Chapter 2
I tapped my foot nervously waiting. Glancing at the clock I grimaced. I had a total of ten minutes left to get his sub back to him on time. Of course this damn shop would be super freaking busy at the time he expected lunch. I would be sure to leave much earlier the next time—if I had a next time. I could be fired for this. Something told me he lived on a tight schedule for a reason. Or he could have just been an ass to be an ass. Who knew with men like him?
“Aiden Carter.”
“Finally,” I grumbled and pushed my curvy body through the line of people. For real, they needed to move.
“Watch it fatty,” some man said, and I cringed doing the best I could to ignore the jab.
I yanked the sub and tried to smile. “Thanks.”
Then I barreled through the people no longer caring about their snide remarks, and there were a lot of them. Couldn’t people just keep their mouths closed if they couldn’t be nice? Apparently not. I strode through the door and walked as fast as I could. Sweat slid down my back and I shrugged. I had only minutes to get his lunch to him on time, and I had a feeling he still would have something to say. I jogged, even though running and I didn't get along. By the time I got back to the office I could hardly breathe as I ran up the stairs knowing it would take longer to wait on the elevator.
When I sprinted down the hall and pushed open his door, without knocking, I dropped his sub on his desk—five minutes late. “Sorry,” I said. Without waiting for him to respond I left his office shutting the door and plopped down in my own chair trying to get my breathing back to normal. I’d expected him to come out and ream me, instead he used his little intercom thing.
“Miss Tuner, please come back into my office—after you have composed yourself.”
I glared at the phone. Compose myself, right. I reached into my bag and grabbed a bottle of water. Grateful I always carried one and chugged the cold goodness. My throat was parched and sore from breathing heavily. I took my bag and found the restroom. I was a big girl and I sweated a lot. In my bag I always carried spare clothing and deodorant. In the small stall I slipped off the silky shirt and changed into another one that was much less fancy. I did a quick clean up and then I went to the mirror touched up my makeup and fixed my hair the best I could. I glared at my reflection. I wasn’t usually so down on myself, but those comments really wear of a girl. “Good enough,” I muttered and left the room.
When I got back to my desk I placed my bag under it and took a deep breath before I knocked on the closed door.
“Come in,” he said loudly.
Opening the door I went slid inside and shut the door before I made my way to the empty chair by his desk. He didn’t look away from his computer, not even to take a bite of his sub. One hand held his food and the other typed on the key board. He was really quite talented. I sat not knowing what to do and crossed my legs impatiently. Still he didn’t say anything. The silence stretched until I thought I’d lose my mind.
“You were late with my lunch. That is unacceptable.”
“Five minutes is all. I had no idea I would be fighting the whole town to get your lunch. It won’t happen again—sir.”
He glared at me. “Five minutes is still late, and in my world it could mean so many things. I will give you a pass since you obviously didn’t know, but from now on please use your time management skills—if you have any.”
That was it. I could take a lot, but I didn’t deserve to be abused. It was the last straw after all the rude comments to get said lunch I stood up and balled my hands into tight fists digging my nails into my palms to help keep me grounded. “Hey now, I might have been a few minutes late, but I didn’t mean to be. I’ve been taking your put downs all morning and it isn’t right. I’m not some stupid servant. I am a human being so please treat me as such. I’ve done nothing to earn the disrespect—”
“You’ve done nothing to earn my respect either, Miss Tuner.”
I threw my hands up and glared. “My god, can you let me speak for a minute without interrupting me?”
He leaned back and braced his hands on the back of his head. “Go ahead.”
His smirk did funny things to me and I glared harder. I was pissed at him, not swooning because he happened to be the hottest, cocky, most infuriating man I’d ever met.
“You know what? Never mind. Treat me as you will. I’m used to being treated this way. I shouldn’t expect anything more from anyone in this area of town.” I lowered my eyes. “May I please go now, I must figure out how to use the email.” My voice dripped with sarcasm.
He laughed and sat normal in his chair. “I know all about you Miss Turner.”
My eyes shot back to him wondering if he really did in fact know all about me. The seriousness in his eyes said he did, but he couldn’t could he? That was supposed to be private.
“There’s nothing to know about me, Mr. Carter.”
He nodded and rubbed his chin. “Very well, you may go.”
He didn’t apologize or anything, but there was something different in his tone, and I still wished I could wipe that ridiculous smirk off of his face.
I stood and stormed out of his office and shut the door. I leaned against it trying to calm down. My heart raced like I’d just ran again, only this time I knew it had nothing to do with being out of shape. It had to do with the asshole on the other side of the door. It seemed my body disagreed with my head, and I had to remind myself I had a boyfriend.