Her Old-Fashioned Boss

by Laylah Roberts

  Ava shook her head again, then wished she hadn’t as the room spun. “No, you guys stay. I really would like to be alone. I’ll just call a taxi.”

  She opened her phone just as it started vibrating.

  “Hello?” she asked.

  “Ava?” Roarke’s deep voice came through the phone. “Where are you? I’ve been trying to call you for half the night.”

  Ava pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it in disbelief.

  “Ava? Ava? Answer me now.”

  “Ava?” Asia asked. “Who is it?”

  “It’s him,” she said dazedly.

  McKenna plucked the phone from her gasp.

  “Hello? Who is this?”

  McKenna listened carefully for a long moment. “No, she’s with us. I’m her friend, McKenna” She nodded again as Roarke spoke.

  “No, we were about to put her in a taxi. I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” She looked over at Ava then bit her lip, looking uncharacteristically unsure. “Okay. Yeah, I see your point. We’re at The Wild Tortoise. Yeah, that’s right. Okay, see you soon.”

  She closed the phone and looked around the table, her gaze settling on Ava. “That was Roarke.”

  “We figured that,” Asia said dryly. “What did he want?”

  “Ava.”

  They all looked over at her and she swallowed heavily. “What?”

  McKenna nodded. “He sounded really worried. Said he’d been trying to call you all night. He even went to your apartment.”

  Jesus, Roarke had seen her where she lived? The neighborhood wasn’t the best and the apartment building didn’t have much going for it, except for the fact that it was cheap and the doors had deadbolts on them.

  “Why?” she asked, her alcohol swamped brain clearing slightly. “Is he so eager to fire me?” Hurt assuaged her at the thought. Of course he’d want her gone, he wouldn’t want any memory of what they’d nearly done together.

  “Actually, he said he’s been calling to apologize. He’s coming here.”

  “What?” Ava squealed. “Here? I need to leave.”

  McKenna reached over and pushed her gently back into her seat. “No. What you need to do is sit here and wait for him. I think you need to hear him out, Ava.”

  “Why? So he can tell me he regrets what nearly happened and that it would be best if I left?”

  “No, because you obviously have feelings for him and you’ll regret it forever if you don’t at least hear him out.” McKenna looked at her critically. “First though, we need to get some water into you or you’re not going to remember any of this tomorrow.”

  “On it,” Asia said, rising.

  Ava sat and waited with little patience, sipping at the water Asia brought her. What did he want? Why had he been trying to call her? Couldn’t firing her have waited until tomorrow?

  And then she saw him, stepping into the nightclub, looking like a God with his wide shoulders and deep-seated confidence. People gave him a wide berth as he walked past them, as though they sensed something powerful about him.

  Sam walked beside him, so close they brushed against each other. He had a small smile on his face, his blue eyes gazing around in interest.

  As though sensing her stare, Roarke turned, his eyes zeroing in on her. He said something to Sam who also turned and...

  “Did the blond one just wink at you?” Asia asked.

  Ava nodded. “That’s Sam.”

  “He’s the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen,” Casey breathed. Ava noticed then that all of her friends were staring at the two men, riveted by them.

  “They’re like darkness and light,” Asia said.

  “Angel and demon,” Casey added.

  Ava frowned, upset at the analogies. “They’re just men, and Roarke isn’t all bad and Sam isn’t all good.”

  “I sure as hell hope not,” McKenna said with reverence. “Damn girl, I’m surprised you haven’t jumped their bones before this, how could you resist them?”

  “They’re gay, remember? And my bosses,” she added.

  Then they were there, before her.

  “Ava.” Roarke crouched by her chair, shocking her so much that she made no protest when he grabbed her hands in his, clasping them tight. “I am so sorry for earlier. I acted like an asshole when I was so cold to you and I have no excuse. I’ve come to beg for your forgiveness and to ask that you give Sam and myself a chance to talk to you.”

  Ava gaped at him, surprised by the apology. It was sincere, no doubt about that, but she’d never expected it, especially like this, with him practically on his knees before her.

