Chapter 38 #2
"Kind of, but not necessarily Merlin. Also he was a wizard.”
"I know. I didn't mean Merlin himself, but I mean like the Knights of the Round Table."
"I'm not sure yet. I guess I haven't given it that much thought. I don't know. Anyway, she sees him killing this knight, and she gasps, and the dragon speaks and is like, 'Who is in my presence?'" I speak in a deep, growly voice, and I notice that Remington's eyes crinkle at my imitation.
"Go on," he says, sounding like he really is interested in hearing more.
"Anyway, the dragon looks towards this closet where she's hiding, and he's about to breathe fire when a door opens and in walks this prince, who calls the dragon out and says, 'We have to be on our way.
They're coming.' So, the dragon runs out, and the girl lets out a deep sigh.
She thinks that she's safe, but then the closet door opens, and this gorgeous prince is standing there.
And he stares at her and says, 'If I have to save your life again, it won't be saved. '"
"Dang, I guess he's not Prince Charming. Then what happens?"
"Then the prince leaves, and she's just standing there. She almost pees her pants, obviously, because who wouldn't in such a situation?"
"Yeah. I mean, I would certainly almost pee my pants if a dragon was about to fry me to death, and then a dark prince opens the door and says if he has to save my life again, I will be dead."
"Yeah." I laugh. "It's intense."
"Intense is a good word." He nods. "So the Prince leaves or…?"
"Well, I haven’t gotten any further in the story than that," I say, laughing.
"No, don't say that." He groans. "So, do you know what’s going to happen next, or...?"
"I'm not 100 percent sure. I’m still working on it.” I grin. “But you like the idea?”
“I love it.” He nods. “It sounds pretty damn amazing to me.”
“Thank you.” I grin at him, pleased at his compliment. I’m glad I’m here, even if cleaning out this room is not my ideal activity for a Saturday morning. "You're nice when you're not in the office."
"You're saying I'm not nice when I'm in the office?"
"I'm saying that it's not like this, but I mean, obviously, that's because we're working and in a different environment."
"That doesn't mean that I can't be nice to you." He gazes at me. "I guess I can make more of an effort, especially now that I see how helpful you are."
"I guess." I grin as my phone starts ringing. I see it's my dad and know I have to take it. "Hey, do you mind if I take this real quick?"
"Not at all," he says, shaking his head. "You can head into the living room if you want some privacy. Feel free to help yourself to a drink in the fridge."
"Thank you," I say as I answer the phone and head out of the room. "Hey, Dad," I whisper. "What's going on?"
"I'm so disappointed," he says in a low voice, and immediately, my stomach drops. Here comes the guilt trip.
"What's wrong, Dad?"
"I had all these plans for us for today."
"Dad, my boss called me in. He really needed my help. I can come over tomorrow. I promise."
"I guess if you actually think you can make it tomorrow."
"Dad, I know you're not putting me on a guilt trip because I have to work."
"It's just suspicious to me. Your boss has never called you in on a Saturday before, has he?"
"Yeah, well, this is a different circumstance." I pause. "A special circumstance."
"What's the circumstance?" he demands.
"What do you mean, what's the circumstance?
Dad, I don't have to tell you everything that's going on in my life.
Okay? I will tell you this one time, but don't think that you can demand to have access to all information in my life.
My boss just found out that he has a daughter, and he needs me to help get his place ready. "
"His place? What does that mean? Are you at his house?"
"Yes, Dad."
"You're not sleeping with this man, are you?"
"No, Dad," I say. "Of course not."
"Well, why are you at this man's house, and what does his having a daughter got to do with you?"
"Dad. It is a long story. I think that—”
"Juniper, you leave there right now. He is trying to have his wicked way with you. What did I tell you about these sorts of men? These modern men are not like me, Juniper. They only want one thing."
"Dad, stop. He doesn't want me. And if he did, I would not be here. Okay? You know I wouldn't put myself in a situation like that."
"I know you're innocent, Juniper. I know that you don't know what some of these men are like. I bet you he wants you. I bet you..."
"Dad." I'm annoyed. "I'm going to go now because I'm still working, and you're frustrating me.
I'll speak to you later." I hang up and take a deep breath.
I'm so annoyed at my dad and pissed off at him for even thinking that, because the simple fact of the matter is, I kind of wish that Remington did want me.
That he'd had an ulterior purpose for inviting me to his home.
It would've made me feel like he thought I was worth his time and attention.
It would've made me feel like he was attracted to me, but he just thought I was a good assistant with a good imagination.
This has nothing to do with him wanting to rip my clothes off.
I head back toward the room and smile, thinking about how much he seemed to enjoy the beginning of my romantasy book. I'm about to step into the room when I can hear him on the phone, and I pause behind the door.
"Layla, you know I would love to have lunch with you.
I just can't today. I am working on something and have plans this evening.
No, I can't cancel them. They're very important plans.
You did what? You bought what? Ooh, that does sound sexy.
" He sighs. "Unfortunately, I don't know that I'm going to be able to see you in that very revealing outfit tonight.
No, there's no one else I'm taking on a date tonight.
" He pauses. "I can't FaceTime you to see the outfit now.
I'm not alone... No, not another woman. Just my assistant. "
My stomach drops at his words. I'm not a woman to him? What am I, then? A frigging alien from outer space that just came to Earth to serve him at his whim? I think about rushing into the room to confront him, but I don’t. I don’t want to admit I’ve been eavesdropping.
"I am not going to ask her if she can work tonight to take care of my other plans.
" I press my lips together as I listen to him.
I'm not happy at where this conversation is going.
"I mean, I can ask her if she can take care of the business for me, and I'll let you know.
Yes, it's the same assistant I told you about before.
No, there's nothing going on between us.
She just works for me. No, I don't want to get into her pants.
It's not like that." He chuckles. "Trust me, she is the last woman that I would be inviting into my bed.
I'll call you later." He hangs up the phone, and I can feel tears pricking my eyes.
"Well, there you have it," I whisper to myself. He is definitely not into me. In fact, I’m the last woman he'd even look at like that. I walk into the room, and he looks up at me with a smile, as if he hadn't just been dissing me to some skank.
"So, any other stories you're working on?"
"No," I snap and look at my phone. "I actually have to be out of here in a couple of hours, so if we can maybe work on this a little bit faster?"
"Oh." He looks slightly dismayed. "You're not going to come with me to the office?"
"I can't," I snap. "I do have a life. I have things to do. My dad is very upset I blew him off for this today."
"I'm so sorry," he says, holding up his hands. "I never said that you didn't have a life, Juniper."
"Well, just in case you thought my entire life revolved around this job, it doesn't."
"I get that." He pauses. "And this may be poor timing, but I had a quick question I was going to ask you."
"What?" I say as I start throwing books into another box.
"I don't suppose that you can babysit this evening?
" I stare at him blankly, my mouth in a thin line.
I shake my head in shock. Remington Parker is a jackass.
After all that, he is still asking me to look after the kid he hasn't even met yet, just so he can hang out with some half-naked woman. Why were men such dumbasses?