Begin Again novel Chapter 51

"You wanted to see me?" She asked at last; the suspense was killing her.

Liam smirked, a victorious gleam in his eyes, pleased she'd lost this round. It's a rule in any staring contest that the one to look away first or give in is the loser. Eden wanted to kick herself for doing both.

"The research on influencers, where are we?" Liam asked, folding his arms over his chest, and there were those darn muscles again, rippling under the fabric, screaming at her to touch them.

Eden gulped and closed her eyes, banishing all her thirsty thoughts.

"So?" He raised an eyebrow, the smirk stretching into a slow, full-blown cocky smile as if he could read her dirty thoughts.

"What research?" She asked. She knew the research he was referring to of course. But, she thought playing dumb would buy her time. Truth is she hadn't even started on it, hadn't thought about it since he gave her away to Matthew. She figured since she no longer reports to him she doesn't have to carry on with the one task he'd assigned her on her first day.

"I take it you haven't started," Liam said softly, seeing right through her little act. "I suggest you get on it as a matter of urgency."

"I don't think that's going to be possible," Eden replied, raising her chin stubbornly. She couldn't serve two masters, and since he gave her away, there's no reason she should be bending over backwards to please him.

"What could prevent you from fulfilling a task I've personally asked you to complete?" He asked, eyebrows raised, his eyes wide with intrigue.

"My time is now solely dedicated to the marketing area," Eden blurted.

Liam laughed, but there was no amusement in his eyes. "Are you challenging a direct order, Ms McBride? Because if you are, I suggest you read the code of conduct, more specifically the consequences of dereliction of duties. Clause 19.2."

Eden was amazed and mildly impressed Liam remembered the clauses of the HR manual. Nobody ever read those darn things. Well, nobody but Liam it seemed.

She still hadn't looked at any of the company's documents, but now that Lucifer here was reading her the riot act and quoting clauses from memory, it would serve her well to brush up on her knowledge as well. She didn't want to be caught with her pants down again, something she's been finding herself doing a lot of lately.

"I'll get on it, might be a while yet since I'm still in training!" She said over her shoulder as she turned to leave.

She didn't even make it halfway across the room when she felt his strong arms around her waist.

"Did you not read the company's protocol as well?" Liam murmured in her hair, sending sparks of desire all over her body, her knees almost buckling when she caught his natural manly scent, perfectly infused with his cologne and soap.

God, she'd missed it as much as she missed being held by him like this.