My Hot Boss Read online

  My curiosity drives me to my feet and I peek around the door frame just as he steps up to my office door. Holy shit! It’s Grayson Cole.

  His blue-green gaze roams my body from top to bottom, lingers at my red heels then comes back up. “Emma?”

  I stare at him in shock. My mouth is gaping open and the memories of masturbating to him two times, ok, seven times flashes through my mind and my cheeks get hot. “Grayson,” I manage to say.

  Claire’s expression reveals her befuddlement. “You two know each other?”

  “Yeah, we met about a month ago,” he replies. His eyes still set on me, studying me.

  I’m pretty sure my face now matches my red heels. That night was a combination of one of the sexiest and most embarrassing moments of my life. I wanted to call him, I really did, but my stupid phone. Ugh! Mentally waves fist in air. Now he probably thinks I wasn’t interested or was too chicken to call.

  “My phone broke,” I blurt out.

  Claire looks from one of us, to the other, then slips out the door.

  “Your phone broke?” he asks questioningly.

  Good God, I can’t even think. He looks hot in his navy-blue suit, white collared shirt, silver watch, belt, matching pants, his shoes. Damn it! Why did I have to vomit on them that night?

  “Yes, after you left I dropped my phone and lost all my new contacts.”

  He smirks. “Uh-huh.”

  What? He’s not buying it. He even looks humored like I’m making this stuff up.

  “Whatever did happen, I think it’s best we keep that night between us. It’s not something that the staff should know about.”

  Seriously, why does life not offer do-overs?

  Awkwardly shifting my footing, I lean my butt against my desk. “I agree. So, should I call you Grayson, Mr. Cole, or Boss?”

  My lip slides between my teeth. Mmm, Boss, I like the sound of that. I’d like to chant that while he bends me over his desk. Wait, no! Stop thinking like that. This guy is your Boss now! You need to take him seriously.

  The mystery I remember seeing the night of the club glimmers in his eyes and his lips turn into a sexy grin. “Call me Grayson.”

  Are my thoughts that transparent? My cheeks grow warm. He probably knows what I was thinking.

  My mind is so rattled right now, I can’t even focus. I shake my head and pull my thoughts together. “Staff meeting. We should have one. That way, we can share our current projects and learn what you expect from us.”

  Adjusting his stance, Grayson straightens and clears his throat. “Yes. I’d like that. I’ll send a staff email today for a meeting tomorrow. Do you think that’s too soon?”

  “No, not at all. As long as you’re not the kind of Boss that drags on in meetings. Carl, our last Boss, liked to do that. We brought snacks to the meetings just so we could stay awake.”

  Grayson laughs and shakes his head. “I definitely don’t drag on. I like to keep a steady, satisfying pace.”

  Shit! Words like that do not help my restless libido right now! And my face won’t stop getting hot!

  Grayson grins and that sexy smile tells me he’s toying with me. Damn him!

  “I understand you’re the senior agent here? That means we’ll be spending a lot of time working together. Can I rely on you to answer all of my questions until I’m fully up and running?”

  All? There’s a hint of ambiguity to his emphasis on all. “Yes, of course. Anything you need.”

  “I’m going to need a lot from you, Emma. I hope you’re up for the challenge.”

  Grayson the panty-melter. That’s what his name should be because what he just said disintegrated them. “I like to be challenged.” Ok, that came out way too sexual.

  The corner of his mouth raises and he nods. “I’m pleased you’re on my staff, Emma. I’ll let you get back to work.” Grayson turns his back and looks over his shoulder before he disappears out the door. “Nice shoes, Princess.”

  Oh! This man is trouble!

  Claire comes rushing into my office as I take a breath and uncomfortably adjust in my damp, little panties.

  She closes the door behind her and folds her arms across her chest. “Start talking. How do you and Mr. Hottie know each other?”

  I grind my teeth. “He asked me not to say.”

  Her eyes widen and she sucks in a breath. “Did you two sleep with each other?”

  “No! I wish. I bet he’s a beast in the bedroom. He’s so sexy, controlled, and confident.”

