Page 13 of The Grump's Assistant

We didn’t come to any resolutions today, and I didn’t think we would. After an hour of going over the pros and cons with Dr. Wilson, Mom was tired and I was at my wit’s end. I love my mother with all my heart, but she frustrates me to no end sometimes.

“Still up for chicken pot pie?” I ask, hoping to smooth over our rough day. “Or I can make chicken and rice if you’re feeling nauseous.”

My mom sighs and rests her hand on my shoulder, looking at me over the console. “Chicken pot pie sounds nice,” she whispers, giving me a weak smile.

I nod and go through the list of ingredients in my head, making sure I don’t have to stop at the store for anything.

Mom is nearly asleep by the time I pull into our little cottage. Maybe that’s why she doesn’t say anything about the black SUV with tinted windows sitting in our driveway. I park the car and brace myself for whatever is next. It’s already been the day from hell. What’s one more thing?

I get out of the car, ready to face down this new challenge. And then Vincent Sloan slides out of the SUV, buttoning his pristine suit jacket and fixing those dark eyes on mine.

Crap.

6

VINCENT

Holy. Shit.

A curvy angel with silky red hair peers up at me, her green eyes staring straight down into my goddamn soul. This can’t be Juniper. I must have gotten the wrong address from HR. Wouldn’t surprise me, considering their less than stellar track record lately.

But Jesus, those doe eyes. Round, vulnerable, and hiding nothing. She looks like a doll, a perfect, precious doll with rosy cheeks, full lips, and a button nose slightly turned up at the end.

“Mr. Sloan?” the angel asks.

I watch her mouth form the words, mesmerized by her sweet voice. I’ve heard it over the phone several times, but hearing it in person is far more potent. Her soft tone hums through me, vibrating every muscle and squeezing my heart back to life.

“Um, is everything okay?”

I realize I’ve just been standing here gawking at her, so I clear my throat and shake my head no. “You didn’t show up to work today,” I grunt. Is that my voice? When did it get so harsh and gravelly?

Juniper’s lips twist up into a tiny, amused smile, and my heart stutters in my chest. I guess she’s used to my gruffness, but suddenly, I don’t want to be that way with her.

“Good observation,” she teases, nibbling on her bottom lip. Does she know she looks like a temptress? I’m guessing no, which only makes her more sexy.

When Juniper didn’t text to check in at the beginning of the day, I was annoyed. After an hour of no communication, I was frustrated and angry, especially when she wouldn’t answer my calls. Far more than I would be with any other assistant. I know I’m a difficult man to work for, but I thought we had a good system between us.

By noon, I was going out of my mind. Anger and betrayal swirled in my chest, making it hard to breathe. It didn’t make sense why this woman who I had previously never even laid eyes on had such a hold on me. Storming out of my office, I marched to the human resources department with every intention of having them send her a termination email.

Instead, I demanded to know where she was. I wasn’t expecting an answer, but the woman behind the front desk informed me she took a personal day to take care of family issues. What family issues? Why didn’t I know? Where the fuck does she live? I only got the answer to my last question, but I’ll find out the rest from Juniper herself.

“Are you going to introduce me to your gentleman friend?” The voice is coming from the direction of the car, but I’m having a hard time tearing my eyes away from the short, curvy goddess in front of me.

“Mom! I’ll be right there. Just wait a minute,” Juniper says as she rushes over to her mother’s side.

I watch helplessly as she carefully pulls her frail mother out of the vehicle. It’s clear the woman is ill, though to what extent, I have no idea. Another answer I’ll have to get from my assistant.

Juniper’s mother stumbles a bit, snapping me out of my daze. In three long strides, I’m standing next to the women, who both crane their necks to look up at me. Hovering over them, I’m not sure what to do next. I’ve never been this out of my element, never felt the intense, almost blinding need to take care of someone. I want to share her burdens, protect her from pain, fix her problems, and fall down on my fucking knees in front of her. Whether to propose, worship, or lick her sweet pussy, I don’t know. What the actual fuck is happening to me?

“Here, let me.” My voice is hoarse, nearly a growl, and I wince at my harshness. I’m not good with words. I have no idea what the hell I’m doing, but I need to be useful. Holding out my arm, I gesture for Juniper’s mother to hang on to me as well, steadying her.

“Oh, how thoughtful,” the woman gushes, giving me a smile and a knowing wink.

Is my new obsession written all over my face? That would make sense, since I feel it in every cell in my body. “I’m Bethany, since my daughter is having trouble remembering her manners.” She tuts before changing the subject. “Isn’t that so thoughtful of Mr. Sloan, Juniper?” Beth leans against me and we start walking up to the front door of their rundown cottage.

“Yes,” Juniper says cautiously. I look over at her and see those green eyes narrow into slits. “Suspiciously thoughtful.” The way she puts her hands on her lush, full hips and eyes me up is so damn adorable, I can’t hold back the tiny grin tugging at my lips. Feisty as ever.

Her cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink, and then deepen into red. God, I want to see her blush every-fucking-where, from head to toe, while I drag my lips over every dip and curve.

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