I had flowers delivered this morning, and hopefully they’re already on her desk. I have a special lunch arriving for us later, and I plan on working—and staring at her all day.
The elevator dings and I prep myself, adjusting my suit jacket. I went with black on black today, no tie, the top few buttons undone . . . because I know she likes that. I see her staring at my chest often when I wear my shirt like this so I made a point to be casual this morning. A lite spritz of my cologne, a generous amount of mouthwash, and just the perfect amount of hair product.
I’m never nervous but hell, getting ready this morning felt like getting ready for a first date, which is crazy because this is Charlee. She’s seen me at my worst. Hell, she’s seen me at my best, and she knows the ins and outs of me. I shouldn’t be nervous around her. I should be used to her at this point, but still, what we started is new and this is almost “the morning after.” I want to make a good impression.
The door parts and just like every other morning, Charlee’s standing in front of me, looking like a goddamn angel in a form-fitting white dress that hits just above her knees. Her hair is styled in smooth waves with one side tucked behind her ear. Her makeup is minimal, gently highlighting her beautiful features, and instead of a smile, she has a concerned look on her face.
Wait . . . concerned?
Nervously, she says, “Good morning, Mr. Westin.”
My eyes narrow. “What did I tell you about that Mr. Westin shit?” I step forward and grab her around her waist, pulling her in close to my body. She makes a surprised sound right before I lower my mouth to hers, letting my lips show her just how much I missed her this weekend.
And instead of the welcoming woman I was hoping for, she’s stiff in my arms, her hand against my chest, pushing me away.
What the fuck?
When I part our lips, I say, “Is everything—”
Someone clears their throat and immediately my head snaps up to find Bram and Julia holding hands only a few feet away. Jesus Christ, how did I miss them?
Releasing herself from my grip, Charlee clears her throat and says, “Mr. Scott and Miss Westin are here to see you.”
Shit. Her face is bright red and she looks so embarrassed. Not a good start.
Bram holds his arms out and says, “My turn. I just put ChapStick on, so my lips are ready.”
Sharpening my gaze at my best friend, I point and say, “Go wait for me in my office.”
I can see another snide remark forming on my friend’s lips but before he can let it loose, my sister thankfully tugs his hand and directs him into my office where they shut the door.
When the cost is clear, I turn to Charlee and say, “I had no idea they were—”
She reaches up, grabs the back of my neck, and pulls me in for a kiss. This time, she isn’t stiff. Nor is she pushing me away. No, she’s holding me close.
This time, her lips demand something from me.
This time, her body presses sensually against mine.
This time, she makes the sweetest, sexiest moan when I pull away.
“Christ,” I exhale a sigh of relief, leaning my forehead against hers. “I thought you were mad at me.”
She shakes her head, her cheeks still flushed. “I mean, that was sort of embarrassing since they don’t know what’s going on between us, but that’s for you to deal with, not me.”
“I meant this weekend,” I confess. “You seemed distant and then after our first interaction this morning, I was worried.”
She looks to the side and plays with a button on my suit jacket. “Honestly, I wasn’t sure how you were feeling after everything. I didn’t want you to let me down over the phone or through text, so I didn’t indulge. I wanted to see how you were this morning.” She smiles up at me. “Apparently on the same page as me.”
“Yeah?” I smile, pulling her in by the small of her back. “You were as desperate to see me as I was to see you this morning?”
“Maybe a little.” She lifts up and presses another kiss to my lips. “I’m glad you welcomed me like that, even though it was in front of your friend and sister. It gives me reassurance that I didn’t scare you away with my forwardness.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “Trust me, I wished you woke me up with your forwardness yesterday and this morning.” I tip her chin up and whisper, “That was the sexiest thing I’ve ever experienced, you, riding my morning wood, your body a piece of artwork in front of me.”
In a move I wasn’t expecting, she leans her head against my chest and wraps her arms tightly around me, giving me a hug. I set my bag down on the ground and return the embrace.
