Page 15 of Bossy Bred

Jake draws in a hot breath through his nostrils. “Then let’s discuss it. Because in case it’s not blatantly clear, I want you all to myself. And I have zero interest in being with anyone else.”

“Well, Jake,” I say, slow and smiling, “you’ll be glad to know that I feel the same way.”

His chest eases with relief. “All right. I’m happy to know we’re on the same page.”

“Ditto.”

Jake’s eyes drift to the crowded yard around us, scanning in that serious way again. “You good if we head out?”

“Already?” I ask, my brows lifting. “I haven’t even finished my drink.”

“After you finish your drink, then.”

I take a sip, still looking at him curiously. Is there someone here he doesn’t want to run into? Why does he seem so uncomfortable?

Jake’s eyes drop to my glass, looking impatient. I take one more sip, then set my glass down on the closest table. “Okay. We can go.”

He looks relieved as he takes my hand and guides me through the crowded yard back out to his car. I try to let go of the questions I have about his odd behavior, but as we drive away, the wheels of his sports car whirring over the pavement beneath us, I can’t stop wondering what I’m missing.

“Why did you bring me to that party, Jake?”

He answers without taking his eyes from the road. “I wanted you there with me.”

“Butwhy?”

“Because I like your company.”

That’s nice to hear, but I’m still confused. “I like your company, too, but…sorry, I’m just confused. I thought what we had was just a sex thing. Is it not anymore?”

It takes him a while to answer. “Honestly, I don’t know, Leta.”

“Oh.” I swallow, nerves suddenly rushing through me. “Are you saying you want us to date?”

“I don’t know.” He clears his throat. “I just know that I like you.” He sends a glance my way. “Is that something you want? For us to date?”

I’m not prepared for his question, and I don’t have an immediate answer. I haven’t let myself think of Jake in any way other than the hot guy I’m sleeping with. Of course I’m ridiculously attracted to him, and I have very much enjoyed the time I’ve spent with him…but the idea of dating him feels like a whole other realm.

In a way, it feels backward, us potentially going from no-strings-attached sex to actual dates. I don’t even know if it would work. But what do I know?

“I need some time to think about that question,” I say.

He laughs a little. “Fair enough.”

I look over at him again, still struggling to understand the man sitting beside me. “Was there someone at that party who you were trying to avoid?”

“Uh…no?” he says, clearly confused by my question.

“Then why did you seem so uncomfortable? And why did we leave so abruptly?”

His expression changes, but I can’t interpret what it means. He looks…vulnerable, maybe? Ashamed? It’s so hard to read him sometimes.

“I’ve never felt comfortable at social events,” he says quietly. “I know it doesn’t make any sense. At the office, I have all the fucking confidence in the world. But the second I step into a backyard party, it feels like I’m on the verge of having a panic attack.”

His admission surprises me, but it all makes sense now. He’s human. He’s complex. He’s far more than the bossy, powerfulCEO that he presents to the world. I tilt my head, trying to catch his eye. “Are you okay now?”

He doesn’t look over at me, but he nods. “Yeah. I’m good.”

The interior of the car falls quiet for a few moments. Then he adds, “I’ve never told anyone that, you know.”

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