Assistant & Boss Daddy

by Claire Angel

  Assistant & Boss Daddy

  A Single Dad Romance (Boss Daddies Series Book 1)

  CLAIRE ANGEL

  Contents

  Title Page

  Assistant & Boss Daddy

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  How to connect with me!

  Books By This Author

  Copyright © 2020 by Claire Angel

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This is a work of fiction. While, as in all fiction, the literary perceptions and insights are based on life experiences and conclusions drawn from research, all names, characters, places and specific instances are products of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. No actual reference to any real person, living or dead, is intended or inferred.

  ASSISTANT & BOSS DADDY: A SINGLE DAD ROMANCE

  Assistant & Boss Daddy

  BLURB:

  I hate my boss. Sure, he is gorgeous and worth a peek every now and then. He is such a jerk to everyone though.

  This is my first job after graduating college, and I remind myself that it is great to have.

  I am good at it, and learning a lot but I have to work with one of the grumpiest men in the world.

  At least I have my friend Jack there.

  My boss always shows me toughest side of him.

  I have to work late at his insistence.

  Now I am on a work trip with him, and I am seeing a different side of him.

  We kissed in the hotel room…

  Is he trying to flirt with me?

  Why does it seem like he is growing possessive of me?

  There is a part of me that wants to hate him forever.

  Would the kiss in our hotel room change everything I worked so hard for, ending my job?

  ***

  Chapter 1

  Brenna

  I slipped on my gray cardigan before hurrying down the hallway to pour myself a travel cup of cold brew. I rushed through my shower to get dressed, so my hair would have to do with its natural curl for now. I could do makeup and fix my hair in the car when I got to work. “Do you want coffee, Mom?” I asked, listening for her answer as I stared at the clock.

  “I’m good for now. Your dad should be home soon, and I’ll have him get me some. Have a great day at work. Thank you for last night.” Her voice was weak, and I closed my eyes for a moment, hating this version of her.

  “Anytime. I’ll see you tonight.” I stepped outside, walking hurriedly to my shiny blue Wrangler since I pushed being late to work. I was up most of the night with Mom since her lupus was getting worse. I hopped in, setting my stuff down and starting the engine before pulling out of the driveway.

  I hummed along to the song on the radio, shaking my hair out as I cracked the windows. My office was twenty minutes away from my house, and I took that time to prepare for a day with my boss.

  Seth Morgan was an intimidating man. He was also gorgeous and the reason I had the good job that I did with Parson and James, which was one of the most successful IT companies in the city. I worked as his assistant in his office and dealt with him all day long, but the pay and benefits were worth it. I was only going on my third month there, but it was a lot.

  Add to that my issues with Mom’s illness and the fact that my dad traveled for a living, and it equaled little time for myself. I was only twenty-three, but it felt like life was moving a million miles an hour.

  I pulled into the line of cars waiting to park, stopping as I took a quick look in the mirror. My strawberry blonde hair was curling in ringlets, and I ran a hand through them as I decided what to do. This office was land of the beautiful people, and while I knew I was pretty, I didn’t feel as smooth and put together as the other women were.

  I glanced forward, seeing that I was getting inside of the seven-level garage. I parked and pulled my purse to my lap, pulling out makeup. I powdered my face to even out my pale skin, then added a thin line of black liner to my eyelid. After that, I followed up with mascara and some plum lip stain and pressed my full lips together. I didn’t wear a lot of makeup, and this was all of the efforts I’d put in today.

  I stepped out of the car, pressing my hands down my gray and white pencil skirt before checking my white blouse. I looked presentable and swung my hair back over my shoulder as I reached in to grab everything that I needed. I walked to the round, all-glass building that I called home and entered the lobby and I smiled.

  “Jack!” I called out, seeing my friend turn around.

  We met when I started my job and became fast friends, though I sometimes felt like he wanted more.

  “Brenna. Good morning. Are you ready to work with Attila the Hun?” he asked as I chuckled.

  “I suppose. It’s Friday, so hopefully, he’s in a good mood.” I just wanted to go home and take a nap in case Mom had a bad night again.

  “What are you doing tonight?” Jack asked as I dreaded what was coming next. He asked me to have dinner or meet for drinks a lot, but I turned him down due to my mom's situation.

  “I have to spend time with Mom. Dad’s home for a while today, but he has an early flight in the morning.” I felt his eyes on me, refusing to look at him as I sipped my coffee.

  “You’re a good person. You do so much for other people,” Jack said and I gave him a soft smile.

  “She needs me, and she’s been there for me all this time,” I replied as the girl handed him his coffee from the stand.

  We walked away, and I smiled. “Did you pay for that one?”

  Jack was handsome in a completely different way than Seth.

  He had chunky brown hair with that messy look that was so popular and bright green eyes, the color of moss in the sun. He was tall with light muscles, and girls all over the building seemed to notice him.

