My Not So Wicked Boss (My Not So Wicked Series Book 3)

by Jennifer Peel

  “Hello.” I kept my eyes on Penelope, who was rubbing Miles’s shoulders. She was making everyone uncomfortable, even Henry, who threw a fruit snack at her. I loved that kid. It was a good aim too. It landed in her hair, making her squeal. I had to hide my smile.

  “Honey, it’s Mom. I have some bad news.” This was never a good conversation starter. My heart started pounding wildly thinking off all the possibilities, from my siblings being in an accident all the way to my mom hating Miles’s book. She was currently reading A Rose for Every Season.

  I turned around against my better judgment, praying Miles wouldn’t let his ex-lover hurt me. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s your dad. He’s an idiot.”

  Oh. That was a relief. I mean, not that I was happy to hear my father was an idiot, but it was better than a paralyzing injury or heart attack. “What did he do?”

  “I’ve told him a dozen times not to eat at the gas station near his office, but does he listen? No. He got an egg salad sandwich of all things there yesterday. He’s been up all night having it come out of both ends, if you get my drift.”

  Loud and clear. Yuck.

  “Honey, he’s so sorry, but he’s in no shape to take Chloe to the dance tonight. He’ll make it up to her.”

  I leaned against the refrigerator. “Is he sure he can’t take her?”

  “He fell asleep on the bathroom floor and he’s still running a fever. I know this means a lot to her, but I’m sorry, honey, it’s not possible.”

  “Okay,” I choked out. “I hope Dad feels better soon.”

  “We’ll try and make it to her game tomorrow if we can. I have another report for Miles.” Of course she did.

  I hung up, feeling ill.

  “Everything all right, love?”

  I jumped. I hadn’t realized Miles was standing behind me, too close for my own good. My entire body zinged and zanged. I gazed up into his tell-me-everything eyes.

  He hesitantly reached out and wiped an errant tear off my cheek. “What’s happened?”

  “My dad got food poisoning and he can’t take Chloe to the daddy-daughter dance tonight. She’s going to be crushed, especially after Leland’s brief appearance and then him skipping town. She was looking forward to dressing up.”

  Miles pressed his lips together. I could see the wheels turning in his mind. “What if I took her?”

  I could hardly believe I’d heard him right. “You have plans tonight. I don’t want to ruin those for you.” I peeked around him at his friends staring at us, one was shooting daggers at me with her eyes while the other two were egging me on.

  He glanced back at them for a moment before focusing right back on me. “Chloe is more important.”

  He had no idea what those four words meant to me. I flung myself against him and wrapped my arms around him. “Are you sure?”

  He enveloped me in his arms. “Absolutely.”

  “Thank you.” I breathed him in.

  “It’s my pleasure.”

  It was then I realized I belonged in his arms. How I longed to stay there, but I knew he was unsure, so I untangled myself from him. I was never again placing myself in a man’s arms who wasn’t one hundred and ten percent sure that’s where he wanted me to stay. “I’m sorry for . . . uh . . . you know . . . touching you . . . I mean, hugging you.” Why did I always sound like an imbecile in front of him?

  He leaned in and whispered in my ear, “You have my permission to touch me anytime.”

  I didn’t get to respond because Penelope cleared her throat so loud I thought she might have coughed up a lung. “You’re abandoning us for the night?”

  “We can go out for a late drink when I return from the dance.” Miles tried to placate her.

  “Wait.” I thought of something Chloe might find important. At her age, embarrassment was the worst and Miles’s dancing was, let’s say, unconventional. “Do you know how to dance properly?”

  Miles wickedly grinned before taking my hand and pulling me to him. Okay, I know I just said I would never place myself in his arms again unless I knew he was sure, but for the record, he put me there, not the other way around.

  He held my right hand out while his free hand rested on my back. He stepped forward and back then twirled me around before bringing me in very close to his body, proving he had some moves. “You’re not going to dance like that with Chloe, right?” I asked, breathless.

