Page 205 of Savage Bosses

"I do, but I did get shortened hours and I can do some work from home. So, I have a small surprise for you and Sam. We will be going to this fancy fundraiser in my boss's honor. When you get here, we have to go dress shopping because it's a formal affair. As a surprise, I got you and Sam a suite in the hotel for the night so you can get ready in style," I tell her excitedly.

Mom's voice lifts a couple of notches. "Oooh! I can't wait to tell the girls at work. Are you going to be joining us at the hotel?"

"Unfortunately, not. I have to get the guys together and picked up. I'll be there before you have to come down, so I'll come up to get you. I can't wait to go dress shopping!" The guys told me they want to walk in the event with them, so I'll get dressed, go home, and make the entrance with them. I'll get Mom and Sam then. "I'm excited for you to finally meet my bosses."

I wish I could explain our relationship to Mom, but that's for another day. When the time comes, she will know all.

I hear a little shuffling in the background before Mom speaks again. "I can't wait to see you. It's been too long. When are you coming to see us? Some of your old friends keep asking about you. They only see what you post on social media, and you don't post much. I did see the picture of you and that friend from college on the Eiffel Tower. Are you two dating?"

"No, he's just working for the business we worked with there. I ran into him, and we hung out for an afternoon. Still just friends." Almost had sex until my bosses intervened is what I didn't say to her. So much to explain and so much to keep quiet for now. Haddon's hand rubs my back and I release a silent sigh. It feels so nice. He's always been touchy-feely and cuddly, but now that I know why, it feels just that much better. He scoots closer and his lips touch my neck. "Mom, I have to get back to work. I'll see you at the airport the day after tomorrow. Love you."

"I love you too baby. See you then." The click from Mom's end lets me know she's disconnected.

I check my phone, making sure the call is disconnected and turn to Haddon. "Wha-—" is as far as I get before his lips slam onto mine, then gentling immediately. His tongue slides across the seams of my lips and I smile, opening them, allowing him inside. His tongue slides around my teeth, something I find strange, but erotic so I always go with it. Then his tongue slides along mine, eliciting a shiver. My hands go to his arms and hang on as he continues to devour my mouth.

Our tongues tangle, dance, and slide along each other until his lips lift from mine. He puckers and pecks my lips before completely lifting his head, gazing down at me. "Now that's what I call a kiss."

"We are kind of out in the open here." I remind him by waving my hands around the office.

He gives me a look. "You know this is the most private, safe place in the building. It's secure and no one comes in here except us four. Very rarely is someone else allowed in here. The receptionist out front has never been in here and she's worked for us for fifteen years. it's weird because she loves being a gatekeeper and we pay her well for it."

I laugh. What he says is true. I think we've had a total of three people come through since I've been here. "When are you going to have lunch with the owners' contest again?" It's a contest they hold once every few years. The catered lunch in the office garners it a lot of attention.

"I think we're due this year. Bring it up in the next meeting Marsten has." Haddon chuckles to himself. "By the way, where are the other two?"

I stroke his cheek. "Marsten is having lunch with his mother and Drew is getting the financials for the Lemon Grove company. They wanted a consultation on buying the Lemon Hive company." Haddon raises his eyebrows. I laugh again. "Yep."

He hands me a paper. "This is what we need to know about Hanson's Inc. It's their internal website and passwords. I also sent an email. See what you can find. You know the drill, if it seems too good to be true, hand it to the accountants and hackers so we can get the true numbers. They are wanting a cash infusion for expansion."

Turning to the computer, I open it and place the website in the search. It loads right away, and I look at the sunflowers dance across the screen. "What kind of company is this?"

"It's a clothing store that specializes in hemp merchandise. They do online and physical store fronts." He leans forward checking out the website. "What's with the sunflowers? Wouldn't they do better by putting hemp on it? That would be a better representation of what they do."

I nod, frowning. "That's what I was thinking. Sales would go up exponentially. Why are they asking for an investment?" I go through the website and then follow the instructions to get to the next page. The financials.

"They have enough to go international online and one brick and mortar store in the US. They want to add five stores in the US. There are areas where the physical storefronts would do better," Haddon advises as I take a look at the numbers in the spreadsheets.

Haddon grabs his laptop and moves over beside me. We spend the rest of the afternoon working going through the numbers and working on plans to improve with or without our input.

Marsten arrives back in the office first, with Drew behind him.

I notice as we go through our day, we work together well and with this new dimension to our relationship, it seems to work even better.

I'm loving it.

Chapter Eight

A

nxiously, I wait for Mom and Sam to come through the exit of the airplane. Marsten asked me about their flight information and upgraded them to first class. I didn't tell them, so it would be a nice surprise.

It's early enough that I can get them checked into the hotel, freshen up, and then we can go shopping. I was told to make sure I use the company card for all three of us, since it is a business expense.

No argument from me.

"Nix!" Sam shouts as soon as she sees me from the escalator.

Scanning the area, I find her and Mom close to the bottom, and a big toothy smile crosses my face. I move against the crowd to get to them faster. When we reach each other, our arms go around and hold on tight. "I'm so glad to see you! I missed you two so much!"

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