Lord of Rain (The Dragon Demigods #5) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,60

with his image by keeping the crazies and randoms away,” she reiterates.

“I’ll do my best.”

“I’m not sure I like the idea, but it’s worth a try since the two of you will be working so closely together.” She gives Bolt a dirty look. “You need to be aware that this is going to blow the internet up as well.” She lifts the magazine. “This is only the start.”

I feel my stomach knot.

“Inform your family, Miss Shaw.” He looks my way for a moment, before turning to her. “You release that statement as a matter of urgency, Emily, and we can get on with our lives.”

“Done. But you need to watch your step,” she tells Bolt.

I half expect him to tell her where to get off, but he doesn’t. He nods. “It’s going to work out.”

“These things have a way of blowing up in a person’s face.”

“Not this time,” Bolt says.

Emily rolls her eyes. “I don’t want to know any more.” She waves her hand, and then she walks out in much the same bulldozer fashion as she walked in.

“Don’t worry about her,” Bolt says. “She’s actually great at what she does, or I would have fired her long ago for being such a fucking bitch.”

“She is quite…feisty.”

“You good?” He lifts his brows.

I nod. I’m not great. I realize that I wouldn’t have minded an article about Bolt and me being together. I hate that I’ve been made out to be the jilted girlfriend Bolt doesn’t care about. It makes me feel bad. I look stupid. I know my emotions are unfounded because there is nothing between us.

He narrows his eyes into mine, like he’s trying to figure out what I’m thinking. “Take the rest of the afternoon off to sort things out.”

I frown. “Are you sure? I can just call my mom and—” I take a step forward and…I forgot about not moving too much because I snag my heel on the end of his carpet and start falling. It seems to happen in slow motion, but I can’t stop myself. It’s like a nightmare where everything slows down, and your legs feel like lead.

Bolt grabs me, pulling me up. I make a yelping noise. My chest is heaving.

I’m plastered up against him. I’m looking up at him, and he’s looking down at me, and for a second I think that he is going to kiss me. He doesn’t. He does the opposite and pushes me away a little. “You okay, Miss Shaw?” He lets me go completely

“Yes…um…new shoes. They’re high and—”

“I like them. You should practice at home, though…for safety’s sake.”

“I will.” I look down at my bare foot. The heel that caused all this trouble is behind me.

Bolt looks down too. His mouth draws up into the start of a smile. Then he bends down and gets my shoe, which he hands to me. “I’m sure you’re also a little shaken by all of this. It can’t be easy for you. I should be used to it by now, but it still gets to me.”

I lean down and put my shoe back on. “They’re so ruthless.”

“They’ll do anything for a story.” He takes the magazine off his desk and throws it in the trash. Like it’s going to erase what’s between the pages.

“Thank you for the time off.” I guess I’ll go, if he insists. It feels…like too much. Is Bolt too nice? He seems overly nice. I don’t understand it, especially after he warned me about what an asshole he is. He must feel bad about this. That’s all it is. I’m just being paranoid.

19

The next day…

Bolt

I pace from one side of my office to the other. I keep glancing at the file on my desk. It’s going on six. Miss Shaw is still here. She has been organizing our trip to New York between meetings with the relevant departments. She’s got a couple of other items on her desk she’s insisting on completing before leaving for the day. I admire her work ethic.

I can’t get over the fact that I’m officially a pussy. A yellow-bellied one at that. I’m holding back. I’ve had that NDA in my possession since three, yesterday afternoon. Yesterday! I’ve had all day to call her in, to put the offer on the table. I haven’t done it. I’ve never backed down a day in my life. I’ve never hesitated. I do my homework. I get my ducks in a fucking row and go in guns blazing. Not with her. Not concerning