10. Mack

Chapter 10

Mack

There's something profoundly different about Isabelle. She's fearless, yes, that's part of it. But there's something else that I could probably put my finger on if I wasn't so fucking exhausted.

I haven't slept properly in months. Not since I left for an extended tour of my manufacturing facilities and international operations.

Within days of leaving, I knew I had to come back. I thought about it morning, noon, and night. I stayed away because I thought that was what she needed.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

"We should talk in my office," I say gruffly. "It's more private."

"What… Why does our conversation need to be private?" Her voice wavers, but she doesn't stop glaring at me.

I lower my voice. "I came back for you."

She shakes her head. "You came back for yourself."

"I came back for you ," I roar. Already out of patience, a terrible sign. "Enough. It doesn't matter. You need to come with me."

"No." She swallows visibly. "I can't. I have work to do."

"You work for me, and I need you to come with me."

"Where?"

"A meeting across town." And then I stalk into my office, because if I say anything more, it will likely be at a top volume bellow. I need to get myself under control.

She follows, though, which is a good sign.

I pace to the window.

From behind me, her voice is small and sharp and pointed. "I've done an excellent job while you've been gone. That's well documented in your emails."

"You are an impressive assistant. There's no doubt about that."

"And you've never needed me to be the person who follows you to meetings."

I nod. That's true. But this meeting is different. "Nonetheless, I need you to accompany me. My limo is waiting downstairs."

"Is this an effort to get me out of the building, and then you'll fire me? Because I'm a permanent employee as of today. You can't do that."

I grind my teeth together. "The last thing I want to do is fire you, Isabelle."

"I've heard the stories about how you chew through assistants."

"This. Isn't. That." I turn and scowl at her.

She glares back. "That look really doesn't help. I understand why they've all been terrified of you."

Were they?

I don't remember anything about my life before Isabelle Bright stepped into it and changed everything.

"I want it on the record that I'm not scared of you," she says with determination.

"Good." I close the gap between us and pick her up, tossing her over my shoulder. The scent that has haunted me for three months, proud rain-drenched wildflowers, delicate and wild, fills my senses. I inhale a lungful and immediately feel more steady.

"Mack!" She thumps her hands on my back. "You can't carry me like this."

Of course I can. I am. But then I freeze. "Am I hurting you?"

She shifts her hips, the curve of her ass pushing against my head. "No," she admits reluctantly.

"Then we're fine." I stride to the door.

"But everyone will see my underwear," she points out.

I'm not putting her down. That only leaves one option.

I stop in the doorway to the main office, snapping my free hand at the nearest worker. "Go ahead of us. Tell everyone to avert their eyes. No, better yet, tell them to close their eyes. Everyone on this floor, and downstairs, too."

They scurry ahead, and I pat Isabelle's bottom.

She huffs a muttered protest I can't quite decipher, but I'm pretty sure it isn't really meant for my ears, anyway.

Not a single person looks at us as I stalk down the corridor, Isabelle draped over me like a prize catch.

An empty elevator car is waiting, and downstairs, the lobby is empty as well.

"That worked well," I say as I open the limo door myself and set her inside.

She rolls her eyes at me as she scoots across the wide seat. "Because everyone who works for you is terrified of you."

I join her, closing the door behind me. The driver, having been previously briefed about our destination, pulls away from the curb without instruction.

"You aren't scared of me," I say with some satisfaction, although I'm still growling, because she's put herself out of grabbing range.

She narrows her eyes. "Doesn't mean I don't think you're a beast."

"Accepted. I'm a beast. Your ferocious boss. Do you wish I was different?"

She hesitates.

That's all I need.

"Come to me, little one. Come perch on my knee and tell me how you'd tame me."