Bound Together (13 page)
Authors: Marie Coulson
Giving him a quick peck on
the cheek I nodded. “I think it’s a great idea. I really loved
hanging out just the two of us. It was fun.”
Glancing behind me I
looked through the window of the shop and realized that my shift
had started five minutes before. Giving Oliver another quick hug,
we said our goodbyes and I walked through the glass doors to the
coffee shop.
* * *
back room to store my things away in one of the lockers. I heard a
pair of heels clattering in the direction of the door and Kate
entered a moment later. “Hey Layla. Just a heads up, the boss is in
today. He wants to look over the books and make sure everything’s
running in tip-top form. I’m guessing that means meeting the new
girl too.” Kate had worked at Lorraine’s for a year now and was the
most interesting girl I’d ever met. Friendly and helpful she was a
breath of fresh air during a hectic shift. Her dark hair and pale
skin made her look like a china doll, but she was far from it. She
had a wicked sense of humor, a filthy mind and she cursed like a
guy, which didn’t bother me. In fact, I found it rather
amusing.
She patted me on the
shoulder before propping herself up against the lockers to face me.
“Just so you know he’s a total hottie! But from what I’ve heard he
doesn’t do the whole dating thing so try not to fall too hopelessly
in love with him ok?” She gave me a wink. Laughing at her I tilted
my head and smiled. “Actually, I don’t think that’s going to be a
problem. I had a date last night with an amazing guy and I’m seeing
him again tonight.”
Her mouth dropped open
and she shoved me on the shoulder playfully. “Good for you girl!
Only been here a few days and snagged yourself a man. Way to
go.”
The commotion of the
afternoon rush of students filing into the coffee shop distracted
us. Kate’s head rolled back and she groaned. Glaring at the door
she pulled her long hair back into a ponytail before glancing over
her shoulder at me. “Well, better get out there before a riot
breaks out.” Tying my apron around my waist I followed her
out.
Two hours later, the
student mob that had descended upon us had settled down and the
shop was beginning to empty when Lorraine came into the front of
the shop. “Layla, the boss man would like to see you in the office
please. He wants to meet you properly and talk about how you’re
doing. Don’t worry he won’t bite.”
Shooting Kate a nervous
look, I made my way through to the back. As I glanced back over my
shoulder at her, she gave me a sympathetic smile. Butterflies were
swarming inside my stomach. What if he didn’t like me? What if he
decided I wasn’t someone he wanted working at Lorraine’s coffee
shop? A hundred worrying thoughts ran through my mind as I
approached the office door.
Taking a deep breath I
knocked lightly. The door swung opened and I gawked in total shock
and horror. “You!”
Standing in front of me,
wearing a gray suit with a black silk tie was a sexy, smoldering
Jared. He beamed at me but the distress on my face must have been
apparent to him because his smile disappeared instantly. “You’re
Mr. Garrett?! You’re my boss!? You own Lorraine’s and you never
thought to tell me? How could you not tell me? Do you get some kind
of sick pleasure out of humiliating me?” I was rambling frantically
and furiously.
Jared stretched out his
hands to me, but raising my own in front of me in warning, I
recoiled and backed away. I was furious with him. He’d had every
opportunity to tell me the truth but instead, he’d kept it to
himself just to humiliate and embarrass me at work. He stared at me
and I could see the regret painted all over his gorgeous, perfectly
chiseled face.
“
Layla calm down. I was
going to tell you last night but it never felt like the right
moment. I didn’t do it to humiliate you in any way. Please let me
explain.”
I shook my head and
glowered at him.
I turned to leave but his
hand seized my elbow and he hauled me into the office. I grabbed at
his hand and shoved it away from me. I was breathing heavily as my
body quaked with fury. I was pissed at him and I was in no mood for
his games. “There is no explanation you could possibly give me to
excuse the fact that you lied. And don’t give me that crap about no
opportunity. You could have told me the first day I met you, you
could have told me when you came in for coffee the following day.
