“Gross,” I mumbled when the rubber touched my face.
Leaving the sink to fill, I went to answer the door.
“Hello,” I called airily, “Sweetie out again?”
My breath caught in my throat. There on my front stoop stood none other than Mr. Discipline himself. A strand of his dark hair hung sexily over one eye. His jeans hung from his hips just so—the way that made you want to pull them off with your teeth.
“Who’s Sweetie?” he asked, shoving past me. I closed my gaping mouth as Garrett made his way into my house. Uninvited and unannounced. Looking around he asked, “Doing a little housekeeping? Is that running water I hear?”
“Shit,” I muttered under my breath, pushing past Garrett and rushing to the sink. A huge cloud of lavender scented bubbles was mounding within the sink, spilling over the front of the cabinets. Water and suds ran over the floor. “Double shit!”
As I hurried to turn off the faucet, I slipped in the sudsy water, falling right smack down on my rump with a loud, “Oomph!”
“You okay?”
I looked up to see Garrett, leaning in the doorframe. His shoulders shook as he chuckled at me.
“Get out,” I growled between my clenched teeth, tears of fury stung the backs of my eyes.
The laughter on his face melted away, his gaze softening as he looked me over. He reached his hand out to me, offering to help me up.
Swatting it away with my yellow glove I struggled to my feet. “What part of get out do you not understand, Mr. Garrett Love? You may be the boss at your fancy ranch, but you are not the boss here at One Twenty-Three Peach Street. I can assure you of that.”
The smile was now gone from his face. Crossing his arms over his chest he leaned on the doorframe. When he spoke, his voice was gentle. “I came to apologize.”
The words hit me just as I was throwing my hands on my hips to go into another rant about where his jurisdiction of power stopped.
“Really?” I opted to cross my own arms over my chest—less sassy of a stance and hear him out.
There was a twinkle in his eyes as he spoke. “I’m sorry.”
“You should be. That contract was ludicrous at best, and had to be all kinds of illegal...”
Holding a large, perfectly formed hand out to stop my rant he interrupted me. “I’m not sorry about the contract.”
My jaw dropped open, but no words came out.
“I still hope you sign it.” Reaching out, he placed the tip of his finger under my chin closing my mouth for me. Then with the back of his clean, soap scented hand he wiped the bubbles from my face. His warm gaze locked on mine. “You are adorable; you know that?”
Bella Buchanan—uncharacteristically—was still speechless.
Returning to the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest, he said, “What I said at the ranch still stands. And I would like very much for you to work for me. But that’s not why I came here.”
Coming out of my trance I threw my hands on my hips where they belonged and demanded, “Then tell me why you are here?”
“To tell you I’m sorry. I should have driven you home myself.”
“Do you really think I would have risked being in the car alone with you after finding out about your crazy contract?”
He chuckled. “Well, at least, I should have offered.”
“That’s very nice,” I said curtly. Waving my hand around my house, I asked, “Now, can I get back to my spring cleaning?”
Raising a curious brow to me he asked, “Is it always this tidy in here?”
A blush rose from the base of my neck all the way up to my cheekbones. “Yes.”
His dark brow knitted, his eyes narrowed at me. Jaw set, he gave me ‘the look’. The one that told you he was not a man to be messed with. That dishonesty came at a price. And the same one that melted my panties right off my body.
Clearing my throat, I decided honesty was the best policy with this man. “Um, no. Okay? I started cleaning after your henchman dropped me off. Are you happy now?” I was humiliated but at least I had told the truth.
“I am happy. This place was a pigsty.”
“How rude—and how would you know…”
“I have my ways.”
So, Gary was not only a driving service but also a spy. I had wondered why the big man had seen me to the door.
“Well, if you are so bothered by the mess, why don’t you help me with these dishes?”
There was ‘the look’ again. My body betrayed me, and I felt a dampness where I shouldn’t.
“Who made the mess, little girl?”
