Page 21 of Cold Bastard

“You need proof? I’ll give you some. Ellen has told me you’re a great man, and a great boss. And I don’t feel she’s the kind of woman to lie.”

He scoffed. “I pay her enough, no wonder she’s singing my praises.”

“Yeah, as if that woman would be swayed by your money. But let’s continue, shall we? I’ve seen on your website that Blackwood Corporation acts as a major contributor to several organizations dedicated to mothers and children's health.”

Another silence, and she suspected that he was thinking about his own wife, who’d died carrying his child. “And from personal experience, I saw how you took care of the company during the assault. And how you wanted to take care of me, even if I only had scratches. I’m convinced that if I keep digging, I could find other examples. Now tell me that I’m wrong.”

“You see more than what’s actually there.”

“That’s called self-deprecation, sir.”

“The same way you are deprecating yourself, Ms. Somersby.”

“Hey! I’m an amazing translator, an outstanding interpreter, don’t you dare!”

And they both laughed.

“You know perfectly well what I was referring to.”

The peaceful and strange companionship was replaced with heated awareness. Zoe, all too conscious of their positions, sat in the bath, relieved by the air cooling her skin a little.

“You better leave now, Mr. Blackwood.”

“Why aren’t you calling me Archer, as I asked? Ellen calls me Archer. My closest colleagues use my first name.”

“First, you didn’t ask, you ordered. Second, you’re my boss. That’s self-explanatory.”

“But not here, not now. Call me Archer, Zoe.” His voice took a seductive tone, almost pleading, making her clench. “You’re stubborn, Zoe. Don’t you know what your smart mouth does to me? Never before has someone frustrated, angered, and aroused me like you do, don’t you see it?”

Knowing he was battling her defenses, she couldn’t falter. “It’s only because I resist. If I succumb, you’ll turn away and find me annoying. And that would be a mess.”

More shuffling. “You think I’m lying to you?”

Zoe bit her lip before answering. “I think there’s a reason why you make all the female staff sign that form. I signed it too, by the way. That’s a clear statement that you want to keep your distance. It doesn’t mean you don’t care, but there is something there.”

A sigh crossed the door. “Females are complicated.” The words were said with such exasperation, that Zoe burst out laughing.

“And you’re not? You’re probably sitting on the other side of my bathroom door, when you’re supposed to go buy an island, or a satellite for all I know.”

“I already have an island. Two would be over the top, don’t you think? And satellites are boring.”

And again, he made her laugh. “If you’re in need of entertainment, Chicago is full of restaurants, nightclubs and very willing, perfect, model-like women who haven’t signed your contract. That’s maybe what you should do.”

The silence stretched for a moment.

“I’m exactly where I want to be, and I won’t leave until you say my name, Zoe.”