Page 27 of Claimed By the Boss

I hate how needy I sound, but I’m greedy for Nolan’s company for as long as I have the right to demand it.

His hand grasps mine, twining our fingers together. “I have some work to do, but I’ll be back by dinnertime.”

I squint up at the sun, obscured by gray clouds. “Isn’t it too early in the day for your business?”

One corner of his lips quirks. “I own more than nightclubs. My other properties operate during regular hours.”

“Oh.” Logically, his fortune couldn’t all come from pole dancers and sex workers, but I know nothing else about him.

He must hear my thoughts, because he squeezes my hand. “We have time to learn more about each other. We can play twenty questions over dinner.”

“What should I do while you’re gone?” He has maids, and all the books in the office are non-fiction.

Am I supposed to sit around doing nothing all day?

We reach the street, and Nolan opens the car door for me. “What would you do if you didn’t have to work?”

Uncertain of my answer, I settle into the plush leather seat as Nolan hands my bag to the chauffeur and walks to the other side to climb in.

Before my life fell apart, I was planning to major in business. It was a safe degree that could be useful in any number of jobs. If possible, I’d like to go back to college and complete my courses.

But I doubt that’s the response Nolan wants. He probably expects me to have loftier dreams, like traveling the world or doing something artistic.

What would be a proper hobby for the husband of a real estate tycoon? Not that Nolan has asked me to marry him. Even if I’m only his boy toy, though, I should still pick something that would befit someone like him.

But what would that be? There are the stereotypical charities or yacht clubs, but what do people do for that?

Silence fills the car as we head out of the bad neighborhood, Nolan content to let me consider his question.

I barely register when we swing through the coffee stand, but I sip on the strawberry-banana smoothie when it appears in my hand.

Light fingers caress the back of my neck, and I glance over to find Nolan watching me.

I search his green eyes. “Tennis?”

His lips twitch. “Is that really what you want to do?”

I hunch my shoulders. “No.”

He leans closer to nuzzle my ear. “Tell me what you want, Leo.”

My breath hitches, and I blurt out, “I want to go back to school.”

A proud smile spreads over his face. “Then you’ll need to come up with a plan on how to make it happen.” One brow arches in challenge. “Unless I can pay for it?”

“No.” I try to put as much authority behind the word as Nolan does. “I’ll come up with a plan.”

“I look forward to hearing it.” He nudges the straw toward my mouth. “Now, I want you to take a sip and then kiss me until we’re home. I better be tasting strawberries throughout my boring meetings.”

Blood rushes to my cheeks, and my eyes dart to the back of the driver’s head. “Is this some kind of fetish of yours?”

His large hand cups my thigh. “You don’t want to?”

Face on fire, I suck down my smoothie, then climb into Nolan’s lap.

Nolan’s hand absently strokes my hair. “Should we get a bigger couch?”

I pause my job-hunting to gaze up at him from his lap. “Why?”

---