Page 21 of The Boss's Possession

“I more than like it. What made you decide to come to the shop today? Isn’t Carson Dexter a very busy man?”

“I am a busy man but after dealing with some unsavory business, I wanted to come and see you. Do you still love the shop?”

She glared at him. “I’m not selling.”

He held his hands up in surrender. “I’m not buying.”

She laughed. “I remember before my grandparents got this place. My grandma always wanted to own her own fabric shop. It was so important to her. Her only dream really. It was Grandpa’s retirement gift to her. I remember when they started this business, I was eleven years old, and I begged her for a job.” She chuckled. “I would come and work on the weekends. Through the week I had to focus on school and my education, but I was always with her on the weekend.”

“It sounds lovely.”

“Did you have grandparents?”

He shook his head. “No. I didn’t have anyone. I don’t even know who my mother was.”

“What?”

“I was an orphan. I got fostered out to a lot of bad people. Shit people. It’s why I know what it’s like to starve and have no interest in being without food and money. I didn’t have a family.”

“I had no idea.”

“It’s not information I make public.”

“I couldn’t imagine not having anyone. I mean, I know I’ve lost a lot of people I care about.” She stared down at the noodles and felt an overwhelming punch of grief.

Carson put his food down and walked around the counter. Within seconds, she was in his arms, and in a strange way she had a feeling it would all be okay. She didn’t know why she thought that way, only that she did.

“I’ve got you,” he said. “It’s going to be okay. I’ve got you.” He kept repeating those words.

Willow closed her eyes and breathed him in. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she gave into him, holding him, not wanting to let go.

He stroked her hair. “I bet your grandmother is happy knowing you’ve got this place.”

“Didn’t you want to buy it from her?” Willow asked.

“Yes, I did, but not anymore.” Not from the moment he saw Willow so fucking happy here.

Willow sighed. She pulled away from him and then wiped at her face. “I’m okay. I’m fine.”

He watched her for several seconds to make sure. He didn’t leave her side, and reached for his pot of noodles.

“Sometimes I have no idea what to talk to you about,” Willow said, picking up her own pot.

“You can talk to me about anything.”

“Why me?” she asked.

This made him pause as he looked toward her. “What?”

“You heard me. There’s nothing special about me, Carson. I’m not an idiot. I know who you are. I’ve heard the whispers that follow your name.”

“And that doesn’t scare you?”

She shrugged. “Sometimes, but then I’ve also seen some of the shop owners down this street say your name, and they look relieved. How can I be upset by that?” she asked.

He smiled.

“You could have anyone in the world. You’re a good-looking guy.” He was pure sex, that was the truth. “Why me?”

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