Dating the Boss (Blue Harbor #2) - Jaclyn Osborn Page 0,4

from my computer.

His light brown hair hung longer in the front, and he stood at a whopping five foot eight inches. Maybe nine. When I stood beside him, I towered over him. Though short, he had a long, slender build and subtle muscle definition in his arms.

“I’m not overworking myself,” I responded, looking away from him and focusing on the email I’d been in the process of typing. “You should head home.”

“So should you, Mr. Sawyer.”

His tone made me peer back at him. His arms were crossed. It took all my self-control not to smile.

When Reed had first started working for me earlier that year, I had mistaken him for a pretty boy who wouldn’t last a month despite his impressive education background and resume. And there we were a year later with him being the best damn assistant I’d ever had. Not only that, but he wasn’t intimidated by me like everyone else in the department.

“Are you giving me demands?” I asked, keeping my expression neutral.

“No, sir.” Reed uncrossed his arms and let them hang at his sides. “I’ve just noticed you’ve come in early and stayed late every day for the past two weeks. They say there’s no rest for the wicked, but I think even Lucifer has to take a break every once in a while, ya know?”

I blinked. “You’re comparing me to Lucifer now?”

Reed balked at my words. “No! That’s not what I meant. Um.” He swept a hand through his hair. “Never mind. Is there, uh, anything you need me to do before I leave?”

Again, I fought a smile.

“No. Go home, Reed.”

“Okay. Cool.” He took a step back and bumped into the door. “See you in the morning, Mr. Sawyer.”

I sat back in my chair as he exited my office, leaving the door open. I watched as he shrugged on his coat and gloves before waving at me and walking away. As silence filled the room, I sighed and got back to work.

My gaze then shifted to the photo on my desk.

I didn’t recognize the man staring back at me. I rarely smiled like that, and I only did so then because it had been Regina’s birthday. She was the most annoying sister in the world, but I loved her.

After sending a few emails and getting everything sorted for the meeting in the morning, I grabbed dinner at an Italian place and headed home. Just like every other night, I despised the quiet. The emptiness. It was why I worked so much. I was lonely.

Fuck. I need a drink.

I grabbed the whiskey from my freezer and poured a glass before sitting on the couch.

My phone dinged with notifications. Some work related and others from a hookup app. After one too many failed relationships, I’d decided to create an account. I never let it go beyond a one-night hookup, though. I had no desire for anything more than a quick release.

“More” meant possibly getting hurt again. And my heart was too damaged.

I checked the notification. It was from a cute blonde with obvious lip implants.

Brooke: Hey, handsome. Busy 2nite?

I tipped back my glass and rested my head against the couch cushion, playing over how the night would go if I agreed to see her. We’d meet at her place or at a hotel, fuck hard, then part ways. And I’d end up right back where I was now, with a drink in my hand and a hole in my chest.

Instead of responding, I turned my phone facedown and took another drink.

It buzzed again.

I ignored it.

An hour or so later, I peeled myself off the couch and pulled at my tie as I walked to my bedroom. Once undressed and in bed, I glanced at my phone. I’d gotten a message from a guy with bulging pecs and a smirk that said he’d be more than willing to take anything I had to offer. We’d spoken once or twice before. The general hey, what’s up? How are you? We hadn’t met up yet, though.

MikeC: wanna fuk?

I went to put my phone away, then changed my mind.

Me: Is your place good?

MikeC: Yeah.

He sent his address.

I got out of bed, cleaned up a little, then threw on jeans and a sweatshirt. Before I could talk myself out of it, I left and drove to Mike’s house.

I’m so stupid. It was ten o’clock, and I had to be at work early the next morning for my meeting. I blamed his abs. I was bisexual, but I tended to lean more