Free Romance: The Boss by Lara West Page A

street and in pounds is significantly high. I didn’t think he seemed to be the kind of man who would bother to care about animals, but the wick of a candle is only as deep as you can see it. It’s funny how much you can get to know about a person in only two weeks and without actually ever asking them. Granted, I already caught a glimpse of Clint’s sensitive side that night we slept together. That night when he told me he wished he could reverse time and follow a different path entirely.
    “Lauren! Have you got that investor account for me yet?”
    I jump at his voice, my reverie shattered. “Ah, yes I have it. Do you need it right now?”
    “Would I be asking if I didn’t need it right now?”
    Okay, someone was missing another spoonful of sunshine in his coffee this morning.
    I pass him the manila folder from the in-tray and watch as he storms back into his office, flinging the file down onto his desk so violently that some of the sheets spill out to the floor.
    Judging by the yelling on the phone I heard earlier this afternoon, I’m guessing he’s just lost an investor, which means he’s probably going to be fuming for the rest of the day. Good thing I have that present to get in a few minutes—I do not want to be around for the rest of the fallout.
    But just as I turn back to my desk, Clint catches me still looking at him and shouts a muffled “What?” through the glass.
    I instantly feel myself becoming a beetroot again, quickly turning away and praying that he doesn’t come back out here.
    “Lauren!”
    Damn it.
    Here we go again.
    “May I see you in my office for a moment…please?” he asks sharply, holding the door open.
    I nod, get up, and walk in, coming to an unwilling halt just in front of his desk.
    He stands over by the windows, looking out at the city momentarily before moving his eyes back to me.
    “I apologize for the way I spoke to you earlier and for my behavior just now,” he says gently, but with his nostrils still flaring.
    “It’s okay—” I begin to say, wanting to get out of there already, but he holds up his hand to silence me.
    “No, it’s not okay. It was inappropriate.” He pauses and sits down at the desk, running his hand over his face like he’s in distress. “It’s no excuse, but I’ve one hell of a two weeks.”
    “Makes two of us,” I mutter under my breath and then immediately regret it.
    He heard me.
    “I bet. Hannah told me what you call me around the office.”
    I freeze, stunned. Hannah what?
    “I guess I can be hotheaded at times,” he continues sleekly. “Like the devil incarnate, right?”
    I’m going to kill Hannah. I should never have told her that the other day when we’d been by the photocopier.
    But it was a joke, and she’d laughed.
    What a bitch.
    “I…never said that,” I lie, blooming more scarlet. But the way he’s directing those scorching blue eyes toward me, I just know he can see right through me.
    “It’s fine, Lauren. I know how I can be. But a word of advice for the future, don’t go clucking to Hannah about your boss. She’s a notorious gossip.”
    Even though what he’s saying is serious, his tone sounds comical. Like he doesn’t even care that I’ve been calling him that behind his back.
    “Okay,” I answer curtly, still neither confirming nor denying that I said it.
    “Good. I’ll let you get back to it, then. Oh, and take the rest of the day to find my mother the perfect gift. Spare no expense and use the company credit card.”
    I gaud one of my best sweetheart smiles. “Not a problem, Mr. Townsend,” I say, before I leave the office, picking up my bag from my desk before heading straight for the elevator.
    This birthday present couldn’t have come at a better time.
    As I cross the lobby and head out into the open air, I breathe a sigh of reprieve. Hopefully that is the last time I see the devil incarnate before Monday.
    I’m not sure if I could handle any more of his prodding before