been her the last few years. He wasn’t the kind of guy that hit women. He liked to persuade and charm people into doing what he wanted; using physical force would seem like an insult to his mental abilities.
Rob from marketing wandered over to her, looking glum. “You guys are going to whip our ass. There’s no way Ethan is going to be in top form today.”
She smirked at him. “That is just too bad. You shouldn’t have made that bet.”
“He was first-team All-Ivy for four years. He’s an all-star. We couldn’t lose.” He watched her take out her worn glove and plop a tattered UCLA visor on her head. He grimaced. “How much did you bet?”
“No bet. My pleasure is going to come in rubbing his face in it.”
“You’re a cold woman. Maybe you should go easy on him today.”
She laughed. “Uh-huh. How much of my team have you tried to guilt into losing today?”
A small grin peeked out before he hid it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. He’s just going through a rough time right now. The press is going to go wild now that they know he hits women.”
“He didn’t hit her. And if he was somehow responsible for her broken nose, it was an accident. I would bet on that.”
“You can’t be sure. Especially with old money. What happens in private, stays private.”
She said, “True, but I’ve angered him, insulted him, and verbally abused him enough to know that when he gets mad, the charm starts oozing from him. He gets so sweet, you want to throw up. He doesn’t get physical.”
Rob nodded, looking thoughtful. “I’ve seen him come out of your office like that. And if he had cause to hit anybody, it would be you.”
“You’re a nice guy, Rob. Now go away and stop talking to my team.”
He laughed. “I’ll just have to remind Ethan how bad he needs to beat you.” He winked. “At softball, I mean.”
A frenzy of activity and a change in air pressure alerted Mackenzie that he had arrived. She refused to turn and watch him. Refused to even acknowledge that she wanted to.
He was a beautiful man. And a beautiful man you could admire from a distance was one thing, but a beautiful man who periodically waltzed into your office, sat in your chair, and ate your candy bars was another thing entirely.
He found her quick enough though.
“Hello, Mackenzie. You look ravishing in those yoga pants.”
She turned, bracing herself. He wore a faded blue Columbia t-shirt that outlined his chest and showcased his biceps. His forearms were sprinkled with golden hair and Mackenzie stared down at his bare arms. Then told herself to get a grip. They were forearms. But she stared at them anyway. Maybe it was the novelty. He was always in long-sleeved business shirts and jackets.
She looked back up to sparkly green eyes and flashing white caps and raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you want to play when you’re this pissed?”
His smile dropped a centimeter. “I’m not pissed.”
“You look like you’re about to sing ‘It’s A Small World’. And I’ve seen that look enough times to know you’ve just about had it.”
His eyes stopped that annoying sparkle and his smile dropped another centimeter. “You would know.”
“I guess I would. Did you hit her?”
His smile disappeared completely. “No. I wasn’t even in the same state when she broke her nose.”
“Well, that’s what I told Rob when he tried to guilt me into losing to you. If you were the kind of guy that hit women you would have hit me a long time ago. And just to let you know, I’m still going to wipe up with you today.”
He stared at her for a moment before a grin started. “You can certainly try.”
She popped her fists onto her hips. “I don’t try, I do. And after I’ve skunked your sorry team I’m going to frame the score so every time you walk into my office you’ll remember Mr. All-Ivy lost to a girl.”
He mirrored her, leaning in her face just a bit. “And once I’ve won, I’m going to have it painted on your wall as a reminder that you need to respect your superiors.”
She snorted. “Superior? That would be a matter of opinion, and you would be wrong.”
He looked her up and down, leaning just a bit closer. “I’ve never had a complaint before.”
“Really? ‘Cause I could have sworn I read something just the other day.”
“She’s been without awhile, probably going through withdrawal.”
“It’s