Page 17 of Claiming My Cocky Boss

As the sun dipped lower in the sky and the evening sun streamed through the windows, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was something more between us. Something that went beyond the arrangement we had.

But for now, I was content to wait and see.

Eight

Mia

I could hear the hum of the office coffee maker in the corner, the sound blending with the rustle of paperwork, and the occasional chatter from outside as tourists filtered into the park. The ranger station was quiet for now, but I knew it wouldn’t last. A group of hikers had already booked a tour, and by the look of the forecast, today was going to be one of those days where the sun made everyone think they were invincible. That meant accidents. And accidents meant work.

Tessa was leaning against the desk, her arms crossed, a knowing smile tugging at her lips as she watched me. “You’ve got that look.”

I glanced up from the digital tablet I was pretending to focus on. “What look?”

“That look. The one that says you’ve got something on your mind that isn’t work. Spill it.”

I sighed, setting the tablet down. “Fine. Things got... complicated last night with Liam.”

Tessa raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. “Complicated how? You finally give in to that hot guy you rescued?”

“He’s not my guy,” I muttered, but Tessa’s teasing had already hit its mark. I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks.

“Oh, come on,” she said, moving closer, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Don’t tell me you’re actually regretting it. I mean, I know you’re a bit of a control freak, but this sounds like something you needed. Maybe losing control was the best thing that could happen to you.”

I shook my head, trying to laugh it off, but it came out more strained than I intended. “I don’t know. It just... happened. And now I feel like I’ve let my guard down with him, and that’s not exactly a great feeling.”

Tessa crossed her arms again, leaning back against the desk with an exaggerated sigh. “Mia, you’ve spent so much time building walls around yourself that you can’t even see when it’s a good thing to let someone in. Maybe you’re being too hard on the guy.”

I hesitated, her words cutting deeper than I cared to admit. “Maybe. But it’s not just that. He’s... cocky. Bossy. He thrives on pushing my boundaries, and I’m not sure if I’m more frustrated with him or with myself for letting him.”

Tessa’s grin was unrelenting. “That sounds like exactly what you need. Someone to challenge you, to get you out of your head. And it’s not like you’re chained to him. You could easily tell him to go back to his cabin, call his buddy to come to pick him up, or even pack his bags and tell him to head back to Dallas, where he belongs.”

I chewed on the inside of my cheek, unsure how to respond. The truth was, I could do all of that. But the thought of Liam leaving didn’t sit right with me. His presence, though infuriating at times, had already become... comforting.

Tessa wasn’t done with me yet. She stepped closer, nudging me with her elbow. “Or, and hear me out, maybe you’re realizing that opposites really do attract. I mean, look at Liam. You told me he’s all about rules, structure, and order. You... not so much. You value being carefree.”

I scoffed, but it lacked conviction. “Opposites attract, huh? That’s your theory?”

“It’s not just a theory, Mia,” Tessa teased. “It’s reality. And I think you’re starting to see it, even if you won’t admit it out loud.”

I shrugged, grabbing my tablet again, trying to gather my thoughts for the day’s tasks. But deep down, Tessa’s words lingered. Was that what this was? Was I really falling for someone who was the complete opposite of me? And if I was... did that mean everything I thought I knew about myself was wrong?

Tessa gave me a pat on the shoulder as she headed toward the door. “Think about it, Mia. Don’t be too hard on yourself... or him. Life’s too short to overthink everything.”

I watched her leave, the familiar sounds of the park creeping back into focus. But my mind stayed on Liam. Maybe, I was just being a bitch. Maybe, there was more to this than I wanted to admit.

And maybe, just maybe, Tessa was right.

I hated it when she was right.

By the time I got home that fall evening, the sun was hanging low above the horizon. My cabin felt still and quiet from the outside, but the knowledge that Liam was inside stirred something in me. It wasn’t just the comfort of knowing I wouldn’t be alonetonight; it was the fact that his presence brought a new kind of energy to my space. Something I wasn’t sure how to deal with.

Daisy bounded up to greet me as I opened the door, her tail wagging like she hadn’t seen me in days. But as I stepped inside, the familiar scent of home mixed with something else—Liam. He was on the couch, scrolling through his phone, his injured ankle propped up on a pillow.

“Hi there, Mia,” he said, glancing up with a half-smile that sent a small jolt through me. "How was work?"

I forced a smile, trying to shake the sudden wave of unease. “Busy,” I replied, dropping my keys on the counter. “How’s the ankle?”

“Still attached,” he teased, his voice light but tired.

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