My Pet (A Dirty Boss Romance 1)

Taking the cup from my hand she sets it on the table and turns her body toward me even more. Grabbing my hands in hers, she stares me right in the eyes. “Girl, are you blind?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean—your boss has the hots for you.” I think she’s lost it for sure because there’s no way in hell that Mr. Jack Shaw has anything going on for me.

“What? No, he doesn’t. In fact, he seemed more and more irritated with me.”

“Actually, he seemed more and more irritated that other men wanted your attention, but that’s about it. Trust me when I say that his interest in you isn’t purely work related. He beat up Dickerson, and you know it had something to do with you even if he didn’t elaborate on it.”

She has a point there, but civility and decency could be behind it. “You’re right, but maybe he was just being a gentleman.”

“Please—he didn’t risk getting arrested and sued because he was being a gentleman. He’s in the public eye and wealthy. Not to mention he bought you a new set of winter wear while you went out to lunch as if it was terribly cold.” It wasn’t that bad in fact, I’d been warm enough to take them off in the first place.

“What am I supposed to do?” I question, my stomach turning with nervous anticipation.

“Do you want him?”

Biting my lip, I know the answer, still I hesitate. “I do, but it’s complicated.”

“What’s complicated? Are you afraid that it’s just lust? Or a one-night stand?”

“Exactly.” She reads me like a book.

“So then you play your games. Slowly test the waters, push his buttons and see what he does. If he’s willing to risk it, then maybe he wants more than a fling. He’s not the kind of man who can afford to risk a lawsuit of sexual harassment.”

I polish off my large glass of vodka and orange juice and confidently answer, “Fine. Tomorrow I’ll test him.”

****

My head is throbbing, but I take a couple of pills with water and get ready for work. It’s going to be a long day especially because I don’t know how to tempt a man, so I’m just going to play it cool. My “beer balls” have gone.

“That’s not sexy enough,” Val says as I walk out of my bedroom.

“I’m not sure I can pull off this whole game.”

“Then just go in looking like the hot assistant. Trust me, that’s all that’s needed. The man’s tongue will have to be picked up off the floor by the end of the day.”

“I think you read too much.”

“I’ve got nothing better to do. Now come with me.” We go into the bathroom and she pulls out the curling wand.

“I don’t have time for this.”

“I’m not doing all your hair. Chill out. Five minutes, I promise.” Five minutes later and my red hair has pretty curls layered throughout and just enough to give my hair some life. She also added some deep red lipstick. “It’s the all-day kind. You’re welcome.” She winks and pats my ass. “Go get him.”

“You are ridiculous. Remind me to return the favor one day.”

“If you land him, damn right I want you to return the favor.”

The entire trip to the office I’m nervous and I fiddle with my phone in my hand. It’s not a great one, but it’s all I have. A text comes in from Val. Have a good day, sweetheart. Followed by a heart emoji. I do my best not to laugh because she knows I’m nervous. Suddenly my nerves have disappeared and I’m feeling a bit bubbly. I can do this because all I have to do is act normal.

I reach the office building and step inside, smiling at the security guard. “Good morning Miss Novak.”

“Good morning,” I say.

“Has Mr. Shaw arrived?”

“Yes. He’s here already.”

“Thank you.” Damn, I don’t know how to react to his presence. It was easier yesterday when I didn’t know what to expect and even then I was frightened. Taking the elevator up to his floor, I rock back and forth on my heels nervously. My outfit is a little on the risqué side today. Nothing unprofessional, but my buttons on the top of my blouse are open and the ones at my chest are being tested.

As soon as the elevator dings open, I collide into my boss who catches me in his big strong arms. I look up and read a heavy scowl on his face before he sets me on my feet. “Oh goodness. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I was going to get some breakfast. Do you want anything?” I’m starving but I couldn’t eat a bite with the way my stomach is rumbling.

“No, thank you.”

“Fine. I’ll be back in just a few moments,” he grumbles, stepping into the open elevator. I watch it close before I walk through the glass doors and then toward my desk. All the while my thoughts are on that exchange. Nothing seemed to give his feelings away one way or another, leaving me with a world full of confusion and another full day of anxiety.