Page 19 of A Very Bossy Christmas
There’s a flicker of something that looks like hurt in his eyes for a moment.
Suddenly he seems so vulnerable, and I feel unsure about absolutely everything.
Does Declan Cannavale have feelings?
But then he shakes his head and sets his jaw and offers me no more than a cocky grin as a response, and I’m right back to wanting to wipe the floor with his perfect boss butt.
Seven
Declan
THE FIRST NO WAY IN HELL
I know what you’re thinking and feeling, Maddie Cooper. Even when you don’t.
She’s absolutely right. In my personal life, as it turns out, Idon’talways know what women are thinking or feeling. Or maybe just one woman. But I don’t think about that woman anymore.
However, I can read Maddie like a dirty book. I know she’s been suspicious of me for the past couple of days because I was being nice to her at work. I know it made her uncomfortable. I know how much easier it is for her to deal with me when she feels the need to put me in my place.
I’m starting to hear a little bit of that Staten Island accent again when she’s mad, and I like it.
Merry Christmas to me.
She’s got this place all decorated, and that twinkling Christmas tree is finally putting me in the holiday spirit. Or maybe it’s because those big sparkly brown eyes of hers, they’re glaring. Those nostrils, they’re flaring. She’s squirming around in her chair because her thighs are squeezing together. It’s a beautiful sight. She’s conflicted, and she’s putting up a fight.
I am so glad she didn’t agree to this ridiculous idea of mine right away.
I mean, I’ll get her to come around eventually. But I wouldn’t want her around if she were a pushover. She’s not a pushover. And I really want her around.
And she’ll feel better about agreeing to this shit show charade if she explicitly refuses first.
She finally glances down at the document, and it looks like she kind of wants to laugh, but she can’t. “You want me to acknowledge that thisdiscreet, temporary, simulated consensual romantic relationship during nonworking hourswill not interfere with Sentinel’s company policy of teamwork and a harmonious work environment.”
God, I love it when she recites the terms I’ve written.
“I do.”
“And you want me to acknowledge that the discreet, temporary, simulated consensual romantic relationship is not a misuse of your authority over me as an employee and thus cannot be perceived as favoritism or sexual harassment.”
“Do you require further clarification of the terms?”
“I require a blunt object, followed by a stiff drink.”
“I’d be happy to wait for you to consume one stiff drink before proceeding with this discussion.”
“I think I’d be happier if you had come here to murder me.”
“Aww, Coop. I’d never do that. I like having you around.”
“You likebossingme around.” She slides the piece of paper away.
“Not half as much asyoulike bossingmearound.” I wink. “And I don’t mind it either. You’ve been an ideal executive assistant and partner at work. Which is why I think you’d be the most tolerable option as a date right now.”
She blows out a laugh. “Wow. I mean, I can handle the wink, Mr. Cannavale. But I really start to tremble when you lay the sweet talk on that thick.” She gets up from the table and starts pacing around.
I have conflicting emotions about this because now I can see her ass in those jeans, and I’m trying to make this agreement appear as safe and unsexy as possible. But I want to spank that ass. In a very sexy way.
It’s problematic.
