Page 42 of Hire A Cuddler

She is coming toward me. “I’m not taking your driver, King. That’s ridiculous. I’m in Whiskey Run.”

I lean down and kiss her. “This is a non-negotiable, Haven. I can’t work if I don’t know you’re safe.”

“But—”

I kiss her again. “Please, do this for me.”

She juts her chin at me. “How am I supposed to say no to that?”

“You’re not.”

She lets out a huff. “Fine. We’ll do it your way, Mr. Beckett.”

With one last kiss, I reluctantly walk out the door, and as soon as I get into my car, I let out a big breath. I would give anything to stay here all day, but unfortunately I have meetings today that could cost me fourteen million dollars if I blow them off.

I barely get on the road and my phone is ringing. Seeing my human resource manager's name on the caller ID, I hit the button on my dashboard to answer it. “Ridge.”

Becca starts talking, and it’s so fast, I can’t make out a word. “Becca, slow down. I can’t understand you.”

She breathes in. “Is it true? Did you get married?”

I had let my assistant know I got married and would be out of the office a few days. I’m not used to answering to anyone, so I’m not sure what this is about. “Yes, it’s true.”

“To who?” Becca asks.

I’m proud of having Haven as my wife, and I don’t even hesitate in naming her. “I married Haven Weston… well, now she’s Mrs. Haven Beckett. Is there a reason you’re asking? I can add her to my insurance today. I’ll send over all the information to you.”

“I didn’t even know you were dating someone.”

I take my eyes off the road in front of me and look at the screen of my phone that is displayed on the dashboard. “Becca, I’m not sure what you’re asking me, but my personal life is really none of your business and—”

She cuts me off. “I know, sir, but I was here when your mom showed up after you made the Forbes list. She wanted your money, and I just think it’s weird that all of a sudden, out of the blue, some woman—”

I don’t let her finish. “Becca, don’t finish that statement. Haven is my wife, and I will not have hertalked about in this manner. You are in charge of human resources for Beckett Construction, and that’s your only concern.”

She’s quiet on the other end, and I almost wonder if she’s hung up. “Do we understand each other, Becca?”

She still quiet, and when she finally answers, she sounds angry. “Yes, sir.”

I press the button to end the phone call and step on the gas. Anger fills me. I hate even thinking of my mother. She gave me up when I was little. She lived in Whiskey Run the whole time and never came to get me, never saw me or anything. It wasn’t until I made that list that she came to see me, wanting money. How dare Becca compare Haven to my mother? Haven is nothing like her.

I am fuming mad the rest of the way to my offices in Jasper. I would give anything to go back and spend the rest of the day with Haven, but I can’t. I need to do this meeting, and then I need to get my office in check. They will respect my wife… or they’ll lose their jobs.

23

HAVEN

I stare into the darkness,on my side of the bed, and wish I could at least see King's face. We’ve been lying here for an hour now, and neither one of us can seem to fall asleep. All I’m thinking about is what he did to me this morning, and I want more of that, but I’m too shy to ask him for it.

“I have a favor to ask.”

He rolls toward me, and even though I can feel his eyes on me, I can’t see him. I sit up in the bed and turn the bedside lamp on.

We both squint at the sudden light, but he doesn’t complain. He sits up in the bed next to me. “Anything.”

I look over at him, see his bare chest, and try toconcentrate on what I was saying. “You can tell me no.”

He leans up on one elbow and smiles at me. “I think you know I’m not going to tell you no.”

---