  Claire giggles. “Your face is as red as your shoes.”

  “I believe it. He gets me all worked up.” I grab paperwork off my desk and start fanning myself.

  “So, what did happen if you didn’t sleep with each other? I mean, there’s obvious chemistry.”

  I purse my lips. “Can I share this with you, without it going anywhere? I mean anywhere. He’s our new Boss and we need to respect him.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Duh! You know you can. If not for being the Human Resources Rep then as your best bud. Now get to sharing.”

  “A month ago, we met at club Sin and hit it off. The sparks were firing. We danced, made out, and I was ready to go home with him and sleep with him; then I got sick, threw up all over his shoes. He still gave me his number, which amazed me. I was like, this is the incredible kind of guy I’m looking for. Then my phone broke. I couldn’t find him on social media. I was devastated. Haven’t stopped thinking of him, then Bam! He’s my new, hot Boss.”

  Claire leans against the door, smiling cheek-to-cheek. “Fate has handed you a second chance, Em. Don’t mess this one up.”

  Dropping the stack of papers in my hand, I move around my desk and sit down in my chair in a huff. “Claire, he’s my Boss now. That causes so many problems. You should know. You’re HR!”

  She laughs. “There’s nothing in the company policy about employees being in relationships.”

  Leaning back, I cross my legs. “But if it doesn’t work out, then we’ll have an awkward Boss and ex relationship. What if it ends so badly that I’m miserable at work? You know how much I love my job and living here. I don’t want to transfer. Besides, now that he’s my Boss, he probably has zero interest in any relationship.”

  Claire juts out her bottom lip, then sucks it back in. “You don’t know that and by the way he was looking at you, I’d say the interest is definitely still there.”

  I turn my head to the naughty manuscript on my screen then back to Claire. “Ugh! I need to get back to reading about this character’s amazing sex life. My own sucks. I’ll talk to you later.”

  Lunch time rolls around and I’ve completed, She Likes It Hot and am left with a full on bookgasm. I’m gonna have to tell the author her book needs to be sold with either condoms or vibrators. It’s cruel and unusual punishment to read it without either. Typing my thoughts into an email, I get it sent off to the author and offer representation. I feel so good each time I discover one. Authors send tens to hundreds of these kinds of queries and I’m sure when they finally get the response they’ve been waiting for, their whole world is changed, and I get to be a part of that. A smile raises the corner of my mouth as I hit send.

  Another email goes out to Lisa, our level one Agent, who sent the manuscript to me. Only the truly good ones make it past her, to my inbox, where I decide whether or not to offer representation. The last email goes to Grayson, letting him know an offer for representation has been issued. The next step will be for him to issue the contract if the author accepts my offer. Carl always trusted my judgment and never questioned my offers, hopefully, Grayson will do the same.

  Standing to stretch my legs and now starving for some nourishment, I open my office door and head to the lunchroom. My feet stop in their tracks. Grayson is in the center area, between offices, talking with Rachel. A knot tightens in my gut. Of all the women, she’s one I don’t want him talking to. Not that I have a say in who he talks to, but she’s a man-eater. Gobbles them up and spits them out, one after another.
She’s a brunette too, although her hair is more auburn. She flicks it off her shoulder and pushes her double D’s into his face. Of course he’s looking at them. How can you not when they protrude from her body like two giant basketballs?

  Granted, I have a nice rack myself, but I don’t flaunt these puppies out there like she does. I at least keep them covered. This is supposed to be a professional setting, after all. She laughs and touches his arm. I almost want to hurl on his shoes all over again, just so I don’t have to witness this. He smiles as he leans towards her. Gross! He actually seems interested in their conversation.

  Clicking my heels a little too loudly, I stroll past them, giving my hips a little extra bounce. I glance over my shoulder and see his eyes move up to my face from my ass. Rachel’s daggers are pointed at my back.

  That’s right, bitch. He’s mine.

  In the lunchroom, I place my chicken salad sandwich on my plate and open my smoothie. Grayson enters moments later, just as I’m about to carry it back to my office.

  “Emma.” He blocks the exit, standing in the frame of the door.

