Tempting The Boss

by Mallory Crowe

  “And he’ll have them. The guys here know what they’re doing. When my parents died, we had almost no funds for the funeral. So I gave the florist a very tiny number and they worked everything else out.”

  That was a tempting idea. Just step away and mark one thing off her ever growing list of priorities. “What if I don’t like it? What if it’s not impressive?””

  “Well, who knows more about flowers? Either of you, or someone who does it for a living?”

  Terry bristled. “I’m not handing over something this important to someone who has no idea what they’re doing.”

  Joslyn set a hand on his leg. “It’s not a huge job,” she agreed. “Terry and I can take care of it, Victoria. We both know you’re busy…”

  For a moment, Victoria almost thought Joslyn was insulting her. We all know work is more important than your father’s funeral. She pushed the thought aside. It was probably her own guilt for wanting to run as far and fast from the funeral planning as possible.

  Besides, Joslyn had been nothing but nice in the past day. At the hospital, she’d been sympathetic and absolutely supportive with Terry. Victoria knew it probably wasn’t easy for her to be pulled into all this family drama.

  The only one Victoria couldn’t understand was Dean. She had no idea why he was even still around. Sure, she’d hired him to hang around as added muscle for the plant trip, but now why was he here? Pity because he’’d been through this before? Did he actually want something more from her?

  She’d inwardly laughed at the thought. They got along okay, and the sex was mind-blowlingly good, but they really made no sense as a couple. She hadn’t had an actual boyfriend in over five years, and he didn’t once give any hint that he wanted more than what they had. It was a question she really should ask him, but she hadn’t been able to muster up the courage during the few times they were alone.

  First, the timing was horrible. Who wanted to have the relationship talk at a funeral parlor? Secondly, she didn’t even know what she wanted, so she wasn’t about to ask him. There were good reasons it had been so long since she’’d had a relationship. She’d spent the past few years digging Green & Sons out of the financial hole it had been in, and she rather liked her freedom.

  She’d grown up surrounded by men. Once she’d been old enough to live on her own, it had been a breath of fresh air. How was she supposed to handle sharing her life with someone who couldn’t possibly be more different from her?

  “So…flowers?” asked Joslyn.

  Victoria jerked her head up, only then realizing she’d been lost in her thoughts. “Sorry,” she muttered. “If you want to take over some of this, I’d be very appreciative.”

  Joslyn gave her a gentle smile. “Of course,” she said. “From now on, we’re sisters. Anything you need, just ask.” She held out a hand. “Let me put my number into your phone. That way you can get a hold of me if you have any questions.”

  Victoria took a steadying breath as she tried to muster up the energy to smile back at her brother’s fiancée. It was only twelve in the afternoon and all she wanted to do was crawl back into bed and rest. She was never this exhausted. And when was the last time someone programmed their number into her phone? It seemed like everyone these days had a business card to hand out. She keyed in her password and handed her cell over to Joslyn.

  But the smile she wanted never showed up. The emotional trauma of yesterday and her active night with Dean must’ve taken their toll on her, and for the life of her, she could not muster up any enthusiasm for her brother’s happy-go-lucky fiancée. ““Excuse me.” She pushed herself away from the table.

  She heard a chair scrape behind her and held the door to the office they were using open, expecting Dean to follow her. But instead, she looked back to see Terry.

  “Hanging in there?” he asked.

  Before she could answer, Dean also emerged in the hall, the stern look he’d worn all morning firmly in place.

  “I’m managing.” She narrowed her eyes at Dean in a silent warning to behave himself.

  Terry gave Dean a tight smile while Dean remained straight-faced. “Can I get a few minutes alone with Vicks?” her brother asked.

  Dean took a step closer to Victoria. “Your girl is neck-deep in flower arrangements. I’d rather stay out here.”

  At least he actually made up an excuse for coming out into the hall. But being squished between the two men in her life wasn’t exactly the breather she wanted. “Can I just have a few minutes alone, guys?”

