How to Marry the Boss (How To #3)

Chapter One

Six years earlier

Dallas, Texas

Mia

T he number of outfits I’m trying on has become the equivalent to most clients in those wedding-dress reality shows. I’m struggling to decide which dress is the right one.

Today is my eighteenth birthday. Things now have to change for the better, right? From the time I was fifteen, I couldn’t stand this boundary between him and Jake Hall.

And now that it’s no longer in my way, I feel like I can do anything—except choose a damn dress for my birthday celebration.

“Dammit.” I groan, laying my body across my bed in defeat. “I’m not going. I have nothing to wear.”

My bestie, Joselyn Andrews, stares at me crisscrossed on my bed. “It’s your birthday party. You can’t not show up.”

I get her point, but at the same time she’s forgetting how my parents operate.

I turn my gaze from the ceiling to her tanned face. “Let’s be honest; this isn’t my party anyway.”

It’s just another excuse for my parents to host another soiree and show how amazing they are to their snobby friends. That’s what they do. They did the same thing at all my other birthdays, as well as my older brothers’, Jonathan and Nathan. From the moment guests arrive to when they leave, the event is about them. Most of the people on the guest list I’ve never met in my life, nor do I care to meet them.

My best friend, who I’ve known since second grade, is well aware of this. “You’re not wrong about that. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make it your own. Look, you don’t have to dress up if you don’t want to. We can chill in our comfies, sneak some snacks from the kitchen, and watch your favorite movies.”

Normally I’d agree to this, but my parents would notice. “You know I can’t do that. They’d say I’m making the family look bad.” I stand up from the bed again, and look at her through the reflection in the full-length mirror. “Maybe later though.”

“I still stand by my original statement.” Jocelyn moves on, scanning me up and down. “That dress looks nice on you and makes your eyes pop.”

I scan a critical eye at the spaghetti-strapped, teal ombre dress that stops just below my knees. “Sure, but does it scream, ‘I’m an adult’?”

Jocelyn rolls her eyes. “Just because the dress doesn’t have cleavage or a slit doesn’t make you look any less like an adult. Dress it up with heels and jewelry, and see how you feel.

I get where she’s coming from, but everything I own doesn’t give me the wow factor I need for him to notice me.

Jake Hall had ruined all other guys for me from the moment I met him. I was nine. And all he had to do was breathe and smile in my direction. I didn’t even see the tidal wave of new emotions coming. Something I’d never felt before in my young life at the time. Who would? Most girls my age don’t think about anything other than dolls and playing dress-up, much less men that are almost a decade their senior.

As Jonathan’s friendship with Jake grew stronger, so did my crush. But the older I became, the more I resented the fear that Jake only saw me as the kid sister.

Even when I became a freshman in high school, and all my friends started dating boys around our age, no one ever seemed to measure up to Jake. Sure, I’d dated a guy or two to keep up appearances and to feed the occasional curiosity, but even then, no one could compare.

Today is the day where I no longer have to hold my feelings for him tight against my chest. I can finally confess to him how much I like him. But not in a dress that hides everything I want to show.

“I need to go sexier.”

Jocelyn cocks her head to the side. “How sexy are we talking?”

“I’m thinking something sexy enough to grab a guy’s attention, but not too sexy to make my brothers want to bleach out their eyeballs. Something classy overall.”

Silence falls between us as we think. Then a thought pops into my head. A vintage dress of my mom’s that I’d forgotten about forever ago.

I turn to my bestie. “Follow me.”

I rush out of my room and down the dark wooden stairs. If there was any good time to raid my mother’s closet, this is it. Especially when she’s decided to “taste test” all the booze at the open bar. And God only knows where my dad went off to, and with whom.

When Jocelyn and I rush into my parents’ bedroom, we stop at the threshold of their “his and hers” closet. Dad’s side has a masculine interior with dark mahogany wood all around, while Mom’s closet gives an elegance and classy aesthetic with its off-white wooden structure.

Walking into her closet is like walking into a high-end boutique. Everything from her jewelry to her shoes is from every different kind of high-fashion designer. A large island with a granite countertop sits in the middle of it all. My mother’s shoe collection, which is presented on shelves that go as tall as the ceiling, is large enough to provide for an army. Assuming all they wear are YSL stilettos and Chanel slippers.

