Chapter 44 #2
"Why not?" I ask, teasing him, wondering if it's because he just feels a closer connection to me. Maybe the sparks I'm feeling are real. Maybe.
"I wouldn't want them to get the wrong idea," he says, interrupting my giddy thoughts.
"What do you mean, the wrong idea?"
"You know what I mean. I don't want them thinking I'm looking for a wife to help take care of my kid." He shudders. "I mean, you're my assistant. You know the deal."
"The deal?" I repeat, my heart thudding, but no longer in the excited way.
"I mean, you're doing this because you're going to see extra money in your paycheck, not because you think it's going to lead to some sort of engagement or wedding to me.
" He chuckles and then sips on his beer.
"We both know where we stand. I'm the boss, you're my employee, and you're helping me out.
Any other woman would think that I was potentially trying to see if they could be Canyon's new stepmom, and that is definitely not on the table. "
"Of course, not. I would not be here if you were looking for a wife," I say quickly, feeling embarrassed and slightly overwhelmed by his words.
I feel like an idiot. He's very clearly put me in my place, delineating the lines between us.
I am just his employee, and he is my employer.
That's all it's ever going to be. The looks I thought he was giving me, those moments we had, they were nothing.
And I feel stupid for even thinking for one second that there was potential chemistry between us.
I take a huge bite of my burger and try to enjoy the taste of the meat, even though I'm no longer hungry.
"But I was thinking that perhaps we could..." he says, and then he pauses. "No, you wouldn't be interested."
"Interested in what?" I ask, hoping he doesn't notice my deflated tone.
"Maybe you'd like to go to a movie with me and Canyon next week?"
"I don't know." I shake my head. Why would I go to a movie with them? "I probably have to do something with my dad, and I may have a date.”
“Oh?” He looks taken aback. “A date with whom?”
“You know, one of my many men from online dating,” I lie.
“But aren’t you worried he’s going to be a loser, too?"
"No, I think I can hope that the tides have changed, and I'll meet a nice guy."
"Maybe," he says softly."Maybe you will. Is that what you're looking for, then?”
“Is what what I’m looking for?” I ask him, taking another bite of my burger.
“Are you looking for a nice guy? Or do you like those bad boys?”
I blink at him. "We're not talking about my dating life again, are we?"
"I'm curious. You're always so quiet and shy and demure in the office, and I guess I want to know what sort of man you like to date, Juniper."
"I mean, I'm not into bad boys, if that's what you're asking."
"No, I didn't think you would be. You seem to be the sort that's into a teacher or perhaps an economist."
"What?" I stare at him. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, a teacher’s wholesome, sweet, dependable. Maybe he’ll take you on a picnic in Central Park. An economist will take you to a bookstore for a date, and maybe you can do the crossword puzzle together on a Sunday morning."
"Is that what you think I want? To do the crossword?" I stare at him. Does he really think I'm that dull? "Really? Why would you think that?"
"I don't want to sound like a jerk, but you look like the sort of woman who would be interested in a teacher or economist. You're the librarian sort.
You've always got your hair up. I never really see you in makeup.
" I stare at him for a couple of seconds and just nod slowly.
Because what can I say to that? I know I'm not a femme fatale.
"No, that's not exactly my type. I don't want a bad boy or a teacher. I want a man that is in between."
"So you're looking for someone who is closer to bad boy or closer to a teacher?"
"I don't know. It depends."
"On what?" He leans forward and whispers, "If they spank you with a hand or a belt?"
"What?" My jaw drops, and his eyes twinkle as he leans forward.
"What?" He winks. "Don't tell me you've never engaged in a little spanking." He pauses and looks over his shoulder again. He grins as he looks back at me. "Gotta make sure little ears are not listening."
"I don't know what you're asking me, Mr. Parker, but I feel like it's about to cross the professional line."
"About to cross the professional line?" He chuckles and leans back and sips on his beer. "I think we're already over that line." He grins. "I'll let you in on a little secret, though."
"Oh, what's that?"
"I would put myself closer to the bad boy line than the teacher line." He winks at me again, and my skin burns. "If you know what I mean."
"No, I don't know what you mean."
"I mean, for example, if I were to tie you up in a bed, I'd use my silk tie and not some rope. But you'd still be tied up."
"Tied up?" My eyes are wide, and my heart is racing. My body feels hot, and I cross my legs. This conversation is going somewhere naughty. And while I’m pretending to be aghast, I’m literally dancing inside.
"Naked." He grins. "Though, maybe I shouldn't tell you all my secrets. I don't want you judging me any more than you already do."
"I already told you, Mr. Parker, I don't judge you."
"Even If I'm talking about me tying you up, and not some hypothetical woman?"
"What?" I swallow hard. He is not for real. Is he?
"I'm not going to lie. I have thought about seeing you with your hair down and those glasses off."
"But I'm just your mousey assistant." I lick my lips nervously.
"Got you." He bursts out laughing. "You didn't think I was being serious, did you?"
"Of course, not," I say quickly, feeling annoyed.
I lick my lips again and lean forward. "I don't think you could handle a woman like me, Remington.
" I bite down on my lower lip. "I'm the sort of woman who would undo that tie and handcuff you.
" I grin. "I may be sugar and spice, but I'm not all things nice. "
His breath catches for a moment, and he leans forward. "I do believe you're teasing me, Juniper. And if I'm being honest, I think I quite like it. I think I like it a lot. You're a wild one, aren't you?"
All I do is nod slightly as I lean back and take another bite of my burger.
The fact of the matter is that I've never had sex, don't own any handcuffs, and have never been a wild one for one night of my life. However, my fantasies have definitely included me riding him like a stallion. Though, I’m not about to tell him that.