Page 29 of Grumpy Boss in Love

Ruby’s doubtful gaze lingered on me, so I did what I did best. I gathered my emotions and swept them into a closet in the far recesses of my mind.

“You can go now.” My frigid tone was probably uncalled for but that was what she wanted, wasn’t it? The old Elliot. The one who hadn’t foolishly let his guard down because of a few amusing moments with a vivacious, humorous woman.

Ruby pulled her lower lip between her teeth to punish the plump flesh, which I now knew was soft, warm, and delicious. “Even if we were to get tipsy and do something crazy like kiss again.” Her cheeks took on that pink hue. “Or maybe something crazier like go on a date…”

I folded my arms and arched one eyebrow. “I don’t date.”

Her gaze dropped to the carpet. “I see. Well, I was going to say I have no intention of dating or getting involved with anyone, so…” She shrugged. “Relationships are a waste of time, and I don’t need any distractions.”

That pulled me up short. Why did she sound likeme? I knew why I was so jaded. But why was she? My interest was piqued, but before I could ask why a young, beautiful, and effervescent woman like her was against dating, she was already opening the door. After one more glance my way, Ruby disappeared.

Perhaps it was for the best. Why satisfy my curiosity or interest in her when I was about to go back to avoiding her? What had I been thinking anyway? I lowered a tiny part of my emotional defenses to… what?

Have a few more entertaining conversations with Ruby and kiss her again? Maybe go further than kissing? Because let’s be honest, had she not stopped us that night, things would have gone much further. I had been lost in the charm of Ruby Bennet, so far gone.

Alone in my office, I snorted my disgust at myself. Feeling like my old miserable self, I sat at my desk and did what I did best—got lost in work and forced Ruby out of my mind.

* * *

As the car turned onto the private road, I felt a mixture of excitement and appreciation. Those feelings were rare nowadays.At least I could still feel, I thought with a wry twist of my lips as I gazed out the window. The expanse of open land zipped by and already ideas came together in my head. With this much space, the possibilities were endless.

The property was a hidden gem, not too far out of the bustling city. It had popped up on my radar by chance and when I got word that it had caught the eyes of a few others, I dropped everything to come and secure the place.

Finally, I spotted a structure in the middle of the sprawling landscape. It once operated as a bed and breakfast. The Victorian architecture was impressive, and I wondered why the owner had settled for such a small operation rather than what I had planned, a massive ritzy hotel.

When the car turned into a long driveway, I said, “Right here is fine, Gabe.”

He stopped, and I got out. Straightening my jacket, I nodded my thanks to my driver. Gravel crunched under my feet as I strolled toward the front door of the house. Before I reached the steps leading to a wraparound porch, my phone buzzed in my breast pocket.

It wasn’t a message from my assistant as I assumed, but a text from Jane, my stepmother. My steps faltered and then came to a stop. I stared at the text.

Elliot, I haven’t heard from you in a while. Call me when you have the time.

As always, a sliver of discomfort made its way through me. I wondered if any other stepsons felt my level of unease and guilt regarding their stepparent. Granted, I had valid reasons to feel that way. The way I’d entered Jane’s life was unsavory, and she hadn’t been the warmest at the beginning of our relationship, which was understandable.

She said to call her when I had the time. That made me feel awful. It made me feel like a negligent prick, like Dad. I didn’t want to be like him. Still, I took another look at the message, and rather than respond, I slipped the phone back into my pocket with a guilt-ridden sigh. I’d deal with my discomfort later. Right now, I had property to buy.

When I stepped onto the porch, the floorboards creaked with each of my steps. I snorted when I reached the front door and saw a massive brass door knocker rather than a doorbell.

“What century do these folks live in?” I grumbled as I lifted the weighty metal and let it fall against the door.

Shoving my hands into my pockets, I waited. My phone buzzed again, but this time it was a call. As I twisted my neck to check out the view from the porch, I answered. “Yeah?”

“You know, you really need to practice proper phone etiquette,” came the amused drawl.

“Ben, I’m busy,” I murmured.

“Yeah, yeah, what’s new? How are you, Elliot?”

Turning back around to stare at the door, I frowned. “Fine.”

“Are you sure? Because I haven’t heard from you in a few days.”

“Like I said, I’m busy.”

After a brief pause, he said, “Sure, but even when you are, you usually call… even if I do all the talking and you just grunt your responses.”

I looked skyward, but my lips lifted slightly in amusement. It was nice to be reminded that I had at least one friend even if he fell under the category of family. And since Ben was patient enough to put up with my reticent ways, I really shouldn’t push him away. Just as I’d realized that my interactions with a certain blonde, spirited intern kept me human, having Ben in my life had the same effect.

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