I dart straight for the French doors at the left side corner of the closet that contains her dresses. I only need to shuffle through a few of them before I find the one I’m looking for.

“This is it!” I stare at the garment as I take it off the rack and turn to face Jocelyn.

The dress is so gorgeous, I find it hard to pull my gaze from it. But when I do, I notice my best friend’s awed expression.

“Where has your mom’s closet been all my life?”

Turning my gaze back to Josie, I show her the black, strapless dress with a keyhole just under the bust. Ruffles cascade down the length of the skirt.

Her eyes go wide. “It’s gorgeous.” She pauses. “Would your mom notice the dress missing?”

I shake my head. “She’s got so many clothes in here, she’ll never notice.”

My mother is too in her head to realize there are other people in the world besides her. Despite the fact she’s my mother, I’ve always considered her a stranger.

The dynamic in our family isn’t what anyone would call “normal.” Estranged is the word I’d use. I’m as close to my parents as someone would be to a roommate they tolerate.

Wasting no time, Josie and I rush back up to my room with the dress in hand. My bestie closes my bedroom door behind us.

I immediately strip off the dress I have on and don the other. As soon as the garment is on my body, I walk back to my full-length mirror. I can picture it now. I’m walking toward Jake’s direction. He can’t keep his eyes off me. Oh my god, just the thought makes my heart flutter. Even if nothing happens between us tonight, I have all summer and community college to catch his eye.

Sure, I applied to multiple colleges, but the truth was I didn’t care where I applied. I have my heart set on staying local for Jake.

I look at my best friend through the reflection. “I can’t reach the zipper. Can you zip me up?”

“I got you, girl.” Josie moves quickly behind me, zipping up the back. “Fits like a glove.”

Analyzing the dress, I instantly fall in love with what I’m seeing. The cleavage shows I have boobs. The dress hugs my waist, emphasizing my hips and curves.

“It’s perfect,” I almost squeal with excitement. “All I’m missing is?—”

“Black heels?” my best friend says with a smirk as she presents me with my favorite, sleek black heels.

Half an hour later, after putting on makeup, fixing our hair, and helping Jocelyn don on her short dress, we hear guests beginning to arrive.

“Now I’m ready.” I tell her, feeling satisfied and then some.

For the next twenty minutes, we sit in the kitchen and people watch. Like all parties in the past, everyone has dressed as though this party were a royal wedding, big, ridiculous hats and all. Josie and I find it hard not to laugh.

We’re caught off guard when we hear a deep voice that I know all too well. “So this is where the party is at.”

Jonathan Knight, my oldest brother, walks in with a bottle of champagne and a gift bag.

If he’s here, then so is Jake.

I try not to let that thought consume me whole, but it’s useless.

I force a smile on my face to hide my growing nerves and increasing heart rate. “As always.”

Nathan is in tow behind him. “Hey, baby sister.” He holds me in a hug.

“Hey yourself.”

Nathan lets me go when I hear the rough, deep, hypnotic voice I’ve been wanting to hear the most. “Hey, Mia.”

I look over to the side of Nate’s shoulder. The moment my gaze is on him, I feel my senses going into overdrive.

He has to notice my outfit, right?

Like Jonathan and Nate, Jake is in business casual attire. His navy-blue dress shirt compliments his tanned skin well. His collar is open, showing the top part of his muscled chest.

I walk toward him. My heart is fluttering as we exchange greetings. I feel my cheeks turning red. We then hug. It’s hard not to notice the smell of cologne. Oh, god, that smell combined with his natural musk is heavenly. As much as I’d love to be in his aroma all night, and every night thereafter, I force myself to pull away.

“Something for the birthday girl,” he says, handing me a pink envelope with my name written in his handwriting.

Even though he’s given me birthday and Christmas presents before, I’m always excited to get something from him.

I stutter. “T-thanks.”

“Always,” he smiles that charming grin that I can’t seem to ever resist. The one that makes me dizzy with delight. And like a school-girl crush, I find it near to impossible to hold back a giggle.

The party continues close to midnight. Josie and I, among the remaining guests, are standing around and socializing on the large patio deck. My best friend and I are on one side of the large pool, while Jake talks with another group of people on the other.