  Dean set a hand on her arm and gave her a gentle but firm squeeze. “I don’t think you need to be alone right now.”

  She rolled her eyes, but before she could say anything, Terry spoke up for her. “If she wants to take a moment to herself, she’s allowed.”

  “It’s fine, Terry.” As much as she wanted to tell Dean exactly how much she wanted him to give her some space, she’d agreed to bring him along for a reason. Even if she didn’t think Terry was the one after her, someone was. And until she found out who, she didn’t want to be alone in public for one second.

  “No, it’s not fine. He’s been giving me the stink eye since the moment I met him and now he’s following you everywhere you go? What are you doing with this guy?”

  “You haven’t been around in years,” snapped Dean. “So don’’t show up out of the blue asking for a job and insulting your sister’s choice in men.”

  “Dean! Come on—”

  “What, Victoria? He already got what he wanted. He was around you for less than a week and you gave him a job. So if I want to tell him what I think, I will. Because you’re sure as hell not speaking up.”

  Terry held up his hands. “Whoa, whoa. Is that what you think? I’m only back for a job?”

  “He’s not back for a job,” assured Victoria, but it only seemed to make Dean more upset.

  “Stop defending him. Even if he’s a great guy who only wants to get along with his sister, he’s only been back for a week. Don’’t let this tragedy force you into making bad decisions.”

  Victoria took a deep breath and tried to remind herself why it was important to have Dean with her. All last night, he’d been so gentle and understanding. She was an idiot to expect him not to revert right back to his normal self in the light of day.

  She pushed through the funeral home doors and took some deep gulps of the warm city air. The streets and sidewalks were packed with the lunch rush, and Victoria leaned against the pristine marble front of the funeral home to take it in.

  No wonder Dad wanted to be laid to rest here in the heart of the action and bustle of New York. He liked the rush of driving in the crazy traffic, to look out his office window at all hours of the night and realize that the city slept as little as he did.

  She heard the door open beside her and debated for a second whether she even wanted to know who’d walked out. But she found out soon enough as a large, imposing shadow came over her.

  “What do you want, Dean?”

  “I wanted to apologize.”

  She raised a brow and looked him over. He certainly didn’t look apologetic, but she was willing to bet he could count on one hand the amount of times he’d apologized in the past decade. “You can apologize all you want, but somehow I doubt you’re sorry.”

  He ran a hand through his short hair. “What do you want me to do? I’m not going to let you be alone with him, Victoria. If you trust him, that’s good for you, but I’’m not going to let the bastard kill you just because you’re too forgiving.”

  “I’m not a fucking wilting flower, Dean. Do you have any idea who I am? What I’ve accomplished? I’m not afraid to speak my mind and, believe it or not, I’m able to read people.”

  Dean started to respond, but Victoria held up a finger to silence him. “And Terry didn’t just wander into North Carolina last week and woo me with his charm, okay? We had a great relationship before that one fallout.””

  He clenched his jaw and looked down at her with an inte
nsity that had her taking a step back, only to realize there was nowhere to go. She was trapped between him and the building. “I never said you were weak or stupid, okay? But Terry is a blind spot for you, and I’m not going to let him take advantage of that, even if you are.”

  “It’s not your responsibility to take care of me,” she reminded him.

  He bent down closer. Only a few inches of space separated their lips. “Did it ever occur to you that I don’t want you dead? Maybe, just possibly, I’m keeping you safe because I want you safe?”

  She struggled to find words, too confused by his words and the nearness of his body, by memories of all the things they’d done together as they flooded her mind. His scent filled her mind while she tried to remember the feel of his touch.

  “We barely know each other,” she said, not sure if it was directed more at him or herself.

  Dean let out a gentle sigh. “I know,” he muttered before he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “But I feel like we do.”” He pulled away. “We should go back in before someone comes looking for us.” He grabbed her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. “Are you ready?”

