Page 45 of How to Marry the Boss

I sit on my bed, contemplating whether to cry or not, when I hear a soft knock. “Mia? Mia, I’m sorry. I wasn’t laughing at you.”

“Really, because it seemed clear to me you were.”

“Please don’t shut me out. Let me explain. I’m sorry, baby girl. Let’s talk about this.”

“Fuck you,” I yell, throwing a pillow at the closed door. The fluffy down hits the door with a small thud before it falls to the floor.

“Mia.” His voice sobers as I try to bury my head in my other pillow, wishing I was somewhere else. “I wasn’t laughing at you.”

“Good night, Jake.” I turn onto my side, away from him. All I hear from the hall is silence, until the telltale squeaking of the hinges tells me he’s opening the door.

I whip around, ready to rip him a new one, only to find Jake standing over me. I don’t know whether to feel infuriated, intimidated, or turned on. “What is your problem?”

He says nothing. Silence hangs between us. All he’s doing is staring at me intently, wearing some expression I can’t quite figure out.

“Look, if you’re here just to laugh at me some more, you?—”

Before I know what’s happening, Jake tugs me off the bed and pulls me into his arms, cradles my face with one of his large hands, and melds his lips to mine.

Am I dreaming? Is this happening right now? Are his lips actually devouring mine? I should pull away, but all I want to do is melt in his embrace.

Like New Year’s Eve, I’m caught by surprise. But this kiss feels different. It feels intentional, genuine, and definitely passionate. Heat creeps through me until my body burns all over.

I cling to him as if he were my only lifeline. Hell, he might as well be. The more I hold tight to him, the deeper he takes our kiss. Oh, god, is this what a kiss should be? If that’s the case, I’m in for a roller-coaster.

Suddenly, the world around me is gone. All that’s there to hold me together is Jake. I should be worried, but my logic seems to be out of commission.

No one has ever made me feel this way about a kiss.

He pushes his tongue in my mouth. I accept his invasion with zero hesitation. Oh, god, this feels so good. So right. I want more of him. I just can’t get enough. Will I ever?

Wrapping my leg around his, I try to pull him impossibly closer. I want more. I need more. As though his body were the only way for me to survive.

He must be understanding what I need, because Jake pulls my leg up to his thigh. I feel something long and hard press close to my pussy, which I have no doubt has soaked my panties. I want him. I need him. Caution recedes. Shame doesn’t exist. I’m dying for whatever is about to happen between us—now.

I start trying to peel off my shirt when Jake pulls from the kiss and gently lowers my arms to my sides. “Mia… No. Not tonight. You deserve something better. More intimate. When you’re sober.”

“I don’t want to wait.” I pout.

He grabs my face in both hands, giving me one last deep, passionate kiss. “But we should. And we will. You deserve a whole explanation. And I’ll give you one tomorrow. After that…well, we’ll see what happens.”

I understand what he’s saying, but my libido doesn’t give a fuck. All it knows is that I’ve waited years for him, and he won’t be in my bed tonight.

“Goodnight, Mia.” His sultry voice has me desperately clinging to his arm as he kisses my forehead and leaves my room, closing the door behind him.

He’s left me gasping, wanting, and aroused. Did that just really happen? Yes. And what the hell am I going to do about it?

Chapter Seventeen

January 7

Mia

Jake kissed me again. What is this world I’ve now woken up to? I’m struggling to recognize it. The status quo has changed and I don’t know what to do.

I’m freaking out. I need to talk to someone about what I’m feeling, or I think I’m going to burst.

Need an emergency breakfast meeting. How soon can you meet me at our usual place?

---