Page 63 of Mike's Assistant

My rambling was cut off by a forceful kiss. It took me by surprise, but I melted into Mike’s taste and kissed him back.

Mike eased the kiss, pulled back, and stared at me. “You and the boys can live with me forever. We can head home right now.”

I grinned, leaning forward. I gave him a softer kiss. It was a kiss of promise. I was thrilled. He hadn’t rejected me. We had a home.

A throat clearing caused me to pull back and break the kiss. Mike and I simultaneously looked toward the room entrance.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Talon said with a slight tinge of red on his cheeks.

“What’s going on, Talon?” Mike asked.

Talon cleared his throat again. “I got a call from the king. He requested that you, Jake, and the boys come to the lion’s den. He said it’s important.”

Mike rose to his feet. “Did something happen?”

“Lion’s den?” I asked at the same time.

“It’s what we call the king’s house. It’s basically a mansion. A lot of single members of the pride live there, and it’s where we have most of our gatherings,” Mike explained.

“Oh,” I said, not knowing how to respond. Every time I thought I had a handle on things, a fresh surprise would appear. I shook my head and focused on Talon.

“Did something happen?” I asked, repeating the question Mike had asked.

“I don’t know. But His Majesty said it was very important,” Talon replied.

Mike looked at the boys, who had stopped playing their game and were listening and watching the exchange. I think the word Lion’s Den caught their attention. Mike turned his gaze on me and lifted his brow. I internally laughed at his silent question. Like I was going to say no to the king of the pride, and more, say no to the CEO of the place I worked.

“Guess we’re going to the Lion’s den.”

I fidgeted in the seat as we were driven through one of the poshest areas I’ve ever seen. The houses were large, estate-style homes with gates protecting their manicured lawns. I never thought I’d ever see homes like this in person, let alone be about to step foot in one.

Mike reached over and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. “It’s going to be okay.”

I flashed a weak smile. I wasn’t sure how this was all going to work out, especially when Mike turned into a long, paved driveway and passed a wrought-iron gate. My jaw dropped at the sprawling mansion in front of me.

The building extended over three normal-sized lots and rose three stories high. It had a stone façade, gold-accented trim, and several large bay windows. A large, manicured lawn decorated with marble statuary and a majestic fountain in the center fronted the mansion.

“T-that’s the lion’s den?” I couldn’t stop my stutter.

“Whoa,” Sam said from the back seat.

“That place is big,” Abel chimed in.

Mike smiled. “It is big. I used to play hide and seek with my best friend Hayden here. The game used to go on for hours.”

“Can we play?” Sam and Abel asked excitedly.

“Way to give them ideas,” I whispered.

Mike laughed loudly, as did Talon. I shook my head and looked back at the boys. “We’ll have to see. Right now, we’re here for something important. You two need to be on your best behavior.”

“But Jake,” Sam whined while Abel crossed his arms and pouted.

“I said we’ll see. Promise me you’ll be good,” I said as we pulled in front of the grand entrance.

“Fine.”

“Okay.”

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