I handed the men a twenty-dollar bill as they left, sweating from their exertion. Picking up my phone and dialing Garrett’s number, I held it between my chin and my shoulder blade as I hurried to pick up the huge black plastic garbage bag in the kitchen and haul my dirty clothing to the new washer.
“Hello?”
“It’s amazing,” I gushed as I filled the washer with garment after garment of filthy clothing.
“Just don’t overfill it on your first go,” he chuckled.
I paused, my hand clutching two shirts hanging over the machine. “Oh—can you do that?”
“Yes. There should be a fill line on the lid to guide you. Do you need me to come over and show you how to work it?”
The idea of Garrett back in my apartment made my pussy clench and a wetness fill my panties. But I could do this alone. And God knows I needed a shower before I let that man anywhere near me again.
“I got this.”
“Just don’t overfill it. You don’t want to break it.”
“Okay, okay. I got it!”
“Are you getting sassy with me, young lady?”
“No, sir,” I answered quickly as I stuffed two more pairs of jeans in the bright white tub of the washing machine.
“Are you overfilling it?”
“No way.”
“I’ll spank your ass if you break that machine on the first day I gave it to you.”
I pulled one of the dirty pairs of jeans out of the tub of the washer. “I’m not. Now, tell me your favorite food.”
“My mom’s brisket. Or my mom’s pie. Or her meatloaf. It’s a toss-up.”
“So, you are a mama’s boy.”
“No, that’s my brother, Wes. But damn, my mama can cook.”
I laughed, “Well, I know I could never compete for your heart in that arena. I’m a hopeless chef.”
“Bella Buchanan, you already have my heart. There is no competition.”
Silence. How does one respond to that?
“Bella?”
“I’m here. I—feel the same about you, Garrett.”
“Well good. Then our relationship is off to a great start.”
“Yes, it is.”
Silence.
“Bella?”
“I’m thinking.”
“What about?”
“Well, how do we navigate this relationship. You being my boss, s… spanking me when you deem necessary, and you being my boyfriend?”
“Boyfriend? I never agreed to that.”
Crickets on my end of the line as my heart dropped into my stomach. Had I assumed too much? Was this—thing between us that felt like forever to me, just a fun fling for Garrett?
“Bella, I’m kidding. I haven’t had sex for ten years. I was waiting for you. Of course, you are my girlfriend. If you will have me, that is.”
“Yes, of course, I will have you. Is that the question at hand?”
“So, boyfriend, girlfriend, boss, employee. Does that sound about right?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not going to stop riding your ass at work. You know that, right?”
“Yes.”
“You are okay with that?”
“Yes.”
“And with me spanking your ass? Though it doesn’t really matter whether you like it or not because it is going to happen.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
“What’s your favorite song?”
Did he really have to ask me that? Of all things to ask me. “It’s I Want to be Like You from The Jungle Book.”
Silence.
“Happy now?” Hysterical laughing took over the other end of the line. “What were you expecting? Something sophisticated?”
“No—not sophisticated. Just, I don’t know. This century? Maybe something you heard when you were older than twelve?”
“Well, that’s my favorite and it isn’t changing any time soon, so there.”
“Okay then.”
“Okay.”
“By the way—totally off subject but my mama has two blueberry pies for you when Oliver comes to visit you next. And a quarter of beef flank but I told her it might be wasted if I’m not the one who shows you how to cook it.”
“You told your mom about us?” A cold sweat covered my brow.
“Yes.”
Silence again on my end of the line as I thought I was having a mini-heart attack judging by the intense beating of my heart.
“Bella? I swear I will drive over there, throw you over my knee and spank your ass if you think, even for a second, you are about to have commitment issues in a boyfriend/girlfriend situation.”
“I’m not.”
“Then why the silence, what is the issue?”
“I’m just not sure she will…”
“What?”
“Like me.”
Silence.
“Bella, why wouldn’t she like you?”
“I don’t know. Because I can’t cook. Can’t take care of myself. I was a self-centered alcoholic until the last five years of my life.”
“I’ve done some heinous things and she still likes me.”
I sighed. “It’s different to forgive the sins of your son than to forgive the sins of your son’s new girlfriend.”
“That was five years ago.”
The truth finally tumbled out. It was a whisper, but it was the words I had longed for years to finally admit.
“I’m not worthy.” Of love, of forgiveness, hell, even of someone liking me. I had spent the first five years of an unhappy marriage drinking away my sadness, then given my son to my husband, letting him have a new family that did not include his birth mother. I was trash. I was less than trash. I was a bad mother. And I didn’t deserve love.
“You are. You are worthy of love and so much more. Devotion. Adoration. Tender loving care. And I will show you your worth. That, I can guarantee. And I know you will do nothing but argue this point with me, Bella, and so I will say goodnight. You rest in the knowledge that you are worthy.”
There was a dull click on the other end of the line. I hung up the phone and threw myself onto the sagging couch. The thrum thrum of the washer dulled the pain as it whirred and whirred on the spin cycle.
