Deep Rocked by Clara Bayard

Chapter One
    If I was making a list of the worst possible places to have an emotional breakdown, on a bus full of guys I work with, including the one who is one of the causes of said breakdown would be pretty high on the list. Right above “at a birthday party” and below “on national television” I think. But, regardless of how bad I knew it would look, break down is exactly what I did. The first hour was torture. The second was agony. And after three trips to the bathroom to cry, I was ready to just ask the driver to leave me on the side of the highway. I’d been unable to work and was rude to Liss for no good reason. All in all I was miserable and angry with Dex and myself about it.
    As if I wasn’t feeling bad enough, Dex finally looked my way and ambled over, all casual sexiness, and sprawled out next to me on one of the bench seats. My first instinct was to throw my arms around his neck and sob. My second was to slap him in the face and curse his name. My third, and what I went with, was to pretend I didn’t see him, returning the favor. Immature, but surprisingly satisfying.
    But, of course, he had to ruin it all by being charming and silly. “Wanna help me kick Matthew’s arse?”
    I glared. “I have no interest in playing video games. I’m working, remember?”
    He shrugged and flashed one of those heart-melting smiles. “Isn’t killing it on Xbox part of your job description?”
    I rolled my eyes and bit back a laugh. “No. But you have fun.”
    Dex cocked his head to the side and stared at me intently. He put his hand on mine and frowned. “What’s wrong, Becca?”
    “Nothing. Everything’s wonderful. We’re actually on schedule. We might even get in with time for me to visit the venue today.”
    “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
    I moved my hand and crossed my legs away from him. “Like I said, everything is fine. You can go back to playing with your friends again.”
    He opened his mouth to speak again, but Ryan trundled over, interrupting. “Dex, do you need something?”
    Dex shook his head. “No. Just having a chat with Becca.”
    “Well, if you don’t mind, we have things to discuss.” Ryan dropped a pile of papers in front of me. “Contracts.”
    Dex stood up and brushed his hair back. “Okay. Catch you later, love.”
    I nodded and turned my attention back to my boss. “What’s up, Ryan?”
    He sat down and shook his head. “Don’t let them bother you, Rebecca.”
    I cringed at his habit of always referring to me by my whole first name. “It was no bother.”
    “You have to remember what I told you. They’re like children. In constant need of attention and praise. But you’re not required to give in to every whim. Be pleasant and retain a professional distance.”
    “Yes, of course. Thank you.” My mind went back to the night before. Dex and I in bed. His hands on me. His lips on me. The things we’d opened up to each other about. The secret I’d shared. It was all a mistake. Ryan was right. Professional distance would help me survive this trip without any further humiliation. But deep in my heart, I was aching. How could Dex act like everything was the same?
    I looked down at my dress, the one I’d so carefully selected to look my best for him. What a waste that was. I felt like an absolute idiot. One night together and I was obsessed and so pleased with myself. Stupid, stupid, stupid .
    Thankfully Ryan didn’t notice the tears threatening to fall from my eyes. He plowed forward with work talk long enough for me to compose myself. And then the busywork of comparing contract changes was enough of a distraction that I could pretend to forget about Dex. For a few minutes, at least.
    At some point I noticed the bus was driving slower than it should have been. I noted the fact, but didn’t really think much about it. As usual, Ryan had left me with a big task and very little instruction. He claimed it was a sign of trust in my abilities, but I thought it