CHAPTER 2

BREE

"Brittany!" A voice boomed behind me. I didn't need to look back to know it was my prick boss. He was the only one who called me by my full name and the only one who knew who I was in Mount Whitney.

I took a sip of the tequila before swinging my gaze at him. Just as expected, his grey eyes were piercing into my soul. Just like his personality, his eyes were like stormy clouds filled with so much tension. He was glaring daggers at me with his hands tucked into his pocket. Apart from being a terrible boss, he was a good-looking man. Hundred times better than Ron. He had the look that made you stop thrice to gaze and drool over him.

The first day I came for my interview, I was so struck by his beauty that I couldn't talk for a minute. But as soon as he opened his mouth, I knew he was just as narcissistic as every other well-built man out there.

"You left the meeting for the restroom, and you're here drinking? Do you know how long I waited for you? What does that portray to our investors?" He snapped before stopping in front of me. Even while sitting with my chin tilted up, he was still more than a foot taller than I was. Not like the stool added anything to my height, I'd always been around his stomach.

"I... I'm sorry, sir. I was just out of it."

A frown thinned his brows. "You think sorry can fix this?"

I shot him a look. "Are you going to fire me? You don't see my usefulness, too, right?" I drew in a deep breath. "Maybe I'm just useless. Maybe I can't do anything at all." My voice cracked. "No one needs me."

He didn't say anything. Just stared at me for a few seconds before pulling out the stool beside me. I downed another drink while he waved at the waiter.

"Are you okay, Brittany?" He asked in a calm tone, his gaze holding mine. Did I really see concern flash in his eyes? Damon had never had any emotions going for him. He was always wearing a cold and stoic look. Sometimes I wonder if he was just emotionless or just cold.

I sniffed. "I... I'm not okay."

He lifted his brows. "Why? What's wrong? Is it because I stopped you from taking the day off?"

I looked at him. Was he feeling guilty about it? He should actually feel guilty for never making me rest. Even on weekends, he's always calling me to do one thing or another. My whole life literally revolved around him, almost like I existed because of him. But in a way, I was still glad he held me back today.

Maybe I wouldn't have found out my boyfriend was cheating on me. Maybe he would still be deceiving me without saying what he truly thought about me, and I would still be in a fantasy of our good relationship. We might have met to celebrate our anniversary, and things would still remain the same.

"Brittany," Damon's voice pulled me out of my thoughts as he waved his palm across my face.

I cleared my throat. "Sorry, I zoned out."

He took a sip of his drink. "You never do that."

I let out a sigh. "I found out my boyfriend was cheating on me." I don't know why I was telling my boss this, but I just needed an outlet, and tonight, it seemed like he wasn't riding on his high horse and was actually willing to give me some listening ears. I'd just say things to get it off my chest. Maybe I'll feel better then. Maybe I'll stop feeling terrible about what Ron said.

"He must be a dumb jerk cheating on someone like you."

A small smile curved out of my face. It didn't seem like he was saying it to make me feel better. I could see the sincerity in his eyes, and those little words warmed my heart.

"He mistakenly sent a video of a girl blowing him off."

His eyes widened for a few seconds. "Wow, that's so horrible of him. I can't imagine finding out your partner is cheating on you in such a shitty way."

Okay, what has come over my boss? He never listened to anyone. He never talked to me about anything other than business. He was strict with business relationships, but I guess he wasn't so uptight. Maybe he wanted to let loose, and in a way, I found that more attractive.

"Today is our anniversary."

His face screwed up. "I'm sorry."

I let out a low chuckle before taking another chug of the drink. "It's fine, you're not the one who cheated on me on our anniversary."

He downed his drink and turned to me. "I'll never cheat on you."

I froze. Did he just say that with so much sincerity? And the way he was looking at me, I was starting to get hot. Way to go, alcohol. I've always had good tolerance, but not when my hot boss is sitting in front of me, saying things I never thought would come out of his mouth.

I cleared my throat. "You'd cheat on me if I'm not good in bed."

He almost choked on his drink. I blinked before pushing the bottled water by my side to him, but he didn't take it.

"Did the asshole say that to you?"

I bit on my lower lip and stared into my drink.

"Wow, he's so stupid. He really said that out loud?"

I nodded. "That's the reason he cheated on me. It's the reason he ended things with me."

"You feel bad about it?" He asked slowly, like he wanted to be sure he was asking the right question, not pissing me off.

"You'll feel terrible if you're told you can't do a natural thing."

He shook his head, then placed his hand on my shoulder. That little touch sent a wave of sensation all over my body.

"Nah, he isn't worth it. He doesn't deserve you. You shouldn't be seated here mopping over a lost cause."

I shook my head. "I'm the lost cause. If I can't do something like that, then..."

"You really think one person can be the judge of that? What if he's the terrible one and he's just trying to pin things on you to make him feel better?"

I gave a small smile. If that had been the case, then it would have been better, but I've only ever been with Ron. For others, we ended things before we could get intimate, so he was indeed the only judge of that.

"It's not like I can get anyone to judge that."

His gaze settled on me intensely. "You can."

That was all I needed to close the space between us and yank him down to me. Then, I pressed my lips on his.

I don't know where the courage came from, but I just wanted to kiss my boss. Thankfully, he didn't pull away; instead, his lips came down on mine, taking me like he never wants to let go.