All night, I’ve tried to watch Jake from a distance, hoping to catch his eye. But in doing so, I realize that my planning had only gotten me that far, apart from dressing to impress. After that, like a foolish, hopeless romantic, I thought he’d do the rest and proclaim that he wants me as his.

I’m such an idiot.

“Are you going to stare at him all night?” Jocelyn’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.

I cringe. “Is it that obvious?”

“Why don’t you just go and tell him how you feel? Some guys like a girl to be forward.”

In a perfect world, sure. But I’m not that type of girl. “You know that’s not me.”

“I know. But sometimes we have to do things out of our comfort zone to be noticed or get what we want.”

I shrug. “What can I say? I’m an old-fashioned, hopeless romantic who is infatuated with a man who’s almost ten years her senior.”

“If you really want him, go for it. The world is now your oyster.”

“And if he says no…”

“Then at least you tried. And it’s his loss, not yours. Besides, he’s just a guy, not a god.”

I shake my head. For years, I dreamed about the day I’d tell Jake that I like him. But now that that day has come, I’m suddenly lacking the courage.

“I don’t know if I can do this.”

She pauses as though in thought. And then she looks over my shoulder. “Give me a minute.” Walking over to the open bar, Josie swipes two glasses of what looks to be margaritas and hands one glass to me.

“What are these for?”

“You need some courage? Drink up.” In just a few sips, she all but downs her glass.

I do the same. The drink is strong as I swallow. After I’m done, I look back at Jake. Suddenly the thought of confessing my feelings doesn’t feel so daunting anymore.

I hand Josie my now empty glass. “I’ll be right back.”

“You go, girl!” I hear Josie cheering me on as I start walking around the pool and to the other side. The back of Jake’s head is in my view.

I’m a few feet away when I hear him and his group of guy friends laughing. Feeling awkward, I stand with still quite a distance away for them, so they don’t notice me right away. What should I do? I don’t want to interrupt them. I also don’t want to embarrass myself in front of others. Maybe I should ask to speak with him in private. Yeah, that will work. Less nerve-racking, that’s for sure.

One of the male’s voices pulls me from my thoughts. “Say, Jake. I noticed Mia is looking quite…mature tonight. You thinking about tapping that any time soon?”

What a blunt question. Yet I wait on bated breath for a response from him.

Jake scoffs shaking his head. “Don’t be a fucking idiot, Caleb. She’s Jonathan’s kid sister. Nothing more. I don’t think of her like that.”

In a matter of seconds I feel my heart sink into my stomach. Did he really just say that about me?

I’ve been a fool.

I feel my throat clench, and my eyes begin to well up with tears.

Present day

KH Industries

Dallas, Texas

Jake

If there’s a hell on earth, it would be pretending I don’t have a hard-on for my best friend’s little sister.

Ever since Mia Knight turned seventeen, I’d been unable to ignore the obvious fact she’d become a woman. For the longest time, I only saw her as my best friend, Jonathan Knight’s, kid sister.

I was over at the Knights’ family home one day when I noticed Mia outside sunbathing beside the pool. Once I caught sight of the beauty in her ocean-blue bikini that hid nothing, I couldn’t look away. Her milky skin glowed against the beaming sun. Her hourglass shape, that I didn’t realize was there until that moment, was on full display.

Holy fuck. When did that happen?

From that moment on, she only needed to walk into my line of sight, and my dick would instantly harden. But I never acted on my sexual instincts. How could I? She was jailbait, a minor. At least until she turned eighteen. But even then, I’m nine years her senior. At the time, I felt like a pervert. Yet that didn’t stop me from fantasizing about her in the process. And when I did, I chose to venture out for a faceless Ms. Right-Now to pretend she was her, and drown in that temporary pleasure.

At Mia’s party, Jonathan had made it very clear to our friend group, including me, that we weren’t allowed to pursue his little sister. And rightfully so. If I were in his shoes, I’d do the same thing. She was barely legal, young and impressionable to the world, and the last thing he wanted was for her to get hurt by any of us.

Despite the fact I was already hiding my feelings for her, I chose to assure my friend group, including J, she’d never crossed my mind and never would. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing my friendship and partnership with Jonathan.

