Page 65 of Married to My Grumpy Minotaur Boss

I only have twelve unanswered emails and no other meetings on the schedule for today. On impulse, I lock my screen and stand again so quickly the leather seat is probably still cool.

Sanjiv, one of my producers, rushes into the office flapping some paper at me. “Mr. Kernos. I’m glad I caught you!”

“Not now, Sanjiv, I’m about to head out for an appointment.”

“Oh. Sorry, sir. Can I come by later, then?”

I fix him with a look that brooks no opposition. “No. If it’s urgent, either put it in an email, or go find your direct supervisor and ask them. Otherwise make a meeting with me in the morning.”

Sanjiv’s eyes go wide. I don’t think I’ve ever turned down or redirected an urgent meeting in my life, so I understand why. I’ve certainly never left the office before 5 pm.

“Ah, yes, sir.”

I walk out without waiting for Sanjiv to leave my office, already messaging my driver.

Ronan: Get me to Hurst’s flagship store on Park St ASAP

My town car pulls up at the curb only seconds after I exit the building. I smile and slide into the back seat. I can’t wait to see Justine’s face before she knows I’m watching.

Justine’s expression is a look of rapt wonder as the author—whose mousy brown hair and frilly white shirt are all I can see of her—reads from a chapter of her new book. I managed to sneak in unnoticed just as I intended. I even evaded the film crew, leaving them in my dust back at Bullseye HQ. Which means I now have several missed calls and angry messages on my phone. Better yet, the crew filming Justine were apparently told they couldn’t film the reading and they’ve been forced to wait outside. I give them a wave and a grin as I slip past them, into the bookshop, flashing the message with my ticket at the guy on the door.

“...Dangerfield slid a strong hand up Emily’s thigh and she shuddered,” Ms. Hargroves reads.

“Oh, your grace, someone might see!”

“And if they do, Emily? What might they see?”

“Y-your hand on my unmentionables,” said Emily, her voice trembling.

Lord Dangerfield only smiled. “Only your unmentionables, Emily? I was hoping to do something far, far more scandalous than that.”

I know that flushed cheek look Justine has on her face. She’s sitting at the back of five rows of rapt fans. She’s biting her lip. My nostrils flare, trying to pick up the rich heady aroma ofJustine’s arousal even across the room full of people. My tail flicks against my leg.

Yes, this was definitely a very, very good idea. I congratulate myself again for getting her the ticket to this reading. Am I the worst sort of bastard for harboring the sneaking suspicion I will reap the rewards tonight when we’re alone?

Her eyes dart across the room and I know the exact moment she spots me. Her cheeks grow just a little more flushed and her tongue slicks out to wet her pink lips.

I am in no control of the wicked grin that tugs at the corners of my mouth. I jerk my head to indicate she should join me where I’m skulking around in the self help section of the bookstore rather than interrupting the reading.

Justine hesitates, but after only a second, she gets up from her seat in the back row and quietly makes her way across the room to me.

At the lectern, Ms. Hargroves continues. “Oh, your grace. We shouldn’t! But oh, please don’t stop.”

Justine is full of shy smiles as she approaches. “What are you doing here? I mean, I didn’t think you’d leave work for another few hours. Not that I didn’t want you to. I mean...hello.” She trails off with a giggle and she doesn’t need to finish the sentence. Sounds like she’s as eager to see me again as I was to see her. Which is honestly a relief.

The way I’ve been feeling all day, it’s good to know I’m not alone, even if it is a little unhinged.

“Hello. Of course, I came. How could I miss seeing you light up at this dirty story?” I grin. “I didn’t know people were allowed to read stuff like this out loud in a public place! Surely it’s against the law.”

“It’s not against the—” She scowls. “Oh! You’re teasing me. Well, anyway, I don’t think this part is that bad. You should read the—” She claps a hand over her mouth.

“Oh, do go on.”

She looks up at me beneath fluttering lashes. “Well I was going to say you should read the later chapters of Ms. Hargroves’ books. They’re positively rude, but I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t shock you.”

“Is that right?”

She nods.

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