  She nodded. “You’re forgiven.” She’d never been able to hold a grudge anyway, and she’d find it especially hard in the face of this man’s apology.

  “Ahh, sweet, don’t give in so easy,” Sam told her with a grin, looking inordinately pleased. “You should make him work for it.”

  Roarke glared up at him. “Do we need another session, pet?”

  Ava shivered, now knowing the significance of that nickname he had for Sam. The blond man lowered his gaze, but obviously couldn’t suppress his cat-got-the-cream grin.

  Roarke sighed and turned back to Ava, rubbing his thumbs over the tops of her hands. “So I’m forgiven?”

  She nodded and looked up at Sam with misgiving, wondering how much he knew. “I’m as much at fault as you are. I figured you were probably coming here to fire me.”

  Roarke’s eyes widened. “No, baby. Not at all. And most of this rests on my shoulders, I don’t want you feeling one bit of guilt, understand?”

  “So Sam knows what nearly happened?” she whispered.

  “Sam knows,” Sam whispered at her, obviously having heard. She blushed. “And Sam only wishes he could have been there.”

  “Oh.” She stared at him with wide eyes.

  “Does that mean what I think it does?” Casey asked.

  Oh bubbles, she’d forgotten about her friends.

  “I think so,” Asia replied with wonder. All three women were looking at Sam and Roarke with amazement and no small bit of envy. “They both want her. Yeah, Ava, I so don’t think they’re gay, honey. The way they’re looking at you.” She shivered. “Damn, I wish I could find one man to look at me that way and you get two? You go girl.”

  Ava looked between the men and her friends.

  “What? Really? You do?” Shoot, she wished she hadn’t drunk so much, she felt incredibly slow tonight.

  Roarke’s gaze narrowed as if he’d suddenly realized how imbibed she was. “Just how much have you had to drink, honey?” he asked in a deep voice.

  Uh oh, she may not have known him long but she knew that was his ‘you’re in trouble voice’. Usually it was aimed at Sam when he did something Roarke thought he shouldn’t have. Like go jogging outside late at night. She’d pretended not to notice the next day when Sam had trouble sitting.

  She shivered. Did they really want her? Did that mean Roarke would want her to be his sub? Would he punish her?

  And why did that thought actually turn her on? The idea of her over his lap, her bottom bare as he smacked his hand down on her butt sent shivers through her.

  Because I’d know he cared. I’d have boundaries, rules, someone to snuggle with, care for, fuss over and they’d do the same for me.

  Yeah, growing up in foster homes hadn’t exactly given her a stable environment. She’d been moved around, shifted from place to place, having to start all over again each time with a new family, a new school.

  And she’d sunk further and further into herself.

  “She’s had a fair bit. She doesn’t usually drink and she probably shouldn’t drink much considering her size,” Asia told him.

  “Hmm,” Roarke looked her over as he stood. “Maybe we should get you home and into bed then. This talk can wait for the morning. I want you fully functional when we have this conversation.”

  “No, I’m fine.” She pouted as she gazed at them. She knew this talk would change her
life and she wasn’t about to put it off. She crossed her arms over her chest. “I want to talk now.”

  Roarke raised a brow as he stared down at her. “Now all that pouting is going to get you is a sore butt, to add to what I suspect will be a sore head come morning.” He glanced around the table as Ava gaped up at him. He had not said that in front of her friends. He’d be lucky if McKenna didn’t deck him. But instead of being angry, McKenna looked enthralled.

  “Ladies, thank you for looking after her,” Roarke said smoothly. “Can we see you all home?”

  Asia shook her head. “No, we’ll taxi.”

  Roarke frowned. “Public transport? Don’t you realize what could happen to you alone in a taxi with a man?”

  “I’m a black belt in karate,” Asia told him. “I think I’ll be okay.”

  He narrowed her gaze at her. “Not if you drink anymore. I want you to promise no more alcohol and that you will stick together. Otherwise, I will insist on coming back to get you.”

