The Boss Project(47)

I winked. “I might’ve enjoyed it a little myself.”





CHAPTER 15


Evie


Holy shit.

The next morning, I froze mid-step as I walked into the living room. Merrick was sound asleep on the couch, one arm slung across his forehead partially covered his eyes, but that was pretty much the only part of his body I couldn’t see. Well, that and one foot covered by the blanket I’d given him last night, which was now bunched up in a ball at the bottom of the couch.

And I couldn’t stop staring.

He wore only a pair of tight, black boxer briefs. I grew hot taking in his sculpted eight-pack, narrow waist, and the sexy V carved into his beautiful, tanned skin. Not to mention, there was a pretty large bulge in those skin-hugging underwear. Merrick Crawford was a sight in a suit, but this… This was next level. At any second, he could’ve opened his eyes and found me staring, but I was pretty sure even that wouldn’t have stopped my ogling. Some guilty pleasures were worth the consequences.

Damn. I might have to go back to my room for a little while, or maybe even take a cold shower.

But then Merrick shifted on the couch, and I held my breath while he settled in. I waited for him to open his eyes and find me drooling like a teenage girl. When he didn’t, I blinked myself back from my fantasy and managed to put one foot in front of the other and make it to the kitchen.

Fifteen minutes later, I sat at the table, drinking a cup of coffee and fantasizing about my boss’s body, when the door swung open. Merrick seemed surprised to see me.

“Oh, hey.” He raked a hand through his bed hair, which really worked for him. “What time is it?”

I pressed a button on my phone. “Seven thirty.”

He now had on his dress pants from last night, but still no shirt, and the top button of his slacks was unbuttoned. A thin line of hair led from his belly button down into the waistband of his underwear. It didn’t matter that he was now wide awake and standing only a few feet from me, my eyes had a mind of their own. They took a slow tour up and down his body. It was impossible for Merrick to not see it.

He shrugged. “Sorry. I don’t have any clothes until my luggage gets here.”

I tore my eyes away and lifted my coffee mug to my lips. “It’s only fair that you show a little skin after last night.” I pointed over my shoulder. “There’s coffee made.”

After Merrick poured his caffeine fix, he took the seat across from me.

“How did you sleep?” I asked.

“Pretty good. You?”

“Not bad.” It had taken me forever to fall asleep. Visions of me lying over Merrick’s knee, without a piece of glass in my ass, had played in my head over and over.

“I checked on Kitty just now. She’s still sound asleep.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I checked on her earlier, too. The doctor prescribed a pretty strong pain medication, and it makes her sleepy.”

“Ah... Well, that explains it. She’s usually up early.”

I sipped my coffee. “I was looking at flights on my phone before I got out of bed. There’s a five thirty direct into JFK this afternoon, if you want me to stay today so we can try to talk to her about going to a gynecologist.”

Merrick looked alarmed. “You’re leaving?”

“Well, yeah. I figure you’re here now, so things are under control.”

“I pride myself on having control of most of my life, but Kitty’s always been the exception. I have no control over that woman.”

I laughed. “Do you want me to see if there’s a later flight?”

“If later means tomorrow or sometime after that, the answer is yes.”

My brows pulled together. “Are you staying?”

“Yeah, but you can’t leave me alone with her—not to talk about her woman problems.”

“You actually sound a little afraid.”

Merrick shook his head. “Not a little. A lot. Can you stay? At least until tomorrow. Maybe we can play it by ear.”

“I guess so. I have some patients scheduled, but I suppose I could reschedule them. My boss is kind of a jerk, though. I hope he doesn’t mind me taking a day when I’m so new.”

“Your boss might give you a raise if you stay.”

I smiled. “That’s not necessary, but I’ll stick around a little longer if it makes you feel better. I’d do anything for Kitty.”

“It does.” His shoulders dropped. “Thank you.”

We finished our coffee while sharing stories about our grandmothers. When I got up to pour a second cup, I heard Kitty calling from the bedroom. “Yoohoo! Everly, darling, are you up?”

I smiled. “I almost forgot she doesn’t know you’re here yet.”

He lifted his chin. “You go first. I don’t want to scare her.”

I went down the hall to Kitty’s room. When I opened the door, Merrick stayed behind me, out of view. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, darling. I’m sorry to be a burden. Do you think you can give me a hand getting out of this bed?”

“I’d love to, Kitty, but there’s someone else here who might be a little stronger.” I stepped aside, and Merrick walked in.

Kitty’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Merrick! You’re here!”