  “That move was for her mother only. I will treat her as if she were my own daughter.” He released me.

  He was seducing me with his words. I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek without even a second thought. “You don’t know what that means to me.”

  Miles rested his hand on the cheek I kissed. “I think I do.”

  I was about to get lost in his eyes, but Penelope was tsking and tapping her boots so loudly against the wood floors, it was going to give us all a headache. “So, what are we supposed to do while you’re out playing father dearest?” she spat.

  Oscar clapped his hands together. “We will help the lass get ready of course. She will be the belle of the ball.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Miles wasn’t lying when he said he had talented friends. Oscar and Molly came to the cottage and made my daughter feel like she was a movie star. Penelope opted to stay in the main house to pout and drink. Fine by me. She wasn’t really invited anyway.

  Molly had Chloe slip into a smock before they seated her in front of the vanity in the master bath. There they went to work on her. Molly did her makeup, giving her a natural look that only enhanced her beauty, while Oscar wanded, curled, and twisted her hair into perfection. When he was done, she had a lovely low bun updo with tiny blossoms placed sporadically throughout her hair.

  Once I had her all to myself and got her into her dress, I couldn’t hold the tears back. I stood in awe of her. “You are so beautiful.”

  She looked down at her dress and heels then stared at herself in the full-length mirror in my bedroom. “I feel like a princess.”

  “You look like one too.” I wrapped my arms around her from behind. “Are you sure you don’t mind that Miles is taking you?”

  She didn’t even have to think about it. “I’m sorry grandpa’s sick, but I’m glad Miles can take me. He’s treated me more like a daughter than my own dad.”

  “He’s a good guy.”

  “Mom,” she looked at me through the mirror, “are you and Miles dating?”

  “No,” I answered quickly.

  “Oh,” she said, disappointed. She turned and faced me. “How come?”

  “Honey, he’s my boss.”

  “Yeah, but he’s more than that. He and Henry are like our family now.”

  I smoothed her cheek with my hand. “In some ways, yes.”

  “I can tell he makes you happy.”

  “No one can make you happy.” I kissed her brow.

  “That’s not true,” she stated boldly. Miles was right, she was cheeky, and I loved it. “You make me happy and I know I make you happy, so why can’t you admit Miles makes you happy?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “No, it’s not. You both like each other.”

  “Yes, we do.” I couldn’t lie to her.

  “Then do something about it.”

  “What should I do about it?” I couldn’t believe I was asking my twelve-year-old for dating advice.

  She flashed me her cute, crooked grin. “Tell him how you feel.”

  I hugged her. “Honey, it’s never that simple.”

  I could feel her rolling her eyes against me. “You’re just scared.”

  Yep.

  Miles saved us from our conversation by knocking on the cottage door. Oscar opened it and let him and Henry in when Chloe and I walked out. We were swapping kids for the night.

  I wasn’t prepared for how good he would look in a suit and tie. I hardly noticed Henry clinging to my legs for staring so hard at his uncle. It was like the black suit was invented especial
ly for him. I literally had to bite the insides of my cheeks before I took Chloe’s advice and told him exactly how I felt, right down to wanting to grab the lapels of his jacket and kiss him like the first time, but forever. The corsage he held in his hand only made him more attractive. He insisted on picking up the one my dad had ordered for her. Chloe was right. He made me happy.

  Molly straightened Miles’s red tie for him. “Darling, you look smashing.”

  Yes, he did. I wanted to smash myself against him. I couldn’t think like that. I was a mom.

  Oscar got out his phone. “We need pictures. Lots and lots of pictures.”

  Miles approached me and Chloe. He threw me a wink before he addressed Chloe. “You look very pretty tonight,” he complimented Chloe. He took the cream rose wrist corsage out of its plastic container. “Can I have the honor of placing this on you?”