“I’m sorry if I made you worry. I was worried myself, not knowing if you were going to give me the turndown, you know? I’ve gotten it a few times in my dating life and I just don’t think I could have taken it from you.”
I kiss the top of her head. Clearly, the guys who’ve dated Charlee were utterly insane. Blind. “Charlee, you fucking flipped my world upside down this past weekend. Trust me, you were not going to get the turndown, you were going to get the why aren’t you at my damn place right now demand.”
She holds me tighter and sighs right before pulling away. She steps out of my embrace, smooths her dress down and says, “Okay.” She straightens her shoulders. “It’s professionalism from here on out; we have work to do.”
I raise a brow in question. “You don’t have to be professional all the time you know. If you want to hike your skirt up and sit on my lap at any point of time during the day, please feel free.”
She rolls her eyes and starts walking toward her desk. I grab my bag and catch up to her. “Where are you sleeping tonight?”
She points to her suitcase next to her desk and says, “Can you take a wild guess? Grandma wasn’t happy that I was with her this weekend. She’s adamant about me spending more time with you, as if I don’t spend the whole day looking at your handsome face.” She smirks. I grin. “Anyway, she does want us to come over for dinner this week to put us through what she calls Grandma’s marriage counseling.”
“What the hell is that?”
She shrugs. “No idea, but I can’t imagine it being good. If you’re a good boy and go along with it, then I might blow you after.”
Jesus. Christ.
She leans in and plays with my exposed chest. “And I’m going to tell you right now, I know how to give good head.” She kisses my jaw and my pants automatically grow tight.
“You’re fucking evil, you know that?” I ask, adjusting myself. “I have to go talk to my best friend and sister now with a hard-on.”
“Hide it with your bag.” She winks and gets behind her desk where she starts typing away as if nothing happened.
Not very helpful, but I also don’t have any other options, so reluctantly, I tuck my bag in front of me and walk into my office where Julia and Bram watch me make my way across the large space and sit at my desk. I set the bag on the floor, fold my hands in front of me and say, “What do you two want?”
Bram thumbs toward the closed door. “What the hell was that?”
Whispering, Julia adds, “She has a ring on her finger, Rath, a huge one. She’s engaged.”
“Yes.” I nod. “To me.”
Both of them lean back in shock at the same time. It’s almost comical how identical their expressions are.
“What are you talking about?” Julia asks. “She’s your assistant.”
“I’m well aware who she is. She’s also my fiancée.”
“But”—Bram looks like he’s trying to solve the Pythagorean theorem—“when did you start dating her?”
Huh, good question. I guess we’re sort of dating right now.
“Recently.”
“Only recently?” Julia’s eyes pop out of their sockets. “And you’re engaged?” She looks behind her just to make sure the door is closed. “Is this about Vanessa?”
“What? No.” I shake my head and decide to tell them the truth. “This does not leave this r
oom, do you hear me?” I look straight at Bram who has the biggest mouth I know.
Insulted he says, “I can keep a secret.”
Julia just pats his hand to humor him because we both know he’s terrible at it.
“Long story short. Charlee’s grandma is sick, and Charlee is worried that she’ll die before she gets to see Charlee walk down the aisle. In her grandma’s wedding dress. So, we decided we’d get married.”
Julia clasps her hand to her heart . . . so does Bram.
“Rath,” Julia still whispers. “You offered to marry her for her grandma?” I nod. “That’s so sweet, but also, very complicated.”
“I agree.” Bram grows serious. “Back there it looked like this is more than just a favor. Your face lit up when you saw Charlee.”
Julia nods. “You like her . . . you really like her.”
I scratch my chin and look out the window. “Yeah, I do.”
Bram scoots in on his chair so he’s closer to me. “What happens when she doesn’t want to be married to you anymore and this all goes down the shitter?”
