Page 2 of Her Billionaire Stocking Stuffers

As if she senses we’re having fun without her, Snowflake pops her head out of my pocket to see where the trio of sexy voices is coming from.

“Is that…a pussy…in your pocket?” Cole teases. “Or are you just happy to see us?”

“Oh!” I wing my stare over my shoulder, but it’s too late.

“Ivy! What the hell is that?” My boss storms out of his office, his sausage finger jabbing straight toward the kitten from across the room.

“I know you said she couldn’t stay but I can’t have her at home, and?—”

“Save it. Get rid of that thing or you’re fired,” my boss snarls. “The health department would shut us down in an instant if they saw it behind the counter.”

I’d love to flip him off and quit.

But I can’t.

I’m not that kind of girl.

Besides, I need this stupid paycheck.

“Mr. Potter, I can’t put her outside. It’s freezing!” I’m horrified.

“Give it here and I’ll drop it back in the trash where it came from.” He lunges for me, but Cole surprises us both when he flies over the counter in some stuntman maneuver. The way he tucks his knees and leaps, skidding across the wide plank on the side of his thigh before landing in front of me without so much as wrinkling his suit, does funny things to my insides.

And when he steps between my boss and me, his thick shoulders becoming a shield, tears well in my eyes.

I can’t remember the last time someone was on my side.

It gives me the courage to try one last time. “Snowflake is not garbage.”

Before my boss can rant some more, Pax clears his throat. “Hey, don’t worry. I’ll take her.”

“You won’t let her go outside, right?” My fingers knead her fluffy fur while she peeks between us with her big blue eyes.

“Promise.” He holds out his hands. “I’ll find her the perfect home. Somewhere warm and safe with lots of treats and toys.”

“Thank you.” It’s not what I want most, but it’s the best I can hope for.

I hand her over, my heart shattering in the process.

“Finish their drinks and close up. I’m getting the hell out of here. My kids are harassing me to put up some lights.” My boss groans as he stretches, then leaves me to the end-of-shift slog.

“Good night.” I quickly add, “Sorry.”

But he only tosses a halfhearted wave in my direction without so much as turning around as he leaves.

At least I can focus on my customers.

“The usual?” I ask them. “On the house.”

I’ll even add extra caramel sauce and whipped cream for Pax.

He nods, but Gabriel is still glowering in the direction my boss went as Cole rounds the counter and takes his place beside his friends as if nothing happened.

Gabriel asks, “You have to clean the whole place by yourself?”

I busy myself making their orders to still the loss and longing roiling in my belly.

“Looks like it. That’s fine. I’d rather be alone than have him hovering over me, yelling all night.” I wince. “I’m lucky he didn’t let me go.”

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