  She stared down at where their hands touched, unable to decide whether she should pull away or not. In the end, she gave in to her gut and squeezed his hand tighter. “Ready.” She braced herself to go back inside to face Terry’s judging eyes.

  Somehow, when Dean was next to her, it didn’t seem as daunting.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “Dean!” Katy screamed.

  He jerked up and jumped out of his bed. “Are you okay?” he called back as his mind became oriented after being jolted awake. Damn, it was seven in the morning. He’’d already overslept. Victoria would have her driver there to pick him up in thirty minutes.

  “You need to get down here!” shouted Katy from beneath him.

  He groaned. What the hell could be so important this early? Normally mornings weren’t hard for him, but he’d gotten hardly any sleep the night before. After a long, mostly civil, day with Victoria and her family, he’d driven with her to her apartment building and left her at the door, with the doorman’s assurances that he’d see her straight to the apartment.

  So her car had gotten him home by seven, but after feeding Rigby and taking care of the chores he hadn’t gotten done earlier in the day, he couldn’t shut off his damn mind. He thought of Terry and whether he really seemed like a killer. He thought about the customers he was supposed to be taking care of but kept referring to other qualified workers. But most of all, he thought of Victoria. It was impossible not to while lying in the same bed where she’d been just a night before.

  But this was the last day. She had the last of her bodyguard interviews in a few hours. Gordon had screened all the candidates, and she wouldn’t need him around anymore once she made her choice. From today on, she didn’t need any help from the broke electrician. Well, not quite as broke since he’d been hanging around her.

  And he didn’t need to be involved with anyone who thought he was sticking around for the money. One day. No kissing, no looking, no touching. How hard could it be?

  He almost laughed at the stupid question. It was almost impossible for him not to look at Victoria. Especially when she was deep into her work and didn’t notice him staring. Those were the worst moments.

  But ever since she’d first slept with him, stopping himself from touching her became fucking unbearable and he had no idea why. Maybe it had just been too long since he’d been with a woman. But Katy had seen him with Victoria and didn’’t freak out. Maybe it was time for him to try to date again. Or at least find someone to keep a casual relationship with. The idea of going out and meeting someone seemed abhorrent to him, but he had to admit he liked to spend time with Victoria.

  Not just the sex, but it was nice to have a conversation with a woman who wasn’t his teenage sister.

  “Dean!” shouted Katy again.

  One more day, he thought to himself again as he pulled on his dark jeans and a black sweater. He would rather wear something nicer to the corporate offices, but the only dress pants he owned were long past their expiration date. The employees were allowed to wear jeans, so this would have to do.

  He pounded down the stairs. “What?” he called as he reached the foot of the stairs.

  “You’re famous.” Katy strode over to him and held out her phone.

  “Huh?” He took the small device from her and frowned at what he was looking at. Was that a picture of him and, oh shit. Someone took a picture of him and Victoria kissing outside the funeral home. “Mother fucker!”

  Katy took a step back. “Whoa…”

  “Damn it, I’m sorry,” he muttered. “Where is this?””

  “Umm… everywhere? I had three phone calls this morning asking when you started dating Victoria Green.”

  Shit, shit, shit, shit. “What did you tell them?” He tried to keep his tone even and not accusatory, but he really hoped Katy didn’’t say anything stupid.

  She smiled a bit too wickedly for his tastes. “I did exactly what you would’ve wanted. I lied and said I had no idea. Aren’t you proud?””

  He let out a breath. At least one thing was going right. “I’ve never been so proud to raise a liar.”

  If Katy knew already, then Victoria must have some idea. Why hadn’t she called him to freak out or yell at him for not being more careful? The last thing she’d probably want would be for everyone to think she was involved with someone like him.

  She was more like Simon’s type. Someone rich and from boarding schools. Someone who was a member of a country club and had never had to choose between the electricity bill and the groceries.

