. We were so close now that my lips brushed his.

His grip was a distant memory now. Using this to my advantage, I brought my other hand to caress the smooth, glowing skin of his face. I could feel him shivering under my touch.

"Aubrey," he whispered ever so faintly.

I used my finger to trace his lips, never breaking my glance from his. I leaned forward, as if I was about to kiss, but passed his lips to his ear.

"You don't own me. Well, not anymore at least." I purred mockingly, then left afterwards.

I didn't bother to stop until I reached the bottom floor. Bryce didn't even call me back. Maybe he was too stunned to do so.

Damn, that felt so good. Maybe a little too good.

Edwin was seated patiently in the Cadillac.

"Hey Edwin. Take me home please." I chanted, getting into the car.

He fired up the engine and drove off. I could feel him looking at me through the back view mirror.

"What's that smile about, Miss Whitlock? You must've had a brilliant day." He said, curiosity etched on his aging face.

My smile widened. "Let's just say that life got a bit more interesting."

After I said that, his phone started ringing. He picked it up and answered.

"Good evening, Mr Roberts...Yes, she's still in here...Of course."

He handed me his cellular. "Mr Roberts would like to speak to you."

I snorted, but took the phone anyway. "Sir, it's after office hours."

"You little vixen." He breathed, and I smirked. "Don't initiate something you won't win. I hope you enjoyed your little moment of victory because-"

"You're going to get me back?" I cut him off. "Be my guest, Bryce. I would really love that, but could we commence after my date with Logan?" I added haughtily.

I could totally hear his anger and I liked the sound of it. I want him to fume, to be going insane at the thought of me going out with Logan.

He laughed wickedly, and it was absolutely arousing. "Don't say I didn't warn you. You're getting yourself into a shit storm, Aubrey. You will regret this, especially when he strips you of your dignity." Then the line went dead.

Those words got my heart racing. For some odd reason, some nagging feeling was telling me to not go on the date, but my pride told me otherwise.

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