You could even have told me last night, but I guess you were too
busy trying to get into my underpants to consider how I might feel
once I found out you’re my boss! So, no Jared, I will
not
let you explain. Now
if you’ll excuse me
Mr. Garrett
I have to go back to work. I may even stay for
the late shift to allow Kate to leave early. It’s not as if I have
any plans this evening.” My goading had struck a nerve, his
expression had darkened. It wasn’t remorse anymore. Now he was
irritated.
We stood there for a
moment just glaring at each other. I could feel the sting of tears
pricking my eyes and I did not want him to see me cry. I stormed
towards the door but before I reached it Jared was there blocking
my exit with his rock hard body. I tried to push him out of my way
but he was as solid as stone. Thumping my fists against his chest
in frustration, I growled at him. “Jared, get out of my way! We’re
done here. We’re done period. Let me go…please.” He gazed down at
me without budging an inch.
I ran my fingers through
my hair feeling totally exasperated. He reached out quickly and
caught my wrists gripping them tightly in his hands. “Layla, stop
being so damn melodramatic. It’s not an attractive trait. I said
I’m sorry for not telling you and I mean it. I thought if you knew
you’d never agree to go out with me, which is absurd because I’m
not even really your boss. I’m more like the silent partner. This
was my mom’s shop; all I do is handle the finances. I was wrong not
to tell you, but it really isn’t a big deal. It doesn’t change
anything between us.”
I shook my head and
glared at him as my voice trembled with the anger and unshed tears
building inside me. “It changes everything!”
Twisting my wrists free
from his grasp I pushed him out of my way and ran into the ladies
room, locking myself in a stall before burying my face into my
hands and sobbing. How could he have done this to me? I thought he
was different. The Jared I’d been with the night before was now
just painful memory. The sweet, charming and funny Jared was
replaced by the lying, sneaking and manipulative man I’d left in
the office. How could he believe it didn’t change anything? He was
my employer, he issued my pay check. We could never be equals
now.
The unmistakable squeak
of the bathroom door opening caught my attention. “Layla? You in
here sweetie? I saw you run out. Are you alright?” It was Kate. I
took a deep breath, grabbed some toilet paper and began dabbing my
eyes as I sauntered out of the stall. Sniffing a little through my
tears I glanced over at her. She gave me a concerned look before
wrapping her arms around me for a hug. “Oh sweetie what happened?
Was he a jerk to you? He didn’t fire you did he?”
I shook my head and
pulled away from her embrace. Wiping my nose I exhaled loudly “No.
It’s nothing like that. He’s a head and heart fuck not a jerk. You
remember I told you about the amazing guy I went out with last
night?” She nodded and began to run some water in the basin. “Well
it’s him. Jared is Mr. Garrett. I had no idea he was my boss. He
lied to me.”
Kate’s jaw dropped and
she clasped her hand over her mouth, staring at me she shook her
head. “You’re kidding. Oh my gosh. What a tool! Although,
technically, he didn’t lie. He just neglected to tell you. I
understand you’re upset and hurt but does it really matter that he
owns this place? I mean he owns the business but its Lorraine’s
place. He only comes in here to get coffee and check the books once
a month. If you like him that much it really shouldn’t be an issue
honey. Did he give you a reason why he never told you?”
I told her the reasons
Jared had given me for his deceitfulness and she listened
attentively, nodding and giving me understanding looks throughout.
When I was finished she pulled me in for a hug. I rested my head on
her shoulder and heard her let out a small sigh. “Oh Layla. You
really are crazy.” I pulled away and stared at her in total
bewilderment. Had she not been listening? Taking a small rag from
her apron she soaked it in the basin of cold water before going to
work on my makeup smeared, red and blotchy face. Shaking her head
at me again, she tutted. “Layla, Layla, Layla. He made a mistake.
He’s a guy. They do that shit all the time. Hell we women are no
better. Think of it this way. If you forgive him for this, when you
mess up you’ll have leverage. But bottom line here sweetie, you
like him, he likes you, just start fresh and give him a chance.
