From: Reign

Subject: Re: Morning.

You’re supposed to hate your boss, didn’t you know?

It is not acceptable behavior to pay anyone. Don’t do it or I’ll be forced to take measures to keep you in line.

Your brain hurts because you dress like a street bum, go out, let people sneak their fingers into Mrs. Mufflepuff’s zone and allow very handsome men to fuck you in their SUVs.

Reign.

I chuckle, hitting reply.

To: Reign

From: Tiani

Subject: Re: Morning.

You dipped below the belt bringing Mrs. Mufflepuff into this conversation.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

I don’t remember fucking a handsome man. Sorry.

I’m going to get more coffee.

See you on the flip side.

I don’t even get out of my chair before he replies.

To: Tiani

From: Reign

Subject: Re: Morning.

You’ve hurt my feelings.

Get me a coffee.

Reign.

Smirking, I get out of my chair and walk down the hall to the small kitchen at the back of the office. I step inside and see three girls; one of them includes Slutena. Oh perfect. Just what I need. Obviously Reign hasn’t communicated with her that I still work here, because the look on her face is one of pure shock.

I flash her a smile, and watch as the other girls lean over and whisper into her ear, all while glaring at me. Such children. I pull out two coffee mugs, making a point of taking out Reign’s favorite. I press the machine to start brewing, then I turn and flash the girls an innocent expression.

“Why are you still here?” Slutena asks.

I put my hand to my chest. “Who me?”

“No, the fucking coffee machine.”

“Selena,” I gasp. “I’m horrified with your behavior. I mean, Reign could walk in any moment. We wouldn’t want him to see through your fake bullshit, would we?”

She stiffens, but her eyes do dart towards the door. This will likely be easier than I’d thought. I spin around with a smirk and take out the two coffee mugs, then I brush past them.

“You’re playing with fire, Tia,” she mutters from behind me.

I stop and glance at her. “I’m sorry, speak up. I can’t hear you? I thought you said I was playing with fire, but you couldn’t have said that, because it’s not me who is the lying, cheating whore, now, is it, Slutena?”

I turn and walk back towards the door.

“What the hell did you just call me?”

I grin but don’t turn back. “Oh, honey,” I say loud enough so I know she can hear me. “I didn’t fucking stutter.”

~*~*~*~

“Tia,” Reign says, walking into my office later that day. “Are you causing trouble again?”

I look up at him. “Me? Causing trouble?”

He flashes me a warning look.

“What?”

“Selena told me what you called her.”

I snort. “God, that woman is such a child.”

He glares, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Tia, I don’t want this to come into the workplace.”

“Well, it technically isn’t her workplace. She’s hanging round because she wants you,” I point out.

He walks over to the desk, leaning against it. “Come on, don’t make this harder on me.”

I sigh. “Fine, Reign, I’m sorry I called her that awful-yet-true name. I won’t do it again.”

His lip twitches and he walks around the desk to see how I’m doing.

“You are tearing through it,” he comments, nodding his head.

Yeah, be impressed. I’m that awesome.

“I am, but I’m going for lunch now. I’m starving.”

He straightens. “I’m up for that. You want to come with me?”

I look up at him. “You sure?”

He shrugs. “We’re hungry, are we not?”

“I thought you needed time to clear your head.”

“Tia,” he says, shaking his head. “You climbed on my lap and fucked me last night. I’m sure we can have lunch together without things getting complicated.”

I stand, lifting my purse. “That’s what you think.”

He laughs and I follow him out. We head down the street to a deli and get ourselves some sandwiches, then we find a table at a local park over the road and sit down. I unravel my sandwich, starving.

“Oh God,” I say, staring at it. “Don’t judge me if I eat this in three bites. I’m so hungry.”

Reign laughs and lifts his sandwich. “No judgment here.”

My food is to die for. I moan as I eat, not stopping until I’m finished. Then I wash it down the orange juice I got.

“So,” he says, finishing up his food, “did the bikers corrupt you the other night?”

I look away nervously. “No,” I murmur.

“You’re not very convincing.”

“Oh look,” I say. “It’s a squirrel.”

Reign bursts out laughing. “Nothing with you is ever dull, Tia. I’ll give you that much.”

I smile warmly at him, and it seems to take him off-guard.

“You want to know something, Reign Braxton?”

He nods, smiling back at me.

“Regardless of everything, I’m so glad I met you.”

~*~*~*~

ONE WEEK LATER

Groaning, I shove myself out of bed and push to my feet. I’ve been ill the past two days, unable to get out of bed for the most part. Reign has been okay with that, because I did all the work he needed me to do before I came down with whatever this horrible sickness is.