Chapter Twenty-Three
Ailee
I open my eyes, then stretch my arms. My back feels great, and my legs check out. No weird kink in my neck. So this is what it feels to wake up in a really luxurious bed.
I hop up, then realize how uncomfortably wet I am between my legs. Uh-oh. The high-tech mattress not only let me sleep like a baby but have some really vivid dreams as well. All of them starring Josh and the filthy things he could do with his mouth.
But whatever. I grab another shower in Josh’s unbelievably decadent bathroom.
I doubt I’ll ever get used to five showerheads and instant hot water.
And the perfect water pressure. I wash away all the inappropriate wetness, so I can be ready for the day.
My determination to be professional is going great until I realize I’m covered in his scent, and my cheeks warm.
It seems more intimate than I can imagine.
Not sure why. It isn’t like I’ve never used a previous boyfriend’s soap before.
Then I realize none of those were unique—just everyday brands you can find in every big-box store in the country.
The ones in Josh’s home are specially formulated just for him.
I place a hand over my belly, where heat unfurls.
Stop thinking about your boss that way. It’s morning time—which means I’m back to being his assistant.
I don’t want to be one of those obnoxious characters you see on TV who become lazy and inattentive once they start hooking up with the boss.
Not that we did anything that could be categorized as hooking up, but my mind went there multiple times last night.
Multiple.
I step into the walk-in closet, which is basically empty except for Josh’s shirt I slept in and the clothes I got at the boutique with Lareina and Fiona.
I put on my new underwear and the pretty blue dress and matching sandals.
Wow. I stare myself in the mirror. The color deepens my eyes so they’re a more vivid violet.
The red lipstick creates a fantastic contrast, and doesn’t look too much at all.
I feel like a million bucks in my new outfit.
Now, where are those panties? It’d be embarrassing if the housekeeping staff found my unwashed undies lying around. Except I can’t find them on the floor. Weird. I could have sworn I dropped them by the bed last night.
I rip the sheets and blankets off the bed. Nope. Not there, either. They couldn’t have just walked out of the room. I drop to my hands and knees and look under the bed, just in case. Still nothing.
My phone rattles on the table. I jump up and reach for it. Maybe it’s my panties texting me to come pick them up.
–Max: Hey, just checking to see how you’re doing. Did you end up doing anything exciting with forced proximity to your hottie boss? Oops, fiancé now.
My lips stretch into a smile.
–Me: No.
–Max: Not even a kiss?
The memory of the kiss crashes into me. How he devoured me, and how it was better than any sex I’ve ever had. I run my tongue over my prickling mouth. But I know better than to tell her the truth because then she’ll want to call and talk about it. And I really have to go to work.
–Me: Stop writing romance novels in your head.
–Max: Boooring! Tell me the man at least hinted he wanted to do things to you.
I dreamed he wanted to do things to me.
–Me: I need to get to work. Ugh.
–Max: Why the ugh?
–Me: Because I can’t find my underwear. Maybe it got tangled in the sheets.
Except I already shook the sheets out twice. My panties aren’t that staticky.
–Max: Underwear? Like your bra or panties?
–Me: Panties.
–Max: Ooooh!
That “ooooh!” sends the wrong kind of shivers down my back.
–Max: Bet Josh took them.
–Me: What? Why would he sneak into my room in the middle of the night to steal my underwear?
–Max: HE’S A GUY. To sniff? Masturbate with? To make a ribbon out of it and tie it around the base of his cock?
A feverish heat suddenly pulses in my veins.
Just imagining him groaning my name while he pleasures himself makes me achy between my legs again.
I shift my weight, trying to get a grip on my imagination.
I don’t have another thong to put on, and I really don’t want to be dripping when I face Josh in less than five minutes.
–Me: Are you writing romance or porn in your head?
–Max: Don’t be judgmental. This romance stars adults with needs.
I laugh softly.
–Me: I know my limitations. I’m nothing like the women he used to date. I’d have to fast and hit the gym for a year before I’d look like them.
–Max: If he wanted to be with them, he would be. Instead, you’re in his home.
Yeah, except this engagement has an expiration date on it. I shake the thought off. It won’t change anything to think about it anymore.
–Max: You know what? You’ve had one too many bad relationships, and he probably has, too. You couldn’t even come half the time with your shitty exes. So just ride your hottie and see if his dick’s magical and gives you what you need.
–Max: If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just get you an annual subscription to Silicone Dream’s Year of Coming First.
–Me: What’s that?
–Max: They send you some of their best toys in a discreet package. I did it last year. A-ma-zing!
–Me: So why did you quit?
–Max: Because some fucker discovered it.
I can practically feel her grinding her teeth. She doesn’t refer to many people as “fuckers.” But there’s no way she could be talking about her boss. Could she?
