Page 4 of Forbidden Grumpy Boss

Ambulances whiz pass, sirens blaring as people run around, searching for their missing loved ones. Night has fallen, and we’ve spent the better part of the day searching for Ezra, all to no avail. Now, we’re parked outside our hotel, staring at the rubble.

“I can’t believe it’s gone,” she says, staring out the window at where we first met last night. “Of all the places to clear my head, I chose the city with an earthquake.”

“Clear your head?” I ask.

She turns to look at me. “Why were you at the museum?” Her brown eyes narrow.

“What do you mean?” I grip the steering wheel as my gaze drops to her lips.

“I met you last night, and we justhappenedto be at the same museum at the same time? I don’t buy it.”

“You should be glad I was there,” I mutter. “If I wasn’t—”

“I’d be dust, yeah, I know.” She rolls her eyes. “I’ve said thank you a hundred times today.”

“And I’ve told you not to mention it a hundred times, too.” I open my hands. My head is starting to throb. Today has been hell, and I still can’t find my brother.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice.”

“Notice what?” I ask. Her hair is almost golden-brown in my car lights, and her exposed thighs are almost porcelain pale.

“That you changed the subject,” she says. “Why were you at the museum?”

“Because Ezra was shooting a movie scene at the museum, and I came to support him,” I finally say. “That’s the whole reason I’m in Rome in the first place. For him. And now, I can’t find . . .” My voice trails off as I shut my eyes, letting the pain wash over me.

She’s silent for a little while before speaking again. “I’m sorry for pressing.”

I open my eyes, feeling a little better. “That’s okay, um—” I realize I don’t know her name. We’ve spent the majority of the day together, and she already saw me half-naked, but I don’t know her name.

“Leah.” She manages a small smile, her round face lighting up.

“Silas.” I stretch a hand, and she takes it in hers.

“Silas,” she repeats. “I’ve been calling youTowel Manin my head.” She laughs softly, a beautiful sound that makes me feel a little better.

As if remembering that my brother is still missing, her laughter disappears, and so does my little moment of peace.

She’s beautiful, yes. Gorgeous, even. Long, wavy brown hair that tumbles over her shoulders, dirt streaking her pale skin, giving her an almost ethereal glow despite the disaster we’ve just been through. Her brown eyes are a little dazed like she’sstill processing the destruction around us, but they’re sharp underneath it all. She’s got this softness to her face that contrasts with how strong I know she can be. I've seen it firsthand over the past few hours.

And now she’s mumbling something about having nowhere to stay.

“I have a place,” I blurt out before I can think twice. “In Bracciano. You could stay with me.”

“Um—"

“Just for the night. You shouldn’t be out on your own.” I look out at the dark city. “I’m sure most hotels are fully booked after this disaster. Unless you want to stay at a shelter, in which case, I can try finding you one.”

I stare at her. I feel responsible for her even though I don’t know her. What’s that about?

Her head turns slowly toward me, her brows knitting together as if she’s trying to make sense of my offer. The hesitation on her face is unmistakable. And it stings more than I’d care to admit. Does she think I have ulterior motives? That I’m one of those men who’ll take advantage of a situation like this?

Maybe I’m not so different. I can barely keep my eyes off of her.

“It’s fine,” I add quickly, attempting to sound casual. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea for a young woman like you to wander the streets of Rome at this hour. Not with everything going on.”

She’s tapping her fingers against her thigh. She’s done that a lot today when she’s thinking hard about something. Her fingers rise and fall with urgency.

She looks at me again, then sighs softly, nodding her head. “Alright. I’ll stay.”

---