  “Grayson, I see you’ve met Rachel.”

  Grayson studies me and I wonder what is going through his mind. “Mm, hmm. She’s a nice girl. She sent me an offer she extended this morning.”

  “I just sent one, too, for She Likes It Hot.”

  Grayson touches his watch, then adjusts it. “I’ll take a look at it. Did you send me the manuscript?”

  “I did. The author has a fast-paced, but detailed style. She sucks you into the world she creates and honestly, the sex scenes are smoking hot.”

  His mouth twists into a sexy grin. “I can’t wait to take a look. It’ll be good to learn what you like.”

  What I like? How about your face between my legs or doggie-style? Mmm, yeah, I’d like that. Oh jeez, Em. Pull it together.

  Grayson steps closer, reducing the space between us and my body heats up. “I’d love to know what it is you’re thinking every time your cheeks get red like that.”

  My nerves send a prickling sensation across my skin. Busted! “Mmm, some thoughts are best kept private.”

  “That good, huh?”

  A chuckle slips out of my mouth. “Yes.”

  Grayson goes to speak, but then Rachel interrupts him. “Grayson, a few of us are going out to lunch. We’d love to take you out as a welcome to the agency. We’re heading to Segarro’s if you like their food.”

  Grayson turns, smiles appreciatively, then nods. “I’d love to.” He turns to face me, looks at the food in my hand, then back to my face. “Emma, you should come too.”

  If for no other reason than to keep Rachel’s mitts off Grayson, I decide to go. “Sure. Let me put this food away and then I’ll extend the offer to everyone, unless you were excluding staff members for some reason.” My gaze shoots to Rachel and she sneers when Grayson isn’t looking.

  “Of course not. The invitation is for everyone,” she singsongs.

  Bull shit, but nice save.

  “We’ll be heading out in five minutes,” Rachel announces.

  Grayson walks out and I hurry to put my food back in the fridge and rush to Claire’s office for backup.

  Claire shuts down her computer and gathers her purse. “Rachel’s after him? I mean, I shouldn’t be surprised, but I think his interest surprises me the most.”

  “He doesn’t know her like we do. He’s naive to her ways. Now hurry, I need to stop by my office and grab my stuff before she tries to leave without us.”

  Claire and I rush to my office. We make it to the lobby elevator, right as the doors are closing with it packed full of people including Grayson and Rachel. I see her snicker just before it shuts.

  My lip curls. “No doubt she planned that one,” I say to Claire.

  “Of course she did.”

  We wait for the elevator to return and make it to the first floor lobby. Rachel is standing with her arms crossed, irritation on her face. Grayson is looking at us stepping out of the elevator and the rest of the staff is lingering and chatting with one another.

  Grayson smiles at me as I approach. “Rachel said she thought you weren’t coming, but I thought we better wait, just in case.”

  I glance at Rachel, narrow my eyes, then smile at Grayson. “Thank you. That was very nice of you.”

  Together as a group, we walk the block to Segarro’s. Rachel ensures she gets a seat next to Grayson. I take the one across from him. He looks to me. “What do you like to get here?”

  “The Cuban sandwich.”

  Grayson closes the menu. “Sounds perfect.”

  The dark-haired waitress, wearing casual jeans and a pretty blouse, brings a tray with enough chips and salsa for all of us. “What would you like to drink?” she asks after placing them on our table.

  We rattle off our drink and then lunch orders.

  Grayson is watching me across the table and our eyes lock. He smiles warmly and I’m completely caught in his stunning gaze, remembering how incredible his lips felt when he kissed me. He nudges the salsa closer when I go to dip a chip and I smile. Rachel breaks our moment with her cutting voice.

  “Grayson, what made you decide to work for the Schmidt and Costello Agency?”

  Grayson’s attention switches to Rachel. “I enjoy reading and particularly enjoy the business of representing authors in getting their work published. I’ve had my eye on Schmidt and Costello for a while and received some inside information about Carl’s transfer. It felt like the right time to apply and make the move from a mid-size agency to a larger one.” Grayson returns his attention to me. “It worked out. I’m satisfied with my choice so far.”

