Ruth walked into the room with two cups in her hands. “Coffee.”
Anderson had started to recognize her moods. This one was her prickly secretary. This was the Ruth he’d known during the first four years they knew each other.
“Sure, sweetheart. Andy says that you are sleeping together.” Jonathan tossed the empty food container on the desk.
“I don’t believe that is what he said,” Ruth said emotionlessly, setting both cups on the desk.
“You're pretty hot, Ruthie,” he replied with a wink.
“And you are sexually harassing me, Mr. Miles.” Still cool, collected Ruth.
“I am not, just paying you a compliment,” Jonathan insisted smoothly.
“You want to sleep with me?” she asked, leaning against the doorjamb. Anderson did not know what she was doing.
“If Andy doesn’t mind, I am willing. Heck, even if he does mind, I am willing.” Jonathan sat up straighter.
“You think I would just move from his bed to yours? Why would you even think that?” Her arms were folded as she looked down at Jonathan, who was still in Anderson’s chair.
“I am a lot better than he is in bed, if you are interested, Ruthie.” He smirked again and leaned back in the chair, relaxing into the conversation.
Anderson watched Ruth looking at his brother. Was she comparing the two? Was she trying to come up with a comeback? Her blue eyes held a hint of anger in them, and her nose was flared with annoyance.
“Are you asking me to have sex with you? In the office?” She looked around the room, avoiding Anderson’s eyes as she did.
“I would have sex with you in the office.” His brother was not seeing the annoyance in her eyes.
“Mr. Miles, what you are doing is called sexual harassment.” She pointed out.
“You started it,” he whined.
“So, I am to blame for your wrongdoing? Me, a secretary from Landstad, made you do it?” Ruth stated, taking a step towards Jonathan. “Or was it you and your self-importance? Because I wasn’t the one who slept with your brother’s girlfriend. I am not the one who cheated on your wife, and I am not the one who spent five minutes looking down my shirt. That, Jonathan, was all you.”
“I don’t need a lecture from you.” He was finally catching on and stood up from the chair, taking a step away from Ruth.
“You need it from someone. Go back to your wife, Jonathan. She deserves better, but she has you. I have no interest in you. And if you say one more word to me, other than about insurance, I will report you to your father. I have his number, and as an employee, I can make your career die.” She took a step towards him, causing him to take one back. For the first time in his life, Jonathan looked scared.
“Y-you wouldn’t,” Jonathan stammered.
“Don’t tempt me. I have nothing to lose. I get job offers all the time, and not one is from my daddy. So, I could get another job within ten minutes of stepping out that door. Can you say the same thing?” Ruth turned and walked back to her desk.
Jonathan watched her and stood up. “I have to go.” He then hurried out of the office without saying another word.
After the door slammed shut, Anderson got up and walked to her desk. She was staring out the window, watching Jonathan get in his car, not working. “What was that?”
“Sorry, I just had to tell him off for what he has done to you.” Ruth turned back to him.
“You are amazing. You chased him out of here!” He pulled her out of her chair and kissed her on the lips in front of the big window, not caring if his brother looked back to see them, or anyone else for that matter.
“It was sexual harassment,” she insisted.
“Was that kiss sexual harassment?” he questioned.
She smirked. “The kiss was not unwanted.”
“Have you ever had a job offer before?”
“Yes, every few months. The school around Christmas and Dale Riley last week. I am seen around town as a great personal assistant who’s poorly paid.” She bit her lip. That meant it was true;, because if it wasn’t she would have denied it.
“Why do you stay? What keeps you working for me when you could leave at any moment?” He looked into her pale blue eyes, just now realizing how close he had come to losing her before he had gotten to know her.
“I told you, I enjoy working here. I don’t need the money.” She held his gaze.
“I guess I still have a hard time believing you make enough money for anything with your books.” He let her go and walked back to his desk.
“I do okay.” He watched her sit down and reach for her lunch. “Do you want to share?”
What he wanted was to close the office and drag her upstairs and make love to her. Or maybe just pull her into his office and shut the door. But he would be a professional and let her eat her lunch. Then he would suggest they close for lunch and have a quickie.