Maybe he was right. Maybe I was worthy. Of forgiveness, of love. Would I have a brand-new washer and dryer sitting in my once empty laundry room if not? I don’t think so.
Setting the alarm on my phone for six a.m. the next morning, I fell asleep on the couch in my clothes, the inane answers to the dating game playing in the background.
The next morning, freshly showered and hair blown dry, I waited anxiously by my front door, peeking out the little window in the top hoping to spy Garrett’s truck.
My heart skipped a beat as the shiny grey body of his truck pulled into the drive. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door, unable to hide the huge smile that spread across my face at the sight of its driver.
As I climbed into the truck, I saw that Garrett’s smile matched my own wide grin. His white teeth flashed against his tanned skin, his dark hair looking especially gelled to perfection today.
“Morning, Bella. You get some clothes washed last night?” he asked putting his arm around me unnecessarily as he reversed down my driveway, his eyes looking in the window behind our heads.
“Some, not all, but I’ll get to it tonight, I promise.”
One brow raised in my direction. “And the dishes?”
Oops. “Those too.”
“What did you eat for dinner?”
I brightened, knowing I had the right answer for that one. “Stir fry.”
“Did you like it?”
I willed my nose not to wrinkle up in its usual fashion at the thought of the broccoli. “It was pretty good, actually.”
“Vegetables aren’t your thing, are they?”
“Not really.”
“Next time I’ll make a creamy butter sauce for them. That might pique your interest.”
“Doubt it,” I muttered. I detested all forms of the fibrous green stuff that grew out of the ground.
“You’ll learn,” he said, authority in his voice. “You can start at lunch. Carrie’s making Southwest Salad.”
Why did I have the feeling Carrie was making the Southwest Salad at the request of my commanding boss?
“I’ll manage. Somehow.”
“You’ll do better than manage. You will eat your lunch, or you will find yourself over my desk again.”
I sat quietly, my cheeks burning and my gaze holding on the passing landscape.
“Bella?”
Deciding to save my rear and change the subject instead of arguing the nutritional benefits of an ice cream only diet, I said, “Thank you for the washer and dryer—you really didn’t have to do that. I’ll pay you back, I promise.”
“They were a gift and you can’t pay back a gift. It’s a gift to me really. I couldn’t stand the thought of you at a laundromat by yourself at night.”
“How’d you know I go at night?”
Garrett groaned. “So, I was right?”
“Yes.”
“I just got the feeling somehow, that you would choose to make the decision that had your personal safety least in mind. And I guessed right.”
“It’s Poke Town for goodness sake. Safest town around.”
“Not at night. Not when you are alone. And the laundromat isn’t exactly on the safest side of town. I ought to…”
“You cannot punish me for things that I did before we even…” I didn’t know what we were to one another, boss and employee seemed too casual, but even after our conversation last night, I had a hard time believing he was actually my boyfriend “worked together.”
“I can, and I will if I deem it necessary.”
Time for a subject change before he pulled the truck over and bent me over the hood on the side of the road for having done my laundry at one in the morning. I wouldn’t put it past him.
“So, what is on the schedule for today?” I asked brightly, smiling and widening my eyes hoping I looked curious enough to take his mind off my bottom.
Giving me a long, sidelong glance, Garrett gave a ‘we aren’t finished with this’ sigh before answering. “Today is our donor open house. Potential donors come and visit the place, get a feel for what we do. It’s an important day to put our very best foot forward. The more long-term donations we can get committed to the program, the more families we can serve. The waitlist is currently as long as my arm.”
“When I was working for the tire store was when I first heard about Hope Reigns. I couldn’t afford the full tuition and Carrie gave Oliver a partial scholarship and worked out a payment plan for us. Was that covered by the donors?”
“Partially.”
“And how was the rest covered?”
“Other ways.”
I had a feeling that Garrett Love’s personal savings account was the ‘other way’.
“Do you ever have to turn families away?”
“I never do. Hence the waitlist. But without more funding, I can’t buy more horses or pay more staff, no matter how much I want to, there are kids who won’t be able to participate when they need it most. Breaks my heart. But on the bright side, that’s what today is about. If we work hard and get the right people bought into the program, they will open their wallets and we will be able to expand what we have now.”
Pulling under The Lonestar Cattle Company sign, we turned down the long drive that lead up to the ranch.
“How can I be helpful today?”
“You’re looking mighty pretty today, Bella,” Garrett said, flashing me what Wes had dubbed his Hollywood smile. “That alone might help our cause. But other than that, if you could mill about, get to know these people. Maybe even share your story if you feel comfortable. Tell them what Hope Reigns did for you and Oliver.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it. I wanted to talk to you about one other thing.”
My tummy did flip flops while I waited for him to speak. Maybe he had changed his mind about what he had said last night—about being my boyfriend.
Putting the truck into park, he cut the engine. Turning his long, lean body towards mine, he reached out, grabbing my hand in his. Eyes locked on mine, he spoke.