  “So what are you going to do?” asked Katy.

  Dean ran a hand over his eyes, wishing he could go back to bed and give this morning a do-over. “I don’t know. Probably just ride it out. After today, I’m not dealing with Victoria anymore, so this should blow over soon enough.” It’s not as if the media would be interested in him. It was Victoria they were half in love with. “What are you doing up anyway?””

  She raised a brow. “Umm…my phone was ringing off the hook. I firmly plan on going back to bed.”

  He nodded. “Have any plans for the day?”

  “Nope. Just me and my buddy Rigby. I lead a glamorous life.”

  He frowned. She’d been inseparable from Becky for the first month of summer. He didn’t remember the last time Katy wasn’t working out or doing something with friends at least some point during the day. She wasn’t exactly the normal sit on the couch in front of the TV all day teen.

  But it was her summer vacation, and if she wanted a day to herself, that was fine.

  “Okay. I’m going to grab some food and Victoria should be sending a car over any minute. Hopefully traffic is nice because if I don’t get coffee soon, I think my head is going to explode.”

  Katy laughed and crossed over to the stairs. “Be safe, Casanova. If anything juicy happens, please let me know. You’re dating someone famous and I need to live vicariously through you!” Katy ran up the stairs, Rigby clattering up behind her.

  Dean rolled his eyes. The last person who would be getting periodic updates on this mess was Katy.

  Just as he pulled a few snack bars from the pantry, he saw the oversized black town car stop in front of the house. Damn, he’d like some coffee.

  He made do with a water bottle from the fridge and strode out of the house and to the car. The driver waited for him and opened the backseat door as Dean approached. Dean gave the man an uneasy smile as he climbed in, still not used to the service.

  His eyes widened when he saw the sexy as hell legs waiting in the car for him. His gaze traveled upwards until he met Victoria’s somber gaze.

  “Morning, Dean.”

  He hadn’t expected Victoria to be there, and, judging from her expression, he wasn’t going to enjoy what she had to say. It had to be two hours out of her way to come to his place and b
ack to Manhattan.

  “Morning,” he said hesitantly as he settled in.

  Apparently those two hours weren’t wasted, because her laptop was open and set to the side. She never was one to pass up the opportunity to work. She reached to the cup holder and handed him a cardboard coffee cup. “I thought you might appreciate this. Filled with sugar and milk, just how you like it.”

  “You got me coffee?” he asked. Trying to lighten the blow she was going to deliver?

  She shrugged. “It wasn’t exactly out of the way. I picked up some for myself and thought you might like one. Not sure how warm it is now, though.”

  He downed half the glass in two big gulps. “It’s perfect…”

  There was a brief silence and Dean knew that she knew. “So you went online this morning?”

  She snorted. “I didn’t need to. I had five phone calls first thing in the morning and,” she paused as though mentally counting, ““twenty emails this morning.”

  “Shit. I’m sorry, Victoria.”

  “Don’t worry, Dean. I figured something like this might happen.”

  He frowned. “You actually thought they would think we were together?”

  “The public loves a good love story. If the press can’t find one, they’ll make it up. Of course, I didn’t know that we’d actually…I mean…”

  “I got you,” he said. She never thought they’d actually be sleeping together if the story came out.

  “Yeah.” She gave him an awkward smile. “You know I only have the leftover interviews I couldn’t finish on Saturday and by six o’clock tonight, I should have one or two guys willing to watch me at any hour of the day.”

  He leaned back in the seat and tried to hide his grimace. He knew that Victoria worked around lots of guys just by virtue of running a chain of hardware stores. But he didn’t like the idea of her spending twenty-four hours a day with some muscle-bound military type with nothing better to do than stare at her ass.

  Hell, it’s what he’d spent all his spare moments doing around her. “And you don’t want me to get in the way,” he muttered. That was when he realized the car hadn’t moved away from his house yet. She never actually planned on taking him to the office today.