Page 28 of Wicked Little Thief

She’d seemed surprised. “Are you feeling okay, boss?”

“Yeah, why?”

Kathy shrugged. “You came in after nine, and you’re planning on going home right after your last meeting. The whole time I’ve been your assistant, I don’t think you’ve ever worked less than a twelve-hour day.”

“Well, I adopted a dog this weekend, so until I get a dog walker hired and a doggie door installed, I’ll be leaving at a reasonable hour and getting some work done from home.”

“You adopted a dog?”

He nodded. “A cocker spaniel named Phoebe. She was at the Animal Rescue Foundation fundraiser I went to on Friday.”

Kathy grinned at him, so he defensively grumbled, “What?”

His assistant pressed her lips together, as if trying to quell her smile. “Nothing. I think it’s great. You need to spend less time here. I hope having a dog will help you do that.”

A dog and a sexy little honeybee waiting for him at home just might do the trick.

****

Utah

He’d looked so hot when he came downstairs in his suit and tie that morning, she had to resist the urge to drop to her knees and worship his cock before he walked out the door.

“You’re going to be here when I get home tonight, right?”

It was kind of cute how the cocky guy who’d rocked her world thirty minutes earlier was now insecure about if she was really going to be there like she’d said.

“I told you I would be.”

“My housekeeper Janice isn’t coming until tomorrow, so you’ve got the house to yourself all day. Make yourself at home. Mi casa es su casa.”

Once she heard the garage door close, she surveyed the kitchen and murmured out loud, “What are we going to do today, Phoebs?”

Ever since she’d grounded herself from going online, she’d been making a dent on her Kindle’s TBR list and binge-watching series on Netflix that she’d heard about but hadn’t had the time to get started on.

Her Kindle was in her backpack in her Honda, along with her laptop that she’d yet to dispose of. She’d made sure to let the laptop’s battery die so there wasn’t a chance that anyone with—or without—a warrant could start it remotely and search the contents. She just needed to toss it in the Atlantic and get a new one so she could start working again. Her money was going to dry up soon.

But that was a problem for another day. Today, she was going to pretend she was a princess living in a mansion with a rich prince and do all the things she imagined a lady of leisure would do.

But first, she needed to wash her clothes. She was sure princesses at least wore clean panties. And maybe Liam had a new toothbrush lying around somewhere, too.

Chapter Nine

Utah

At 6:01 that evening, she received a text from Liam.

Liam: Walking to the parking garage now. Do you want me to pick up takeout?

Utah: Actually, I just put a lasagna in the oven. It should be ready in about an hour. I wasn’t expecting you until 7.

Liam: My last meeting got rescheduled, so I was able to leave a little earlier than I’d originally thought. I can’t believe you made dinner. What an awesome surprise. Thank you.

She’d gone back and forth whether should she make dinner—afraid she was over-stepping, so his response was a welcome one. And she was happy he was coming home earlier than expected.

Utah: Well, you haven’t tasted it yet. LOL

Liam: I’m sure it’ll be great, little bee. I’m leaving now.

---