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“Pretty surenotfucking your boss is also in your employment contract, but we did a lot of that over the past couple days.”
I narrow my eyes at him, daring him to get on my angst level. “That’s most definitely not outlined in my contract. I checked. And you need to take me seriously right now.”
He pushes back from his desk, folding his arms over his chest. “I upgraded your transportation to a personal driver that can provide you with security and give me some peace of mind. Now that we’re together, your safety is my priority. Charlie’s as well.”
“When did you decide we were together? Were you going to inform me of that or simply continue to make life decisions on my behalf?”
“Life decisions? It’s just a car, Spencer.”
“Just a car?” I ball up my fists like a cartoon character who’s about to explode. “Spoken like a man who has never had less than twenty dollars in his bank account and in shambles about how to afford groceries for the week. A car is a big deal, Nathan.Huge deal.”
“All right,” he says calmly. “I have a team coming in today to move your stuff and Charlie’s belongings into the main house. I didn’t want you to have to lift a finger, but now I’m thinking that’s also going to piss you off.”
I curl my fingers into claws like I could squeeze his head right off. “You’re unbelievable. And do I get my own bedroom, or are you going to keep me in a cage in your oversized closet?”
“What has gotten into you today?”
“You stole my snacks!” I blurt out. My head rolls back, my gaze to the ceiling.Dammit.I really thought I was handling this argument intelligently until that little outburst.
Nathan’s smirk is back. “Is that a deal breaker? Do we have to break up, or can I just replace your snacks? Also, what snacks did I steal?”
“How can we break up? We’re not together!”
Anger flits in his eyes. “Stop saying that.”
“It’s not because I don’t want to be, Nathan. But we have a hell of a lot of stuff to figure out. I have to find a new job?—”
“Why?”
“This isn’t professional anymore.” I indicate his office doors. “And Iknowwhy you got the glass covered up all of a sudden.”
He pumps his eyebrows, full of flirty energy. “Smart girl.”
“I’m not just a sex toy for your leisure. I’m a woman, and a momster—yes, that’s a mom and sister combined—and I need to know that my dating life won’t negatively affect my responsibilities. I don’t want to keep starting over in life. If you continue swooping in, saving the day, throwing your money around at problems like they’re silly, when you eventually get bored of me, I’ll be left with nothing. Charlie will havenothing.”
“How could I get bored of you?” He balks in surprise. “You keep me on my toes, Spencer Riley. For example, I thought we were going to have a pleasant Monday, with me getting to enjoy my girlfriend not only at home, but at the office too.Instead, she’s here first thing in the morning, complaining about all the thoughtful things I’ve done for her, accosting me about nonsense.”
“Nonsense? You know what.” I raise my hands in the air. “Let’s take a breather. Your assholery is full throttle.” I stride toward the door.
“Don’t walk away from me.”
Ignoring him, I yank the door ajar, but he’s in front of me in a blink. He pushes it back closed, steps in front of me, blocking the handles with his body. “Sit down,” he growls. “You try to flee again and I’ll pull that skirt up and punish your bare ass. Got it?”
“It’s cute you think that’s a threat.”
“Not a threat. It’s a promise.” He reaches behind his back and locks the door. “Take a seat. Let’s talk.”
I match his glare. “What happened to my mini donuts? Two packs. They were in my desk drawer.”
Nathan issues a humorless laugh. “Why? Were you particularly attached to donuts for some reason?”
“Perhaps.”
His eyes shift from their usual bright blue green to a stormy gray, looking angrier by the second. “Why? Were they a trophy of some sort? Like some sleazy guy wrote his number down, trying to seduce you with some cheap-ass donuts?”
Admission. He took them. “They were a thank-you gift.”
“Thank you for what?”