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Uneasiness shot through hier He shuffled his feet and tried to feign enthusiaset back to you on sohts," Carina chirped

"I’d love to Thanks so ? He wasn’t ready for Laura to attend fa?"

Carina held out a stack of papers "Here are the reports The Yankees won The second floor had the gaot nailed in a photo"

"You’ll need to reprimand him"

"I’ll speak with him tomorrow"

"Next time you allow a sick day, check the baseball schedule And over"

"Understood"

Her efficiency surprised hiave her, she took it and never complained In a matter of weeks she’d charo early today, too I needed those sales figures What was his excuse?"

"He didn’t want toconcert" She didn’t even wince "I contacted Edward, and he’s going to help et them to you within the hour"

"Fine I’ll need you to work late tonight again"

"Of course"

The door opened again and Edward came in Max’s office suddenly resembled Grand Central Station "Hey, boss Heard you need sales reports this afternoon"

"I needed theo"

"Carina and I ork on them now" Edward smiled at Laura, and Carina jumped in to make introductions They chatted as if at an intiuess we’ll see you at the party then Let’s try to sit together," Edward said

Max lifted a brow "Sit together? Are you going?"

Edward grinned "Sure I’ Carina with me"

He watched as his assistant shot his salesperson an intimate smile As if she also intended to combine business with pleasure at this party Irritation scratched through hi with Edward For God’s sake, didn’t she listen anymore? He curbed his temper Time to have another little chat And be a bit more forceful this time Max ushered Laura and Edward out, and motioned for Carina to stay in his office

"Laura seeaze tried to strip off her polite veneer but ca a work party with a business associate"

"Many office eether"

Her bland tone challenged him to take it up a notch "You made it clear I should stay out of your private business But I’ie"

"How so?"

Hht tremble in her hands finally steadied Her new ability to rein in her eued his do member of this company You don’t want it leaked around the office that you’re easy"

A flush hit her cheeks but she re around the office, huh?"

He alht himself "Rumors are easy to start I already saw the way Ethan in accounting was following you around like a trained puppy Are you dating him, too?"

The slow smile threw him off "Wouldn’t you like to know?"

He stared at this wo out for your career I told you many times American men are different I want you to be careful Capisce?"

"You disrespect et me into bed, Max" Tiny puffs of breath escaped her lips, but she remained in control Not one stray curl escaped her ruthless chignon Her almond eyes simmered with a banked heat he itched to play with "Men with physical needs are quite sia up women for the kill You like to control all the eleets hurt, don’t you? But poor Laura is already falling for you, and you won’t even invite her to dinner"

Merda, when had she gotten so sarcastic? "Laura knows the rules You do not"

She gave a huernails snapped at his tie in pure dis my own rules now And I’m more honest than you" Her scent wrapped around hi to catch his tail "You couldn’t have a real relationship if your life depended on it, so you’ve focused your attention onto work this ti aboutgirl through her training Just like Michael asked er steae of her fa drama--almost welcomed it This Carina he knew and could handle

Instead, she brought herself back fro stare Took a few steps back The severe cut of her black jacket only emphasized the earthy curves of her hips and breasts, a delicious contradiction that hardened his dick and screith his head "If that’s what you need to believe to sleep at night, so be it But while you’re comfortable with your illusions, know this I don’t care what you do anymore, Max Your relationships don’t concern me, but mine do And if I want to boink Tom, Dick, and Harry in my own private time, stay out of it Because I don’t want to sleep coht" She smiled "Not anymore"

Her heels clicked on the polished wood "I’ll be in accounting if you need me"

He stared at the closed door for a while This was no longer a girl he faced This was a full-blown Eve, and he was in ht He raked back his control and wondered what the eet rid of it, Max guzzled some water and moved on

Just like he always did

Chapter Four