Page 108 of Office Intrigue (Office Intrigue Duet 1)
I vowed to keep my mouth shut.
She leaned in close and I could smell the stench of alcohol on her breath.
“You know they’re not interested, right? You’re just a baby. Won’t matter how short you make those skirts you wear. They wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole.”
Great.
“Look,” she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness, “I just don’t want to see you get hurt. The truth is, Landon and Langston are into something that sweet little girls like you know nothing about. I’m close to them and I know things you don’t.”
Yeah. I could almost guarantee that wasn’t the case.
“And tonight, I fully intend to see how far they’re willing to go.”
My eyes snapped over to her face. “What does that mean?”
“God, you’re so naïve. I still have no idea where they found you.” She turned to face the bar. “Those two require an experienced woman, honey. Not one who’s still wearing training wheels.”
“Who wears training wheels?” I asked, unable to hide the sarcasm from my tone.
“It’s just best you understand now. Sure, my colleagues might pretend you deserve the praise for managing the office and keeping those men in line, but we all know better. It doesn’t take much to answer phones and fill in calendars. Once they’ve sampled the goodies, they’ll boot you to the curb.”
“I thought you said they weren’t interested,” I countered. “Why would they sample anything?”
A hand landed on my shoulder and I shifted to see who it was. Another warm body moved behind me and I realized the objects of this woman’s affections were standing right behind me and she had absolutely no idea.
“Just like the others, you’ll figure it out soon enough. Those two are interested in someone who’s got more to offer.” Misty took a sip of her drink, staring down at the bar. “Not a lowly secretary.”
If she would’ve looked up even a fraction of an inch, she would’ve seen Landon and Langston standing there.
“I haven’t been able to spend enough time with them, but they know what I want. The same thing they do. And this time I fully intend to show them everything I can offer. See, I’m not the type who’ll try to come between them. I actually prefer the two of them at the same—”
Landon cleared his throat.
As if in slow motion, Misty’s head swung around, her eyes landing on the two men standing behind me. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped.
“We didn’t mean to interrupt,” Landon said, his hand still on my shoulder.
“Oh, you weren’t,” I assured him. “Misty was just telling me about—”
“You liar!” she yelled before I could even get the words out. Her eyes flew up to Landon. “She was sitting here telling me about how she’s been screwing you behind Langston’s back. I was just warning—”
Landon held his hand up. “We’ve been standing here, Misty.”
Surprisingly, the woman shut her mouth.
“First thing tomorrow,” Langston said, his words directed at her, “we’d like to see you in the office. Seven o’clock. Do not be late.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” she insisted.
“We didn’t say you did.”
No, they hadn’t. That was her guilt talking.
Landon took my hand and helped me up from the stool. “I think it’s time to call it a night. We’ll drive you home.”
It took everything in me not to look back at Misty. I had a feeling her tongue was now on the floor.
And yes, I felt a little vindication.
Forty-Four
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, I ARRIVED at the office at eight o’clock per my bosses’ instruction. Apparently, they were planning to speak to Misty and wanted to do it in private. Since the first of the sessions would not start until noon today, I would have a little time to catch up on the work I’d put off this week.
Unfortunately, when I arrived, I noticed there were people in the conference room. I couldn’t see through the opaque glass, but I figured Misty was probably in there.
Somehow, I managed to keep my feet moving as I headed to my desk. I was surprised to find Ben in his office.
“Good morning,” I greeted as I set my purse down. “Would you like me to make you some coffee?”
“No, thanks. I’m good.” He crooked his finger at me, silently requesting me to come into his office.
I did.
“Is something wrong?”
He shook his head. “Close the door.”
He was acting a little strange, but I closed the door anyway. Before I could turn around, Ben was invading my personal space, pressing me up against the door.
I smiled up at him. “Well, good morning to you.”
His answering smile was sexy. “Although your meetings are going well, they’re driving me crazy,” he said softly, cupping my face. “I’m not getting nearly enough Luci time.”
I laughed at his admission. Truth was, I knew exactly how he felt. The meetings were going well and I enjoyed getting to know the people who worked so hard to make the company what it was, but I did enjoy the day-to-day routine we’d established.
