Coldhearted Boss

Without another thought, I press up onto my toes, grab Ethan by the front of his shirt, and lay one on him like I’m a soldier returning from war. Our lips collide and stars erupt. Somewhere in the distance, fireworks explode, I’m sure. Whoops and shouts go up around us and I should probably break it off now that I’ve made my point, but I’m not quite done. I press myself against him until our chests meet and then I kick one foot into the air, having accomplished exactly what I intended to do.

When I pull back, Ethan’s grinning down at me, and sure, my cheeks are the color of ripe tomatoes, but my voice doesn’t waver as I turn to the man standing behind us in line and find his eyes wide with shock.

“Did you hear? I’m dating the boss. Spread the word.”

Ethan laughs then, wrapping a hand around my waist and tugging me against him.

“You know there was probably a more tactful way of informing everyone about our relationship.”

“How? By sending out a company-wide memo? You have to admit, this had much more panache.”

He shakes his head, amused. “I thought you wanted to keep things between us.”

I pat his chest with a mocking smirk. “Ethan, Ethan, Ethan, that was so yesterday. Can’t you keep up?”That night, in the cabin, the events of the day finally catch up with me. I feel like all of my energy has been zapped away, like I’m a runner breaking through the finish line of a marathon then collapsing straight down onto the hard concrete. I’m happy though, happier and feeling lighter than I have in years. There’s hope where there was none before, a plan that is feasible and scary all at the same time.

“Today was interesting, to say the least,” Ethan says, drawing my attention over to his side of the porch. We’re sitting with our backs to the posts on the top stair. The sun’s still setting, but we’ve been here a while, enjoying the cool breeze before summer steals it away for good.

“You should have seen the way the guys treated me after lunch. I thought they would be disrespectful, but if anything, they’re terrified of me now! Like if they so much as look at me the wrong way, you’ll fire them. A few of them starting calling me ma’am!”

He grins. “Things will mellow out in a few days. Robert only made it worse when he stood up in the mess hall and told everyone to ‘mind their own damn business’.”

I chuckle, remembering the scene. We’d just walked over to join the others and everyone was staring at us, in shock after what I’d just done.

“It was kind of silly of me to do that, I know. I just didn’t want you thinking I was ashamed of you or anything.” I scrunch my brows. “It seemed really romantic in my head.”

“You don’t hear me complaining,” Ethan says with a teasing smile. “Though we probably shouldn’t make a habit of making out in the lunch line.”

My cheeks grow warm under his gaze.

“Want to fill me in on the rest of your day? Maybe what had you running around all over the place this morning?”

Oh right.

I haven’t told him yet.

I glance down at my water, feeling small all of a sudden. “Oh, um…it’s nothing major.”

“Tell me.”

My finger traces the lid of my water bottle. “I signed up for two online classes through Austin Community College. They start in two weeks.”

When I glance back, I find his brows arched.

Clearly, that wasn’t what he was expecting.

“What did you sign up for?”

“English Comp and American history. I have to start with the basics.” Then I realize he might be wondering how I’ll manage it all. “Maybe I should have checked with you first, but it shouldn’t affect my work or anything here. I’ll be able to handle the reading assignments and homework in the evenings and on weekends.”

He nods. “Of course. Let me know if Hudson’s computer isn’t fast enough and we’ll see about getting you a new one.”

I scowl, about to remind him that I don’t want any favors, and he laughs.

“Oh, c’mon. It’ll be Lockwood Construction property. I’ll bolt it to the desk, how’s that?”

I nod, careful to keep my face neutral. “I guess that would be okay.”

“Do you have enough saved to cover tuition?” he asks lightly. “Or are you going to try for financial aid?”

I answer him carefully. “It actually isn’t as ridiculously expensive as I thought it would be since it’s just community college, and they have a payment program, so tuition isn’t due all at once.”

“But you’ll tell me if you need anything?”

I shoot him a glare. “Ethan, I’ll be fine.”

He holds up his hands in innocence. “All right, but I’m your boyfriend, Taylor. It’s not a crime for me to care about you or want to provide for you. I respect what you’re doing and I’ll honor your boundaries, but if you ever feel like you’re in a place like you were that night at the bar, I want you to come to me. Don’t let that stubborn streak of yours stand in your way. Why are you smiling like that? You should still be scowling.”