Determined, I say, “I’m not going to allow that to happen.” Done with the conversation, I ask, “Enough about me. Why are you two here, early in the morning, interrupting my day?”
They look at each other and I can see it in their eyes, the need to discuss my situation further, but thankfully they drop it and then clutch each other’s hands.
Smiling brightly, Bram says, “We’re pregnant.”
“What?” I leap out of my chair and round my desk, arms spread. I lift Bram out of the chair and pull him into a giant hug. “Holy shit, man, that’s amazing. Congrats.”
We embrace for longer than what I assume is deemed normal and the only reason we let each other go is because Julia clears her throat next to us.
When we turn to her she says, “Oh please, don’t let me distract you from your bromance. Proceed, I’m the one who’s carrying the baby, and I’m your sister, but that doesn’t matter.”
Whispering, Bram says, “She’s a little more sensitive these days.”
Stepping up, I take my sister into my arms and say, “Congratulations, Julia, this is amazing news.”
She wraps her arms around me and thanks me. When we pull away, I say, “How far along are you?”
“Nine weeks, which means”—she looks up at Bram and then stares down at me—“we’re moving up the wedding.”
“Oh, wow, to when?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” I shout. “What do you mean tomorrow? That’s really quick.”
“Says the guy with the fake fiancée,” Bram deadpans.
Point made. But still, tomorrow, is way faster than expected.
Cupping her stomach, Julia says, “I got a beautiful wedding dress and I want to be able to fit into it. And as Bram likes to say, he has money, therefore, I’m pulling out the money card and making everything happen. Get ready, we’re getting married.”
They hold their linked hands in the air and cheer, and I’m wondering how the hell they’re going to pull everything off by tomorrow.
“Look, he’s nervous. I told you he’d be nervous.” Bram leans over and places his hand on mine. “Don’t worry, bro, we’re still going to have a birthday cake for you.”
“I couldn’t care less about the damn cake. Are you sure this is going to work? I don’t have a tux. I thought the dress wasn’t even ready yet. What about the food and the venue? We have money, but money can only get you so far.”
Bram turns to Julia and says, “He’s getting worked up.”
“I can see that.”
“I don’t see why you two aren’t worked up. And why are you still here? Do you even have a marriage license?”
Bram shakes his head and leans back in his chair. “See, I told you this was a bad idea. He doesn’t want us getting married.”
“Wait, no, that’s not what I said.”
“Oh, isn’t it?” Bram asks. “You keep asking me if she’s the girl for me.”
“What? Rath, I’m your sister. Why would you say that?”
What the hell is happening right now?
“I never said that. I think you guys are perfect together. I just want to make sure this is the wedding you deserve, the wedding you want. I mean, give it at least a week, or I mean, your actual wedding date is not that far along, only a few weeks from now. Can’t you wait? You won’t be showing, will you?”
Huffing, Bram turns to Julia and says, “See, he’s too rational to pull pranks on.”
“Bram,” Julia complains. “You just blew it. We had him.”
“I know,” Bram replies. “But Rath is my man, and I know he’s about two seconds away from calling all his contacts to make sure we can make this happen.”
“Wait . . . what?” I push my hand through my hair. Why is this happening this morning? It’s way too goddamn early for all of this drama. I haven’t had my coffee or my delicious breakfast that’s normally on my desk when I arrive. I’m pouting. I know I’m pouting. I was hoping for porridge . . . but I can see a muffin bag. Hang on . . . “You’re not pregnant?”
“No, she is.” Bram thumbs toward Julia. “But this genius thought it would be fun to prank you and tell you the wedding is tomorrow.” He leans in and whispers, “I told her it wouldn’t be fun, and it would only stress my poor man out.”
“Christ,” I mumble. “Julia, don’t joke about shit like that. I was ready to call in favors.”
“Told you,” Bram says, crossing one leg over the other.