  She held out her left hand. “Yes, but don’t be so formal in front of my friends. You’ll freak them out.”

  Miles chuckled while placing the corsage. “Duly noted.”

  Chloe admired the roses around her wrist. “Thank you. You really are the best.”

  Miles stood a little taller. “Your grandfather did pick it out.”

  “Yeah, but you picked it up and you’re taking me last minute.”

  “Pictures, pictures,” Oscar called. “Let’s get some of Miles and Chloe and then some of the four of you. You all are too adorable for words.”

  I held Henry in my arms while Chloe and Miles got their pictures taken. They were doing goofy “dad and daughter” poses. They stood back to back and made silly faces. It was enough to make me want to fall in love with the man.

  “Now the four of you,” Oscar motioned for us all to stand together.

  I ran my fingers through my hair. “I think pictures of Chloe and Miles are good enough. I’m a mess.”

  “Have you lost the plot?” Molly felt my forehead. “Have you seen anyone as fetching as her?” Molly asked Miles.

  Miles looked me over from head to toe in my mom clothes—jeans and a sweatshirt. “I’ve never seen anyone more lovely.”

  My cheeks flushed red. Chloe gave me an I-told-you-so look. Molly pushed me toward Miles. Miles put his arm around me while I held Henry, and Chloe took Miles’s other side.

  Oscar patted his heart. “I’m getting all verklempt.” He snapped several pictures. “I’m tagging you in all these photos, Miles, my social media pages need a boost.”

  “How do you feel about that, Aspen?” Miles asked.

  “I’d rather not have Chloe subject to all your adoring fans.”

  “Understandable,” Oscar agreed. “In that case, we need one of just you and Miles.”

  “No. No. No. I look like a slob compared to him.”

  “Nonsense, lovey,” Oscar insisted.

  Chloe took Henry from me and gave me a mischievous grin.

  “Just take one of Miles by himself, or how about I take one of you, Molly, and Miles,” I suggested.

  “We’re old news,” Molly commented. “The two of you will garner much more attention.” She wiggled her brows.

  Miles whispered in my ear, “Just one, please?”

  “Fine,” I sighed through my shivers.

  “Close together,” Oscar instructed.

  Miles put his arm around me, and I looked up at him as he gazed down at me. I didn’t realize Oscar had even snapped a picture.

  “If that doesn’t say it all.” Oscar showed his phone to Molly who fanned herself. Oscar held the phone up to us and he was right, my feelings were spelled out in one look. It said, I’m willing to climb the wall again. Will you be my climbing partner? Miles’s gaze said, What am I going to do about you? That was a good question.

  Penelope thought she had the answer to it. She decided to pay me a visit after everyone left and it was only Henry and me. Henry had fallen asleep on my couch while we watched Toy Story. I wouldn’t have answered the door had I known it was her. I thought maybe it was Chloe or Miles, but I should have known better since they both had keys to the cottage. I supposed it was wishful thinking. I was anxious to see how their night had gone. Chloe had texted me some pictures of some of the other dads getting autographs from Miles. A lot of men did read his books, but you wouldn’t know it by the women who followed him online. You would have thought he was writing romance novels.

  When I opened the door, Penelope was standing there with mascara stains under her eyes. “Can I talk to you?” she hiccupped.

  I felt sorry enough for her that I let her in.

  She settled into the comfy chair across from the couch where I sat watching over my slumbering angel.

  “Why are you here?” I asked, point blank. I wasn’t going to pull any punches with her.

  She wiped her eyes and flipped her angular hair. “I came to warn you that this isn’t real. The Miles you think you know is a façade.”

  I tried not to squirm in my seat. I didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of knowing her words bothered me. “What makes you say that, other than your jealousy?”

  “You think I’m jealous of you? I do photoshoots for Vogue and Cosmopolitan. I travel the world capturing the rich and famous. Why would I be jealous of a childminder?” she choked.

  I folded my arms. “You tell me.”

