Twisted by the Boss (Tempted Series Book 4) Read online

  Twisted by the Boss

  Hazel Kelly

  © 2015 Hazel Kelly

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, copied, or stored in any form or by any means without permission of the author. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  All characters in this story are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons is purely coincidental.

  “Temptation is a woman’s weapon and a man’s excuse.” - H.L. Menken

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1: Ella

  Chapter 2: Will

  Chapter 3: Ella

  Chapter 4: Will

  Chapter 5: Ella

  Chapter 6: Will

  Chapter 7: Ella

  Chapter 8: Will

  Chapter 9: Ella

  Chapter 10: Will

  Chapter 11: Ella

  Chapter 12: Will

  Chapter 13: Ella

  Chapter 14: Will

  Chapter 15: Ella

  Chapter 16: Will

  Chapter 17: Ella

  Chapter 18: Will

  Thanks

  Chapter 1: Ella

  I felt sick as soon as I walked out of his office, and I knew why. It was cause I’d fallen for him. Hard. Plain and simple. I fell for him in a way I never had before, a way I didn’t even think I was capable of.

  And he was the one person I wasn’t supposed to let myself fall for.

  I walked away from his office slowly, lingering around my desk for a good five minutes before I went to lunch- or rather- to cry, but he didn’t come after me. Again. The first time was one thing, but this time his absence proved that I was reaching for something he wasn’t.

  Which meant he was right. We didn’t want the same things. Or rather, we didn’t want each other in the same way. I wanted him to want all of me the way I wanted all of him, but he was only interested in my body.

  My company in his favorite restaurants was just foreplay as far as he was concerned. Maybe it made him feel less guilty for fucking me like he did.

  Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to do my job if I let him hurt me anymore. At this point, my pain wasn’t so great that I couldn’t go back to work, but if I kept spending time with him, I knew in my heart it would be bad for me. My feelings for him wouldn’t decrease. Not if he carried on the way he had, romancing me like only he could. Then one day he would drop me suddenly on his terms, and I would be crushed.

  I couldn’t do that to myself. It sounded even less appealing than walking out on the best sex of my life. At least this way, I could keep my self-respect and retain my dignity somewhat. With myself if not with Emily who- for the record- I would never buy another pumpkin coffee for as long as I lived. Not without spitting in it anyway.

  My phone rang out, buzzing several inches across my nightstand before I could pick it up.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi Eeyore,” Jackie said. “I got your text. What’s going on?”

  I rolled on to my back. “I officially broke things off with Will.”

  “What happened?”

  I sighed. “I thought about it a lot, and I really tried to convince myself that I could put my feelings to the side and keep having fun with him.”

  “Yeah.”

  “But I fell for him, Jackie.”

  “But you never fall for anyone.”

  “I know.” I studied the water marks on the ceiling, one of which was starting to look like a whale. “I couldn’t help it.”

  “And you think he doesn’t feel the same way?”

  “That’s what he said anyway. What am I supposed to do? Pretend I know what he feels better than he does?”

  “I suppose not.”

  “I do think he cares about me more than he’s letting on, but-”

  “What makes you think that?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess because he was so romantic.”

  “You mean with the dinners and the gala and stuff?”

  I felt a pinch in my heart thinking about our first night together. “Yeah, and he bought me jewelry.”

  “Jewelry?”

  “Yeah. Diamond earrings.”

  “Shit. You didn’t tell me that.”

  “I decided I couldn’t keep them and gave them back.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He was kind of pissed about it.”

  “No wonder you’re confused.”

  “What do you mean?” I sat up and pulled my knees to my chest.

  “I just see why you think he cares about you more than he’s admitting.”

  “How so?”

  “Well I’ve had relationships that were only about sex and there’s usually not a lot of going to dinner and giving gifts, especially expensive ones. At least in my experience.”

  “Right?!”

  “I’ve never shacked up with a billionaire, though. Maybe they do that kind of thing all the time.”

  “I wondered that, too.”

  “Or maybe he’s just an egomaniac and he got off on knowing you would fall for him if he did those things.”

  “I don’t think he’s an egomaniac.”

  “Of course he is. Don’t be ridiculous. How could he not be?”

  I pursed my lips.

  “Don’t defend the guy. He used you and hurt your feelings, remember?”

  “I wish I could forget.”

  “So you’re not going to change your mind and sleep with him again?”

  “I don’t think so. I already said I wouldn’t even go out with him again.”

  “You sound so miserable about it.”

  “I am miserable about it. I think he’s amazing and he made me feel incredible, but it’s stupid to set myself up for more disappointment than I already feel.”

  “Maybe you should look for a new job. Don’t you think it’s going to be painful to see him all the time?”

  “Of course I do. That’s why I never should’ve slept with him in the first place.”

  “I’m sensing that you think this is partly my fault.”

