My (Mostly) Secret Baby - Penelope Bloom Page 0,39

from her straining arms.

I set Luna to the side and stood as quickly and with as much dignity as I possibly could. I cleared my throat. “You found everything I asked for?”

Chelsea said nothing, but her eyes went between Luna and I several times while her mouth split into a crooked grin. “You two were playing?”

“Mr. Daisy is fun,” Luna said with a happy little nod.

“Rose,” I growled.

Chelsea hesitated, then dropped all her things on the side table. “I couldn’t really find food that was… whatever she was talking about. But it’s all organic.”

“It’s fine,” I said. “Can you take this thing home?”

Luna laughed. “I’m not a thing. I’m a girl. Mommy, I like him. He’s silly. And he has a tiger!”

“Take this girl back home, then. You can have the rest of the day off.”

“Wait, what?” Chelsea asked. “Aren’t you going to root through the stuff I brought and tell me what a donkey I am for getting it wrong? I already wrote a little speech to use for when you start insulting me. I was going to lead with the fact that this vein on the side of your forehead bulges when you get mad, and how—”

“Chelsea. Go home. Take Luna. And this looks great. Good enough, I mean.”

She tilted her head. “Then I’m going to tentatively say thank you. But I can retract it if this turns out to be one of your tricks.”

“Fair. Now please leave.”

Chelsea crossed the room like she was going to hug me again. I put my hand out, catching her in the chest before she could reach me. “No hugging necessary. I’m your boss, not your friend, remember?”

Chelsea’s cheeks went red. “Right, sorry. No hugs for bosses. Even when they are nice for a change. I promise I won’t try it again.”

I nodded, then pulled my hand back.

With surprising quickness, Chelsea slipped toward me and squeezed me in a hug. “Sorry. Couldn’t help it.” It might’ve irritated me, but I was amused at how similar the move was to the one Luna had just pulled when she karate chopped my legs minutes earlier.

“Hugs!” Luna squealed. “I love ‘em!” I felt tiny arms wrap around my thigh.

I wasn’t smiling. Maybe I was having some sort of stroke or just baring my teeth. But I definitely wasn’t smiling.

20

Chelsea

“A business trip? With you? For the entire weekend?”

Damon nodded. He was leaning casually against my desk. He’d stripped off his jacket and had the sleeves of his crisp white shirt rolled up below the elbows.

Unfortunately, I was very aware of how tanned, muscular, and strong his arms looked. I swore, men’s forearms were like cleavage, except no guy ever got slut shamed for whipping out those meat sticks in public. No. Forget the fact that forearms like Damon’s could’ve served as industrial grade lubricant for a room full of women—they didn’t have nipples, so it was okay to flaunt them.

“Are you alright?” Damon asked. “You look pale. More than usual.”

I glared. I’d be okay if you put those things away. And if I could stop remembering how it felt to have your big ass, strong hands gripping my waist while you bent me over.

Why was it I couldn’t remember one of the two items I went into the grocery store for, but I could vividly remember every minute detail about sleeping with Damon five years ago? It still felt like another life. If Luna wasn’t walking proof that it had happened, I might not even believe it anymore.

“I’m perfectly fine. But why me?” I asked.

“You’re my personal assistant. I may need assistance in Savannah.”

I opened my mouth to protest but couldn’t think of a valid argument. “What about Luna? I still haven’t even got my first paycheck, and I can’t ask my brother to watch her for that long.”

“I’ll cover the expense. You can pick any nanny you want. Or we can pay your brother for his time. But I need you on this trip.”

I’d been half turned in my chair, but I fully gave him my attention then. “You need me?”

“Professionally speaking. Yes.” Damon’s dark hair was neatly cut and pushed away from his forehead. As always, he looked like the picture of a man in his prime. He practically radiated health and sexuality, and I felt equal parts drawn to going anywhere he asked and compelled to run as fast as I could.

“Call me crazy,” I said. “But it feels like the only things you’ve asked me to do since I started here are