  “You can’t tell us what to do.” Surprisingly, it was Casey who made that statement, her words brave; even though they could all see her shaking. Roarke eyed her for a moment before smiling gently. “You’re right, I can’t. That’s not my right. However, Ava is mine and she would be devastated if anything happened to any of you. I know she considers all of you to be her family. I expect you to call me if you need anything. I promise I will come. Here is my number.”

  He waited until they were ready with their phones then rattled off his number. Ava looked on in amazement as he charmed even McKenna, her prickliest of friends.

  “Say goodbye, Ava,” he told her.

  “Goodbye, Ava,” she giggled.

  Then in a move that shocked her, he reached down, plucked her up into his arms and turning, carried her from the club.

  *****

  Ava woke to find the sun streaming on her face. She groaned. Why the hell hadn’t she pulled the curtains before going to sleep?

  “Oh God.” She threw an arm over her eyes. Her head throbbed, beating a nasty tattoo on the backs of her eyes.

  “Rise and shine, sweets,” a cheerful voice told her.

  She dropped her arm slightly and opened an eye, staring blearily over at a too-happy Sam.

  “Go away.”

  Now, she remembered. The nightclub. Too many drinks. Roarke and Sam. Roarke’s apology. They’d brought her home to their place.

  Oh bubbles, my head hurts.

  “Now is that any way to talk to the man with the painkillers?” he teased.

  This time she opened both eyes and held out her hand. “Gimme.”

  “Uh-uh, not until you use your manners.”

  She growled.

  “Sam, stop torturing her,” another voice ordered from the doorway. She turned her head slowly to stare at Roarke. “You know how bad a hangover feels.”

  “Yes, and you always pick on me the next morning,” Sam pouted.

  “Because I always tell you the night before to slow down. If you don’t listen, you don’t get any sympathy.”

  Sam sighed and sat next to her on the bed. He held the pills up to her mouth. Ava opened her lips obediently; too sore to even think about arguing that she could do it herself. He then helped her sit and held a glass of water to her mouth.

  “Ava, there’s a bathroom through there.” Roarke gestured to his right. “Sam will get you a towel. After you’ve showered we’ll meet you in the kitchen for breakfast.”

  Her stomach revolted at the idea of food. “Umm, thanks for the offer but I’m not hungry. I think I’ll just go home and shower.” She had a bad feeling she may have dreamed last night, but then how did she come to be here?

  “Twenty minutes,” he ordered, turning away as if he hadn’t heard a word she’d said.

  “Ahh, didn’t he hear me?” she said to Sam.

  “Oh, he heard,” Sam said cheerfully. “But he’s choosing to ignore your words because we haven’t had our talk yet.”

  “Is he mad at me?” she asked quietly. What had happened to the tender man last night who’d apologized to her and gotten all protective over her friends?

  “No, baby. No.” Sam clasped her close to his chest and rocked her. “His emotions are just a bit raw this morning. We were really worried last night when we couldn’t get hold of you and it’s made him a bit growly, knowing he had no idea where you were and couldn’t be there to look after you. Plus, he has this thing about us drinking without him.”

  “Us?” She pulled back to look at him curiously.

  Sam looked a bit sheepish as though he’d spoken out of turn. “Well, me. He doesn’t like me being out of control like that if he’s not around to make sure I’m okay. And now that extends to you. Although, you’ve probably gotten a reprieve on your punishment for this one, since you didn’t know the rule.”

  “Huh?” She gaped at him.

  “One of the worst punishments I got was the night I decided to go out with a few of the other subs. Roarke was out of town. I got rolling drunk and ended up sleeping on the sidewalk. I came to with my phone ringing and someone chucking me a dollar and telling me to take a shower. Man, that was the worst hangover, and then when Roarke came home, well, let’s say I couldn’t stand to even look at a beer for another six months, let alone drink one.”

  She gulped. “And he wants to do that to me?” she squealed.

