Page 176 of Dirty Grovel

“It most definitely is. Furthermore, in the event of my premature demise?—”

“God forbid!” I say.

“—my shares in the company will revert to you.”

For the second time in as many minutes, my jaw drops. “Oleg… are you serious?”

“Don’t worry—if it comes to that, Artem will help you run the company. That’s why he’s being appointed to the board as well. He’s my right-hand man and he’ll be yours, too.”

“I don’t like this hypothetical.”

“I just want to make sure you’re taken care of in every eventuality.”

“You made me a promise, Oleg Pavlov,” I remind, springing off the chaise sofa and walking over to him. I plant myself on his lap and wrap my arms around his neck. “You will always be there for me. I expect you to keep that promise—body and soul.”

He kisses my nose. “I’ll do my best.”

“What makes you think the board will accept your terms, though?” I wonder.

“Because if they don’t, they’re all out of jobs. Pavlov Industries will have to declare bankruptcy and the company will be liquidated. No one will allow that to happen, least of all my mother.”

“Is she aware of your plan?”

“Every bit of it.”

“And?” I ask tentatively. “Is she mad?”

Oleg smiles. “On the contrary, I think she’s kind of proud.”

“She would be a fool not to be proud of a son like you,” I remark, curling my fingers through his hair.

“You’re slightly biased.”

“Without a doubt.” I lean in and kiss him until I can taste the coffee he had this morning. I pull back breathlessly, another thought taking hold. “So… you’re going to be incredibly busy soon.”

“I suppose so. Running a company isn’t easy. But I will always make the time for you—” He places his hand on my stomach. “—and our family.”

“I know. But still… itisa lot of work. You’ll need an assistant, won’t you?” I ask, wagging my eyebrows at him.

He laughs, catching my drift. “Only if she’s beautiful. And likes dressing in inappropriate princess costumes to work.”

I give him a playful punch on the arm as he chuckles at my expense. “I’m serious,” I say. “I can help you.”

“I know you can,” Oleg says readily. “Which is why I want to put you in charge of the daycare.”

My eyes go wide and I freeze in his arms. “Seriously?”

“You’ll have other duties, too of course—many that involve intimate contact with the boss—” He winks at me. “—but your main duty will be to run the day care. It needs expansion and new staff and I think you’re the perfect person for the job.”

My excitement stalls in its tracks. “B-but… what about the parents? I mean… they weren’t too thrilled about my boudoir shoot. They might not want me around their kids, let alone running the whole daycare.”

Oleg’s eyes narrow into slits. “If they have a problem with it, they can find alternate arrangements for childcare. In fact, they can go ahead and find themselves new jobs while they’re at it.”

“Oleg!”

“I’m serious,” he snarls. Then eh eases up. “But regardless, I don’t think it’ll be a problem. You are the boss’s wife now, after all.”

“Urgh.” I cringe. “I hate nepotism.”

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