Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
KEATON
M y commute doesn’t go as planned.
Why did I think I’d have a minute of peace?
If it’s not a problem at home, there’s always an emergency at work.
My boss, Aslan Spearman, needs me to do some research ASAP. Everything with that man has to be done immediately. Today, I can’t stop to buy coffee, nor apply any makeup during my commute.
I’m going to work au naturel.
When I reach the building of Spearman LP, I stop to check my reflection in the mirrored windows. I look like crap, but the dress and Prada heels I found at the thrift store make me look like a million dollars. At least I have that going for me.
Stepping close to the automatic doors, they slide open. I make my way through and wave at the receptionist, Suzie, who smiles and waves back.
The security guard who stands next to the security door nods as I scan my badge and the small gate opens. I guess we’re the only people at the office before seven in the morning. Making my way to the elevator bank, I wonder if I have time to stop by the break room to prepare some coffee.
Aslan should set up a coffee maker on the top floor. It’s not that I don’t want to go to the fifth floor to enjoy the snacks and beverages he has for the employees, but I never find the time to leave my office—unless I have to go to the conference room or his office.
As I poke the elevator button, I make the executive decision to stop on the fifth floor. Lucky for me, the doors slide open. Unlucky for me, Aslan is inside. So much for getting my morning coffee—or some breakfast.
His six-foot-four frame takes over most of the elevator space. His gray eyes stare at me for a few moments before he rumbles, “Morning.”
Great, he’s rumbling. That means he didn’t sleep, and he’s going to be grumpy all day long. I swear, days like today, I just want to give him a glass of warm milk and send him to bed.
I discreetly look at him from head to toe, appreciating every inch of him. Every suit he wears makes him look hotter than Adonis. He’s so hot that if he asked me for a one-nighter, I’d forget about the non-fraternization policies and join him in bed any day—any time.
Is it wrong that I want to run my hands against his scruff? Not shaving is the best look on Aslan Spearman.
Do I have a crush on my boss?
Who wouldn’t? He’s handsome with a capital A. F.
In another life, I’d add my name to his waiting list of women willing to spend a night with one of the most eligible bachelors in San Francisco.
I would say, “Let’s do it here. Now. No regrets.”
He could push me against the wall, pull the skirt of my dress up and just plunge himself inside without an apology. Just raw, hard, and sweaty.
“Are you okay, Keaton?”
My eyes widen when I realize I’m staring at his crotch and breathing fast. I pull my shoulders back, tapping my temple. “I’m processing all the information you had me research earlier.”
He stares at my lips and moves his gaze. He probably thinks I’m a slob who couldn’t even be bothered to put on lipstick. I could have if he didn’t interrupt my morning routine.
“Long night?” he asks when I yawn.
“Yeah, and I didn’t have time to pick up my coffee.” I almost pout.
He rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “You want your usual?”
I wave my hand. “Unless there’s a magical genie who’ll make it appear on my desk—for free—I don’t want anything. I can stop in the break room and get myself some of that famous coffee we serve our employees.”
“We don’t have time for nonsense.” He pulls out his phone, taps it a few times, and says, “Done.”
“You’re my genie?” Because I wouldn’t mind rubbing your …the bell rings, announcing that we’ve arrived at our floor.
“Grab your computer and come to my office,” he grumbles.
I shake my head and walk away. “I have work to do and calls to make.”
“They can wait.” He follows.
This man could be Savannah’s best friend. They don’t understand other people’s personal space. They think the world owes them everything. They can’t take no for an answer.
“We’ll be busy all day. I’m concerned about the merger. We’re falling behind.” He huffs. “I don’t understand how they went from ‘you seem like a great candidate’ to entertaining three other offers. Are they playing hard to get? I don’t understand their game, but we’re going to figure it out.”
The merger is important, but I have to make some calls. If I don’t, I might be homeless by the end of the week. “It could wait a couple of hours.”
He stares at me with crossed arms.
I sigh. “You don’t own my time.”
“Only between seven in the morning until we’re done working.” He almost smiles at his terrible joke.
While I gather my stuff, he takes my laptop. “You know why all the employees have laptops?”
“I feel like you’re about to deliver another bad joke or I missed some important information during orientation. Please, tell me because I don’t have the energy to guess.”
“So they can take it home.”
I give him a warning glare. “Stop micromanaging me, Spearman.”
He crosses his arms. “You stayed in the office until ten, Keaton Nealy.”
“Are you spying on me?”
“Please tell me you called a car to take you home. If you ask me, you should be bringing your own car. Yes, you help the environment by using public transportation but you’re putting yourself at risk. If you stay late tonight, promise me you’ll call a car.”
Hmm, let me see. My sister totaled my car two months ago, and I don’t have money to replace it or to call for a cab. As always, I keep my rant inside.
“Micromanaging me is creepy,” I singsong, heading to his office.
“I’ll be with Mr. Spearman,” I tell Roni, my assistant.
“She’ll be there all day. Make sure to send her calls to my number,” he adds.
“You like to be bossy.”
He opens the door of his office. “That’s why I’m the boss.”
“Is it?” I cover my mouth, trying to stop the yawn.
“You should take a nap. We can reconvene once you recover?”
Is he going to volunteer as a teddy bear? We could use his leather couch and… stop, Keaton. I wave my hand. “Nah, let’s get this over with. I don’t want to stay any longer than I need to today.”
“Hot date?”
I sit on his leather couch, open my laptop and ignore him. It’s Wednesday, the day Savannah and I go to see Mom at the long-term facility. Savvy is too sensitive to go by herself.
“If having to deal with my little sister is considered a hot date…”
Unlike Aslan, I don’t date, sleep around, or…I stopped socializing a long time ago. Patrick, my last boyfriend, waved goodbye when I told him I’d be moving to Mom’s so I could take care of my teenage sister.
Though, I could use a hot date. A warm body. A tender kiss.
I can’t remember the last time I kissed a man passionately.
Stop staring at your boss’s sculpted lips, Keaton.
Or I could just kiss him and get it over with. I can blame it on the lack of sleep, my stressful life, or a manic episode.
Will he believe me?