  “Oh no. Oh, shit, Roarke’s going to kill me for starting this without him. Please, baby, don’t be scared of him. The last thing he wants is to frighten you. He cares about you, we both do. And when someone Roarke cares about puts themselves at risk then he worries. A lot. And he wants to make sure that person knows exactly how much he cares and that he never wants them to risk themselves again. And while I’m no Dom, I can certainly tell you that I would not want you putting yourself in harm’s way. And if you needed it, if Roarke were out of town, then I wouldn’t hesitate to take my hand to your ass.”

  “What?” Was he for real with all this “we” stuff. She wasn’t into the lifestyle, didn’t know much about it apart from what she’d read and that stuff was mainly to do with sex. What Sam was talking about, it went far beyond the bedroom.

  “A-are you s-saying what I think you are?” she whispered.

  Sam clasped her face in his hands. “I’d kiss you right now if I could, but I want the first time I kiss you to be with Roarke right here, so you’ll believe it when I say that we both want you. Together. In our lives.”

  He sighed and stood. “You’re down to less than fifteen minutes now, so I suggest you get your butt into gear.”

  He turned back at the door. “Oh, and sweets? One more thing. We’re not gay.”

  *****

  Ava stepped into the kitchen with no small amount of trepidation. Could this all be real? Was it possible that Roarke and Sam felt the same attraction to her that she did for them?

  But how could she insert herself into their relationship? What they had was so good; she didn’t want to wreck that. And was there even room for her? Ava wanted to be loved for herself. To have someone devoted to her and her to him. She hadn’t experienced much affection or love growing up. She wanted to be the center of someone’s world. Was that so much to ask? And could she have that with Roarke and Sam when they were already so devoted to each other? She didn’t want the table scraps.

  “Come in, honey,” Roarke said, his voice warm. “We won’t bite.”

  Sam just snorted and turned away from the stove top, a pan of scrambled eggs in his hand. Roarke placed a pile of buttered toast on the small table next to some bacon.

  “Sorry about the small kitchen. I put it in so we didn’t have to run up and down the stairs all the time, but it’s rather small. I’m coming to realize that we may need to look at moving into a bigger place, our own house.”

  Sam stopped and stared at him, the hope on his face almost stealing her breath. “Really?” he asked. “A home?”

  Roarke smiled gently and reaching over kissed Sam’
s lips. “Yes, a home. It’s past time, don’t you think?”

  “Yes, Sir,” Sam replied breathlessly with a large smile. “I’ll get some real estate pamphlets today.”

  Roarke just chuckled and moved into the small kitchenette to grab some napkins. Ava watched them bustle around together. There familiarity with each other transparent. This wasn’t going to work.

  She didn’t realize she’d spoken until they both grew silent and stared at her. Together they came and sat at the table, flanking her. Tears welled in her eyes as she stared at them. So perfect.

  And so wrong.

  “What isn’t going to work, honey?” Roarke asked carefully.

  “This.” She moved her hand between the three of them. “Us. At least, I think that’s what you’ve been talking about. The three of us trying to be in a relationship together. If I’ve misunderstood then tell me now so I can die of mortification.”

  Sam shook his head. “You know you haven’t. We want you, Ava.”

  Roarke tried to grab her hand, but she snatched it away, placing her hands under thighs, she couldn’t touch them at the moment. She couldn’t be distracted right now and them touching her was a definite distraction.

  Roarke frowned but didn’t say anything. Instead, he leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “I should have had this talk with you before, Ava. Before I nearly kissed you. I know you must think the worst of me, that I would cheat on Sam. The truth of the matter is that Sam and I have often talked about adding a third to our relationship. We miss having a woman around. A woman’s softness, someone to cuddle and spoil. But we’ve never found someone who we both wanted, who we thought would fit. I would never do anything to harm my relationship with Sam, so I knew it would have to be a very special person who would fit in with us. And I never met someone like that until you walked into my study for a job interview. Still, I fought the attraction, the knowledge that you were mine.”

  She nodded. “Because you thought I would come between you.”

  “No.” He shook his head, surprising her. “In fact I’d insist you be between us. Often.”

  She blushed at the sexual reference.