–Me: Gotta get ready for work. Talk to you later.
One more round of searching, but still no underwear. Argh. Where did they go? I want to keep looking, but if I don’t hurry up, I’m going to be late for work.
I grab my purse and phone and head downstairs.
Josh is already at the counter, sipping tea and reviewing some documents.
I slow my pace to take him in. Impeccably shaved, he’s in one of his favorite navy three-piece suits.
A dark burgundy tie completes the look, perfectly knotted.
As usual, not a strand of hair is out of place.
He always exudes such an easy confidence and competence.
Even at home, where you’d think he’d be at ease, he looks ready to conquer the world.
“Good morning.” My voice is slightly breathless. But then, it’s difficult to control myself around him, especially after the kiss. It smashed the barrier I’d maintained between us—to keep things professional and clean.
Josh lifts his head, then stares at me for a moment, his eyes slightly narrowed as he studies me from head to toe. I resist the urge to shift, hoping he likes what he sees.
Finally, he smiles, showing straight white teeth. “Morning.”
The butterflies in my belly launch. Or maybe they’re doing cartwheels. Hard to tell from the sensation in my gut. His eyes are intense as they focus on me.
“Isn’t blue your favorite color?”
I nod.
“Looks fantastic on you.”
Forget the lousy million. I feel like a billion bucks.
“Come here.” My feet obey before my mind can process. He picks up a discreet velvet box next to his documents. “Your engagement ring.” He pops the lid open.
A large, round blue stone sits in the center of a gorgeous platinum band. Smaller blue stones dot the smooth surface around it. It radiates class and elegant beauty, much like the man himself.
“Sapphires,” he explains. “Thought the stones suited you better.” He lifts his eyes to meet mine. “Unique, charming, lovely.”
When he looks at me like that, I feel unique, charming and lovely.
Not only that, he makes me believe I deserve to be valued and loved, something I don’t often feel.
Warm emotions knot in my throat, and I have to swallow before I can speak.
“This is the most gorgeous ring I’ve ever seen. Thank you.”
With a satisfied grunt, he plucks the ring from the box, holding it between his thumb and forefinger.
He takes my left hand, his upturned palm supporting mine.
The touch is innocent, but sends a mini electric shock that I can feel all the way to my curling toes.
The pads of his thumb and forefinger caress my ring finger as he pushes the ring along the length.
My heart races, as though it’s pulsing in my hand where he’s touching.
Finally, the band settles snugly. The stones sparkle, looking like a choker around my finger, marking me as taken—and as his.
Everything inside me shivers, even as I try to remind myself not to get too crazy because this isn’t real.
“It’s more beautiful than I imagined,” I say with a tremulous smile. “Thanks, boss.” I use the term deliberately to cool my foolish heart.
He raises an eyebrow. “Say that again.”
The intense heat in his eyes chokes the air out of me. “Thanks, boss.”
His eyes flick to my finger. I feel it like it was his finger flicking over my core. I clench my thighs.
“I thought we already established that I’m not ‘boss.’”
“But—”
His gaze lifts to my mouth. “Call me ‘boss’ again and I’ll kiss you until you remember who I am.”
Need flares. Part of me wants to say “boss” again. What’s wrong with me? I’m the nice girl, the one who toes the line and pleases people so that she can be just a little bit more lovable. “Fiancé,” I rasp, my throat tight.
His expression eases, although the intensity of his gaze doesn’t lessen.
“Josh,” I venture.
He closes his eyes for a moment, as though he’s either savoring something or pulling himself together, then opens his eyes. “Time to go to work. Ready?”
I nod.
“We’ll drive together until you get your car fob replaced.” He extends his arm.
I stare at it, unsure what he wants.
“Your hand.” He places it on the crook of his arm. “Don’t forget—you’re my fiancée before you’re my assistant.”
I shoot him a sidelong glance, then drop my gaze to the stunning ring. I think about all the effort he’s making and the money he’s spending. He didn’t get more than a kiss. It’s obvious what I’m getting out of the fake engagement, but…
“What are you getting out of this?” I blurt out as we pull out of the garage. “The engagement, I mean. You said you liked me, but you didn’t seem too upset when I said I was engaged to Chad.” My face heats a little.
Josh’s eyebrows pinch together. “I didn’t want to get in the way of your happiness, but if I’d known you were engaged to him, I would’ve objected.
After the incident with the woman barging into my meeting with Ted, I’m on a sort of unofficial probation.
Need to be on my best behavior for at least six months to avoid ‘professional consequences.’ That includes staying engaged after the scene at Peking Town.
” Then he clears his throat, tugging at his tie knot.
“But I also like you. So. You know you’re a damn good assistant.
Just have that same confidence as my fiancée, too. ”