Alle Kapitel von Falling for my cocky Boss: Kapitel 11 – Kapitel 20

TESSA'S POVAfter Aiden left. I sat dead silent, still shocked from everything that had gone down. Alone in my apartment, it felt as though the weight came down on me. Had I done what was right, really, or was it Aiden frustration bottled up inside of him, pushing me over the edge?I wasn't deep enough in my head when the ringing door cut through the air. Chloe had texted earlier to let me know she was on her way over. Truthfully, really, I wasn't in the mood for company, but maybe Chloe's presence could lighten up my mood.I worked the latch, swung the now-open door, and there she was, standing, one hand clutching a bottle of wine, the other donned with that mischievous grin."Surprise!" Chloe chimed, wiggling the bottle in front of me. "Wine for your sorrows."I dredged up a smile and stood aside to allow her entry. "I don't think wine is going to help this time."Chloe blew an exaggerated, melodramatic huff as she stomped into my living room, plopping onto my couch and kicking her

TESSA'S POVLong after he was gone, his words still hauntingly remained in my head while the mocking tone still echoed within my silent apartment.‘Coward.’‘Running away when things get tough.’Standing square in my living room, staring at the closed door while his voice ran over and over in my head-he knew just where to hit, didn't he-for the first time it wasn't Damien's words that cut but rather the truth in them.I'd been running. Not just from him, but from everything: from Aiden, from my job, from the whole mess my life had turned into. Somewhere, deep inside of me, I knew that couldn't happen anymore, that I couldn't keep letting other people, Damien, Aiden, or anyone else keep calling the shots in my life.I was done running.---I strode into the office next morning, not at all like it had been all these days; my step steely and determined, resignation clutched in my gut. Well, this just wasn't going to be the end of that story. Nobody was going to take this job away from me

DAMIEN'S POVI like it to be quiet around my office, losing myself among tasks. Gray walls, sterile-just right to set in the background for the dull rhythm of corporate life. This was my respite-the only place I needn't think about anything else.That was desecrated the very moment the door opened unexpectedly.I didn't need to look up to know who it was, for as heavy as his presence was, the tidal wave was unmistakable. My dad, Mr. Grey strode into the room as if owning every square inch of it. He did, but still. This man loomed tall and broad-shouldered; grey eyes sharp as ice-cold and unyielding.. A force of nature, he moved with the surety of command oozing with every step, with as much certainty as the glances that would shrink anybody in his path.Except I wouldn't. Not anymore.I straightened my back while my eyes did not leave the screen right in front of me. "I didn't know you were coming around," I said evenly-really wasting no time with any pretenses to mask the loathing la

AIDEN'S POV"Tessa, tonight we attend a business party," I said, her message open on my screen, my fingers pausing to send. I ordered a dress and shoes for her too, something appropriate. Maybe it wasn't necessary to explain it, but at least she needed to look the part. My thumb tapped the screen, the message gone in an instant as I didn't second guess myself.I leaned back in my chair, my eyes drifting to the clock on my desk. The evening stretched open before me like an open yawn, but I couldn't shake that nagging feeling something tangible had lain between them since the moment that plane took off. Business only it was. Only business.Yes. Only business.But my head circled right back to Tessa. Icy and shut down on that plane, she'd stayed shut down-ever since, really-and hell, I couldn't exactly blame her. I'd been doing the same thing.But somehow this utter disconnection from me was what clawed at my brain. It was for the best that way, anyway. I couldn't afford complications, a

TESSA'S POV"Ignore them," Jason whispered melodiously as we swayed to the rhythm of the song, in a low and smooth voice. "They are just jealous because I am dancing with the most beautiful woman in the room."I did blink, turned to stare at the women staring back at me from their various corners of the ballroom. Their gazes ran the gamut from curious to downright hostile. My fingers clenched on Jason's shoulder, and I deliberately loosened them, focusing on the soft warmth of the music and his steadying presence."Beautiful?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow as I tried to sound light. "I'm not sure they would say quite the same about that."He laughed, a low easy sound full of confidence. "Trust me, they would. They're just mad you're the one on my arm tonight."He leaned in closer, eyes glinting. "But none of that matters. Right now, it's just us."I rolled my eyes, playful, but couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips. There was something to Jason's charm that was just infectio