Page 64 of Boss Abroad
“Don’t play dumb. It doesn’t suit you. He’s more than just your boss. He’s,” I make a silly voice and face to match it, “your mentor.”
“You’re right.” She takes all the time in the world, not filling in the big blanks as a form of torture. “He’s much more than my boss.” The opportunity for innuendo is not lost on April.
Breathing deep and focusing on not crushing her tiny fingers in retribution, I ask with more serenity than I have, “So, who is he to you? And while you’re at it, answer also why do you find it so entertaining to drive me crazy?” Well, if I’m making a fool of myself, I might as well ask all that’s been eating me up inside. “Were you sad when he refused to go home with you? He’s even older than me. Don’t tell me you have a daddy kink. I heard you yes-daddying him.”
“Yes-daddying?” Her shoulders bounce as she laughs without making a sound, her giggling face hidden in my chest. I look down, tempted to step away to get a good look at her face.
I decide against it so as not to lose contact with her warm body.
“Oh, this is funny to you, is it?” I grunt, anger escaping me, close to losing my temper.
I’m mad. I’m horny. I’m so fucking confused right now.
“Liam.” She releases her hand from my grip and brushes off laughing tears from her eyes and I breathe out my nose again, hanging tight to what’s left of my sanity. “This is, in fact, hilarious. Dr. Preston Jett is so much more than my boss. He took me under his wing on my first day as an intern. He’s my chosen family, like a father to me.” Oh, look, space in my lungs. Guess I needed to hear that from her.
“I’m his daughter’s godmother, for fuck’s sake. That’s why I joked and called him Daddy after he, as always, gave me some overprotective advice. He’s one of my best friends in the world and has never been anything but. It actually makes me sick to even picture such a nasty scene.” She pretends to hurl, and my temper comes back down. Well, a little.
“So why the fuck did you let me think otherwise?”
“It was fun seeing you act like a jealous caveman,” she confesses casually with a shrug of her shoulders. “I know yours takes most of the space in the room, but I’m allowed an ego too, you know. You should have seen your face when he called me ‘baby’.”
He called her “baby girl” and that’s my pet name for her, but I won’t point that out and make an even bigger fool of myself. That was enough for one day.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself while I stand here mad and quite humiliated. You’re welcome for the entertainment.” We talk without looking into each other's eyes, dancing with enough distance between our bodies not to raise suspicion, giving the world not a hint of how well we know one another.
But I make sure to look down and grab her attention before saying, “You cloud my thoughts, April. Of course you’re not sleeping with him. What sane man who had you would say no to the offer of going home with you?”
Then I lower my lips to her ear, the one exposed by her hairstyle. I’m facing an empty corner, so I make the most of this sliver of privacy. “Not one that’s ever had a taste,” and I'm rewarded by feeling her whole body shiver while I press it harder to mine.
She squeezes my hand and turns her head the other way, as we keep on dancing to a slow song. I have one hand spread on her back while my thumb runs lazy circles on her smooth dress every now and then, wishing it was her skin.
“You’re a vision tonight, April. Every single time I laid my eyes on you, I’ve thought about peeling that red dress off your body…” I bring her closer to make sure she can feel every inch of my cock “... and this has happened. It’s been a very hard night. Pun unintended, mind you.”
She laughs but doesn’t move away from me. I look down and see that her eyes are closed. It’s easy, almost natural, to guide her as we dance.
“Hi, my darling boy. The singer just announced their last song, so I’ve come to collect my dance. I’m sure this gorgeous lady will pardon me.”
I gaze up and ponder what terrible mistakes I must have made to anger the man upstairs. God hates me and this is his punishment. I have a hard on and my mother wants a dance? Fuck, no.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
april
Never in my life have I been more proud of myself.
My degrees? No.
Awards? Pfff.
This right here, not bursting into flames or into a fit of laughter, is my biggest accomplishment in life.
“Of course, Dr. Burgess.” Hers and Liam’s brows raise in perfect synchrony. “My heels are killing me and I could use a break from the dance floor. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Big fan of your work.” She smiles back at me, instead of focusing on her son like she was a moment ago.
“Thank you, dear. Most women hanging from my sons’ arms mistakenly call me Mrs. Gunn.”
Most women don’t have Callie, unofficial FBI agent, as their best friend, do they? She gave me a rundown on Liam, Noah, and the woman standing now in front of me.
Katherine steps back and looks at me. I mean, really looks at me. Not judging, but like she’s seeing me for the first time. Like she’s decided that I’m worthy of her attention now.