ryanne
Beat me with a wooden spoon.I stare down at the phone laying on my desk and wonder if it’s too late to join the Peace Corps? How in the heck did I manage to send my silly text to my boss instead of Lynette, my roommate and best friend?
Reading the name at the top of the screen, I realize my mistake. Earlier, I was still reeling from our initial meeting and used “Big Boss” as his name when adding his number to my phone. My befuddled, caffeine-deprived eyes misread “Big Boss” for “Bossy Bitch,” Lynette’s title.
Oh, shoot. How do I respond? Biting my bottom lip, I run through my options. One, I can ignore his message and pray he never brings up the subject again. Two, I can quit my job and apply for the Peace Corps. Or three, I can let my inner hussy free. Before I’m able to talk myself out of it, I tap out my reply on the screen.
I’ll be there.
Now,I have the rest of the afternoon to figure out how an inexperienced virgin like me is going to seduce my smoking hot boss. I spend the rest of the day alternating between cold sweats and hot flashes shooting through my body.
* * *
At lunch,I run to the department store two blocks away and purchase a non-stained blouse. Before paying for my purchase, I decide to also grab a lacy bra and panty set while wondering if I’ve stepped into some alternate universe where I’m a seductress. After changing into my new undies and shirt, my bravery starts to wane. Several times, I pick up my phone, intending to apologize and cancel our “meeting,” but my brave inner virgin hussy refuses to let me send the message. Instead, she forces me to take a deep breath and head to his temporary office at five-o-one.
My heart pounds away in my chest as I knock on his door. “Come in.” My hand pauses on the knob for a second. Eek. He pulls the door open, causing me to almost fall into his strong arms. “I thought you might chicken out.”
“I thought so, too,” slips out before I’m able to stop it. He steps back and I walk past him into the nearly empty office. When Earl Benton was arrested, the authorities came in and removed almost everything from the room. A large wooden desk and two uncomfortable chairs are the only items they left behind.
“Sit down and let’s have a talk.” Swallowing, I follow his instructions, wondering if I’m about to get fired for propositioning the boss. Even if it was unintentional.
Derek watches me silently for a few moments, and I begin to sweat under the weight of his stare. He opens his mouth to speak then closes it again and rubs his bottom lip. “I need to make something clear.” Oh, shoot. Here comes the ax. I wonder if my resume is up to date. “No matter what happens between us, your job will not be affected.” Huh? That doesn’t sound like a termination speech. “You have consumed my mind since the second you walked in the door.” My inner hussy wakes up and whoops. “You need someone to take care of your needs, I’m your man.” He cocks his head, watching me, and I glance around the room, looking for the hidden camera. Has the entire day been some kind of elaborate joke caught on video? “I plan to spend the rest of my life ensuring you get the best.” Holy heck. I reach down and pinch my side. Surely, I’m still asleep. If my alarm goes off and interrupts this dream, I’m throwing the darn thing out the window.
“I’m still dreaming. I’m waiting for my alarm’s annoying buzzing to sound.” My hot boss walks over and drops to his knees in front of my chair. My breath catches in my throat as he runs his warm, massive hand up my leg, starting at my knee and moving steadily toward my needy unused lady parts.
“I promise you this is real.” He smiles before leaning over to kiss me. As his soft lips touch mine, electricity roars through all my nerve endings. “You’re my dream come true, and I plan to make you very happy if you’ll give me the chance. Whatever happens from now on is up to you.” He leans his forehead against mine. “Of course, I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure you give us a chance.”
Okay. Now, I know I woke up in the twilight zone. “Uh.” I can’t think of any response. My mind is still reliving the feel of his lips brushing against mine.
“I promise to take things at your pace.”
I blink up at him while my inner hussy is shouting at me to wake the frick up and jump at this chance. “What about my job?” I can’t stop my responsible side from rearing her head.
“Your job is safe,” he assures me again. “You work here and will report to the general manager we hire to run all the Bent Out of Shape locations. And I’ll continue running WesCo from my main office in Harren so there’s no conflict. I won’t be your supervisor.” Derek makes it sound so easy.
“Uh.” I blow out my breath. “You’re still my boss’ boss. The big boss.”
“I definitely want to be your big boss.” He takes my hand and places a soft kiss across my knuckles. “If you’ll let me.” Derek suddenly stands. “Why don’t you give me the next few days to prove it to you? I’ll take you out, and we can get to know each other.”
He’s offering me a dream come true. How can I resist? “I’d love to get to know you,” I agree before my scaredy-cat side can jump in and run from the chance of a lifetime.
He leans over to whisper against my sensitive ear, sending goosebumps shooting down my spine. “Trust me to take care of you.” I already do and that’s terrifying.