Page 8 of Gift Wrapped

DomBrae: Wouldn’t want that. What time do you get off?

Ligress28: Should be home by six.

DomBrae: I’ll talk to you then.

I can’t believe that I’ve set a chat date with this woman. I know nothing about her. What I should do is get my private investigator to try to find out who she is and make sure this isn’t some kind of trap or scam. But that doesn’t feel right. Like I would be cheating. Destiny Truegood assured me that her dating site works if everyone trusts the process.

Instead of calling in my PI or letting my mind wander back to our conversation, I close the site down. I need to get some work done. Between the Love -N- Shenanigans website and my distracting new assistant, I haven’t gotten shit done, and it’s already after noon.

Well, the upside is that it’s only five more hours before I can chat with my match again.

It’s almost half-past five when a knock sounds at my office door.

“Come in.”

I assumed that my assistant had already left for the day, but find myself proven wrong when she pushes open my office door.

“I know you said not to disturb you,” she says demurely. “I just wanted to make sure you don’t need anything else before I leave for the day.”

I stare at her in dismay. Our business hours are from nine to four. I fully believe that overworked staff causes problems.

“Do you know our business hours?” I ask.

“Yes sir,” she says and diverts her gaze to her feet for a moment. “But I didn’t want to leave without speaking to you first, and I was still busy in the copy room.”

She has a brilliant submissive streak to her. It’s rare to find it in predatory shifters and that only makes it all the more exquisite.

“You may leave for the day,” I say, looking away from her. She is beyond off-limits to me, so I need to stop thinking of her in any other way. “And don’t stay late again,” I chastise. “It lowers efficiency and productivity. There is always tomorrow.”

“Yes sir,” Lake says before leaving and closing the door behind her.

She is going to be a problem in the future. I will have to find a different position for her as far away from me as possible. But I can’t just pass her off to the next person. I need to figure out if she is competent first.

Opening a blank document on my laptop, I draw up a list of projects for her to complete in the next few days. It’s almost Christmas after all, and perhaps I can gift someone a brand-new assistant. Even if the thought of her working for anyone else makes my tiger uncomfortable.

Chapter Three

Lake Roman

Theapartmentlooksthesame as it did when I left, minus Chad’s shit all over the place. I was worried he would trash the place, but I’m happily surprised. I start my laptop, grab myself the biggest glass of wine I can, and change out of my work clothes. The entire day, I have been looking forward to chatting withDomBrae.

When I finally get back to my laptop, I see that he has already sent me a message.

DomBrae: Tell me about yourself.

Ligress28: What do you want to know?

DomBrae: I’ve never done this before. Traditional dating is hard enough.

Ligress28: I get what you’re saying. My last boyfriend was an asshat, and we actually spent time getting to know one another. Shouldn’t this be easier?

DomBrae: I hope it is. The last woman I had in my life only wanted my money.

Ligress28: I hate women like that. They give the rest of us a shitty reputation.

DomBrae: Meaning?

Ligress28: Well, you’re currently skeptical of all women because of what she did. But take me, for instance. I have my own money. I inherited a bundle when my parents passed. My apartment is paid for. I have a really good job that I love. I don’t need a man to take care of me. Does that make you feel better about me? Probably not. And it’s because of what she did.

---