Page 46 of Taming the Boss

“As I deem?”

“Yes, as you deem. You seem quite capable of running a household as you see fit.”

“Right, but normally, employers set the rules and I follow.”

“Any rules would not be over how many times you vacuum or make meals.”

“Um, okay.” I bit my lower lip, trying not to twist my hands together. Already I felt in over my head. Even if on the surface, the setup sounded great. Too great. Obviously, I wasn’t being told every part of this story. “Keep going.”

“That’s not enough for you?”

“Um, no, I know that’s not enough for you.”

“You do, hmm? And how do you know that?”

“Because I have a brain and eyes and know that nothing in this world is given freely. If you’re going to compensate me well and let me have total rein, you’ll want something in return.”

“You’ll be caring for my son. Nothing is more important than that to me.”

“Right, and what about you?”

His lips quirked again. “Do you foresee me needing care too?”

“You probably do. I can’t see you cooking for yourself, Mr. Big Shot that you are.”

“Oh, so you’re thinking I’ll demand meals from you.” He flicked on his turn signal and turned onto the lake road, adjusting his speed as the rain picked up yet again and thunder boomed above.

“Meals are fine. It’s as easy to cook for two as it is for one. Or three in this case, since I need to eat too.”

“You certainly do. You’re a slight little thing, so you’ll definitely need to eat more.”

There was an edge to his voice I couldn’t identify. I didn’t mind it. It skated along my nerve endings, and I found myself crossing my legs, since I felt restless and needy and couldn’t quite keep still.

I had no clue what was happening right now.

Or what I wanted to happen.

Just I needed something. I didn’t even know what. All of a sudden, it felt as if I was dangling over an abyss I couldn’t make sense of. It had come out of nowhere—okay, not entirely out of nowhere, since we’d had subtext between us since the very first day. But I sensed the decisions I’d make here would change everything.

“I eat plenty.”

“Yes, but there’s room for improvement, I’m sure.” Again, he darted a glance into the backseat and then he reached out to cup my knee. Possessively. As if I was already his and we were just discussing out loud what had already come to pass.

Without hesitation, he slid his hand higher toward the hem of my short-shorts.

“Are you wet?” His voice was low. Hungry.

Decisive in the very best way.

I didn’t move. I wasn’t even sure I breathed.

“Maddie, are you wet?”

My smart tongue reared its head. “I got rained on, remember?”

“Madison. Are you wet?”

Guess he didn’t care if my hair was soaked and curling of its own free will, thanks to the unexpected storm. I wetted my lips and spread my legs infinitesimally, daring him to go further than he probably had any intention of going so close to his son.

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