Page 16 of How to Marry the Boss

He scans me up and down.

“Is that for me?” He indicates to my appearance with a smirk.

I scoff. “You fucking wish.”

“Language, doll.” His voice lowers an octave. His facial expression turns serious.

He has my full attention. My heart races. Goose bumps crawl all over my body. Why does he have me on edge like this?

I shake my head, pulling myself from this trance. “Bite my ass,” I snap at him.

He shrugs. “Sure, if you’re into that sort of thing.”

Ugh. I cross my arms over my chest. “Why do you have to be such a pig?”

He lets out a chuckle. “You make it so easy.”

“Yeah? Well, that doesn’t mean I have to hear it. Now get out of my way.” I shove him with my body away from my door, gaining my freedom.

He follows. “Seriously though, what’s the occasion?”

I sigh. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m going to a birthday party.”

“Whose birthday? Anyone I should know?”

I pick up the gift bag I prepared ahead of time from the island. “It’s Josie’s. She’s come home to celebrate.”

“Your best friend from high school? Wow, that must be a blast from the past.”

He isn’t wrong. The last time I saw her was a few days before we both left for college. We had one last sleepover together. We’ve tried to keep in touch, but, of course, life happens. The fact she’s back in Dallas makes me excited to be with an old friend again.

“You remember her?”

“How could I not? You two were inseparable. There was hardly a day where she wasn’t over at your place.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, those were good times.”

Those moments seem like a distant memory. A lot has changed since then. No doubt she feels the same way.

I suddenly remember where I am and where I need to be. “I have to go.” I scan the area for my keys. “Crap, where did I put them?”

“I’ve got your car keys here.” Jake extends his hand to me. The keys sit in his large palm.

I never realized, until now, how large his hands are. I can’t help but think about those large hands all over my body. The things he could do. The pleasure… No. Stop it. Gosh, I need to get a hold of myself. My younger self needs a reality check. Jake and I will never happen, and I need that part of me to stop hoping. I need her to go away.

I grab the keys from his hand. “Thank you.”

I make the mistake of looking into his hypnotic eyes. Eyes that make my girl parts flutter.

What would it be like for him to hold me in his arms? In his bed?

I clear my throat. “I should be back around midnight or so.”

“I appreciate you telling me. Call me if you need anything okay?”

I nod, walking out the door.

His words warm my heart.

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