I shrugged. “Nothing.”
He sighed. “I know
what you’re doing. You’re either lying to me or to yourself.”
My jaw tightened. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“You still want April. That’s why you hired her without talking to me. You saw her, still wanted her, and hired her.”
“We needed an office manager and she needed a job. Problem solved.” Of course, that didn’t mean he was wrong. I did still want her.
Cyrus took a seat in one of the waiting area chairs. “Come on man, I know you. You’re playing a dangerous game here Jude. You’re her boss now. Crossing the line could lead to a lawsuit and sink this business. And you might think she’s worth it, but it’s my ass on the line here too.”
Anger and annoyance crept up my spine at his words, even though I knew he was right. “You’re being ridiculous. You heard her. We’d just been kids.”
“Yeah, I heard that. And I see you. I see you when she’s around. You still want her, and I’m telling you that you better keep it strictly professional for all our sakes.” He stood. “I’m not trying to bust your balls here, Jude, but we have a lot riding on this.” He patted me on the shoulder and then headed back to his office.
I was about to go to mine, when I caught April walking back toward the office. She wasn’t alone. Next to her was a well-dressed man who seemed familiar to me, but took me a moment to place.
“Fucking A, Matt London,” I hissed as I realized who it was. Matt was a couple years older than August and me in school. He came from a rich family as his father owned several car dealerships. He’d also been a girl-magnet and athletic in school. He was still good looking and likely continued to have his share of women. At the moment, the way they laughed and were enjoying themselves, it appeared he had April. The son-of-a-bitch.
April hadn’t laughed or smiled like that the other night with me. An inferno of jealousy and possessiveness washed through me. Knowing Cyrus was right that I couldn’t fuck up this business, I clenched my fists and headed back to my office, shutting the door, but not having any luck shutting out images of Matt’s hands touching her. Did she cling to him during the big O like she did to me?
I ran my hands through my hair and then pressed them against my head like that would rid the images of April and Matt tangled in sheets.
“Fuck.” I jerked open the door and strode out to her desk. Thank God Matt wasn’t lingering around it. I reached her desk, a million feelings and thoughts and words flashing in my head.
She looked up at me expectantly.
“Did you have a nice lunch?” I managed although my tone was terse.
Her brow furrowed at my tone. “Yes. Is there something you need?”
I heard something up the hall and looked to see Cyrus peering out his door in our direction.
“Yes. I need to see you in my office for a moment.” I worked my mouth into a smile and rolled my shoulders back so they’d look relaxed. I headed to my office, with April following.
I leaned against my desk, crossing my arms over my chest, waiting until she was in my office and had shut the door.
“Who was that you were with for lunch?”
“I met August for lunch and Matt showed up. He walked me back. Why?”
“Is that usual? August pawning you off on wealthy men?”
She arched a brow. “What business is it of yours if he does?”
I hated her tone. It said I had no right to ask, but I did. Jesus, she’d fucked me the other night and now was she fucking this guy at lunch?
I couldn’t keep my words diplomatic. “Does August know you were fucking me again? Is that why he’s handing you over to Matt London? Matt has more money than me. More prestige in town. He’s better for August Davidson’s little sister than some nobody like me?”
“I told you the other night was a one-time thing, Jude. You’re my boss now.”
I moved toward her, crowding her, which I knew was an asshole thing to do. To her credit, she held her ground, tilting a defiant chin up to me.
“Is that true? The other night meant nothing but an orgasm? Is that all sex is to you now?”
Her eyes flashed with heat. “And you think it was more.”