Page 5 of Grumpy Boss in Love

Wearing a sheepish grin, he nodded.

“Sorry to disappoint you,” I grumbled. “However, I’ve actually fallen in love with the job.”

“You don’t say?”

Swirling the liquid in my glass, I shared, “It took my mind off the pressures of living up to my father’s expectations and running a multibillion-dollar conglomerate. I’m going to give it another year. I like sculpting the minds of future executives. Some of them might end up working for me after all. At least I can have a hand in preparing them.” There was one student in particular who made my first year interesting… I quickly shoved Ruby Bennet out of my thoughts.Not going there.

“Wow, you’re actuallycommittingto something other than Westwood Collective. This is a monumental moment.”

“Don’t start, Ben,” I warned.

I knew where this was going. My colorful dating history. Or should I say sexual history? Because saying Idatedwould be a stretch. I was married to my job, which didn’t leave room for long-term relationships. Brief flings worked better for me… making just enough time to scratch a sexual itch. Ben had a habit of lecturing me about settling down. He said thirty-four was a prime age for marriage and starting a family.

He held up a hand. “I was just going to say that settling down isn’t a bad thing. No need to run from it. I’ve been married for ten years and I love it.”

“Not everyone desires to be stuck with one person for the rest of their lives.”

He scoffed. “That’s how you view marriage? My god. What happened to you?”

My eyes narrowed to slits. “That’s how I view relationships in general, and you know why.”

Ben and I had a stare-down. He was a professor of psychology, so there was no doubt he was psychoanalyzing the hell out of me. As he opened his mouth to respond, a waitress appeared. Thank God. I didn’t want to get into the take-a-risk-for-a-chance-of-lifetime-happiness discussion with my cousinagain.

“Good night, gentlemen. Are you ready to order?” came a velvety music-like voice. It was alluring, with a blend of warmth and seductive charm.

I froze. I’d know that voice anywhere. I’d gone toe to toe with that tantalizing symphony so many times during the last year that I lost count. Even when I was low-key insulted by that voice, it stimulated me. Slowly, I glanced up, my eyes moving over a mouthwatering figure.

Hips that were perfect for cradling a man between them, a cinched waist, and full breasts that gave me the urge to want to bury my face in them. All of those luscious curves were barely covered by a skimpy uniform.

It was all black with a lace bustier that had the wearer’s boobs practically spilling out of the top. The tiny shorts might as well be classified as underwear because they didn’t cover much. Topping off the provocative outfit were mesh thigh highs held in place by garters.Christ.

My mouth went dry before I even saw her face. I really didn’t want it to be who I knew it was because I just spent seconds pretty much eye fucking her. Warily, my gaze lifted to the heart-shaped face that gave the impression of sweet innocence and yet, she had a tongue sharp enough to cut throats.

“Ruby,” I breathed with disappointment. I just lusted over Ruby fucking Bennet. Well, it wasn't like it was the first time…

She glanced at me, then did a double take. It was almost comical how her almond-shaped, whiskey-colored eyes bulged. Her pillowy lips, painted crimson, parted on a gasp.

“Professor Sinclair?”Her face went pale then fuschia. “Oh, my god,” she moaned, backing away. She had a tray in one hand, and she held it up like a barrier. Was she really trying to hide her body? Because I’d already gotten an eye full.

“Oh, my god,” she said again.

“Ruby…”

She wheeled around and took off, teetering on ridiculously high heels. Her long, wavy dark blonde hair that was caught in a ponytail swung between her shoulder blades as she picked up speed.

I sat frozen, transfixed by the curves of her ass cheeks peeking out from the legs of her shorts.

Ben, who had watched my and Ruby’s interaction with interest, asked, “That’s your student?”

“Former. She’s graduating next week.”

“Damn, none of my students look likethat.”

“You’re married, you perv,” I practically growled as I rounded on him with a ferocity that had Ben leaning away from me. Hell, my reaction took me by surprise too. “And she’s too young for you.”

His eyebrows shot up. “But not for you?”

“Of course she is!” I hissed.

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