My Father's Boss (The Family Affairs)

The following Wednesday after I started my internship, I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that my dad’s boss had swooped in and put me to work for him instead of Kevin. And then he’d put a desk next to his for me to use, which had shocked the heck out of me when I showed up after my classes on Monday, and one of his assistants told me I’d be working in his office. Sitting so close to him for six hours was even more nerve-wracking than my first day had been—including when I had thought he was going to fire me.

It was also thrilling because my reaction to him hadn’t lessened at all. I was incredibly aware of Beau and every single minute I spent with him. His deep voice as he barked orders to his other assistants. His confidence as he spoke with clients on the phone. How his dress shirt stretched over his shoulders when he reached for something. The way his suit pants clung to his perfect butt. His masculine scent surrounding me. Even how he insisted on using my full name instead of calling me Izzy like everyone else.

Pretty much every single little thing about him drove me wild, which was why I was so nervous walking into the building for the third day of my internship. I had taken extra care with my outfit, hair, and makeup today, doing my best to look older because I wanted Beau to see me as a woman, not a little girl.

My red pencil skirt hit an inch above my knee and had a two-inch slit up one thigh. The top button of my white blouse was undone, showing a hint of cleavage—but not so much that I didn’t look professional. My shoes were a strappy pair of stilettos that made my calves look amazing. I had pulled my hair to the side in a low ponytail that hung down over one breast and went heavy with makeup for my eyes and lips.

And maybe, just maybe, it would all be enough for Beau to do something about the heat I could’ve sworn I’d seen in his eyes several times when he was looking at me. As I walked into his office, and his gaze swept up and down my body, that same flash of desire popped into his blue eyes for the briefest of moments. Then his expression hardened, looking almost angry before it blanked altogether, and I fisted my hands at my sides.

“Good morning, Isabella.”

“Hello, Mr. Trahan. Sorry I’m running a little late this morning.”

He waved off my apology as he stood. “I understand that school comes first. Don’t ever rush here after classes on my account. Arriving safely is all that matters.”

I wasn’t late because my last class of the day went over, but I wasn’t going to admit that I’d spent extra time fixing my makeup in the rearview mirror before I left the school parking lot. “Thanks.”

Rounding his desk, he prowled behind me as I walked over to the work area he’d set up for me. I bent over to place my purse in the top drawer of my desk, my lips curving into a mischievous grin because the position thrust my butt out and hiked my skirt up in the back. I could’ve sworn I heard him groan, but when I turned back around, he was looking out the window.

Shifting his focus back to me, he murmured, “I distinctly remember telling you to call me Beau.”

“You did.” I pressed my lips together, my gaze darting toward the open door. Susie’s desk was right outside, and I didn’t want his assistant to hear my response. I’d already overheard a couple whispered conversations about why I was working for him instead of Kevin. “All of the first-year associates and assistants call you Mr. Trahan.”

“You’re not just an intern. You’re also a partner’s daughter.” A muscle jumped in his jaw. “If anyone questions you about using my first name, remind them of who your father is.”

“I’d really prefer not to have to do that. It would just make me sound like a spoiled brat who’s only here because her daddy pulled strings for her. Which is actually how I ended up with my internship, so that makes it even worse.” My nose wrinkled. “How about I call you Beau when we’re in your office and Mr. Trahan when other people are around?”

His blue eyes scanned my face before he heaved a deep sigh and nodded. “Fine, if that’s what it takes for you to feel comfortable. But I’m Beau whenever we’re alone.”

“Sure.” In my head and dreams, too. Although, I’d had one particularly naughty fantasy where I called him Mr. Trahan while he’d had me spread out on his desk. But that wasn’t something I could think about right now, or I was going to need to use his private bathroom to change panties. After drenching mine on Friday and Monday, I’d decided to bring a spare pair today. Using them now wouldn’t do me much good when I’d only been here for a minute, though. “What would you like me to work on today, Beau?”

“I have some documents I need you to familiarize yourself with before a client meeting at three. You’ll sit in to take notes.” He pulled out my chair, and I dragged his scent deep into my lungs as he hovered over me after I sat down. Once my computer was powered up and I was logged into the system, he pointed at my screen. “I need you to read through as much as you can in this folder.”

“Will do.”

I released a silent sigh when he went back to his desk without saying—or doing—anything else. Then I spent the next hour darting furtive glances at him while trying to concentrate on the documents he wanted me to read. I didn’t make a whole lot of progress and was planning to work through lunch, but Beau apparently had other ideas.

Shortly after noon, Susie came into the office with two catering boxes from a local deli. My dad had mentioned how great their sandwiches were a few times, but I’d never tried them before. My stomach growled, and I got up, irritated because there was no way I’d be able to skip lunch. “I’m going to run out and grab some food. I’ll be back in less than an hour.”

“There’s no need for you to grab anything.” He got up when Susie handed him the boxes. “One of these is for you.”

“Oh.” My nose scrunched as I watched Susie shut the door behind her. “I could’ve ordered lunch if it was for both of us.”

“But then it wouldn’t have been a surprise.” He pulled a chair out at the small table and arched a brow.

I got up and trudged over, shivering when his fingers grazed my back as he pushed the chair back in after I sat down. “I just mean that you can give me stuff like that to do, too. I’m supposed to be helping you while I’m learning.”

“As the managing partner of the firm, the tasks you’re given as part of your internship are my decision.” He rounded the table to sit across from me. “And Susie already knows what to order for me.”

“Bet she doesn’t know what I like,” I muttered, expecting to see a salad when I opened the flaps of the box in front of me. My eyes widened when I found a corned beef on rye, salt and vinegar chips, and a sugar cookie instead. “Wow, I couldn’t have been more wrong. This is exactly what I would have gotten myself.”

“I’m glad.” His satisfied smirk made me wonder if he’d been the one to tell her what I’d like, but I didn’t see how that was possible. Then any thought I had about asking him fled when he asked, “What are you hoping to learn while you’re here? Are you interested in going to law school so you can follow in your father’s footsteps?”

“Um.” I’d already unwrapped my sandwich, so I took a big bite to stall while I tried to come up with an answer that wouldn’t bother my dad if Beau ever told him what I said. Pointing at my mouth as I chewed, I flashed him an apologetic look.

“Your answer will stay between the two of us,” he assured me as he got up to pad over to the mini fridge at the wet bar. Pulling a couple of drinks out, he set one down in front of me when he returned to the table. A ginger ale, my favorite.

I was so startled by the kind gesture—and what Beau bringing me that particular drink without asking might imply—that I didn’t think to edit my answer. “Not really. If I had my choice, I’d just get my degree at a local school and then stay home with any kids my husband and I are lucky enough to have.”