How to Have Your Boss's Secret Baby - London Casey Page 0,18
clothes even?”
Maya’s cheeks started to turn red. “You’re kidding me, Cole.”
“Not really,” I said. “You can look like a homely writer when we’re alone in the cabin, Maya. But in front of Mr. Pickle, you have to look… beautiful.”
The word slipped out of my mouth and I knew how much of a dickhead it made me sound like. At the same time, the deal with Mr. Pickle was on the line. This wasn’t something to fuck around with. And maybe Maya was right. Maybe I should have just called someone else.
It was too late now.
Maya was going to be my guest.
And she was going to have no choice but to look and play the part.
She walked out of the cafe as I took another sip of my coffee.
I knew she wasn’t going to go far.
It took her a few steps to realize the same.
She stopped and stood on the busy sidewalk as I stood up and casually walked to the door to leave.
Outside, I adjusted my suit jacket and stood next to Maya.
“I’ll bring some stuff just to be safe,” I said. “You make sure you pack everything you need as well. And remember, it’s going to be cold up there on the mountain.”
“You care that much, huh?” Maya asked.
“I’m giving you a chance to make extra money. And giving you a place to write. I don’t see how I’m the bad guy here.”
Maya looked up at me. “Are you serious? You just told me I was ugly.”
“I didn’t say you were ugly, Maya. I said you had to look beautiful.”
“Which means I don’t look beautiful now,” she said. “Meaning…
“I’m comparing you to what Mr. Pickle wants,” I said. “Not me. I have my own tastes.”
“Is that so?” Maya asked. “And what do you think about me right now?”
I smiled. “That’s inappropriate talk, Maya. I’m your boss. I can’t tell you how I really feel about you, can I?”
She swallowed hard. She looked ready to hit me.
Not that I could blame her.
I used my phone to get us a ride back to the office.
We rode the elevator together in silence.
I smiled the entire time.
I remembered vividly the day I met Maya.
On that same elevator.
She was beautiful then. And now.
We went our separate ways.
I sat down behind my desk, alone, with nothing but my thoughts.
I smiled.
I knew she hated me. I knew she thought I was a dickhead.
And to keep that reputation alive, I called her and ordered her to get me a cup of coffee.
Chapter Nine
Maya
Bev opened the door to my bedroom.
She had ink smeared on her cheeks, not on purpose.
I stood at the bed and looked at everything I had packed.
All I owned was one big suitcase and I made sure to fill it up.
The most important things were my notebook, pen, laptop, and charger.
If Cole was serious about me getting time to write in a cabin, I was going to take full advantage of it.
“All packed?” Bev asked.
“I think so.”
“You know this is kind of crazy, right?”
“Yeah,” I said. “How can I not though? A cabin on top of a mountain. In the cold weather. A fire in the fireplace. A hot cup of coffee. Me with my laptop…”
“And Cockhead Cole breathing down your neck,” she said.
I pictured Cole standing over me, literally breathing on my neck.
I shivered.
Ew. That would never happen…
“He needs me, Bev,” I said. “This is different than normal.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Positive,” I said. “I have to be his arm candy and he knows it. If he fucks with me, I’ll mess this all up.”
“How so?”
“I’ll sneeze at the dinner table,” I said. “Right on the food. I’ll gulp down my drink really loud.”
“Oh, I like this game,” Bev said. She clapped her hands together. “You can burp. Or…”
“No,” I said. “I won’t do that. Burping is fine. I can always make fun of Mr. Pickle. Besides his name.”
“You should throw a pickle at him,” Bev said.
I laughed. “Now that would be great. Then again, if I did any of that, Cole would probably leave me up there.”
“Oh no,” Bev said. “You’re stuck alone in a cabin. Maybe there’s some hot, mountain man type guy that would save you. This rough and tough lumberjack kind of guy with a bushy beard and hot eyes…”
“Sounds like you have a fantasy, Bev,” I said.
“I have the place to myself so I might as well enjoy it,” she said with a wink. “Just don’t enjoy your boss.”