  “I don’t think it’s your fault. You just told me what I wanted to hear. You’re like the little devil on my shoulder.”

  “That’s terrible.”

  “I don’t mean it to be,” I said. “Besides, I don’t regret what happened. Someday I’ll only remember the fun parts, and it won’t hurt so badly.”

  “Someday might come sooner if you go work someplace else.”

  “I told you I can’t do that.”

  “Why not?”

  “Cause I already put down a deposit on our new place.”

  “Ahhhh!”

  I smiled.

  “Shut up no you didn’t!”

  “It’s all ours.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?!”

  “I’m telling you now. That’s really why I sent you the text about having big news, but I was thinking about Will when you called so he hijacked the conversation.” Like he hijacked my heart.

  “I’m soo excited,” she said.

  “Me too.”

  “I can’t wait to see the place.”

  “I’ll email you some pics.”

  “Please do.”

  “I’m so glad we’ll be living together again soon. I don’t recognize myself without you.”

  “I know what you mean. It’s going to be great.”

  “Until then, send me some good vibes so I can get through my days at the office.”

  “I will, but you know what you should do?”

  I rolled my eyes. “What?”

  “Hey- hear me out before you use that tone.”

  “I’m listening.”

  �
�You should try and take your mind off him for a bit. You need a distraction.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  “Maybe you should go out with someone else- even just for a drink or something.”

  “You act like I have a line of men waiting to take me out.”

  “Every woman has a line of men waiting to take her out if she’s open minded enough to see them.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Have I ever been wrong?”

  “Uh-”

  “Scratch that. The point is, I bet if you force yourself to stop sulking over Will for five minutes, you’ll at least start to notice other cute guys which would be a start.”

  “You sound so sure.”

  “I am sure. I even have your horoscope right here. It says…”

  I waited while she pretended to look for my horoscope in a newspaper I was sure she didn’t have in front of her.

  “It says you’re going to meet a handsome stranger this week.”

  “How convenient.”

  “I know,” she said. “The timing couldn’t be better.”

  I appreciated her attempt to cheer me up even if it wasn’t really working.

  “Next time I call I bet you’ll have exciting news about a new love interest.”

  “How could I not? If my horoscope says I’m going to meet somebody, it must be true.”

  “Watch it,” she said. “Men are not attracted to sarcasm.”

  “Thanks for the tip.”

  “Or scowling. I know how you scowl when you’re upset about something. Don’t do that to your pretty face.”

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  “All right. You know I Iove you. Don’t be sad. Be open-minded, and when I get to town I’ll take you out and get you so drunk you’ll forget Will Abbott ever happened.”

  “Sounds good,” I lied.

  But the truth was I didn’t want to forget him at all. My head was trying to, but my heart was still his.

  Whether he wanted it or not.

  Chapter 2: Will

  “I knew this day would come,” Frank said, slapping my back. “Lunch is on me.”

  “No thanks. I’ve got to get some work done.”

  “Ah come on, Will. Don’t be a sore loser,” he said. “Even losers gotta eat!”

  He had a point, and I did feel like a loser, but not because I fucking lost our tennis match.

  “Pleeaase.”

  “Don’t beg, Frank. Christ.”

  His face fell. “Sorry. If I’d known you were going to be such a dick about it, I would’ve let you win.”

  I laughed. “Let me win. Good one. I’ll let you buy me lunch.”

  He nodded and led the way to the club’s café.

  I pulled out a chair at our usual table and set my racket across another.

  Frank pulled out a chair and did the same.

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “You played a good game. I don’t mean to rain on your well-deserved parade.”

  He pulled his sweaty shirt away from his chest. “Well this is about as enjoyable as when my Dad used to let me beat him at chess.”

  I shrugged. “What do you want from me ehh?” I asked in my best Goodfella’s voice.

  “I want you to tell me what the hell is wrong with you.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with me.”

  “Are you sure? Because I can’t help but feel like that was an empty victory for me.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I’m not an idiot. I haven’t improved that much. You completely threw that game.”

  “I didn’t throw it.”

  “Maybe not on purpose, but it’s like you weren’t even there.”

  I only agreed to have lunch because I though Frank would gloat over his win the whole time. If I thought he was going to try and counsel me, I would’ve bailed.

  “What’s gotten into you?”

  “Nothing,” I lied. “Everything’s fine.”

  “Don’t bullshit me. You’re the most competitive guy I know. Something is obviously bothering you.”

  There was a seriousness in his eyes that I rarely saw.

  “Is it work?”

  I shook my head.

  “Did something happen with Ella?”

  The sound of her name made me freeze. I had completely forgotten that Frank and Becky met her at the Winter Gala.

  “Did you guys break up or something?”

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “Sort of.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “To be honest, I have no idea what’s going on.”

