The Whole Package

“Get out of this office, Kim. You’re fired,” he growls at her. “No one talks about my Bailey like that. No one.” She stands there shocked. She opens her mouth to speak again. “If I were you I’d turn around and walk out of here before you say another word. I promise you that you don’t want my wrath. I’m a good guy until you mess with someone I hold close, and you’re getting too fucking close.”

The quiet office is now deadly silent. You could hear a pin drop. She nods before turning to leave. But not without stomping while she does it.

He turns to look down at me. “You okay?”

“I’m fine. She’s such a bitch.” My eyes meet his. “You don’t believe her, do you?”

“Hell no, Bailey. I knew she was trouble. She’s been driving me nuts and I’ve been thinking of firing her after how she was acting this morning.”

“Flirting with you?” I guess.

“She’s inappropriate.” He runs a hand down his face. I can tell he’s irritated with the fact that she flirted with him. Not that I thought he’d ever play into something like that with Kim or any woman. Shawn is a stand-up guy. “We need to talk about the crap she said about Mason. Has he been messing with you?” he asks.

Luckily I’m saved from answering that by Hazel.

“The food is getting cold,” she informs us, popping her head through the double doors.

“She is the boss now. So we better go eat,” Shawn jokes.

“Don’t give her any ideas,” I tell him as we walk into his office.

“We wanted to surprise you. Surprise!” Hazel yells.

“This is a good surprise.” Shawn winks at me, and Hazel starts opening the food containers.

“And we brought food,” she adds.

“Well, since we are doing surprises right now, maybe I should tell you about the surprise I had planned for our date tonight.”

Hazel perks up. “I love surprises.” Shawn walks around his desk and opens a drawer. He pulls out an envelope and hands it to her. “I might have gotten us tickets to the Britney Spears concert tonight.”

I gasp. Hazel stands there with her mouth hanging open. She’s completely speechless.

“I might have even gotten us a VIP booth so we aren’t so boxed in by people.” He leans down close to Hazel and whispers, “And how could I forget about these backstage passes.”

Hazel finds her voice, letting out a scream as she throws herself at Shawn. I watch her hug him tightly and my eyes water. There must be onion rings in the bag of food somewhere.

He really is perfect.

Chapter 11

Shawn

“God, I can’t stop kissing you,” I whisper against Bailey’s mouth.

I’ve pulled her into a small corner to have a moment alone with her. I need to run to my office to meet with my lawyer, and I hate when I’m away from her. She’s become my addiction. Not just her but the life we have together. It’s been wonderful. I hadn’t noticed how my life had been so consumed with work and community projects. Not that that was a bad thing, but now I’m taking time for a personal life. Though no one ever tempted me to really want one until she came along.

She pushes her body against mine, not wanting to stop either. “We’re going to get caught one of these days.” She drops her head to my chest, trying to catch her breath.

“I don’t care. You’re not on the clock, so what does it matter?” I run my hands up and down her back possessively, reminding myself that I won’t be gone long. Then I can pick my girls up and take them to dinner before heading home. Hazel loves going to restaurants, so I try to indulge her every few days. Bailey likes it, too. I don’t think they could do it much before and I love doing things for them that light up their faces.

“Can’t you get in trouble? I know you’re the CEO and all, but I’m sure the board or whatever they are called probably wouldn’t like hearing that you’re making out in the hidden corners of the stockroom.” Even though she’s not looking at me, I can hear the smile in her voice.

“Well, since I own the controlling shares in the company there isn’t much anyone can do about it. Besides, I don’t think they would care either.” She looks up at me now, her hands sliding up my chest. I can’t help but glance at her bare finger. That finger has been driving me crazy. I want a ring on it.

She looks like she wants to tell me something. I’m getting good at reading her. “What is it?”

She lets out a small sigh. “It’s nothing we can’t talk about later. I need to clock in before I’m late.” She leans up on her tippy toes, brushing her mouth against mine.