Page 48 of Taming the Boss

“Yay.” His low, sarcastic response made me roll my eyes. Not that he seemed to notice because he was yet again solely focused on the road.

Apparently, his goal had just been to make sure I was revved up, and then to leave me hanging. I’d say I was surprised, but I couldn’t because it fit his MO all the way around. He took us shopping and then ditched us to?—

Make sure your old rat-trap car has brand new tires and brakes. Such an awful man.

Great, now I was even defending him. But it was a good point.

We hadn’t exactly clarified a damn thing, except I wanted him to make me come sooner rather than later. But if he didn’t finish the job, well, then I would. I was an empowered woman, for fuck’s sake.

A short while later, Owen went inside to “go potty,” which meant he knew how already. Jude had definitely lucked out there. “I assume he came to you like that?” I asked after he opened my door.

At least Jude’s door-opening manners were on point.

His brow creased. “Like what?”

“Potty-trained. Because teaching little kids to go on the toilet is not always easy. And it’s definitely not in the beginner’s round of child rearing.”

“How do you know?”

“I have many relatives. So, his mom handled that, I assume?”

“I never thought of it, honestly. I’ve read a couple books since I learned of his existence but no. I didn’t know anything about it, and from day one, he’s just announced when he has to and handles it on his own.” He cocked his head. “Should I be…checking him?”

“Who dresses him?”

“He mostly dresses himself. Sometimes he has issues, like misbuttoning things or putting the wrong things together, but he is very independent.” Jude tipped back his head. “More things I’m bungling?”

I climbed out of the car. “You handle putting away the groceries, I’ll make sure he’s all good with bathroom stuff.”

Immediately, the tense expression he wore disappeared. “Oh, good. Thank you.”

I couldn’t resist brushing against him on way to the front door. “Oh, and if you don’t finish what you started in a timely fashion, I’ll just handle it myself.”

He gripped my arm in his brutally strong fingers. “Don’t.”

“Then don’t keep me waiting.” I broke away from him and he didn’t attempt to hold onto me. Just let me go.

I crossed the enormous lawn and hurried up the few steps to the front door, unsurprised to find it unlocked. No one locked their doors in Crescent Cove. Apparently, even Jude didn’t, and he didn’t seem casual about anything.

I rushed inside and leaned back against the front door to catch my breath. If I was honest, I hadn’t stopped breathing faster than normal since he’d touched me.

Your move, Keller.

Chapter 11

Putting away a trunk full of groceries with a semi was a new form of hell, courtesy of Maddie Masterson.

The worst part was I wasn’t sure if it was more from touching her drenched pussy or from the imagery she’d put in my head of finishing herself off without my assistance.

Like hell.

For all I knew, she could be doing just that while I put away everything she’d purchased for me and my son. And herself, because she was going to be here with us more than she’d anticipated.

If she accepted the offer I’d barely managed to make.

I hadn’t intended to do any of what I had in the car. Being upfront with her about what I wanted to do was necessary, of course, so she could make an informed decision. But I needed to know she was interested enough to stick around.

If not, I had to find an alternative to help care for Owen. Because clearly I needed help—truthfully, a lot of help, and I didn’t know how soon Sydney would arrive. She had things to tie up in Seattle, and I didn’t want to expect more from her than she could reasonably deliver.

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