  “Nope. That’s twice this week. I always tip her the amount it would cost, though.” He took a sip, raising a brow as he swallowed. “That’s so good.”

  We stepped onto one of the five cars, talking about the work week on a much more casual level. I assumed that Seth knew people hated him as I did, but I didn’t want to get called out for talking about him. This job was too good despite its faults.

  When we arrived on the tenth floor, I waved and walked down to my office, I felt like someone was watching me. I slowly looked around as I walked. I didn’t know a lot of people apart from Jack since they all went out after work. I was the odd man out.

  I stepped into my small office that faced Seth’s large one, thankful for my own space. I took calls and emails for service from their many customers, sending the jobs out to the staff that dealt with that particular issue. There were fifteen of them, and Seth was their manager. He still helped the top customers but also oversaw the day to day process.

  It was a busy place, and I glanced into his empty office as I got settled at my desk. I warmed up my Mac book, sipped my coffee, and wondered who my boss was tormenting in the break room this morning. He usually stepped in there to make coffee and ask people about their progress, expecting a lot from people. Not every technical issue was easy to fix but try telling Seth that.

  He came towards the office from the break room, telling one of the technic
ians to complete something that was likely difficult by the end of the day. She nodded and hurried off as Seth stomped towards me. I took him in while he wasn’t paying attention, thinking how hot he was even if he was an asshole.

  “Brenna,” he said, glancing at his watch as I held my breath. I wasn’t more than a few minutes late, but he was a stickler. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning, Mr. Morgan.” I smiled, hoping that he wouldn’t say anything. After I got the job during a disastrous interview where he spilled coffee on my new dress purchased for the occasion, I wanted to keep it. Never mind that he never bothered to apologize for his mistake, making me look like a fool as I dabbed at my now stained jacket. The two other men were clearly uncomfortable with the rest of the panel interview, and I expected to never hear from them again.

  I was surprised when Seth called me two days later to offer me the job. I accepted it since it was better than anything I expected after graduating from college. I wanted to build my future and start to save money for my place.

  Chapter 2

  Brenna

  I sent him his calendar for the day as per usual while Seth settled into his office. He kept his door cracked as he worked, either by phone or remotely. I had enough privacy to get my work done that way as well, with a lot of looks towards The Space Needle and occasional chats with Jack over the company Skye.

  I loved living in Washington. There were a lot of outdoor things to do, as well as a city to explore. I loved to wander on the rare days that I got to myself, watching the people and the action around Seattle. Those were few and far between these days.

  I glanced at the message that Jack sent me with a small smile.

  Jack: Want to get burgers for lunch since you won’t meet up with us tonight?

  Brenna: Yes. That sounds wonderful.

  Lunch was my time to be an adult and enjoy a conversation. According to Seth, it was often time to work and nibble on whatever he ordered in. I stayed late many nights if he was stuck on something, getting extra hours and experience. That’s what I told myself, anyway. I managed to sneak out when I could, but I swear he sensed the days that I wanted to the most. It was some sort of twisted sixth sense.

  I glanced up to see him watching me with a cold gaze, going back into email as the phone rang. How did he do that?

  He disappeared at lunchtime, and I quickly grabbed my purse. I told Jack that I’d meet him downstairs and walked down the hallway as my hair bounced around my shoulders. I still felt like I was being watched, and I turned my head to take a quick look around.

  Jack was waiting down in the lobby, and we set off to the diner on the corner. It was the epitome of a greasy cheeseburger and fries, and I loved every bite as we laughed about work stories. Jack had been a technician for five years now, and I sent many jobs his way. He was one of the most popular people in the office with the ladies, but who could blame them?

  We walked and talked freely about work, making me so appreciative that I had someone to vent to. The girls at work weren’t overly friendly, and it seemed to be because I worked for Seth, which made me wonder if they were intimidated by him or wanted to sleep with him. Seth was gorgeous, and even I could admit that I was slightly attracted to just the shell of him. The attitude and cold demeanor were just a turnoff for me.

  I didn’t talk in-depth to Mom about any of this. She already had so much on her plate with her chronic illness, and I just said that I loved my job. There were aspects of it that I did enjoy, and I just focused on that.

  I did enjoy my lunch. The cheese and bacon were incredible, and the steak fries were cooked perfectly. “We need to come here once a week. It’s so good!” I told him, feeling the happiness of being away from the office. I never got a moment just to enjoy a meal since everything in my life got so crazy.

  “I don’t have a problem with that at all. There’s a lot to choose on the menu,” he replied, grinning at me. “How’s your mom doing?”

  “Her pain has been a little worse. I haven’t gotten a lot of sleep lately.” I smiled weakly, taking a large sip of my coke.

  “Why is your father gone so much?” he asked me, and I sighed at the question.

