Page 7 of Boss Daddy's Girl

He's showered and changed into a dark navy suit. His hair is damp, and the smell of his soap is warm and woodsy. I'm usually able to ignore just how good-looking he is during work hours, but right now, the sight of him is impossible to ignore.

He meets my eyes with a slight smirk, and I blush, knowing he's caught me staring. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" he says, and I'm relieved that he doesn't tease me about my little moment of reverie.

"It really is," I answer, looking back at the view.

"You've never had much of a chance to enjoy nature, have you?"

I laugh at that. "No, not really, which I guess is ironic considering who you are. I've had my hands full trying to keep up.”

His smile widens into a grin. "It's your job to keep up with me."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, well, it would be nice if you made it easy for me every once in a while. Like maybe you could actually read your schedule for once?"

"My dear Ellie, that is exactly why I have an assistant. Now, believe it or not" —he sits on the chaise beside me— "I doremember that you said we have a mixer tonight, which is why you had this suit sat out for me, I assume. Are you ready to go?"

With a sigh, I look down at my own outfit. Business casual looks so much sexier on Drake than on me, but maybe that's because I'm dressing to blend into the background. As Drake's unofficial shadow, I try to be unnoticed most of the time.

Tonight, though, it's a little different. After a few glasses of wine, I packed my bags with an inflated sense of confidence. Instead of neutrals and pastels, I packed things to make me stand out. Jewel tones to set off my eyes, dresses that, while still appropriate for the events, hug me just a little tighter than usual, and strappy heels that make my legs look longer and shapely. Tonight I'm in a black high-necked sheath dress that stops just above my knee, but the slit in the back and the positively curve-hugging fit turn the basic into something much more daring.

It's not until Drake is in front of me, looking at me with an expression I've never seen on his face before, that I second-guess my decision.

"I should probably change, right?" I say, already making to step around him towards the closet. "This is way too much. I can?—"

Drake stops me with a hand on my arm, pulling me to my feet and closer to him. "Absolutely not. You look amazing. Don't let me tell you otherwise." His words are firm, and his voice deep.

My heart is thudding against my ribcage. The air feels electric around us. Drake is still holding my arm, and when I glance up at him, I see that he's staring at me, his gaze focused on my lips. I lick them without meaning to, and his eyes flicker up to mine, his expression intense.

I'm frozen. I know what's happening, and I want it so badly. It takes every bit of my willpower, and the undeniable fact that sleeping with my boss could cost me my job makes me take a few steps back. "O-okay, if you say so. Ready to go downstairs?"

Drake lets out a breath, his expression going back to neutral. "Sure. Let's go, Miss White." He stands, offering me his arm. I slip mine through his, and he leads me out of the room.

The elevator ride down to the ballroom floor is tense. Drake and I stand side by side, but he's pressed up against the wall, watching me. I can feel his gaze on my face, and my skin feels warm under the weight of it.

"What?" I ask, glancing up at him.

"Just wondering what's going on in that brain of yours," he says, smiling a little.

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. "Just thinking about what they're going to have to eat. I'm starving."

"I can guarantee it will not disappoint," Drake says as the elevator comes to a stop. "They always outdo themselves. Climbers like to eat. Last year, they had these mini egg rolls, which were great. I ate like twenty of them."

I smile at him. "I'll keep an eye out for those, then."

He gives me a smile in return as we step off the elevator. We head towards the ballroom, and he places a hand on the small of my back, guiding me through the crowd.

We get a few looks as we walk through the lobby, and I can't tell if it's because they recognize Drake or because they think we're together. Drake doesn't seem to care, though, and his confidence is contagious. I stand a little taller, letting myself enjoy being onthe arm of a man like Drake Evans. With my hair slicked back into a low ponytail and my makeup fresh, finished off with a red lip, I don't feel totally out of place among what must be the elite of the climbing world.

The ballroom is packed, with dining tables dotted around the area and a long buffet table of small bites along the far wall. A bar is set up in the corner, with a bartender dressed all in black. The center of the room is empty, and I wonder if there will be dancing later.

My stomach grumbles, and I turn to Drake. "I'm going to grab some food," I tell him, and he nods, looking over my head as he scans the crowd.

"Sounds good. I'm gonna go say hello to a few people."

I nod and head to the buffet, grabbing a plate and loading it up with everything interesting I can find. I see the famous egg rolls and drop five on my plate for Drake, turning to go find him. Despite the hundreds of people here, I know I will be able to pick him out easily. Drake has an aura that is bright and warm to me, drawing me to him like a moth to a flame.

He's about ten feet away, but I only make it a few steps toward him before I see who he's talking with—a group of gorgeous women, skin glowing and arms perfectly sculpted. More climbers. My smile falls from my face and I exhale slowly, turning around, disappointment burning me in. I shouldn't be surprised. This is what always happens when Drake is out in public. Even when people don't know who he is, he just oozes this magnetism that draws everyone to him, including all these fit, beautiful women.

I don't understand it, and I don't understand why I feel so jealous when I see it. It's not like he's mine. But a treacherous part of me really wishes he is.

---