Page 39 of My Not So Wicked Boss (My Not So Wicked 3)

Patiently waiting,

Mary

I tried not to wretch. You have me in heat. Who said things like that? I was going to just send her the standard reply, but this woman needed some help and a dose of reality and self-respect.

Dear Mary,

Get yourself a fan or throw some ice down your shirt. Not only am I a bloody bastard, but I’m a selfish douche bag without the slightest idea of how to raise a child. You know what they say about selfish men in bed. It’s all true, sweetheart. Stay away. Go find yourself a nice gentleman. Better yet, stay away from men all together. You’ll be happier, I promise.

Sincerely,

Taron

P.S. You are spot on about the book.

“Nanny,” Henry interrupted me before I could decide whether I should send the email. I mean, Miles was probably firing me anyway, right? And I was truly doing this woman a service. I set aside the laptop and career suicide to focus on my favorite part of my soon-to-be ex-job. Oh, how I would miss this little man who was tiredly rubbing his dark eyes he’d inherited from his daddy. I took him into my arms.

“Rock me,” he sleepily pled.

I eyed the rocking chair. It felt like sacred territory. I wasn’t sure if I should. Then I swore I heard Sophie say, Do it for me. With a lump in my throat, I carried Henry to the chair and reverently took a seat with him and his teddy, George. I held him tight for his mother and me while I kissed his sweet head. He snuggled into me. “Read me a story.”

There was a basket near the chair filled with books. Sitting on top was The Tiger Who Came for Tea. It looked well-loved with tattered edges. I picked it up and began to read. Henry giggled softly against my chest, half asleep. I didn’t even make it halfway through before he was sleeping soundly. I placed the book back in the basket and closed my own eyes for a minute, soaking in the moment. For Henry, I didn’t want this job to end. I was beginning to love this little boy very much. I would even put up with his broody, boorish uncle if it meant I could take care of him.

I found my own eyelids becoming heavier and heavier the longer I rocked Henry. I hadn’t slept well at all, worried about what today would bring.

I must have fallen asleep, because when I opened my eyes Miles sat on the bed staring intently at the sketch I had started of Sophie and Henry. Crap. I shut my eyes again. He’d caught me sleeping on the job. Worse, he sat closely to the open laptop I’d left on Henry’s bed with that unsent email front and center. I prayed the screen timed out or maybe the computer went into sleep mode. He wouldn’t check, would he? Maybe if I kept my eyes closed, he would go away.

I peeked my eyes open. He still stared at the sketch. His eyes were a bit misty. His show of emotion had me opening my eyes all the way. As if he knew I was staring at him, his head drifted up. Such a thoughtful gaze emanated from him. Much different from the one last night.

“Bloody hell, you are lovely,” he whispered.

“I’m sorry.” I don’t know why I was apologizing, but it sounded like that was a problem for him.

“Don’t be. I knew full well when I hired you how hard it would be to . . .”

“To what?”

“Never mind,” he sighed. He held up the half-drawn picture on the doodle pad. “This is remarkable. Sophie would have loved it.”

“I hope you don’t mind that I—”

“Not at all. You captured her perfectly. She loved Henry more than the last breath she drew.” His voice faltered.

I pulled Henry tighter against me. Tears stung my eyes.

“Aspen.” He leaned forward and rested his hands on his legs. He looked like a giant sitting on the small toddler bed. “I apologize for being an arse.”

That aptly described him.

He continued, “I wouldn’t blame you, if you told me to piss off.”

My lip twitched, making him half-smile.

“But I hope you don’t. I can’t stand the thought of you thinking ill of me. There are very few people who I care what they think about me. You have quickly become one. I’ve written nothing but drivel the last two days as your chastisement has filled my thoughts. You are right, Sophie expected better of me even though she knew what a selfish bastard I could be.”

I bit my lip. Had he read the email? That’s basically what I had called him.

He gave no indication that he had and continued. “Aspen.” His eyes locked with mine. Those enigmatic things were back to making my heart sting and zing.

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