  “He’s keeping the bills paid, and we’re more than comfortable with his job. It just requires travel. That’s why I live at home to help out, and that way I get to save some money for my own place when the time comes.” Jack was one of the few people I trusted with my life story, and he was kind to me about it. I wondered how many others knew about this side of him when he more often showed off the flirtatious Jack that everyone at the office knew.

  “You’re a good person, Brenna. I hope they tell you that enough.” He took one final bite of his burger, and I smiled over my glass.

  “My parents?” I pressed, and he shrugged.

  “Everyone.”

  We walked back to the office and slowly turned my head to scan the sidewalks, feeling eyes on me again. I paused when I saw Seth standing against a building, staring at me as he held his phone in front of him. His intense gaze made me shudder, and I turned away to regain my composure.

  “So, you can’t make it tonight?” Jack asked as I shook my head.

  “Not this time.”

  I returned to the office, working silently as I played back the way Seth was looking at me. He glanced at me a few times over the remainder of the afternoon but didn’t say anything.

  When I left on time for a change, I heard a few of the girls discussing the plan to get dinner and drinks. I pushed the button for the elevator, feeling alone as I longed to go. I loved my mom and my family more than anything, but I also wanted friends and fun.

  I drove home, picking up Mom’s favorite Thai food on the way. I walked into the house with a smile, setting the bags down as I called her name. “Mom?” I kept my voice low in case she was sleeping, hoping to have time to change into yoga pants and a loose shirt for the evening. A shower sounded even better, but I doubted that was going to happen. She didn’t respond, and I slipped out of my shoes, carrying them down the hallway.

  I dressed in comfortable clothes, pulling my hair into a messy bun. I walked down the hall, gazing at the view of the water through the wall of windows. I loved my childhood home, spending a lot of time on the balcony, as I just took in the view.

  “Brenna?” my mom asked, and I jumped, falling against the wall.

  “You scared me!”

  “Did you bring dinner home?” she asked, and I told her that I did.

  “Do you want to eat inside or outside?” I asked, and she asked how the weather was. “It was great today, Mom. I went out to lunch and everything.”

  I went to the bags, pulling out containers as she remained sitting at the breakfast bar. She watched as I plated everything we liked, carrying it outside before returning inside for some drinks. “Go ahead, Mom. I’ll be right there.”

  I poured myself a glass of wine and some iced tea for Mom, joining her at the table with a smile.

  “Thank you. This is delicious,” she told me, stabbing some noodles with her fork.

  “You’re welcome. I was craving it,” I told her, knowing the truth was that I was just tired. I didn’t want to cook, and it was Friday. I could get to bed early and catch up on lost sleep.

  “Good plan. Maybe we can get barbecue from Lou’s on Sunday.” I nodded, sipping my wine as I let it slide down my throat. We ate and chatted, and she told me that Dad was going to be away for a couple of days longer than planned. She wanted to know if I could take her to the doctor on Tuesday morning before work.

  I dreaded asking Seth for the favor since I was still on probation. I’d been lucky thus far, and it was moments like this that made me question if I should have a job at all. I went to college and got my degree in technology, so a job was the next logical step. It just made it hard when life got in the way, which it did a lot.

  “I’ll get the time off, Mom. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “Did you go to lunch with Jack?” Mom asked, and I
sighed.

  “Yes, Mom. We’re just friends, though. He has a lot of female fans in the building.”

  “Yet he goes to lunch with you,” she mused, showing me a spark of her matchmaking ways.

  “He goes out with them after hours,” I explained as sadness crossed her face for a moment. “What, Mom?”

  “You never get to do that because of me,” she told me as I considered drinking the wine in one sip.

  “I do not mind being here with you. I promise you that,” I assured Mom, covering her hand with mine. “We are going to go through this together, you and me. You’re my best friend, Mom.”

  She nodded as tears spilled down her cheeks. We were so close and seeing her deal with pain and discomfort killed me inside. I just needed to be strong for her.

  “I love you for that, Brenna. I love your father for taking such good care of us, even though he hates to be gone so much. You pick up the slack so well.” I smiled as I nodded.

  “You did it for me for a long time. I owe you so much.”

  We finished dinner, and I set the leftovers in the fridge before washing our plates. Mom was reading outside, and I glanced over before pouring more wine. I knew that she didn’t need to see me drinking in excess, so I cleaned the kitchen as I sipped it. I made sure that I finished before joining her with a glass of water.

  “Remember all the time that we spent on the water when you were younger?” I smiled, remembering the boat and jet skis that we owned back then.

  “Hours and hours. I loved it, and I’m so happy that we still live here,” I replied, leaning into a chaise lounge as I closed my eyes. Mom was in the other one, and I smiled as the refreshing breeze blew over me. “This is paradise.”

  We both dozed, and I felt groggy when I helped her into the house. I got her in bed, telling her to call me if she needed anything at all. I secured the house and walked into my bedroom, staring at the moon over the water for a moment. I felt so tired and walked to my bed, leaving the window cracked and the blinds open.