Hell on Heels by Victoria Vane Read Free Book Online

striding with singular purpose. He didn’t knock but walked right in. Although good manners dictated he doff his hat for a lady, he tipped it instead. He’d always had a way with women, but this one was an exception to every rule. “You wanted to talk to me, Ms. Brandt?”
    â€œYes, I did.” She rose and came around the desk. “We need to discuss your employment.”
    She wore a very short black dress. He couldn’t help noticing that it had ridden up high enough to reveal a mighty fine pair of legs—tanned and toned. He was quick to can those thoughts, reminding himself she was a bitch on heels and probably sported a dick bigger than his under that skirt.
    He gave a hard laugh. “Then this is going to be an awfully short conversation, Ms. Brandt, because I quit.”
    Her brows pulled together. “What did you say?”
    â€œI came here to resign.”
    â€œI don’t think so.” Her gray eyes narrowed. “You can’t just walk out on me without notice.”
    â€œThe hell I can’t. Just try and stop me.” He dropped a heavy key chain on her desk with a clatter and slapped his security badges down beside them.
    â€œOh no you don’t, cowboy!” She confronted him, toe-to-toe, but even in four-inch stiletto heels, the top of her head barely touched his chin. “You have to give me sixty days’ notice.”
    â€œSue me,” he shot back before turning on his boot heel and heading for the door.
    She intercepted him, proving surprisingly agile on her stilts. “Come on now, I recognize a ploy when I see one. You can screw yourself if you think I’m going to let you use a threat of resignation to extort money from me.”
    â€œMaybe that’s how you New Yorkers low-crawl one another, but it ain’t how I operate.”
    â€œLook, Tex —” She flashed that annoying Ivy League smirk.
    â€œIt’s Ty,” he growled.
    â€œWhatever.” She waved. “You have a vested interest in this operation. If you cooperate with me, I’ll ensure you come out with a fair share. I’m even willing to offer you a generous severance package when we’re done—a golden parachute, if you will—but you need to keep things running until I can disperse the assets.”
    â€œSweetheart, you can disperse my ass along with everything else. ’Cause I just resigned.”
    Her mouth compressed into a tight line. “Listen to me good, cowboy. I need you to stay long enough for me to find a buyer. If you walk out on me like this, I swear I’ll hammer you to the wall.”
    Yup. Based on that claim, she had a dick all right and a set of brass balls to go with it.
    She extended her index finger either to poke him in the chest or maybe just to make a point, but he grabbed her wrist before she got a chance. “I don’t take kindly to threats,” he said, deliberately soft and slow.
    â€œIt’s not a threat. It’s a promise. Now let go of me.”
    He released her.
    â€œDoes this mean we have an understanding?” she asked.
    â€œDarlin’, I’m not the one who’s having trouble understanding .” Why the hell couldn’t he get through to her? He shook his head with a feigned look of sympathy. “Poor Tom. His hotshot daughter’s not just slow-witted but hard of hearing, too.”
    â€œCome on now,” she ignored his taunt. “There must be something I can offer to change your mind.”
    â€œMy, my, Ms. Brandt, that sounds awfully close to begging.”
    â€œIs that what you want? For me to get on my knees and beg?”
    â€œIt sure would be a nice start, but maybe you can go ahead and kiss my ass while you’re down there.”
    She arched a brow.
    â€œYou set the tone here, Ms. Brandt, not me, but I beg pardon if I offended.” He doffed his hat. “I shoulda said I cordially invite you to kiss my ass.”
    â€œTen