Marrying My Billionaire Boss

After a couple of sips, he says, “Definitely not.”

“Why not? To remind you never to let down your guard?” There’s no way Georgette’s the only crazy ex in Nate’s closet.

“Remind me to what?”

“I know Georgette surprised you, but you don’t have to keep something that continues to remind you of the trauma.”

He looks at the statue, then back at me. “What about the piece makes you think it’s about her?”

The angular predation with which the female is devouring that cock? The look of absolute insanity on her face? “Isn’t it?”

He raises both eyebrows. “No. It’s a ‘gift’ from Barron. He couldn’t keep it in his house because his girlfriend objected to it, what with grandkids visiting and all.”

Well, at least the girlfriend’s sensible. “No kidding. That thing’s a horror.”

“You think so?” The corner of Nate’s lips twitches. “I didn’t know you were into art.”

“You don’t have to be into anything. That woman looks like a damn succubus.”

“A what?”

“You know.” I clear my throat, unwilling to discuss specifics.

He looks over at the statue for a moment. “I…really don’t.”

I tilt my head and stare at him. Is he just messing with me? Or does he honestly not see it? Sure, the statue is sort of modern and slightly abstract, but I thought people who grew up buying stuff like this would know at a glance. “She’s sucking his essence out through the…um…sausage.”

Nate chokes on his coffee. I quickly hand him a napkin before he soils his shirt.

He places it over his mouth, then laughs into the white square. “Sucking his essence…” He stops, chokes, then starts laughing again. “Through the…”

“I really don’t see what’s so amusing.” Maybe I should’ve just said “cock” like a mature adult, but that would have been totally inappropriate with my male boss, who is hot and has starred in a few of my more feverish dreams.

“I’m trying to imagine what Barron would say if he were to hear that. Or Catherine, who curates his stuff.” Nate gestures at the hunk of bronze. “Oh man…” He wipes his eyes.

I scowl. “I’m sorry, Mr. Sterling. My taste is p

robably a bit plebian.”

“Nothing wrong with plebian, Ms. Parker. Just makes you human and adorable.”

He looks at me with a small smile, and my cheeks heat. His dark eyes are gorgeous in the morning, especially when he’s in a good mood. And that mouth is positively inviting, like it wants me to lay my lips over it.

Get a hold of yourself, Evie! He doesn’t mean “adorable” the way you think he does. He was probably trying to say “funny,” but chose the wrong word because he hasn’t finished his coffee yet.

I force a smile of my own. “I’m glad you find it acceptable.” I have no clue what I’m trying to say. But I feel like I have to say something to break the effect he has on me.

Something flickers in his eyes, and he straightens. I let out a soft sigh of relief that he’s back in boss mode.

We walk out together. I take another glance at the hideous hunk of metal. If the statue is from Barron, there’s no way we can get rid of it. Nate’s great-uncle has a certain reputation. The office keeps a fresh stock of Earl Grey tea and sugar cookies even though nobody really drinks it or eats them much—we’re more chocolate chippers—because he likes them, and it’s impossible to predict when he’s going to visit. I think it’s a waste, personally. He hasn’t come to the office in the nine months I’ve been working there, but my thoughts on the matter are probably unwanted. All the older employees whisper his name with awe, respect and a tinge of fear. Sometimes I wonder if we’re expected to kneel and prostrate ourselves before him.

We take Nate’s car, which is a crimson Ferrari today. Apparently, Miguel is off again—and for the indefinite future. Nate told him to take as much time as necessary, and HR is going to pay his salary as usual. Nate’s attitude is that all parents deserve to take care of their infant child together without having to worry about money.

Sometimes I wish my boss were just a little bit of a dick so I could safely put him in a “hot, but such a douche” box, which would make him less attractive. Of course, there are times when he acts slightly spoiled and too used to getting his way. But moments like this remind me he’s a good person inside.

When we’re halfway to the office, Nate’s personal cell phone rings.

The Bluetooth speakers say, “Barron Sterling.”