Page 37 of I Won't Be In On Monday

"I mean, a teacher’s wholesome, sweet, dependable. Maybe he’ll take you on a picnic in Central Park. An economist will take you to a bookstore for a date, and maybe you can do the crossword puzzle together on a Sunday morning."

"Is that what you think I want? To do the crossword?" I stare at him. Does he really think I'm that dull? "Really? Why would you think that?"

"I don't want to sound like a jerk, but you look like the sort of woman who would be interested in a teacher or economist. You're the librarian sort. You've always got your hair up. I never really see you in makeup." I stare at him for a couple of seconds and just nod slowly. Because what can I say to that? I know I'm not a femme fatale.

"No, that's not exactly my type. I don't want a bad boy or a teacher. I want a man that is in between."

"So you're looking for someone who is closer to bad boy or closer to a teacher?"

"I don't know. It depends."

"On what?" He leans forward and whispers, "If they spank you with a hand or a belt?"

"What?" My jaw drops, and his eyes twinkle as he leans forward.

"What?" He winks. "Don't tell me you've never engaged in a little spanking." He pauses and looks over his shoulder again. He grins as he looks back at me. "Gotta make sure little ears are not listening."

"I don't know what you're asking me, Mr. Parker, but I feel like it's about to cross the professional line."

"Aboutto cross the professional line?" He chuckles and leans back and sips on his beer. "I think we're already over that line." He grins. "I'll let you in on a little secret, though."

"Oh, what's that?"

"I would put myself closer to the bad boy line than the teacher line." He winks at me again, and my skin burns. "If you know what I mean."

"No, I don't know what you mean."

"I mean, for example, if I were to tie you up in a bed, I'd use my silk tie and not some rope. But you'd still be tied up."

"Tied up?" My eyes are wide, and my heart is racing. My body feels hot, and I cross my legs. This conversation is goingsomewhere naughty. And while I’m pretending to be aghast, I’m literally dancing inside.

"Naked." He grins. "Though, maybe I shouldn't tell you all my secrets. I don't want you judging me any more than you already do."

"I already told you, Mr. Parker, I don't judge you."

"Even If I'm talking about me tying you up, and not some hypothetical woman?"

"What?" I swallow hard. He is not for real. Is he?

"I'm not going to lie. I have thought about seeing you with your hair down and those glasses off."

"But I'm just your mousey assistant." I lick my lips nervously.

"Got you." He bursts out laughing. "You didn't think I was being serious, did you?"

"Of course, not," I say quickly, feeling annoyed. I lick my lips again and lean forward. "I don't think you could handle a woman like me, Remington." I bite down on my lower lip. "I'm the sort of woman who would undo that tie and handcuff you." I grin. "I may be sugar and spice, but I'm not all things nice."

His breath catches for a moment, and he leans forward. "I do believe you're teasing me, Juniper. And if I'm being honest, I think I quite like it. I think I like it a lot. You're a wild one, aren't you?"

All I do is nod slightly as I lean back and take another bite of my burger. The fact of the matter is that I've never had sex, don't own any handcuffs, and have never been a wild one for one night of my life. However, my fantasies have definitely included me riding him like a stallion. Though, I’m not about to tell him that.

Chapter Twelve

Remington

“Am I not going to school today, Daddy?” Canyon asks me in an excited voice as we walk through the entrance of the law firm. It’s still early, and I feel guilty for waking her up at 6:00 a.m. I shake my head and give her a wry smile.

“No, you are going to school. I have an early call and meeting with a very important client. Once I finish that up, I will head over to your school and drop you off.”

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