Breaking All the Rules by Cynthia Sax

Author:Cynthia Sax [Sax, Cynthia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-03-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

* * *

FOUR HOURS LATER Nate leans against the door frame of my new office, his arms crossed, his expression cool and contained. “The view in here has improved.”

“Ha.” I’m draped over my desk, my leather-clad ass in the air, as I plug in my phone charger. “I’m still working out the bugs.” I straighten. “But what do you think?” I glance around myself with pride.

The desk, chair, computer equipment, and other office essentials were already in the room when I arrived, their existence erasing any lingering doubts I had about Miss Yen’s intentions. I arranged the makeshift office quickly and dedicated the rest of the morning to my project, openly answering my phone and replying to e-mails, no longer worrying about anyone overhearing me.

“I think you need one of these.” Nate places a green fountain pen on my desk. None of his pens had been green. My chest warms. He bought this gift especially for me.

“It’s beautiful, lover.” I skim my fingers over its barrel. The gold nib is exquisite and the engraving is fine. “Thank you.”

“The person with the pen holds all of the power.” He gazes across the small space, his eyes unfocused and his lips flat.

“A pen signs checks,” I add quietly, now understanding their significance. He collected eighteen pens representing the eighteen years his dad paid child support, having control over him, over his mom.

Nate nods.

“I’m keeping the pen, I’ll always treasure it, but I’m returning the power. Power isn’t a hippie need.” I press my body against his, regaining my solemn executive’s attention. “We’re all about love, peace, and freedom.” I swivel my hips, teasing him. “Be free with me, Nate. Cast your material things aside.” I throw my hands back and fall.

He hooks his arms around my waist, catching me. “You’re crazy.” He gives me one of his small smiles. “And we’re late for lunch.”

“Yes, lunch.” I straighten. “I’m starving.”

“You’re always starving.” His eyes glint.

“I have a healthy appetite . . . for everything.” I hold Nate’s hand as we walk down the hallway. My coworkers stare at us, the whispers swelling in waves of sound, gossip spreading. I don’t care. I have a parent to meet. “What will you do if your mom doesn’t like me?”

We enter the elevator. “She won’t like you.” There’s zero doubt in Nate’s voice.

“What?” I blink, temporarily stunned speechless by his honesty. “Why? Because I have green hair, multiple piercings, don’t fit into her white-bread-eating world? She can suck my—”

“She doesn’t like anyone,” he adds.

“Oh.” My righteous rage oozes from my bones and I frown. “Your mom has to like someone. She loves you, doesn’t she?”

Nate says nothing, his face darkening.

“She wouldn’t have lunch with you if she didn’t love you.” I move closer to him, brushing against his body.

“These lunches have a price.” His voice is soft.

He pays his mom to see him? I tilt back my head and gaze up at him, not hiding my disbelief. Nate reaches into his jacket and shows me a thick white business envelope.

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