Cheeks burning, I had no idea what made me answer him. I should have kicked him out and never spoken to him again. But something in his stern gaze, his masculine stance, maybe just the fact that he cared what my house was like, made me squeak out my embarrassed answer.
“Me.”
“Then you need to clean it up yourself.”
Why was I letting him talk to me like a child who hadn’t done her chores? Finally gaining a resemblance of composure, I demanded, “What is it to you?”
He took a step towards me. Uncrossing his arms, he placed a hand lightly on my shoulder. His eyes locked on my face, but I could only look at the ground as he spoke. “Bella, I care about you. And I want you on the ranch.”
“Then don’t spank me,” I muttered, feeling silly at my childish words and still unable to meet his gaze.
“You need it.”
I mumbled incoherently, “I most certainly do not. I am a grown woman and—” He moved his body closer to mine. His broad chest was inches from me. His nearness interrupted my thoughts, stopping my words.
Leaning down, his face so close I could smell the scent of his woodsy aftershave, his low voice rumbled, “I know you want it. You are just a naughty little girl who needs the discipline of a grown man.” Pulling away suddenly and leaving me shivering in delight and shame, he took a step back, flashing me a cocky smile. “See you at seven—sharp. Don’t be late.”
Turning on his heel with his back towards me he made his way to the front door. With a flick of the knob he locked it, calling over to me, “You need to keep this locked from now on. You never know who might come in here.” Then pulled the door closed behind him.
I literally fainted onto my couch unable to trust my quaking knees to hold my weight. I wanted him to come back in here and thrust what I knew had to be a healthy dose of cock inside me and cure the aching he had created. And I wanted to slap his face so hard my angry red handprint would still be on it when he got back home.
How dare he.
Looking at the contract I had thrown on my coffee table earlier that day, I tried to process my options. I could go get a job at McDonalds –which I would probably quit a week later. I could remain unemployed and prepare to live in my car on the side of the road. Or I could clean up my act and take the respectable, good paying job at the ranch, earning a stable income and hopefully the respect of my son. And get my ass spanked by my hot domineering boss.
Who was I kidding? One raise of his eyebrow and I was dripping for the stern cowboy. But could I allow myself to accept such a proposition? I picked up the contract, reading further down the page.
‘In exchange for an honest day’s work, Bella will be paid a generous salary and given one meal a day at the ranch house with the other employees. Bella will complete the tasks set before her and obey her boss’ commands or be disciplined. Should she be non-compliant and not adhere to the strict policy, her employment will be terminated.’
“Obey? This man is truly archaic.” Tossing the papers on the coffee table, I leaned back on the sagging pillow of my couch snapping my eyes shut. The mental picture of Garrett pulling down my jeans and bending me over his desk, his big hand coming down with a loud smack on the bare skin of my bottom filled my mind and warmed my insides.
Reaching down I unbuttoned my jeans and slipped my finger underneath my panties. I was dripping wet. And he hadn’t even touched me—
not really. Just stood kind of close, delivering his stern words and giving me that look. I groaned as a blush of shame rose onto my cheeks as my finger moved faster between my slick folds. My hips started to move as I pictured Garrett flipping me over, sitting my bare punished ass up onto his desk and slamming his…
“Knock knock, Miss Bella. Sweetie is out again, and I need your help.”
“Holy shit!” I jumped up from the couch zipping my fly. Disgusted at myself I ran my fingers over the denim of my jeans. “Oh man.”
I ran to the door, flinging it open with a smile on my face. “Hi, Mr. McAllister!”
“Is it hot in there? Your face sure is flushed. Your air conditioner out again? Want me to look at it?”
“No, no. Let’s go find your cat.” I hurried out to join him, brushing by Mr. McAllister and heading to the bushes where I knew the long-haired tortie would be hiding.
A half hour later after seeing Sweetie and Mr. McAllister home, I returned to my house exhausted from my day. I smirked to myself as I locked the door behind me. Boss’ orders. Throwing myself on my sagging couch, my gaze once again went around my slightly cleaner house.
