Page 20 of Hate You Up Close

Ugh.I desperately need another coffee but since it’s so late in the day, I know I won’t sleep well if I do. My head is killing me, and my eyes are stinging from staring at the brightcomputer screen all day. I should probably order a pair of those blue-light glasses everyone is raving about.

My eyes grow heavy as my head starts lazily bob thirty minutes into the video explaining payroll, timesheets, and overtime. The screen starts to blur, and the last thing I remember hearing is how to code vacation accruals as my forehead falls to the desk.

I lose track of time, my lips tilting up in a soft smile as I nuzzle my head against my cozy pillow. It feels warmer than usual…and hard.

Damn, I really need to buy a new pillow. When did it get so uncomfortable?

Oh well, I’m too exhausted to worry about that right now. Honestly, with how tired I am, I could sleep peacefully on the cold, hard floor.

“Roxanne.” I faintly hear my name, but the voice sounds far off in the distance.

I burrow my ear into my shoulder, trying to stifle the noise.

“Roxanne,” the deep voice repeats firmly. The echo is louder this time, but it still sounds like it's coming from the other end of a long tunnel.

The baritone voice sounds familiar, but I can’t pinpoint it in my dreamlike state.

“Mmmm,” I moan, warding off the imaginary intruder.

“Jesus Christ, Roxanne!” the voice booms at the same time I hear a loud slap against wood. “Wake the hell up.”

My shoulders jerk as I shoot up into a sitting position, a small puddle of drool resting on my forearm.

Oh God.

Oh my God.

Please tell me I’m still dreaming because this is a fucking nightmare.

My head wasn't resting on my pillow. And I’m not in my fucking bed.

I fell asleep at work. On my first day. If I thought my boss hated me before, he definitely does now.

My eyes dart to the large hand splayed out against my desk, which tells me exactly where the slapping noise came from. The fact that I was so out of it that he literally had to bang on my desk to wake me up is beyond embarrassing.

Elliot doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would give me a light tap on my shoulder. I think he might actually combust if he were to touch me, at least he acts like he would. So, I guess banging on my desk was his only option since he thinks he’ll catch a rare disease if he gets too close to me.

I straighten my dress, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear as I meet his gold-flecked gaze. I swallow the dry lump in my throat, overwhelmed by the fact that Elliot’s large body is leaning against my desk, his face less than two feet away from mine. His woodsy scent envelopes me, causing my skin to heat. A loose strand of bronze flops over his forehead, brushing against his flawless skin.

It’s all too much for one day. He’s too pretty to be real, and on top of his infuriating good looks,he’s my boss. Silence fills the space between us as I roll my chair back to create another foot of space. The only noise present is the sound of our heavy breathing.

I hate to admit it, but he’s intimidating. And Irarelyever get intimidated by anyone. His stare, his presence, is nothing short of domineering.

“I…I’m sorry,” I stammer, breaking the silence. “It’s been a long day. I didn’t get much sleep last night, and all of these training classes have my brain running on overload. It won’t happen again. I promise,” I rush out.

He narrows his eyes to little slits, staring down at me like I’m a piece of dirt beneath his shoe.

“It’s been a long day?” he hisses, disgust dripping in his tone. “You havenoidea what a long day is around here. All you had to do was sit here and watch videos all day.”

My brows shoot up and my jaw drops.

This asshole. This motherfucking asshole.

Who does he think he is, speaking to me like that?

“I said I was sorry, okay?” I exhale, trying to keep my cool. “First days are usually more…interactive. You’ve ignored me all day. You’re my manager, and I find it odd that I know absolutely nothing about you. Also, I’m starving, which is probably why my energy levels are so low. The schedule HR provided me said that you would be taking me to lunch for my first day, so I didn’t pack anything to eat. All I’ve had was coffee and a stick of gum I found in my purse.”

Not an ounce of remorse flashes in his eyes. Instead, he chuckles and arrogantly pushes off my desk before crossing his arms across his broad chest.