“Sheesh, you’re touchy these days.” Julia folds her arms over her chest. “Is this because of Charlee and the wedding?” Growing concerned, Julia says, “Rath, are you sure you really want to do this? It’s so quick and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
I pull her into another hug and say, “I have everything under control. Trust me, okay?”
“Okay, I just don’t want you to get your heart broken again. And I know you said it’s not about Vanessa, but I‘m not sure she can make the wedding yet, so if that’s why you’re doing this—”
“It’s not,” I say, knowing I need to reassure her. “Charlee and I agreed to marry with the understanding that we were fulfilling her grandma’s—and Charlee’s —wish to walk down the aisle in Grandma’s wedding dress. We don’t know what sort of time frame we’re working with, as her grandma isn’t discussing her health. As you know, Bram, having an intelligent woman on your arm during the fundraisers is a bonus for business. That’s where Charlee is helping me out.”
“But, if you like her and she doesn’t return the sentiment—”
“Yes, there’s a chance I could get hurt. But I have a really good feeling about her, sis. I’m hoping that our marriage won’t be a business arrangement.” I’m hoping for more.
“Me too,” Julia says, looking uneasy about the whole thing and when I glance at Bram, he’s not looking at me, but is concerned about Julia’s concern.
I know it’s fast and it’s scary. Fuck, I was a mental case on Friday night as I wrestled with whether I could move forward physically with Charlee. And she’d been willing to walk away out of respect for me. That spoke volumes about her and her heart. And that’s why I believe in what I’m doing. Charlee Bag of Dicks is one incredible woman, and I’m going to make her mine.
* * *
“Can I come in?” Charlee asks from my doorway.
I lean back from my computer, my eyes feeling blurry. “When have you ever asked?”
She shrugs. “I thought I’d hear from you after Bram and Julia left, but you never called me in. From the congratulations they gave me, I’m assuming you told them.”
I reach my hands behind my neck, stretching, and say, “Yeah. I told them. They thought it was quick, but they’re excited.” Pausing for a second to take Charlee in, I hold back the lust driving my pulse higher. “Julia’s pregnant.”
“What? Oh my gosh, that’s so exciting. Are they still going to keep the wedding date?”
I nod at her. “Be my date?”
Her lips screw to the side as she puts her hands on her hips. “Rath Westin, is that how you’re really going to ask me?”
“I’m not about to hire a marching band to ask, if that’s what you’re looking for.”
“No, but a full sentence wouldn’t hurt.”
Sighing, I say, “Charlee, will you be my date to Bram and Julia’s wedding . . . please?”
“Well, since you asked so nicely.” She takes a seat across from me and I comprehend what she’s doing; she’s trying to respect the office boundaries and even though I want her on my lap, I think it’s cute. Instead of speaking, we’re awkwardly smiling at each other.
“What are you smiling at?”
She shrugs. “Don’t really know. Just smiling. What about you?”
“Smiling at you.”
Our faces frozen, we stay like that for a few more seconds before Charlee looks away and says, “Do you have a list for me?”
“Yup.” I rock forward in my chair and lift the list I’ve been working on off my desk and hand it to her. “Done by noon would be great, but I can understand if you can’t get it all done. It’s laborious today.”
She takes the paper from me. “I love a good chall—” One single brow raises as she looks at me. “Rath, this isn’t a list of to-dos.”
“Sure it is.”
“Uh-huh. So item number two, suck boss’s cock until he comes. That’s in the job requirements?”
“Files under miscellaneous.”
“And strut around in nothing but bra and panties while dusting boss’s office. What’s that file under?”
“Cleaning in uniform, obviously.”
She snorts. “And required dessert after lunch, Charlee’s pussy?”
“Yes, I’m famished today.”
She crumbles up the list and tosses it back at me. “You’re delusional if you think I’m doing that.”
“We’re on our own floor. No one will ever know.”
She folds her arms over her chest. “When we’re at work, we’re working. This morning we got a little carried away—”
Boss Man Bridegroom Page 27