I no longer found it bohemian and charming. It was just lonely and sad. My cleaning hadn’t even gotten it that clean. It still seemed stale and messy… and unloved. My only visitor that month had been Mr. McAllister and Oliver. Mr. McAllister always went home with his cat. Oliver, looking embarrassed had spent only one night this time, apologizing profusely that he had been invited to two birthday parties the next day and didn’t want to hurt his buddies’ feelings.
Two visitors all month. Three—actually. Lucky number three being the handsome, sexy as hell, spanking cowboy boss.
My eyes bore into the white pages that lay on the table before me. “What the hell? What do I possibly stand to lose?”
Shoving trinkets and trash that I must have missed in my cleaning frenzy to the side, I found a pen in the overflowing drawer in the coffee table. I put the nib of the pen to the line on the top of the paper beside the typed words, “Bella Buchanan.” Squeezing my eyes shut tight, I signed my name.
Chapter 2
Bella
Honk!
My eyes flew open. I stretched, yawning and trying to clear my head from the dream I had been having. Early morning sunlight streamed through the curtains. Looking around me I realized I had fallen asleep on my couch. I hadn’t even showered, too worn out from the cleaning and thinking over that contract.
“Oh, shit!” Not only had I not showered I was wearing the same outfit as yesterday and the jeans I had wiped my hands off on after my moment of weakness on the couch last night. I looked out the window. There was Garrett’s pristine gray pickup. Yesterday he had said he would only honk once.
“Double shit,” I whispered to myself. Running to the door, I threw it open, throwing on my best wide awake been up since dawn smile and shouted, “Be there in just a sec, Garrett.”
Slamming the door before he could respond I hurried back to my room and grabbed a clean pair of jeans. I couldn’t find any clean underwear, so I’d just go without. No time for a shower, I pulled on the jeans and a lightweight baby pink sweater that I had found hanging in the closet.
I pulled my long hair into a high ponytail. Leaning down I gave my armpit a little sniff. Not too bad. Just to be safe I sprayed my vanilla bean body spray over my sweater in the hopes it would cover up any odor I had obtained during my cleaning spree.
Grabbing my purse, I headed for the door. My hand on the knob, ready to turn, I paused. “Right, contract.”
I turned back into the living room eyeing the piece of paper momentarily. It was now or never. I would do this for Oliver and the stability it would bring him. Hell… I would do this for me. Because the hard truth I had had to face last night was that I did need this job. I did need the discipline Garrett could offer me.
Picking up the contract I rushed out the door.
When I arrived at the truck I took a deep breath gathering myself before opening the passenger side door.
“Good morning,” I said brightly. Considering the face of the stern cowboy boss in the seat, I held my breath waiting for him to speak.
His long finger tapped the clock on his dashboard. “Seven fifteen. But we can address that at the office.”
I gulped nervously.
“That the contract?” he asked, looking at the papers as he turned over his shoulder, backing down my driveway.
“Yes,” I whispered quietly.
“Good.” He turned the wheel, cautiously looking both ways before pulling out onto the road. “You get your dishes done?”
Oops. “I, ah, I had to help my neighbor find his cat then I kinda fell asleep on my couch. But I’ll get to them tonight.” Why was I explaining to him about my dishes? Surely the cleanliness of my kitchen didn’t fall under his umbrella of authority. Sneaking a peek at his hard jawline I suddenly had a feeling that he thought it did.
“Good.”
The tension that ran between our bodies made me sit rigid in my seat. Did he feel it too? A mix of sexual energy and something else—dominance balanced with a new submissive state that I kept finding myself in around Garrett. I had no idea what it was, but it was making me squirm in my plush leather seat.
“When we get to the ranch we’ll go straight to my office. There are a few things I’d like to address.”
“Okay.” I gulped, looking out my window to avoid catching glimpses of his stunning profile.
