A cool grin parted ShyAnne’s red lips as she glided across the room to where Novah sat at the round table with her work. “I thought I was the only one who used the library,” there was a touch of annoyance to the woman’s tone at Novah invading her space.
Standing, she tugged her blouse down her hips. “I was looking for a quiet place to review these documents.”
“It’s Novah, right? You’re my husband’s assistant.” ShyAnne stepped over to a shelf of books and pretended interest in a particular one. She slipped it out from the rest and flipped through the pages
“Yes. We haven’t really had the chance to meet.”
ShyAnne slipped her icy glare down Novah, then came back up with an aloof expression. “I see why my husband hired you. He likes to surround himself with beautiful things, but I’m guessing you already know that,” she said matter of factly.
Novah’s cheeks warmed as she stood under the woman’s cynical glare. “I should take these forms back to Mr. Langley.” She swiped up the stack of papers and clumsily shoved them into the folder.
“No need to hurry on my behalf,” ShyAnne slurred. “This room was always crowded anyway.” She shifted her cool gaze to the portrait of a regal woman hanging on the wall.
“I have a meeting I need to prepare for.” She had the distinct feeling she wasn’t liked in the present company.
“I’m sure you do.”
Feeling the heat off the statement, Novah met the pearly gaze of the beautiful woman, several unsavory comments coming to mind. Not wanting to alienate the wife of her boss, Novah politely headed for the door. “Excuse me.” She stepped around ShyAnne, and as she did Novah caught a familiar hint of perfume. Pear and honey? The same scent that had been on Egan’s shirt. A sledgehammer came down on her head. Could it be possible?
“Is there a problem?” ShyAnne’s nose wrinkled.
“I was just trying to figure out what you’re wearing. That is pear, right?”
“Yes.” She must have misread Novah’s alarm because ShyAnne smirked. “Oh, did he give you the same perfume? It’s his favorite.”
“Pardon me?”
“We’re both women here. Let’s not mince our words. My husband always did have a thing for a smart, little brunette.” ShyAnne sized Novah up in one icy move. “Just understand you’re not the first and you won’t be the last.”
Novah muttered, “Goodbye.” She headed into the hallway, leaning against the cool exterior of the door until her adrenaline calmed some. How did ShyAnne Langley’s perfume and lipstick get on Egan’s shirt? What reason would she have to be that close to him?
Her mind swirled.
With the mindset to hunt Egan down and strangle him, she stomped down the hallway, not even seeing a few of the security men she passed along the way. Not only had he put his job at risk, but it was ethically wrong. And to think how he’d dragged her over the coals because of Mr. Langley!
This infuriated her.
Still seething she went to her room, grabbed her phone off the nightstand and stabbed the letters on the keyboard to write…
“Where are you?”
Seconds seemed to pass into a decade until he finally responded. “Working. E.”
“Where? N.”
“Why? E.”
She cursed under her breath. “I need to speak to you. N.”
“At the boat dock. E.”
She left the folder and her phone in the room and headed to lecture the man who drove her crazy.
CHAPTER NINE
EGAN FELT THE heat off her stare long before he saw her walking—no, jogging— down the boat dock toward him. He grinned. Now what was up her cute behind? She targeted him with a variety of anger and disappointment as she thundered closer. When she came to a stop her cheeks flushed. Her chest rose and fell as if she’d run a marathon. He slipped his gaze down her blouse buttoned to the neck and the little black skirt that hugged her curves, feeling a rise behind his fly. Admittedly, after being rejected last night he felt a bit butt hurt today.
Lifting his gaze to her indignant glare, he forced a friendly smile to his lips. “What now, Novah?” He didn’t have time to deal with her, not today. He’d talked himself off a ledge last night—a ledge akin to jumping into a shitshow. Well, he backed off, way off. He had his head on straight now.
“How could you?” Her frown deepened.
“Last I knew I didn’t have the power to read your mind,” he ground out, all civility disappearing.
“Don’t act dumb. You know exactly what I’m talking about!” Her chin tilted stubbornly.
“I don’t have time for this.” He shook his head and stepped onto the security boat.
“Don’t walk away from me!”
“Go away, Novah. Remember it’s too dangerous for people to see us together.” Although he knew the cameras didn’t reach the boat dock, there was a slight possibility that someone could be close enough to see them. Mainly though, he didn’t want to speak to her. She was like a faucet. Hot one second and icy the next. He didn’t need that in his life—didn’t want that in his life.
He felt a peck on his shoulder and brought his chin around. She had joined him on the boat and was clearly not letting it drop. “What the hell, woman? Get off the boat.”
“Not until we talk. Is it that difficult to keep your barn door closed?” She dropped her gaze none too