  Frank shook his head. “Women.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  The waitress appeared out of nowhere and set a jug of ice water on the table. “Hello gentlemen. What can I get you today?”

  “Hi, Marion,” I said. “How are you?”

  “Good, Mr. Abbott. Thank you for asking.”

  “I’ll have a Peroni and a roast beef sandwich,” Frank said. “And whatever this guy wants. Put it all on my tab.”

  Marion nodded and put her hands behind her back. “As you wish, Mr. Reynolds.” Then she turned to face me.

  “I’ll have a Peroni, too,” I said. “That’s all.”

  “Get something to eat,” Frank said. “I insist.”

  I squinted at Frank. It wasn’t worth arguing with him. “Fine,” I said, turning towards Marion. “I’ll have a cheeseburger.”

  “Coming right up,” Marion said, hurrying back to the kitchen.

  Frank’s eyes followed her juvenile ass for a moment before he turned back to me. “A cheeseburger?!”

  “What?”

  “Mr. My-body-is-a-temple Abbott orders a cheeseburger after a tennis match?!”

  “Fuck off, Frank.”

  “Is this really about a girl or are you having some sort of midlife crisis?”

  “Neither.”

  “Just tell me what happened with you guys. Maybe I can help.”

  “You can’t help.” If anything, my complaining to him about Ella would only help his marriage because Becky would love him forever if he brought home some juicy gossip.

  “Try me,” he said, pouring us each a glass of water.

  Then again, maybe it didn’t matter if I told him. Ella was gone. Well, not gone exactly, but decisively out of reach. “She’s gotten herself all freaked out.”

  “What do you mean?”

  I shrugged. “She’s fallen for me.”

  “Am I missing something?” He cocked his head. “That doesn’t really sound like a problem to me.”

  “It is for her.”

  “Why?”

  “Cause we were only supposed to be having fun.”

  “I don’t get it. Did the fun stop?”

  “Not for me, but I guess she can’t keep it casual anymore.”

  Frank smiled. “Cause you’re too irresistible?”

  “Apparently.”

  “So move on. Isn’t that what you usually do when a girl gets clingy?”

  I twisted my face. “It’s not that she’s clingy, though. She just cares about me.”

  “Are you getting your dick wet anywhere else?”

  I looked at him.

  “Hey I’m not judging- just asking.”

  “No, and I don’t really want to either.”

  “Uh-oh.”

  “What?”

  “Sounds like she’s not the only one who gives a fuck.”

  “So?”

  “So why can’t you just tell her you care about her, too?”

  “I don’t want a relationship. I want my freedom.”

  “Sounds like you want both, and I’ve got bad news for you.”

  I sighed.

  “Wouldn’t telling her that you care about her cure what’s ailing you here?”

  “Maybe,” I said. “I tried to show her though. I tried to show her in every way I know how.”

  “But you refuse to just say it?”

  “Words are meaningless.�
��

  “You mean Laura’s words were meaningless?”

  I decided to ignore his comment. “Plus, they can be thrown back in your face.”

  “So your plan is to admit nothing even if it means losing her?”

  I pursed my lips and exhaled through my nose.

  “Look- for what it’s worth- in the fifty years I’ve been married to Becky-”

  I laughed. “Has it been that long?”

  “It’s felt like it. Anyway, if I’ve learned anything, it’s that women are audible creatures.”

  “You mean like men are visual creatures?”

  “Exactly,” Frank said. “Sometimes they need to hear you say it. Whatever it is- whether it’s I love you or you were right, honey, or I would be lost without you.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I’m telling you.” He shook his head. “You might think words are meaningless, but words matter to women.”

  I took a sip of water and wondered whether he knew what he was talking about.

  “Want to hear something really pathetic?”

  “Of course.”

  “For a while, when Becky would tell me I loved her, I got in the habit of just saying you, too after. Like instead of the whole I love you, too.”

  “Yeah.”

  “And she confronted me about it- said she didn’t really feel like it meant as much when I didn’t say the whole phrase.”

  “Jesus.”

  “I know.”

  “So now you always say the whole thing?”

  “Not always, but a good eighty five percent of the time I would.”

  “That’s absurd.”

  Frank shrugged. “I know. Especially because it has no bearing whatsoever on how I feel, but it makes a difference to her so I say it to make her happy, ya know?”

  “I get what you’re saying, but Becky is your wife and-”

  “Ella’s just some-”

  I raised my eyebrows.

  “That’s what I thought.”

  “What?”

  “Just the idea that I might say something derogatory there pissed you off before I even finished my sentence.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “Whatever. I guess it’s fine if you’re in denial.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Cause it sounds like you have some time to think about it right now.”

  “Does it?”

  “Yeah.” He tipped an ice cube into his mouth and pushed it to his cheek while he spoke. “It sounds like Ella thinks she needs space.”