When she announced to her family she’d be attending Cambridge, rather than the local community college she’d seemed to be set on, I was surprised. But I was also secretly relieved. Like a temptation had been taken away from view.

But now that she’s in her early twenties, my thinking, along with the dynamic, has changed. The age-gap between us doesn’t seem as pressing as it had when she was a teen. At least from my perspective. Maybe now Jonathan could be more lenient. She isn’t a kid anymore, and he no longer has any say over her.

I sit in my office, overlooking paperwork in an effort to calm my anxiety. But I fail when I realize I’ve read the same line three times. Shaking my head, I give up and lean against my leather chair. Each minute that passes, each second that gets me closer to her, seems like an eternity. Today is the day I get to see her—in person—after so long.

The last image I have of her was at her party. Four years have gone by, yet I remember only one part like it was yesterday. That tight bodice of the dress she wore. How it emphasized every curve I’d wanted to touch, lick, and kiss for so long. Jesus, I still get a rush just thinking about it. My cock is at full salute.

When Jonathan told me she’d decided to move back to Texas and work for our company, KH Industries, I was surprised. Surely she would have wanted to make a permanent life for herself in London. Did graduating from university change her mind? Could Jonathan have made her an offer she couldn’t refuse? Whatever the case, I’m excited and nervous all at once.

Shaking my head, I try to think of something else—anything else—to get the image of her riding her pussy on my face off my mind.

Think of something boring. Numbers. The purple dinosaur on that kid show. Grandma naked.

My thoughts are put to an abrupt halt when I hear the ringtone of my phone go off. Grabbing hold of the device from my desk, I look at the caller ID. Jonathan.

I answer the call. “Hey, man. You guys on your way here?”

“Yep,” he responds. “just dropped off her luggage at her place, so I’ll be pulling into the parking lot in a few.”

“Cool. See you then.” I hang up before walking out of my office and outside the front entrance of the building.

Don’t get this worked up. There’s no telling if she feels the same way I do.

That’s right. I’m just her older brother’s best friend and nothing more. If that’s how she feels about me, which is more than likely true, then there’s no need to complicate things. Besides, love and relationships aren’t my strong suit. I learned that one the hard way a long time ago.

Just as I walk out into the bright sunlight, Jonathan’s car—a slick, black Mercedes—comes to a stop a few feet away. I walk quickly to the car and open the passenger side door.

“Hi, Mia. Long time, no—” What I see in the passenger seat is someone I wasn’t expecting.

Instead of the young adolescent I once knew, in front of me now sits a fully bloomed young woman. Her dark hair is styled in a slightly messy bun with a few carefully placed, strands that outline her oval face. Her vivid blue eyes, similar to her siblings’, are as bright as the sky on a cloudless day. Everything about her screams maturity, grace, and beauty.

She looks up at me with those hypnotic eyes, and I all but freeze. Her juicy, plump, pink lips are something that will forever be ingrained in my mind. She wears a black sweat-jacket-and-pant duo that compliments her pale skin well and reveals a bit of cleavage.

“H-hi, Jake.” Her soft and angelic voice brings me out of my head.

As reality comes back to the forefront, so does the fact Mia and I aren’t alone.

Right, her brother is still here.

As much as I want to confess my feelings today, I can’t. There’s too much I need to do, to learn, to plan, before that happens.

For now I choose to act normal, not like I just discovered the eighth wonder of the world and want to fuck it.

“How was your flight?” I ask. Safe question, right?

“Long, but thankfully uneventful,” she replies.

I offer my hand to her when she swings her legs out of the car. The moment her fingers hit my palm, electricity runs through my arm and to the rest of my body, making me jolt slightly. Suddenly I feel more alive than I have in years. More motivated to claim her than I have been for anyone.

She lets out a small gasp. Did she feel that too? Or am I going crazy?

Once she stands upright from the car, she pulls her hand away. The absence of her touch has my body go cold.

Whatever that was, I want more of it.

She turns her attention to Jonathan. “Jet lag is already kicking my ass.”

“Then we won’t keep you long. I just wanted to give you a tour. Will your boyfriend mind?”

Boyfriend? Boyfriend!

