Page 80 of Married to My Grumpy Minotaur Boss

Determination coursing through my veins, I strip off and switch into my gym gear. On the treadmill, the outline of a plan forms.

My brain is already whirling with ideas as I make the first phone call.

I’m half dreaming at my desk the whole next day. It’s Friday. I’ve never looked forward to the weekend more than I do today. This weekend is full of plans.

When I text Harvey at 4:30 pm, he actually responds instead of just bringing the car around.

Harvey: sir, is everything alright?

I laugh to myself.

I’m still chuckling when I climb into the back seat. “I’m fine, Harvey. Or at least I will be when I set something right. Over to the Roland Street Building, please, I’ve got an appointment with someone from Bullseye Press.”

THIRTY THREE

Justine

I spot Ronan’s town car as soon as I step out of the frigid air-conditioned office, into the warm evening sunshine. The sight of the sleek black Lexus makes me feel extra warm as if someone turned up the dial on my after-work defrost.

It’s my fault. I haven’t tried very hard to fit in at Heartstone Bride. I just can’t seem to muster the energy.

I should be excited. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the chance to work at Heartstone’s top bridal magazines. If I have to work anywhere other than on Married for a Day, this would be right up there as a contender. Only my heart’s not in it.

Everyone is very nice. Very helpful. Richard spent twenty-five minutes helping me un-jam the photocopier on my second day without complaint, and I was even invited to join in on birthday celebrations for Jan, the pretty editor who is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met.

I just can’t help wishing I could still work for Ronan. More so now I’ve seen what he’s like when he lets down his guard a little. I know it’s sad and pathetic, believe me. Courtney berates me almost every day for not standing up for myself more. It doesn’t change the way I feel. There’s more to Ronan than he lets most people see. A soft, vulnerable underside.

I hope his new assistants are taking good care of him.

So when I spot his car, I have to look away to wipe the silly grin off my face before he sees through the tinted windows. It’s so tempting to imagine he’s here for me.

Then I remember his message from this morning that I forced myself to delete without reading. Could it be?

Almost immediately, I regretted deleting it. Courtney was standing right there beside me at the kitchen counter and she told me to have some more self-respect.

It doesn’t matter that things ended uncomfortably. That I had to leave my job and that I’m still hurting. I’d still like to see him again.

But he’s not here for me. He’s here to meet with some boss way higher up the chain. One unread message is not enough to make Ronan Kernos drive all the way over here to find me, his ex-junior assistant.

I’m just turning to walk toward the subway, when the low rumble of his voice stops me. “Where are you going, Traffic Lights?”

Ohmigod, he is here for me!

I spin so fast I’m dizzy as I stare through the open window right into his handsome, horned face. The car is crawling along right beside me.

I think I forgot how gorgeous he is after being away from him for a few weeks. It hits me again and I’m reeling. “I’m going home?” comes out as little more than a squeak.

Harvey stops inching the town car forward and Ronan opens the door. “Get in. I’ll take you.”

There are so many reasons why I should ignore him and keep walking.

Unfortunately, none of them can contend with the little flutter in my heart as he slides over and pats the seat next to him or the answering flutter in my pussy when I start to imagine what he’s here for.

I hesitate for a moment longer.

“Please?” When he gives me a pleading look, all my resolve melts away. How am I supposed to resist him when he’s like this?

Getting in beside him, I’m instantly caught in his spell again, hardly able to look him in the eye with the intensity of the attraction I feel.

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