Chapter 8
Having Pippa in the office is unnerving.
I have to keep reminding myself I asked for this.
For the first few days, Simone flits back and forward between my office and Garrett’s, picking up both her new work and passing hers onto Pippa. They seem to get on, so at least there’s no dealing with jealousy and bitterness.
Pippa seems content to work for me instead of the CEO.
I do my best to steer clear of them while they’re training. Neither of them need any more pressure from me, and everything’s running smoothly, so I don’t have any reason to be in their ears.
I’m content to watch Pippa from a distance. She’s taking everything in her stride—always with a smile on her face. If nothing else so far, she’s lightened the mood in my office.
But I’m not sure I’m that impressed at my team popping in to visit, which seems to happen much more often now she’s here. Where I’m used to getting emails or even phone calls, I don’t think I’ve had so many in-person visits since we started the company.
I can’t blame them. Pippa dresses professionally, but those killer curves of hers can’t be hidden.
She blossomed into a beautiful woman, and I’ve seen her in a whole new light.
It’s driving me crazy.
At the start of the second week, she disappears at lunchtime rather than eating at her desk as she has been.
I give up stalking her and head down to the cafeteria. On Mondays, my friends can usually be found there. We all like to keep a hand in the business, making sure we’re accessible to everyone. It helps prevent an ‘us against them’ mentality.
Mallory’s nowhere to be seen, but Garrett and Victor sit in our spot and I give them a wave before grabbing today’s lasagne special and heading to our table.
“How’s it going?” Victor asks. “Pippa settling in well?”
I nod. “Seems to be. She’s been with Simone a big chunk of this week, so we haven’t had time to catch up.”
“Come to check on her?” Garrett asks.
“Do I need to?”
He nods toward the corner of the cafeteria.
Pippa’s surrounded by men. Her beaming smile lights up the whole room, and when she laughs, it’s full and throaty and sends an unexpected signal to my dick.
Oh, hello.
I frown and growl before I realise I’m doing it.
Garrett and Victor laugh.
“You are so done for,” Victor says. “I knew it was a bad idea hiring her to be your PA.”
“It’s not like you said anything.” I turn back toward him.
“Did I say bad idea? I meant good idea. This is hilarious.”
I glare at both of them before turning to watch Pippa.
“Simone’s doing great, by the way. I’m glad you made that suggestion,” Garrett says. “She says Pippa’s settling in nicely. I think they’ll work well together.”
“That’s good with the next product release coming up.”
I nod. That’s a very good point. Despite our size, organising product launches is an in-house affair. Mallory’s in charge, but she would use Simone’s organisational skills to help out. Having Pippa on board too is a real bonus for her.
It’s usually a flashy evening event where we all dress up and have a good night out.
As Pippa’s boss, it must be my job to escort her to her first work event.
“What’s that smile about?” Victor asks.
“Nothing. Just thinking about work.”
“Work or someone at work?” He teases.
“Do I need to be prepared to handle a complaint?” Garrett raises an eyebrow at me.
“Oh, come on, you guys. You know me better than that.” I shovel a forkful of food in my mouth while they exchange a glance. I wait until I swallow and look at both of them. “I’d never hurt Pippa. But I might hurt one of them if they upset her.”
Garrett snickers, and I roll my eyes, digging into my food and ignoring both of them.
Pippa’s still in conversation with members of my team as I finish eating.
I stand and stalk toward her, ignoring the laughter behind me.
“I’m about to go up to the office. Are you having a long lunch?” I’m being a dick and I know it, but the last thing I need is another man stepping into my territory. And whether she knows it or not, Pippa is my territory.
She gazes up at me with wide eyes. “No. I’m just finishing up. See you back in the office?”
I give her a short, sharp nod and turn on my heel.
Garrett’s red with laughter, and I glare at him as I make my way out of the cafeteria.
The poor elevator buttons bear the brunt of my irritation as I stab wildly at them, finally managing to make the damn things work on the third go.
By the time I’ve reached my office, I’ve cooled down a little, but I’m acutely aware that I’ve also taken my temper out on the one person who’s already had shit thrown at her. It took a lot for her to bring up that day, but she did because she didn’t want me to think the worst of her.
What am I doing?
This woman has me twisted up in knots.
“Thanks for walking me back. It really wasn’t necessary.” Pippa’s voice carries into my office, and my eyebrows rise.
“It’s no problem,” a distinctly male voice responds, and I’m on my feet before I know it. “I wondered if you’d like to go out sometime.”
“Oh.” Pippa’s tone is neutral. “Well, uh, you see …”
I take a handful of steps, not even sure what the hell I’m going to say to this guy to warn him off. Why am I warning him off? Pippa’s not mine. I thought this whole keep your friends close and your enemies even closer thing made sense.
Pippa’s no enemy.
She’s a living, breathing work of art. The thoughts I’m having about her are far from brotherly.
“I’ve got a boyfriend,” she says.
My lungs deflate, and I come to a stop. What?
I never asked her if she was seeing anyone. The idea of it makes me fist my hands.
“Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t realise.”
“It’s really serious. I think I’m going to marry him.”
I start looking at the office wall, wondering which part is the best to punch.
“No worries, Pippa. I’ll get going. Have a good rest of the day.”
“You too,” she sings.
The office is quiet, but for the sound of shuffling paper.
Pippa walks toward me.
Her head’s down, and I stay still just waiting for the …
She slams into my chest and looks up at me with wide eyes. “Sorry.”
“In a hurry?”
Pippa shakes her head. “No. I got these finished before lunch but just wanted to go over them before I gave them to you. They’re the IT reports consolidated.” She manoeuvres around me and places them on my desk.
“Tell me about this boyfriend of yours.”
When she bites her bottom lip, I suck in a breath.
“You heard that?”
My eyebrows rise. “Every word. Is it that serious?”
Her lips curl into a smile. “Very.”
I’m not supposed to feel things for her, and this news is not supposed to make my heart sink. But it does.
“What’s his name?”
She falters before steeling her spine. “Bob.”
“Bob?” What kind of man calls himself Bob? Has she got a sugar daddy I don’t know about? “When do I get to meet him?”
Pippa lets out a choked laugh. “I don’t know if you ever will.”
“Why not?”
Clamping her lips together, she shakes her head. “Are you jealous?”
I cock an eyebrow and lean in, my face inches from hers. “Why would I be jealous?”
“Because you’re acting weird.”
Reaching for her, I grasp her shoulders. “I’m just looking out for you. Who is this guy? Does he take good care of you?”
The snort that comes from her is baffling, and she pulls away, her hand over her eyes as she laughs. “Oh, he takes very good care of me.”
“Damn it, Pippa. I care. Okay?”
She stops laughing, the expression in her eyes softening as she gazes at me. “It might not seem like it right now, but I appreciate you looking out for me.”
I grab hold of her hand. “Always.”
The gentle smile she gives me makes my heart pound. What is wrong with me?
“I’m sorry if you got the wrong idea at lunch, Deacon. I just thought if I spend time with your team that it might help me understand some of the things I have to work with. Simone said she did it.”
Ugh. Her words just make me feel like an even bigger bastard.
“Simone isn’t you. I don’t care who she spends time with.”
She swallows hard. “You’re jealous?”
“Yes.” There’s no point in hiding it. I am jealous. I want her attention—all of it.
Reaching up, she cups my cheek. I fight a frown—is she going to let me down hard?
“If you want me to have lunch with you instead, I’ll do it. I’d rather spend time with you anyway.”
“Really?”
She has a boyfriend.
“I’d rather spend time with you than anyone else.”