Skin Walkers: Gauge Read Online Free

stung at the cloud of vanilla perfume that overpowered his senses.  When she turned to leave , and he couldn’t help but snap, “I told you to stop wearing perfume.”
    “Oh,” she turned to eye him.  “Sorry, it must still be lingering in my clothes.”
    Lie.
    “I haven’t worn any since I’ve started.
    Lie .
    “I’ll try to air out my clothes, but some of this stuff is so strong…”
    Lie!   Each lie only served to enrage him further and had his teeth aching from the tension in his jaw.  “Ms. Garret, if you would like to keep this job, I suggest you arrive at work tomorrow smelling like nothing but fresh laundry and woman.  Am I clear?”
    Her mouth fell open, “Uhh, yes.  Yes, sir.”  She turned to leave but only got two steps.
    “And I don’t approve of your work attire.”  He was done letting her hide.  She’d come out even if he had to force her out.
    She turned to look at him in confusion before dropping her eyes to her look at her clothing.  “Sir?”
    “Your work attire is ill fitting,” he stood and shoved a hand into the pocket of his slacks.  “Your appearance is a reflection of this office and thereby a reflection of me.”  He pulled out a rolled stack of bills and pulled several free.  “Take this,” he held the cash out to her.  “And take the rest of the day off to shop for proper clothing.”
    Ella didn’t move.  “Mr. Alexander,” she waved a hand down her body, “I’m wearing a pencil skirt, with blouse, and suit jacket.  My hair is up.  I-I don’t know how else I should be dressing.”  Recognition flashed.  “Pants!  You want me to start wearing slacks?”  She sounded hopeful.
    “No,” he growled as he approached.  “I have no issue with what you’re wearing, aside from the fact that your clothes don’t fit.  The blouse is too large, the skirt is too old fashioned, and the hair.”  He lifted his eyes to stare at her head searching for the right explanation.  “Doesn’t it pain you to have your hair pulled that tightly?  Loosen it up for Christ’s sake.”
    ***
    Ella couldn’t believe her ears.  Hadn’t this asshole ever heard of sexual harassment?  She lifted a hand to tuck a stray hair back into her tightly wound bun, her pride stinging from his assessment even though she intentionally dressed dowdy to avoid drawing any attention.  Gauge was a gorgeous man…no, Walker!  And as much as she wanted him to see her as a beautiful woman, she couldn’t risk Alysa over a crush on the boss.
    He held the money out and she simply eyed it.  “Mr. Alexander, I don’t think my appearance holds any bearing on the work we perform, and I…”
    “I’m not asking, Ella.”  He forced the money into her closed palm and turned to stalk back to his desk.  “When I see you in the morning, I want to see a professional and elegant business woman who doesn’t smell like all the world’s vanilla beans took a crap in her pocket.”
    She watched in incredulity as he reclaimed his seat and brought his computer to life.  He began typing and effectively dismissed her. 
    Ella stomped out of his office and it took every ounce of her will to keep from slamming the door.  She jerked her purse from where it hung on the back of her chair and crammed the wad of money into it as she snatched up her cell phone and headed for the door, seething at her boss’ demands.
    The entire ride in the elevator down to the first floor, she fumed.  By the time the doors opened she was shaking with anger.  She contemplated swinging by the school housed in the east wing of the first floor, but quickly changed her mind when she realized she was too upset.
    Who in the hell did Gauge Alexander think he was to demand that she dress more…more… What had he called it?  Oh yes, professional and elegant!  Should slap his ass with a sexual harassment lawsuit and see how that would suit him!   He’d basically demanded that she wear tighter shirts, shorter skirts, and her