  Rachel eyes Grayson looking at me and snarls. I can’t help smiling triumphantly. The rest of lunch continues with everyone asking Grayson questions and him returning questions about our job duties, current projects and getting to know each of us personally.

  When the checks come, Rachel snags Grayson’s. “We took you out today, so you’re not paying.”

  Grayson gives a warm smile. It’s clear he appreciated the gesture. “That’s very nice of you.”

  And Rachel goes for the win. She talks Grayson up the entire walk back. I linger behind staring at his incredible ass and grimacing at the sound of Rachel’s flirty laughter.

  Claire elbows my arm. “Why don’t you go up and talk to him?”

  “Mmm, I’d rather not look desperate. Seeing it on Rachel shows me how sad it looks.”

  Claire burst out laughing and Grayson and Rachel glance back at us. I shrug with a mischievous grin on my face. Grayson smirks and Rachel narrows her eyes. It’s a good thing she doesn’t have disintegrating laser beams coming out of her eyes, like Cyclops, or I’d be split in two.

  Back at the office, I close my door and bury myself in creating submission packets for publishers until Claire swings my door open, saying goodbye. “See ya, love. Don’t stay too long.”

  I grumble something inaudible and she laughs and closes the door. Pulling up my author spreadsheets, I update the rejections and requests to read. Lost in my work, I don’t realize what time it is. Sometime later, my office door opens and glancing at the clock I see it’s five-thirty, an hour past my time off. I glance over my shoulder to find Grayson watching me. “Why are you still here?” he asks with a frown.

  “Mm, don’t have anything to rush home to. At least here I’m doing something for someone.”

  I lean back in my chair as he enters farther into my office.

  “Why don’t you close up and we’ll go have a drink.”

  I click my tongue against my cheek. “Remember how that went last time? It didn’t work out too well. I ended up chucking all over your shoes.”

  Grayson laughs and the light, playful sound makes me smile.

  “It was the most interesting first impression I’d ever seen.”

  Rolling my eyes, I shut down my projects and turn off the computer. “Yeah, that makes me feel a lot better.”

  Stan
ding, I grab my purse and move toward him and my office door. He doesn’t move and now I’m standing inches from him. His beautiful eyes stare into mine and I see something in his that brings my latent lust back to the surface.

  “Did you really drop your phone?”

  “I did. I wanted to call you, truly.”

  “I was disappointed when you didn’t.”

  Fiddling with my fingers, I look away when the tension builds, then return to meet his sensual gaze, making it harder to say what I’m thinking. “I guess it worked out the way it was supposed to because now you’re my Boss.”

  The tips of his brows pinch inward. “That bothers you, that I’m your Boss?”

  “It has the potential to cause problems down the road, you know, if we’re intimate and it doesn’t work out between us.”

  Raising his hand, Grayson brushes my hair behind my ear. His soft hand grazes my cheek, and I close my eyes, inhaling his incredible scent.

  “You’ve thought of us then, being intimate?” His voice has taken on a sexual tone. I open my eyes. The same chemistry and desire we had at the club is radiating between us.

  “I have.” The words escape my mouth without thinking. It’s like his need to know the truth from me is a string pulling the honest words from my lips.

  Stepping closer to me, I can feel the warmth of his body. “I have too and I don’t care that I’m your Boss.”

  “Grayson.”

  “Emma?”

  Like a magnet pulling me in, I feel his lips meet mine. His lips are soft, his kiss seductive. My body buzzes to life, heat builds in my core, and I’m wet in a matter of seconds. He takes hold of my waist and then lowers his hand to my ass, pulling me against him as his other hand gets lost in my hair, gripping it in his fist as a sexual storm rages between our lips.

  Pushed backward, my ass hits the desk and his hand reaches down, touches my thigh, then slowly raises my skirt. Rubbing his thumb over my underwear, he toys with my clit, making me moan into his mouth.

  “You’re so damn gorgeous. I want to take you here, now, Emma. I want to bend you over this desk and fuck you senseless.”