Page 29 of Grumpy Billionaire Boss Protector

“Whose order did you say you’re here for?” the owner of the dry cleaners where I’m picking up a few of Carter’s suits asks.

“Carter Cogswell,” I say.

He raises his brows. “Oh, Carter. Are you his girlfriend?”

I shake my head. “He’s my boss.”

The owner nods. “Well, tell him Tom says hello.”

“Will do,” I say with a smile, but I’d prefer it if I just got the damn suits already. I’d love to grab a latte before Carter ends up sending me out on more errands. I already had to go to the different candle stores just to find the stupid white sage sticks he supposedly uses to cleanse his office.

I picked up the sage you requested. I’m waiting on your suits. Tom says hi, by the way.I text back.

Carter has been relentless since our kiss a few weeks ago. It’s proving difficult to push back all of his advances. If he keeps it up, eventually I know I’m going to give in. I admit I want him, too. More than that, in fact. I wantallof him. His hands, his mouth, his cock…

I need to be strong.

I amsofar from ready to pursue a relationship with anyone, even if it’s only sex. After getting cheated on, I don’t trust a single person with my heart aside from my family and Ava.

At least he’s sending me out on useless errands. The less time we spend together, the better.

Tell Tom I said hello. Ask him how his family is doing for me.Carter texts.

I scoff. He can’t be for real.

Do it yourself! I’m not your messenger.I respond.

I expect an instant reply from Carter after that remark, but instead, my phone rings and his name appears on my screen. Shit.

“Hello?” I say when I answer it, my tone civil.

“Where are you?” he asks, sounding way too much like a father who doesn’t trust his teenage daughter while she’s out.

“I’m still at the dry cleaners,” I say. “Your suits aren’t even ready. Please tell me you didn’t send your entire closet to be dry cleaned.”

“Of course not. I don’t trust youthatmuch with my valuable stuff. There should only be three.”

I set my hand on my hip. “Is that why you called?”

“I’m going to drop pin a location over to you,” he says, ignoring my attitude. “Can you meet me in fifteen minutes?”

“Depends on where it is,” I say, but the dry cleaner is located pretty centrally. I’m sure I can make it wherever he is with plenty of time to spare.

“Upper East Side,” he says.

“I think I can make that work,” I say, but I have no intention of rushing over there. I’m determined to keep our distance. The only positive is we will be out in public, so he can’t attempt to seduce me.

Unless he doesn’t mind PDA, my eyes widen at the thought. Based on the way Carter has behaved sexually, he seems like the kind of guy who would make out in public with you if he could.

“Just sent the address to you,” Carter says, pulling me out of the image of him putting his lips and hands all over me right here in front of Tom. “Text me when you’re out front.”

He hangs up, and I check the location. Club Harmony. I raise my brows. Why do I feel like he’s luring me to a strip club?

I sigh and head into my Uber app so I can get a driver out front once I pick up Carter’s suits.

“Here you are, miss,” the owner says, returning from the back with a garment bag draped over a few of Carter’s suits. “Everything’s already been paid for, but I need to print out a receipt.”

“Thank you,” I say, accepting the garment bag from him. “Carter says hello,” I say. Tom smiles. It doesn’t take long for him to print out the receipt and hand it to me.

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