Page 35 of One Bossy Disaster

This man has an ocean soul.

Vast and immovable and stubborn.

Kind of beautiful in a scary way.

The difference, of course, is that the ocean is more forgiving than Shepherd Foster. It brings life and only shows its terrible wrath every once in a while.

Generally, the ocean isgood.

The same can’t be said for him, no matter how many precious maybe-extinct birds he’s gone searching for.

Mr. Foster is one of those hardass, brass tacks billionaires my father always tried to avoid.

I bet he probably fires people for breathing too loud and sends his executive team home in hives.

I can practically feel a few rising on my arms as I look at him.

I’m allergic to prolonged exposure to jackasses.

But he’s still watching me, searching my face like he wants to read every thought.

If he can, then he must know how much I despise him—but he probably knew that anyway.

Chin raised, I stare right back.

The charged air skitters across my skin, reminding me how long it’s been since anything has made me feel this on edge.

“So, are we done making eyes at each other or is this part of Young Influencers too? I mean, I guess I can do this all day if you really want. First one to blink is a sucker.”

When he turns away, I swear I see a hint of a smile he immediately squelches.

He looks back with pure scorn and raises his hand.

“I’ll spare you the eye drops, Miss Lancaster. Now, if you’ll retract your claws for twenty minutes, I’ll give you the tour.”

5

A Little Truce (Shepherd)

This woman is baffling as hell.

I’ve never met anyone quite like her, and it’s pissing me off.

So much I’m hard-pressed not to show how much it irritates me.

Usually, I regulate my emotions well. It’s a necessity when you’re CEO overseeing billions and a Foster, considering how many idiots I’ve interacted with who will judge you based on rumors.

Honest business doesn’t let you show your cards, let alone your innermost demons and desires.

My poker face is normally impeccable.

I smile when appropriate, rattle off the right script, and shake hands with the greediest corporate dunces America ever coughed up without batting an eyelid.

All fine and dandy.

I don’t enjoy that aspect of the job, but it doesn’t matter.

I do it anyway without breaking a sweat.

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