My Naughty Boss

My mind flashed back to the other morning when I sank down onto him.

“Sophia, you've ruined me,” he’d said when he dragged his eyes open.

The connection between us had felt so powerful and intense. I gave my head a shake. There was lust and then there was love. I was silly like this. I tended to fall hard and fast, and I needed to be rational here.

“I don't know, but it doesn't matter what he wants underneath. Consciously, his career is what matters to him. According to Danny and Suzanne, he doesn't plan to do the serious thing again. He doesn't want to be chased for money, and he doesn't trust easily. He keeps a tight circle, and I think he likes it that way. I can't just waltz in and think this thing with us will work out.”

“So you took me up on this weekend trip, not because you wanted to get some girl time with me, but because you wanted to escape,” she said with a sly grin.

I took a swallow of my drink and leaned back with a sigh. “I wanted my girls’ weekend, but it did give me a good excuse.”

“What's your excuse for not going to London?” she asked.

“I don’t know. I’ll tell them a personal emergency came up, and I'll ask Andie to take over the contact. It’s not a total lie because my emotional state could be considered an emergency,” I explained with a slight smile.

Megan glared at me. “Oh my God. You're not even going to face him.”

“Oh, I will. I’ll tell him exactly why I’m backing off, but I figure I can use the time to get my head screwed on straight.”

Megan chuckled and drained her margarita, immediately lifting her hand and waving for the waiter to bring us more drinks. “For the record, I think you’re making a mistake.”

Chapter 18

Lucas

“What the hell do you mean she’s sending someone else?” I asked, staring at Suzanne.

Suzanne held my gaze, hers calm

and composed. “She said a personal emergency came up.”

“That's not okay,” I countered sharply. “I want her here. I don't want somebody else. She's the only one I trust.”

“I can't tell you how happy I am that you trust Sophia given your resistance to us hiring a PR consultant in general. But we can't force her to come. I'm sure she'll be available when you get back from London. Also, I’m sure anything you need from her can be handled from a distance. I can send her a message and see if she's going to be available online,” Suzanne explained logically.

I spun away, crossing my arms and staring out the windows behind my drafting table. Fuck. I’d been tied up last night and hadn't had a chance to check in with Sophia before she left the office. When I texted her, I'd gotten no response. I came into work today to find out she wouldn’t be going on our London trip. I was furious. Not with her in particular, but mostly with how out of control I felt inside.

“Are you okay, Lucas?” Suzanne asked from behind me.

I was definitely not fucking okay. But I wasn't about to share that with Suzanne. I spun around, schooling my expression to calm.

“I'm fine. I would've appreciated more notice than this from her.”

Danny stepped into the office at the tail end of my comment to Suzanne. He arched a brow and leaned against the doorjamb.

“The very definition of an emergency is that you can't plan ahead. Whatever came up for Sophia, we don't own her, so get over it,” he said pointedly.

I glanced between them. I could sense they were curious about my reaction. Hell, I should’ve been curious about my reaction, but I wasn't. This thing with Sophia was driving me crazy. Nothing but a few nights with her, and it was like I couldn't live without her. I, who’d sworn I wasn't going to take anyone seriously again, was on pins and needles wondering why she wasn't responding to my texts and wondering why the hell she couldn’t come to London. I gave myself a mental shake and shrugged.

“Fine. I need to make a few calls, so if you two will excuse me…”

I didn’t miss the pointed look between them, but I ignored it.

After they both quietly left my office, I closed the door and sank into my chair, running a hand roughly through my hair. At that moment, my computer screen buzzed, indicating a video call from Seth. I tapped the keyboard to answer, and his face appeared.

“Hey there. How's it going?” he asked.

‘Fine,” I bit out. I was so out of sorts, I didn’t even go through the niceties of asking him how he was doing.