Millie

Showers so hot it felt as if my skin might peel off were on my list of top ten favorite things in the world, but after Lochlan's whiplash inducing performance this morning, I opted for a cold shower, standing face first in the bracing cold spray and willing my body's temperature to lower. The worst part was I did not know if I was overheated because I was turned on or pissed off—both were likely; however, anger edged ahead of lust as I berated myself for finding him attractive despite his irritable demeanor.

"Who does he think he is?" I grumbled, squeezing the last of the water from my honey blonde hair before stepping out of the shower.

Perhaps I could give him a pass for being short with me, considering I was everything he accused me of being, and his overprotectiveness for the Reed family made him more attractive. A pretty face only went so far. The man had layers to him that suggested a real heart beat beneath his impressive chest, but I drew the line at threats, especially regarding my autonomy.

"'I will drag you out of that bathroom regardless of the state you're in," I mocked as I wrapped a towel around my body. "He'll do no such thing."

Good lord, even his towels were luxurious. Regret clung to me as I dug through my cosmetic bags. If he would just let me stay behind, I could take my time getting ready, maybe even stay in the towel all day or put on my pajamas and go back to sleep. I'd almost told him he had nothing of high enough value in his apartment to be tempting, but that would prompt questions I wouldn't answer for fear of giving myself away.

Foundation settled over my skin as I patted a sponge across my cheeks. I looked at the doorknob, making certain it was still locked. Lochlan didn't strike me as the type of man to make idle threats, but I had no intentions of rushing or of making it easy for him to get to me, which is why I'd also locked the bedroom door before getting in the shower.

Fifteen minutes later, with dry hair and light makeup applied, I stood in front of my suitcase with a frown. I always over-packed, but I hadn't expected a take your boss's fake daughter to work day. Still, there had to be something in here that would at least cut down on the side eye if not make me look exactly professional. Yesterday's look had been chosen to foster an impression of youth and innocence, and, it was comfortable—a perfect choice for easing nerves.

"That's it," I muttered, digging through until I found what I was looking for. It was my number one rule for any job. When in doubt, don't dress to fit in, dress to tell people who you are. And today, I wanted to be bold and in control. To be the one putting others on edge. People like Lochlan.

I stepped in front of the long mirror in the corner and admired my work. The double-breasted red blazer had still had the tags on it. I purchased it before my life went to hell and had every intention of taking it back, not just to get the money, but because it had been too long. Now, wearing it alone with sky high nude heels, I normally avoided because I didn't enjoy being so tall, I felt like a business goddess who ruled in the boardroom and the bedroom.

"Shit," I muttered, peering over my shoulder to assess my butt in the mirror. Faint panty lines were visible and nothing ruined sexy like granny panty lines. Groaning, I shimmied out of them and stuff them in the suitcase.

Just as I found a suitable thong, the doorknob jangled. My heart skipped, and I flipped the suitcase lid closed, snatching up the gold hoop earrings I'd set on the bed. I forced myself to not hurry. Then the door shook beneath a pounding fist.

"Millie," Lochlan shouted.

"Ready," I said breathlessly, opening the door while standing far enough back to avoid being accidentally struck.

His blue eyes widened, and a tiny vein pulsed across his forehead. He gripped both sides of the door. "What the fuck are you wearing?"

"I ran out of time for pants," I lied, dipping under one of his arms and trying not to swoon as the scent of his body and cologne washed over me. It suddenly became a toss up whether not wearing underwear was going to be a blessing or a curse. "Come along. You abhor being late."

He stomped down the hall behind me. "Go back and put pants on."

"No." I waited by the door. Lochlan didn't take another step.

"Millie, that blazer is barely covering your ass."

"Considering you threatened to drag me out regardless of what I was or was not wearing, you're not really in a place to criticize. What if I'd been naked?"

One hand went to his tie and loosened it. Not the nervous need to breathe kind of loosening, but the loosening that spoke of preparations to shed other articles of clothing, and I was suddenly very glad I hadn't given in to the temptation to take my time in the shower.

"Go—"

"No," I repeated. "This is no worse than some of the dresses I've seen since I got here, and I've got news for you. You may threaten me and manhandle me into going to work with you, but you do not get a say over what I do or do not wear. It's my body. Got it."

Lochlan's adam's apple bobbed, and then he relaxed, a steely resolve sharpening his features. "You're right."

"I am?" I blinked and gave my head a little shake. "I am."

A ghost of a smirk lifted the corner of his lip. He grabbed car keys from a hook by the door and put his hand in the small of my lower back, pushing me into the hallway while lowering his lips so they brushed against my ear.

"Point one goes to you, Millie."

My head tilted to the side, and my breath hitched as he skimmed his mouth lower. The blazer's buttons barely held on as my chest heaved. "I wasn't aware this was a game."

"And that's why you're going to lose," Lochlan replied, pulling away and pointed toward the elevator. "Ladies first."

"That's archaic of you," I muttered, just to be difficult. His touch and scent left me frazzled, and when I squeezed my legs together, I could feel the slickness on my thighs.

I crowded into the back corner of the elevator while he pressed the button for the ground floor. Meeting my gaze through the reflection on the mirrored wall, he grinned. "It's a rule I always follow."