“Come in,” he calls, already sounding annoyed.
I push the door open a crack.
“I told you not to interrupt me before eight, Shaina. What do you need?”
When he finally looks up and realizes I’m not Shaina, his eyes widen before he slips back behind his mask of indifference. But I catch it.
“Can I help you, Ms. Jones?” he asks, all clipped and professional.
I cross my arms over my chest.
“Good morning to you, too, Mr. Miller. I just wanted to greet you like a normal human being, but apparently, decency isn’t in your vocabulary.” My voice comes out sharp. “Mind telling me what I’ve done to offend you, sir? Last time I checked, you’re the one whohiredme, though I’m guessing someone twisted your arm, because it feels like I’m being punished for it now.”
Something shifts in Worth’s expression, too quick to pin down. Instead of snapping back, though, his mouth twitches as if fighting a smile.
He rises from his chair slowly and comes around the desk, leaning back against it and folding his arms to mimic me, as if daring me to keep pushing.
He’s in a charcoal three-piece suit today, and damn it all, he looks devastating. The vest pulls across his broad shoulders, the crisp white shirt is impossibly smooth, and the knot of his tie is perfect.
He shouldn’t look that good this early in the morning.
My stomach flips, my pulse betraying me, and annoyance burns hot in my chest. Because I notice everything about him. And I’m almost certain he knows it.
Worth smirks, and I want nothing more than to wipe it off his stupidly perfect face.
“I’m glad that I’m amusing you, Mr. Miller,” I spit, heat rising in my cheeks.
He doesn’t say a word and just keeps watching me. His silence unnerves me, gnawing at my composure until I shift on my feet.
“You’re not being punished for anything. I hired you because I knew you’d have potential,” he finally says, his tone maddeningly casual, as if that’s all there is to it.
I scoff. “So why did you say‘we can’t hire her’right after my interview?” The words tumble out before I can stop them. I slap a hand over my mouth. Shit. I didn’t want him to know I overheard.
Worth straightens, his hard gaze locking with mine. “It was a mistake.”
Confusion snakes through me. “Hiring me?”
“No. Saying that after the interview. I initially didn’t think you’d be a good fit.”
My brows knit. “So what changed your mind?”
He shrugs. “My gut.”
A sarcastic laugh slips past my lips. “Well, tell your gut I say ‘thanks.’ That still doesn’t explain why you’ve been an asshole to me these past few weeks.”
In a flash, Worth moves closer, invading my space until there’s less than a foot between us. He lowers his head just enough for his breath to ghost over my skin.
“Watch it, Ms. Jones,”he growls out. “You’re walking a thin line talking to your superior like this.”
His voice hits me like a live wire. Goosebumps erupt all over my skin, even though my brain screams that this is wrong. His tone sounds angry, yet there’s something else buried in it.Arousal?
“Punish me then, Mr. Miller.” My words come out breathier than intended. “Fire me.”
His gaze drops to the bow of my blouse, right where it ties at my chest. Slowly, he reaches out and tugs on the ribbon, just enough to feel the fabric give beneath his fingers. My pulse skyrockets.
What are we doing?He’s my boss. I’m his employee. I should not be provoking him like this.
Reality slams into me and I stumble back. But Worth closes the distance again, as if retreat isn’t an option.