Read Online Humbug by Joanna Chambers - Free Book Online

me?”
    “No. In fact—” He cleared his throat. “In fact, I’d planned to ask you out.”
    My jaw dropped—literally. I stared at Rob—at that stupidly oh-so-handsome face—and for several long moments I couldn’t think of a thing to say.
    “Like, on a date ?” I asked at last, still not quite believing what he was telling me.
    He blushed.
    I stared, fascinated by this rare evidence of discomfort from the poised Rob Paget.
    “Yes,” he said, after a moment. “On a date. But then you offered me a job and—well, there was no way I could start anything up with you after that.” He paused, then added with a shrug, “Even if you’d wanted to.”
    If I’d wanted to?
    Fuck, if I’d ever dreamed someone like Rob could ever be interested in me, I’d never have offered him a job, except as my 24/7 sex slave maybe.
    But wait.
    I can’t believe I used to defend you.
    “And then you started working for me,” I said faintly. “And discovered what I’m really like.”
    For one long moment, we just stared at one another, and I don’t know how I looked, but Rob looked appalled.
    “Quin—”
    Dragging my gaze from his, I stood up, the legs of my chair screeching against the floor. I hated that Rob was seeing me like this. Stupidly handsome Rob who had apparently, against all odds, liked me for a little bit, despite seeing all the worst parts of me.
    I hated that a chance I hadn’t even known about was gone now.
    “I should go,” I mumbled, then scrubbed my hands over my face, hard.
    “I don’t think you should be alone right now,” Rob said. And there was that worry again, edging his voice.
    I ignored that and reached for my bomber jacket, yanking it on and zipping it up. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I have go.” My voice was husky and I couldn’t look at Rob as I spoke. It was ridiculous. I was ridiculous.
    Rob stood up then too. “At least let me drive you home,” he said, his voice gentle, coaxing.
    “I can walk.”
    “Quin, please .”
    “Fine, I’ll get a taxi then.”
    “I’ll drive you,” Rob insisted. “No more arguments.”
    It was weird to be bossed around by him. I was used to being the boss with Rob. With everyone really. It had been a long time since anyone—other than Marley, anyway—had told me what to do.
    “All right,” I said, my tone ungracious. “If you insist.”
    “I do,” he said, reaching for the jacket he’d draped over the back of his chair. “Come on.”
    I followed him out into the narrow hallway, waiting as he opened the living room door and looked round to announce, “I’m just giving Quin a lift home.”
    “So soon?” That was Karen’s voice. I heard her getting up. Rob stepped back, sending me an apologetic look, and then the door opened fully.
    “Are you off home, love?” Karen asked me. Tim stood beside her, a curious expression on his face.
    “Yeah,” I said, pasting a smile on. “I’m beat. Need my beauty sleep.”
    “Oh, please,” Rob said, and when Karen and I both looked at him, he flushed. I tore my gaze away, swallowing hard.
    “Well,” Karen said brightly. “It was good to meet you at last, Quin. Hope we see you again soon.”
    “Yes,” Tim said happily. “Robbie talks about you all the time.”
    I glanced at Rob again, just in time to see him close his eyes in apparent mortification. I might even have laughed if I hadn’t been so astonished.
    I’d planned to ask you out.
    “Tim,” Karen said, her tone mildly admonishing.
    Tim blinked. “But he does, Mum,” he said unhappily, his gaze moving between all of our faces. He knew he’d slipped up but not how, and now he was only making it worse. Karen bit her lip against a smile.
    “Come on,” Rob muttered, grabbing my sleeve and pulling me towards the door. “Let’s go.”
    “’Bye, Karen,” I called over my shoulder. “It was lovely to meet you. ’Bye Tim,”
    “’Bye!” they chorused behind us, and as the door closed, I was sure I heard Karen