readersrx

Leaving her painful past behind Leah Lovemann decides to start her life anew. She lands a new job and moves to a new city. There she meets Jacob Boyd, a self-professed devil who tries to avoid her at all cost. Sure he is hot and successful but he is also rude, intimidating, and just plain mean. Yet, no matter how they try to fight it, there is an intense infatuation between the two of them that quickly spirals out of control into the realms of insanity.

Excerpt:

As I'm about to shut down my computer I notice an e-mail from Jacob. Afraid to open it, I brace myself with a deep breath before clicking on the email.  

Jacob wants me to give him a forecast for my regions profits. But I did that two days ago, which is exactly what I respond.  

Do it again, he writes back.  

This is ridiculous. Looking out my door, I can see his office. I feel like walking over there and giving him a piece of my mind. Instead, I bring up my financials on the computer and begin to prepare the forecast.  

Two hours into it I hear Ashley talking. Lifting my head, I see Jacob exiting his office on the other end of the floor. He and Ashley head for the elevators. Outraged, I get up from my desk and slam my door shut in protest. After pacing around the room for several minutes, I step outside my office. My eyes sweep the entire floor. I'm the only one here. I'm leaving. If he tells me anything tomorrow I'll tell him he can take this job and shove it. 

After shutting down the computer I grab my coat and head for the elevators. "I'll show him," I say to myself, aggressively jabbing the down button for the elevator with my finger. "Lovemann!"   

I jump.  

From down the hallway, Jacob walks towards me. "Didn't I ask you to let me know when you were done? Can't you follow the simplest of directions?" His eyes are blood shoot red. There's something off about him. He appears inebriated. "Were you going to have me here waiting for you all night?" 

"I thought you already left. I went by your office -" 

"I was in my office," he snaps, cutting me off. "Are you done with the forecast?" 

"No, I'm not." With one last step he closes the distance between us.   

"Your deadline is tonight." His breath fans against my skin. It smells like Listerine. 

"I received the request two hours ago."  

"That's not my problem."  

"I'll have it on your desk first thing tomorrow morning." There's no way I'm returning to my office. 

Without saying a word he stands there. Slowly, his gaze sweeps over my face, questioning, suspicious.  

I look away.  

A loud cling announces the arrival of the elevator - finally.  

When I step towards the elevator, he grabs hold of my arm. "Let go of me," I tell him calmly. Not willing to allow him to continue to intimidate me, I meet his gaze and keep it.  

In his eyes I’m confronted with a glimpse of him - rage, fear, and hopelessness pierces through me. The intensity, the rawness of his suffering so closely mirrors my own, it shocks me. A sharp pain shoots straight through my heart. Rubbing my hand over my chest, I attempt to chase it away.  

"Do you know me?" His voice cracks. "I mean from before." 

"From before, when?" Without considering the backlash I cover his hand with mine. Not to remove it from my arm but to comfort him. Somehow, I want to lessen his misery.  

His index finger caresses the side of mine from beneath. 

"Are you alright?" 

Abruptly, he steps away from me, breaking contact. "I'm fine. Forget it." 

"I can stay and finish the forecast." 

His back is already to me. "No. Go home..."