How to Have Your Boss's Secret Baby - London Casey Page 0,28

warmed me up. The comments that angered me made me warm too.

Hey, Cole, want to call me a cheap whore again so I can get warmed up?

His insults were like a blanket.

I would have rather froze to death than hear his voice one more time.

I kicked the door shut for effect even though nobody saw me.

My first two steps were stumbling steps.

Stupid heels.

I paused to correct my balance.

As though I could tell the drinks to just calm down as they worked their intended magic on my body.

“Let me help you, Maya,” Cole said.

I looked at him. It was too dark for him to appreciate the look I was giving him.

“I don’t need you,” I said.

I bent my right leg and pulled my high heel off. Then I did the same with my left one.

I left them right there on the ground.

For effect.

I hurried to the porch and when I opened the door to the cabin, it was brighter and a little warmer. Not the true cabin warmth since the fireplace wasn’t being used.

Tonight was supposed to be different.

I wanted to come back here, get under a blanket, sit in front of a fire. And write.

I walked toward the bedrooms and then paused.

“If you know how to build a fire, please do so,” I called out. “I’d like to get some writing done. Alone.”

If Cole was that much of a dick to not do what I said, then so be it.

After all, this was my fault.

I was the one who allowed myself to be sold out like this.

He offered to let me get paid the entire time we were at the cabin and together.

I just wasn’t fully prepared for it all.

I wasn’t Rissa. I would never be Rissa. My career wasn’t going to be that.

I didn’t want to judge her, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to be compared to her.

Once I was in my bedroom, I slammed the door and hurried for my suitcase.

Without thinking, I reached back and unzipped the black dress. I ripped it off my body, wiggling my hips and then stomping on it like it was on fire.

Next went the strapless bra. I hated that fucking thing. Without shoulder straps it was like someone tied my boobs to my chest… and it wasn’t all that comfortable.

I reached into my suitcase and dug around for something else to wear.

I wanted my favorite PJ bottoms and a comfy hoodie.

That was the perfect writing attire, if you asked me.

And then I was going to sit in front of the fireplace with my laptop and write my book about my asshole boss.

I needed more light in the bedroom, but didn’t feel like turning a light on.

I was one track minded, and a little more than drunk.

I lifted a long sleeve shirt out of the suitcase and held it up.

“Nope,” I said.

I dropped it to the bed.

As I dug through the suitcase, I came to the sad conclusion that I might have forgotten my favorite PJ bottoms.

“Of course I did,” I said. “What else could get fucked up tonight?”

My question was answered a few seconds later.

When the bedroom door opened.

I gasped and grabbed the long sleeve shirt and quickly put it on.

I managed to pull it down just below my butt as the light flicked on.

When I spun around, Cole stood there with his shirt untucked and unbuttoned, showing off a tight, sleeveless white shirt under his fancy shirt.

“What?” I asked. “Don’t you knock? I was almost naked.”

“I don’t care,” he said.

“Of course you don’t. Trying to get a look at me or something?”

“No, Maya. Not at all. I wanted to apologize.”

“Excuse me?”

“For tonight,” he said. “That wasn’t supposed to be like that.”

“Oh, really?” I asked. “So you didn’t bring me as your cheap whore? You didn’t want to parade me around and tell me I’m ugly except when I’m wearing a dress? You didn’t want that creepy old guy to offer to pay me so he could fuck me? Need I go on with what was said tonight?”

Cole leaned against the doorway.

His hands in his pockets.

“Well?” I called out.

“Are you done?” Cole asked.

“Done? Are you kidding me?”

“I’m letting you get it out,” he said. “You deserve the chance to do that.”

“You know what? Don’t do that. Don’t treat me like you did and then think a quick apology is going to fix it all. That’s not going to work on me. You have no idea who I am.”

“I think I know you better than you realize,” Cole said. He