What have you really got to lose?”
She had a valid point. I
did like Jared. I liked him a lot and the thought of not feeling
his arms around me, never feeling his lips on mine or the thrill of
pleasure that ran through me when he was around was frightening.
But if there was even a slight chance that I would forgive him, he
was going to have to work much harder than an apology in the back
room of the coffee shop. Stepping back, she gave me a small smile.
“There, all cleaned up. Now get your ass back out there and show
that prick that he’s not getting the upper hand. Flaunt that sexy
little ass of yours right in his face. Make him suffer for his
stupid behavior.”
Winking at me she turned
and walked out, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I looked at
myself in the mirror. Kate had cleared me up so well you couldn’t
see a trace of the tears that were running down my cheeks just
moments before. Inhaling deeply, I straightened my clothes and
walked back out into the shop.
When I entered the shop
floor, I spotted him sitting at a table opposite the counter with
Lorraine. They appeared to be going through the receipts that she
had collected at the end of every shift. I was acutely aware of his
eyes on me as I made my way past his chair to the counter. Kate was
watching me as I approached and gave me a knowing smile. Standing
behind the counter I tried desperately not to look at him but it
was almost impossible. His suit jacket was hanging off the back of
the chair and his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. He’d
loosened his tie and was leaning back with his hands behind his
head. There was something hypnotic about a man in a suit. It heated
my blood and called to me deep inside. He glanced over at me and a
shock of electricity hit me as our eyes met.
Damn he’d caught me
. Turning to
Lorraine he said something I couldn’t quite hear. She waved me
over. “Layla dear could you come here a moment?” Shit, now he’d use
Lorraine to win me over. Knowing I couldn’t avoid him this time I
took a calming breath and made my way over to the
table.
I stood there rigidly as
Lorraine smiled sweetly at me and leaned forward across the table.
“Would you be so kind and bring us some coffee dear. I’ll have my
usual and whatever Jared would like. Thank you sweetie.” Rolling my
eyes, I turned to face him. A playful grin was spreading across his
face and it irked me. I tapped my foot impatiently and glared at
him. He was enjoying this far too much. “I’m sure you can make the
right choice for me Layla. I have faith in your judgment of knowing
exactly what I want.” It was oozing with sexual suggestion. I was
beginning to feel my cheeks warm and he was certainly enjoying
watching me squirm. Shooting him an evil glare, I turned on my heel
and walked back to the counter, cursing him under my breath.
Jackass.
Kate eyed me as I stepped
around the partition. “What was that about?”
Grabbing two cups from
beside her I rolled my eyes. “Asshole thinks he can get around me.
They want coffee and he’s using it as an opportunity to manipulate
my feelings and make sexual innuendos. Again.”
Kate snickered and handed
me a teaspoon. “Well I’d say he’s having some effect on you
already. Your face is as red a stop sign. What the hell did he
say?”
I told her about his
“faith in your judgment and knowing what I want” comment. She
stifled a laugh and seeing my irritated expression, used her hand
to gesture zipping her lips.
I made Lorraine her usual
cappuccino and something for Jared that I felt was appropriate.
Taking them over, I smirked to myself. Two could play this game.
Jared was watching me attentively as I approached the table. “One
cappuccino with extra foam for you Lorraine. And for you Jared, a
chilled Frappuccino.” Lorraine thanked me before taking her coffee
and flicking through a file on the table. Jared was staring at me
with a mischievous smirk lingering across his lips.
“
And
what made you choose the Frappuccino for me Layla?” I smiled
pleasantly and put on the best acting performance of my life. “Well
Mr. Garrett, I thought the refreshing iciness would help cool you
off. Plus it’s a favorite of mine. It’s simple, uncomplicated and
most importantly it’s honest.”
Bam!
How do you like that Mr. Garrett?
I
mentally hugged myself for my sheer brilliance. Jared raised an
eyebrow at me.
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