“How long do you think your car will be out of commission?”
Forever. I had no idea what was wrong with old Bessie but I did know one thing. There was not enough money in my bank account to cover what it would cost to fix her. I waved my hand casually in the air. “Oh, not too long. I’ve just got to get her down to my mechanic for a peeksie-poo. He’s the best. He will have that old Wagoneer running…” I trailed off unable to finish my lie.
“I can loan you the money—an advance on your salary, if you need it.” He shot me a knowing look.
“Maybe. It’s just that I make it a habit to not borrow money.”
“Like you make it a habit to quit your jobs for no good reason?”
My head slowly turned on my neck until I was all the way facing him. My cheeks burned with anger as I pronounced the words, “Excuse me?”
“I do a reference check on all of my employees. You left your last job as a secretary for Bob’s Tires citing ‘irreconcilable differences’.”
“That’s because Bob was pushing more than just used tires on people. He would rub up against me and had this gross look he would give me. Like he was at an all you can eat buffet serving baby back ribs.” I shuddered at the memory of my lecherous last boss.
“And the job before that?”
“At the kennel?”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t get along with the groomer. He was such an ass and whenever we boarded overnight guests he would refuse to bathe them—”
“And the HEB?”
“Unfair hours. I didn’t have a Saturday off for two months…”
“And the cleaners?”
“I swear one of the girls was stealing jewelry from our clients. I didn’t want to get mixed up in that.” I didn’t add that it turned out I had also been terrible at cleaning and was most likely going to be fired. He had probably already figured that out from his visit last night.
“Seems like a lot of jobs.” His eyes cut to mine. “And a lot of excuses. What’s it going to be at the ranch?”
“What’s what going to be at the ranch?”
“Your excuse to me when you try to quit?”
“I haven’t even had my first day. Why are you saying I’ll quit?”
“Because that’s what you do. You have quite a track record. But you’ve never had a boss like me.”
His hand went to my knee, giving it a hard squeeze that made me gasp.
“I won’t let you get away with that crap. You are in for a rude, muc
h needed awakening, Ms. Buchanan.”
My face was on fire, my eyes stinging with angry shamed tears. I had nothing to say so I sat quietly, trying to swallow as my throat tightened. My only consolation from the harsh reality check was that his hand did not leave my knee.
When we arrived at the ranch I jumped out of the truck as fast as I could, wiping at my eyes when I was sure Garrett couldn’t see me. Taking a deep breath, I steeled my nerves. I could do this. I had to do this. Failure was not an option.
“This way,” he said, calmly. I pasted a confident smile on my face, but he went walking in front of me without so much as a backward glance. Garrett led the way to his office.
Flip-flop, flip-flop went my stomach as I followed my new boss on shaking legs. He stood at the door—tall and calm and confident—waiting for me to enter. With a gulp, I stepped over the threshold into the office of my boss. The door shut with a soft thud. I heard the click of the lock.
He was going to spank me. I was going to be spanked. In this office. On this ranch. With eyes and ears all around. My bottom wiggled back and forth on the hard-wooden chair. Garrett Love sat across from me at his desk with his elbows resting on his desk calendar. Each square was filled out in his neat penmanship.
“I’ll take the contract, now.” He reached out to me expectantly.
The papers were slightly crumpled inside of my damp hand. Hesitantly, I held them out to him.
Taking them carefully, as if they were worth a lot of money, he placed the papers on the desk, giving me a stern glance as he smoothed the creased paper.
“You read it?”
I nodded.
A brow raised in a questioning arch. “All of it?”
“Yes,” I hissed, stopping myself just before rolling my eyes. My nerves had me on edge as I had no idea what to expect.
He gave me a hard look but didn’t call out my obvious lie.
“The best way to set the tone and expectations of our boss/employee working relationship is to get right down to it. Don’t you think?”
I gulped. “Right down to what… exactly?”
Boss Of Her Heart Page 3