Page 9 of The Boss

From the lists of tasks he presented me with, it's clear that there’s plenty to do, if I wanted to stick around a bit longer. Then I could explore this random sudden heat I feel whenever Boss is near me. Frankly, it’s making my heart beat off-kilter.

I start in on a deep clean of the kitchen as he explains some of the billing and invoicing procedures while juggling a flurry of incoming texts. Apparently, the road being out has messed up the delivery of some supplies they were expecting, so some stuff has to be transferred from the horse stables to the goat shed.

I've just sunk myself elbows-deep into scrubbing out the oven when I hear Boss groan. "Something wrong?" I call out.

"No. Well, yeah. I need to go check on the goats, since everyone else is dealing with the road situation." From where I'm kneeling on the floor, he towers over me. "I don't like leaving you here in a strange place all alone."

"You said strangers never come here to the ranch though, right?"

He nods. "True. And I'll only be half an hour."

He gently takes hold of my elbow and helps me to my feet. I can't hug him, since I'm wearing big green rubber gloves, but Boss grabs me around the waist, kissing me with a fire that seems completely out of place considering we're in his work kitchen.

“I like having you here," he murmurs against my ear. "Not just for cleaning. Or for help with paperwork. I like you. Your energy. Your sweetness." His hands drop to squeeze with both hands. "And this sexy ass."

I wave my gloves in his face. "Watch it, buddy. Or you'll have oven cleaner down the front of your shirt. Then there really will be a toxic chemical spill on the property.”

His hand slips into my hair, tilting my head to trail a line of kisses along my throat. My knees buckle from the way he holds me, switching from business to seduction in a blink.

A soft growl rumbles in his chest. “Back soon. Don’t leave this building, angel.”

His bossy tone gives me tingles. I watch his firm ass as he walks away in his worn jeans, then sigh. This can’t be real. I’ve heard so many horror stories about men stringing women along for years without expressing their feelings. Meanwhile, I’ve known this man for less than twenty-four hours and he’s already said that he likes me.

I fall into a trance while finishing up the oven, then scrubbing every corner of the kitchen. I also put on a fresh pot of coffee, figuring that Boss will be back soon.

Should I call him Falcon? I’m not really one of his employees, am I? The thing is, he feels like Boss. The guy in charge of this ranch. Of everything, really. The guy with his life completely under control.

"Hey, who's the genius asshole who put on fresh coffee for me?" A tall, broad-shouldered man in a gray plaid flannel shirt shuffles into the kitchen, then pulls up short. "Oh. Sorry."

“It’s fine,” I laugh, grabbing a mug and pouring him a cup.

He saunters over and takes a sip. “Whoa, this is better than usual. What did you do?”

“Ran a vinegar rinse through the machine to descale it, then put in a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon. Not enough so that you taste it, but it boosts the flavor.”

“It sure does.” He takes another sip, nodding appreciatively. "Did someone secretly hire a cute little coffee fairy to take care of us?" he asks with a grin.

Boss steps through the door wearing a scowl. He heads over to me, wrapping an arm around my waist and nuzzling my neck. “I’m sorry I left you alone, angel. Everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine,” I laugh.

The guy is already backing away. “Settle down, man, I’m just here for the coffee.”

As soon as Boss is breathing me in, he straightens up, the storm in his eyes cleared. “Etta, this is Hunter. He wrangles the cattle, goats, and whatever else we end up with.”

Hunter shakes my hand politely, keeping a wary eye on Boss. “Nice to meet you, Etta. Thanks for the coffee.”

After he leaves, I turn to the man pouring himself a mug as if oblivious to what just happened. "What was all that about?"

He opens his mouth to speak, then snaps it shut again. He stares into the depths of his coffee mug before setting it down with a sigh. "I'm honestly not sure, Etta. I've never had that kind of reaction before."

Boss looks at me, blinking in surprise. "I heard a male voice call you cute and something snapped. Even though I knew it was one of my guys, who would never hurt you."

Geez, I'm not going to mention that Hunter inadvertently called me a genius asshole, then. Boss will definitely not find that nearly as funny as I did.

"I know it must look like I’m a jealous jerk," he continues. "I don't think I am. I'm just… overprotective, I guess. And I'm trying to figure out how to beg you to stay for at least a week so this…" He points back and forth between us. "Can be sorted out."

"Sorted out? Like I'm a puzzle that needs to be solved?"