Page 14 of Tattooed Boss
Garrett was sexy as sin, but more than that, he was a good man. She was beginning to think a man like him didn’t exist in reality, only in the pages of romance novels. She’d been tricked before, and Marco’s comment about being Garrett’s flavor of the week did make her question her instincts, but with Garrett she knew he was pure. It wasn’t something she could explain, but she could feel it.. He was as pure and as real as the ink on his skin, and he almost kissed her. Or at least she thought he was going to until he abruptly pulled away.
It was for the best. After all, he was her boss, and he was right. She had moved across the country for this job, and right now, it was all she had. She couldn’t mess it up all because of a hot guy with gorgeous long hair, biceps the size of cantaloupes, and the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. No, she would hold strong. She wouldn’t become what the world saw her as.
She could see the atrocious comments now.Of course she’s fucking her boss. Did we expect less from the whore? She’ll sleep with anyone. There she is, sleeping her way up the ladder of success. That one hurt the most—the fact that people accused her of gold digging when every penny she had she earned herself from hard work, dedication, and a devotion to her craft. She didn’t get a single dime from that jackass. Yes, he bought her things, but they were presents, and not once did she ask for any of it. That was on him. Not her.
She sighed, forcing the negative thoughts out of her mind. She was on a motorcycle, clinging to one of the sexiest men on the planet, and she was far away from the trouble, even if some of it did follow her here. She closed her eyes and imagined her life as if she’d never met the slimebag who ruined her.
Except she couldn’t imagine it. If she’d never fallen from grace, if the trolls never attacked, she might not have taken Garrett’s job offer seriously. It was because of the backlash and the need to run and hide she’d jumped on it. She wasn’t sure she would have if everything was as it was before the smearing of her name and brand.
As much as she hated what she was going through, it was the very reason she was wrapped around the man in front of her. Why she was living the small-town life, meeting people who genuinely seemed to want to know her for her and not for the skin she showed or the work she did. Here she wasn’t a brand. She was a person, and that was something she wouldn’t trade for the world.
Garrett pulled up to her place, and she tilted her head as he killed the engine.
“I never gave you my address.”
“It was on the paperwork you filled out. Small town… I kind of know where everything is.”
“Garrett held his hand out and helped her off the bike. He removed the helmet for her, and she smiled as her hair fell across her cheeks. She waited for him to push it back, but when he didn’t, she ran a hand through it.
Harley turned to the house, searching for words so the parting wasn’t awkward, but her eyes caught on her door that was slightly ajar. “Did I not shut my door this morning?” she mumbled to herself. “I thought I did.”
“Wait here,” Garrett said. She didn’t want to play the damsel in distress. It wasn’t a look she cared for, but the firm set of Garrett’s face had her nodding in response. Garrett made his way to the door, surveying the area around him as he went.
He hurried up the stairs and paused at the door, easing it open. His voice echoed through the night as he called inside to see if anyone was in there.
Her heart rate kicked up, and she took a deep breath, trying to control the panicked nerves flaring to life. She exhaled, trying to focus, trying to remember leaving this morning. She closed the door. She knew she did. Maybe she didn’t pull it hard enough. It was possible.
Garrett came out of the house, and she moved toward him. “Is the coast clear?”
“Yes, and nothing seems out of place, but you should check to make sure.”
She nodded and made her way into the house. It was exactly how she left it, right down to the bra she decided to change last minute that was still thrown on the couch. “Everything seems to be exactly how I left it. I must not have yanked the door hard enough.”
“Even still, after what happened at the shop earlier, I don’t think you should stay here tonight.”
“Why? I’m fine. Really. Nothing is amiss. I have a lock on the door.”
“A door we’re not sure will stay shut on its own.”
He had a point, but what was she supposed to do?
“Why don’t you come home with me?”
“No.” That was out of the question. She needed to stay away from her sexy boss, not spend the night in his house.
“You can take the bed. I just changed the sheets.” He winked, and that should not have been as hot as it was. Heat blossomed in her chest, spreading through her neck and ears.
“I’m not going to take your bed. That’s ridiculous.”
“Why? I have a perfectly good couch I sleep on most nights.”
“Why do you sleep on the couch?”
“I usually fall asleep while reading and just stay there.”
“You read?” Not that she read much, but she found it fascinating that he did.
“I do. I’m kind of a fantasy nerd.”