I try to hide my surprise. I shouldn’t be shocked. She’s a beautiful woman. Only a fucking idiot wouldn’t be able to see that .

I’ll just bide my time. Play the friend, or friendly coworker, until things change.

She shakes her head no. Jonathan, with a hand to the small of her back, guides her inside the building. I walk behind them.

For the next hour, we go through one floor to the next. I can’t help but watch the sway of her hips with each step she takes. I struggle to stay focused.

Mia’s older brother continues to explain what each room is used for while she politely nods with understanding.

J concludes the tour in Mia’s new office—which happens to be between my best friend’s and mine.

J and I sit on chairs opposite her. A large, dark-colored office desk is between her and us. A huge window, overlooking a good portion of a park, is adjacent to us, which illuminates the room in natural lighting.

“So…” He grins “What do you think?”

“What do I think? I think you gave me one of best offices in this entire building.”

“I’m glad you like it. Just know you can decorate the space however you want.”

“Trust me, I’m already thinking of an aesthetic.” She smiles, then gives him an incredulous stare. “What happened to the other guy?”

“He wasn’t you.”

She laughs. “You could’ve offered the job to anyone, J.”

“True, but I feel better around those I trust, who know what they’re doing, and won’t sugarcoat things for me, than otherwise.”

She leans back in her black leather chair, staring around the space. Every so often we lock eyes before she pulls her gaze away. Her cheeks turn a slight pink. Is she blushing?

I fucking wish.

Suddenly a loud ring comes from Jonathan. Pulling his phone from his jacket pocket, he looks at the screen.

“I have to join a call with a client. If you need anything, let Jake know. See you later.” He exits through the large, thick glass doors.

I turn back in Mia’s direction. “What was it like living in Europe?”

She shrugs. “Fine.”

Her once happy and engaging attitude is now replaced by the exact opposite. Her smile is gone, she seems uncomfortable, and she’s looking everywhere else but at me. As though she were purposefully avoiding my gaze.

Thinking it could be my imagination, I continue to make small talk. “I imagine the culture is very different over?—”

Before I can finish my sentence, she stands from her desk.

“I appreciate the chitchat, but there’s no need. I’m sure you and Jonathan are busy today.”

I shake my head. “Him more than me. I’m pretty flexible today actually. Would you want to grab lunch with me?”

“I can’t,” she blurts. Her body stiffens, her expression almost panicked. She angles her body toward the door as though she is trying to get out of the conversation. “I need to leave soon.”

“Okay. Rain check, then?” Usually I wouldn’t push this much, but her body language is making me curious. Why does she seem so nervous about saying no?

“I think it’s best if we keep a…professional relationship.”

What does she mean?

“What’s wrong with old friends getting lunch together?” I subtly challenge.

She looks flustered, as though she’s struggling to come up with a better response. Why the hesitation?

After a short pause, she seems to calm herself by taking a deep breath and responds. “Given the rise in success within this company, which includes the growing demand to manage everything, I doubt any of us would have time for that.”

Why is she talking to me like one of my business emails?

Rising from my seat, I walk over to her. “That may be true, but we all have to have a well-deserved break now and then.”

A long silence fills the room. I fight the urge to take her hand in mine. To pull her close.

Those gorgeous eyes of hers, despite her insistence on professionalism, betray her. If I’m right, then what is it that she truly desires? Why is she denying herself that? And why do I get the feeling it has something to do with me?

Fuck it. I know I shouldn’t want her, but I can no longer deny that I do. Not when I feel something there between us. Something as important as the air in my lungs.

Breaking the eye contact, Mia pulls her phone out. Her fingers glide over the device fast and efficiently. A few minutes later, she shuts the device off, shoves it back inside her purse, and stands.

“My ride will be here in a few minutes. Thanks for the tour. And tell my brother thanks as well.” She walks down the hall to the elevators. Once again, I can’t help but watch the curve of her hips and ass as she walks away.

“Sure thing.” I’m hating the fact she’s going home to some other guy. A guy that isn’t me. And there’s no doubt in my mind he’s enjoying every moment with her.

As she disappears down the hallway, a thought occurs to me. She’s saying no, yet her body says the exact opposite. What if she wants me as badly as I want her? And if that’s the case, how can I get her to admit it?