Page 19 of My Not So Wicked Boss (My Not So Wicked 3)

Every muscle in my face worked to create a full-scale frown.

Miles returned it with a pressed-lip smile. “Please do not take offense. I’m not implying that you would even entertain the thought. For all I know, I repulse you.”

I wish.

“I only want to be upfront with you. As such, I will require that as part of your contract, you will agree that there will be no romantic entanglements between us. This is as much for your protection as it is mine.”

There was no way to hold back the incredulous look on my face. “You must think very highly of yourself.” Now I was sounding like my old self.

He chuckled. “On the contrary, it is you I think highly of.”

I stared down at Henry’s angelic face, not sure how to respond. And, admittedly, I felt stupid. For a moment, I had let myself fall victim to his charm. Worse, I welcomed it.

“What do you say, Aspen, will you come work for me?”

I contemplated his offer while stroking Henry’s curls. My heart said I was meant to take care of this little boy. Almost like a voice that spoke to my heart pleading for me to. For a second, I thought it was Sophie. What a crazy thought.

But what about Henry’s uncle and his contract? Another little voice asked, why does that bother you? You don’t like men. Or do you? it taunted. Great, now even my subconscious was becoming prickly. But it was right. Maybe this was the perfect situation for me. More money, free rent, and a contract guaranteeing I wouldn’t have to worry about any unwanted advances. Unwanted? my annoying subconscious asked. Seriously, she and I were going to have a talk about her attitude.

I looked up and found Miles waiting anxiously for my reply. I flashed him a smile. “We are a match made in heaven.”

Miles’s shoulders dropped. “Darling, believe me, I wish we—”

“You misunderstand me,” I interrupted him before he made me second-guess myself. “I meant that ‘romantic entanglements,’ as you call them, have only caused me grief, so I avoid them at all costs.”

He released a heavy breath. “I should have known.”

“How could you have?”

“You remind me of someone close to my heart,” he admitted reluctantly. “But that is neither here nor there.” A sense of loss lingered in his words. “Do you accept my offer?”

“I do.”Chapter Seven“He’s making you sign a contract that says what?” Emma walked slowly beside me in the crisp morning toward the soccer field for warmups before the game. She had just finished puking behind her jeep.

I carried the bag of soccer balls for her. Normally Sawyer would have, but one of his patients had an eye emergency this morning, so he was at their clinic in Carrington Cove. I was glad for the time with her. “That there will be no romantic entanglements,” I exaggerated, it was such a funny word, “between us.” I decided to leave out the reasons why for now. Someday I would share them all with my friends when there was more time.

Emma snorted. “What does that even mean?”

I shifted the heavy bag on my shoulder. “Basically, that we will have a business-only relationship.”

Emma blew into her hands to warm them up. It was chilly this morning. “Well, that’s too bad. From the way you two behaved last night, we all thought you might decide to play house instead.”

I stopped and set down the bag. “What are you talking about?”

She took ahold of me to steady herself. Her baby meant business. “The sexual tension at your table last night was crazy hot. It’s why we didn’t bother saying goodbye to you. The way he looked at you and the way you would blush and lean in was like watching a rom-com play out in real life. We all thought for sure you had finally met your match. That the dashing Brit would be the one to finally get to you.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” I snatched up the bag and slung it over my back, offering my arm to Emma as a support.

Emma leaned into me. “You are such a liar.”

I totally was. “It doesn’t matter, because come Monday morning, I’m going to sign the contract his barrister is drawing up, and I’m going to make more money than I thought I ever would and give Chloe everything she needs,” my stupid voice cracked.

“Hey.” Emma rubbed my arm. “What happened last night?”

“Nothing,” I lied . . . again.

“Aspen, it’s me.”

I leaned my head on hers, so grateful for our years of friendship. “It’s just, I feel dumb. There was a moment when he admitted that he was attracted to me and wished he was free to ask me out. And maybe for a microsecond I kind of hoped he would.” After all, no one had ever called me fetching. It felt like more than telling someone they were beautiful. It was like saying you encompass my senses. Ugh, listen to me. I seriously needed to quit watching British regency period shows.

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