Those Three Words: A Single Dad, Billionaire Boss Romance(48)

Her tone is that sickly-sweet one she uses with me when she wants something. She thinks I haven’t caught on, like she actually has some sort of sway over me because of our one night of indiscretion years ago.

I don’t know what’s gotten into her lately now that I think of it. Every chance she gets she complains about Margot. She’s either doing something wrong, letting Eleanor be too loud, too energetic, too… anything. It’s annoying frankly and I’m about at my limit. I get it takes time adjusting to someone new underfoot in the workplace, but for fuck’s sake, it’s been months now.

“I can’t go off a hunch here, Miss Perry. If you have a genuine concern, back it up with proof, then let me know, and I’ll look into it. Otherwise, please try to get along with her. She’s good for Eleanor.”

Phil steps into the kitchen and points to his watch. “Be right there, Phil.” I nod and stand up. I close my iPad and place my demitasse cup in the sink.

“I think she’s trying to seduce you,” she says finally and it stops me in my tracks.

I can’t help it, I let out a loud laugh.

Oh, Miss Perry, if you only knew.

I turn and walk back over to her, thinking before I speak because what I want to tell her is to mind her goddamn business. I want to remind her about what she did.

I stupidly made the mistake of a lifetime about six months after Meredith passed. It was late. I had been drinking heavily and I was completely overcome with my emotions. Miss Perry came into my office and saw the state I was in and she seduced me. Yes, I could and should have said no, but she saw an opportunity. She saw a broken, grieving man and she took advantage.

“I’m only going to say this one time. Don’t pretend to know what is going on in my personal life and don’t try to gate-keep me or my emotions or my potential with someone else. I am your boss, Miss Perry.” I wave my finger. “Nothing more.”

She stiffens and offers a clipped nod before I turn and follow Phil out to my waiting car to head to work.





“We have a bet going.”

What is with people today? It’s not even nine thirty a.m. yet and already Garrett and Todd, his little minion that’s always by his side like a damn remora always looking for leftovers, are bursting into my office unannounced.

“Which one of you will be fired first?” I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Who can get your nanny’s number first?” Garrett laughs and elbows Todd.

Not this shit again.

“I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting her when she came by the office or at the charity event, but I saw her. I was actually coming over to introduce myself when you whisked her away from Garrett.”

“Yeah, what was that about anyway?” Garrett asks, taking a seat on my couch while Todd hovers.

“Don’t you boys have some financials to be focused on?”

“We are actually heading out to go meet with the board in a few,” Todd replies.

I’m so not in the mood today. I’m already having an impossible time focusing on work because all I can think about is tasting Margot again. The sounds she made when I made her come have been on repeat in my head since Saturday night. I purposely made sure I played a full eighteen rounds of golf on Sunday so I wouldn’t end up with a chapped dick from jerking off so much.

“And you thought you’d come by and what? Ask me for her number or an introduction? Garrett, we’ve been through this. I’m sure Nadine, your fiancée”—I enunciate the word slowly—“wouldn’t appreciate that.”

“Hey.” He crosses one leg over his knee as he makes himself more comfortable on my sofa. “I’m not acting on it. Just a friendly wager between men to see which of us she would choose.”

They both laugh and I stand up, anger coursing through my veins.

“So you don’t actually give a fuck that she’s a human with feelings? You’ll what? Get her number, then never call her? Lead her on? Make her think there’s potential and then just ghost her?” My voice is getting louder and their laughs quickly turn into shock.

“We’re just messing around, boss. No harm, no foul,” Todd adds in his weaselly, ass-kissing voice.

“Yeah, Graham, she has a tight little body. We were ju—”

I slam both my fists down onto my desk. “Don’t ever fucking talk about her like that again!” I shout and both men jump.

I’m not being too subtle right now, but I don’t give a fuck. I might be emotionally damaged from losing my wife, but I’m not into playing games with people’s hearts or emotions. That’s childish, fucked-up shit, and I won’t stand for it.

“I have told you”—I point toward Garrett’s face—“more than once now to watch yourself, and you keep crossing the line. Learn some fucking respect and grow up. Respect Nadine and Todd, respect whatever fucking blow-up doll you sleep with every night, or at least attempt to respect yourselves. If I hear either of you say one more word about Margot, I’ll not only fire you on the spot, but I’ll destroy your personal and professional reputation. You understand me?”

The men are standing now, eyes wide as they listen. They both nod.

“I can’t hear you!”

“Yes—absolutely, sir. Won’t happen again,” they both say.