  She pulled her thin black sweater around her. “I’m not jealous,” she lied, “because this isn’t real. Miles loves his work and freedom. And I don’t care how much you resemble his precious Isabella; he’ll always love her more than you. You don’t know him like I do. He runs from commitment at every turn. You should have seen the state he was in when he got landed with his nephew.” She pointed at Henry. “He’s all kisses and stories now, but mark my words, it won’t last. As soon as he can, he’ll ship the brat off to a prep school.”

  “Don’t call Henry a brat,” I snapped at her. I wasn’t going to let anyone talk about my Henry that way.

  She sneered at me. “Yes, I saw that picture you drew. The one Miles gushes over like you’re bloody Picasso. But I see right through it. You think loving his nephew will make Miles love you? By his own admission, he’s not capable of loving anyone but himself.”

  “That’s where he’s wrong.”

  Her laugh bordered between mirthful and evil. “Listen to you. You are a naïve poppet.” She stood up. “Do yourself a favor and open your eyes. As soon as he doesn’t need you anymore, he’ll move on. He always does.”

  I stood too, ready to see her out. “It sounds like maybe it’s you who needs to move on.”

  My words were much braver than I felt. What if she was telling the truth? His words kept playing in my head that he didn’t want to hurt me and all he could offer was friendship. Maybe this was why. But it didn’t add up. His actions said otherwise. Take tonight, for example. He saved my daughter from devastating disappointment. And he loved Henry. I saw it in eyes. Sophie wouldn’t have left Henry to him if she thought he was incapable of love.

  Penelope’s lips curled into a snarl. “Don’t worry about me, love, it’s you who has the most to lose here.”

  Would I be the loser again?

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  I didn’t sleep well at all, so I gave up tossing and turning around five in the morning and decided I would properly thank Miles and make him some orange scones for breakfast. By all accounts Chloe had the best time. Apparently, Miles was the life of the party, getting them all to do a Congo line and the Macarena. Chloe giggled in my bed about it until she fell asleep there. She hadn’t done that in forever. I watched her sleep most of the night as Penelope’s words ran through my mind. It wasn’t only my heart on the line, it was Chloe’s too. I could tell she was becoming fond of Miles. That she wished for a father figure like him in her life.

  I think Chloe was right—I needed to tell him the truth, but after his friends went home. Well, one friend in particular. I was tempted to back out of going to the comedy club with them tonight, but my friends were curious about Miles’s
friends, especially the ex-lover. I’ll tell you this, she had some nerve. You would never catch me staying at Leland’s house, and that’s not only because he couldn’t afford a house.

  Miles said he would take care of Henry this morning when he woke up, but I couldn’t help but head over to check on him. I missed the tyke, and there was nothing like his sweet smile first thing in the morning. I let Chloe sleep in since her game wasn’t until mid-afternoon. I arranged some scones on a plate and wrote a thank you card for Miles before I made my way to the main house. The trek each morning on the cobblestone path was getting colder and colder. My hoodie and athletic pants were barely adequate to keep me from shivering.

  When I walked in through the mudroom, I was surprised to hear voices so early on a Saturday. More surprising was to hear my name. I stopped and listened more intently. It sounded like Miles and Oscar were in the kitchen.

  “Bloody hell, what a mess you’ve created for yourself. Why don’t you just fire Aspen already then?” Oscar asked.

  My breath ceased, waiting to see what Miles would say.

  “Believe me, if that would solve the problem, I would do it now.”

  The plate and scones dropped to the tile floor, making an earsplitting clang when the plate broke in several pieces. Dammit. I stood there looking at the broken glass and crumbled scones, shaking, not sure what to do. He wanted to fire me? Penelope was right. I was a naïve poppet. In my panicked state, I left the mess and headed for the door.

  Miles and Oscar came rushing in to investigate before I could escape. Their wide eyes looked between the mess on the floor and me.