Page 21 of Taming the Boss

“Asher runs the paper. He doesn’t handle technical support. And what seems to be your problem?”

“No one has applied for my nanny position.” Other than Maddie, according to her, and I’d yet to even look at her resume. “Clearly, there must be some malfunction.”

“No one?” she echoed.

“Well, not no one,” I admitted after a humming moment. “One person has applied.”

A person I didn’t like feeling beholden to. It would be different if she’d begged for my job. Instead, she’d seemed almost indifferent.

I’ll help…or not. Whatever.

She hadn’t added the whatever. She just hadn’t seemed nearly as urgent as I’d felt. And it hadn’t only been because she’d been so good with Owen. Making him laugh and actually even speak. With her help, my son had gotten great sneakers. He even wanted to go back and get another pair.

Her fucking thick, bouncy curls had smelled like strawberries and cream. And her legs in her short skirt had seemed miles long.

I’d offered her literally anything to come home with us, and she’d just shrugged it off.

Her begging for my job would’ve been much more to my liking. Hell, maybe James had seemed like a better offer, since he’d suggested she call him and all

I raked a hand through my hair. But her being my only option and even worse than that, that I desperately needed her help…

Yeah, none of that worked for me.

“Okay, so what’s wrong with that person?”

“Nothing. I just expected a more vigorous response. So, obviously, something must be not be working correctly. I need you to find someone to look into it for me.”

“I have nothing to do with the paper’s technical department.”

“Fine. Just give me Asher’s contact info.”

Laken laughed. “He owns the paper.”

“So?”

“So I don’t have his private information, and even if I did, I couldn’t give it out willy-nilly.”

“Willy-nilly?” I repeated, certain my hearing was playing tricks on me. “Let me remind you that I head a multi-million dollar conglomerate with Gavin Forrester and Xavier Hastings, soon to be multi-billion. Not to mention I’m an heir to my mom’s lifestyle brand currently worth millions too.” Not that I ever intended to touch a penny of her money. “I hardly qualify as willy-nilly on any level. Do you recall what I paid for my home?”

“Why, yes, of course I do. I didn’t mean any offense, just that I have to protect Asher’s private details just as I would yours too. He’s also one of my clients. Surely you understand, Jude, as an important businessman.” Her tone couldn’t have been any more conciliatory and apologetic.

And fake.

“You know what? Never mind. I’ll figure out how to reach Asher all on my own. Thanks for nothing.” I clicked off and blew out a breath that verged on a growl.

Caro hurried down the hall, her smart heels clicking on the hardwood floor before she appeared in my office doorway. “What did she do?” she asked.

“Nothing. She did fucking nothing.” I banged my phone against my desk.

Great, Jude, have a proper tantrum, why don’t you? You’re a great example for Owen.

I pinched the bridge of my nose before I dropped back my head. Already a headache was brewing.

“Surely there must be someone you can contact to let them know you aren’t getting applicants for your position. You need someone in a timely fashion.”

“Actually, I did get an applicant. Maddie is exactly what I need.”

“Oh, really?” Caro’s eyebrow rose as if she didn’t know whether to believe me.

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