“I meant what I said last night, Bella. I’ve waited ten years to let something like this,” he waved at the space between our tense bodies, “into my life. And I don’t take anything lightly. I want you to be my girlfriend. I want to be your boss and your boyfriend. And that comes with some things that might be challenging for you. I am pretty demanding. I expect you to obey me in your work life and your private life. I am a dominant person by nature and over the last decade have only become more so. I won’t put up with any of that dating crap some girls try to pull—I’ll spank it right out of you. But I will care for you and you will never have had a better boyfriend in your life. I can assure you of that.” He gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “Sound good to you, Bella Buchanan? If not, you had best tell me so right now.”
To another woman, what Garrett had proposed may have sounded controlling, archaic, borderline crazy. To me, it sounded liked heaven and had me melted to my core.
“Yes.”
One brow raised in question. “You sure? This is what you want?”
“Yes.”
A grin spread across his face. Leaning down, he placed a gentle kiss on my lips that had my mouth tingling. Pulling away too soon, he whispered, “I’d better tell the fellas that you are my girl, then. There are gonna be some devastated cowboys at The Lonestar today.”
“You think?”
“I know.”
I wanted him to kiss me again. I wanted him inside me again. I wanted to do nothing but taste, feel and see Garrett Love. But it was time to work. We got out of the truck, and with a passing slap to my ass, parted ways and went about our mornings.
Garrett
I was in love with Bella Buchanan. I had thought it; I had even thought that I knew it. But nothing prepared me for the feelings I had for her when I watched her work her magic on Hopeful Hearts Day—or Big Donor Day as I secretly called it.
Leaning against a fence post, I watched as Bella smiled, charmed, chatted and even teared up as she shared her own stories with the potential donors as they milled about. And the smile, the tears, they were genuine and absolutely adorable.
The gold in her long, red hair glinted under the sun as the little crinkles around her eyes bunched up as she smiled. Modestly dressed as always, I still couldn’t tug my eyes away from the places the material of her shirt and jeans strained against her generous curves.
Feeling my gaze upon her, she looked unsure for a moment before flashing me one of those gorgeous smiles. Her boss, watching her as she worked. But she didn’t realize I was so enamored I had momentarily forgotten my place here, so entranced by her vivacious spirit—and body.
I had to have her. Now.
Walking up to her, I politely excused myself to the potential donor she had been chatting up, and guiding her by the elbow, led her away from the crowd, towards my office.
“Where are we going? I was so close to getting a donation from him.”
Looking over my shoulder, I watched the donor who was currently enjoying the view of Bella leaving. I chuckled as I said, “Oh, you’ll get a donation from him. And probably a phone number to go with it.”
Rolling her eyes, she said, “Yeah right. He was just being nice. You didn’t answer my question. Why are we going into your office?”
Pushing her in and closing the door behind us, I said simply, “Because I wanted you.”
Her eyes widened, and desire flashed in those baby blues.
“And what makes you think I’ll have you?” she said, the pink blush of arousal in her cheeks telling a different story than her teasing words.
“Doesn’t matter if you will or won’t. I’m taking you.”
“Oh!�
�� she exclaimed as the pink deepened. She inched away from me, her shoulder blades bumping into the wall behind her.
“Bella, Bella, Bella. What am I going to do with you?” I stalked towards her like a predator approaches its prey.
“To me or with me?” The tip of her white teeth bit into the plump skin of her bottom lip in the most adorable fashion.
“To, then with.”
She gave a sharp intake of breath as I came nearer. Leaning down, my teeth met the delicate porcelain skin of her neck as I nibbled down from her jawline to her collarbone. Resting my lips on that sweet spot where her neck met her shoulder blade, I paused a moment before sinking my teeth in and sucking.
I knew I had hit my target as her back arched and she threw her head back, groaning, “Oh, Garrett.”
She would be screaming my name before we left this office, of that I was sure.
My hands reached around, grasping her sweet cheeks in my fingertips I squeezed until she gasped for breath.
“Have you been naughty, or nice?” I whispered in her ear.
“Nice! Oh, naughty… but nice too. Maybe both?” she stuttered as I dug my fingers further into her soft flesh. Her mouth met mine hard as she thrust her tongue against mine. Her arms wrapped around my neck, she held on as if she would never let go.
Lips locked with hers, I wrapped my arms underneath her ass, thrusting her upwards until her legs were locked around my waist. I carried her a few steps until the front of my thighs hit the long counter lining the back wall of my office. I boosted her up and sat her on the countertop. My hands tangled into her hair, grabbing at the back of her neck, as I continued to explore her mouth with the tip of my tongue.
Pulling her shirt up and over her head, Bella raised her arms to assist my maneuver. My fingertips traced the outline of her peaked nipple through her lacy, translucent bra. The little peak further stiffened under the pressure of my light touch.
I grabbed her breast fully in my hand, squeezing then reaching down underneath the thin material. Between my forefinger and thumb, I pinched the hardened nipple, smiling at the mewing kitten-like begging noise that it elicited from my sweet Bella.
“I think you’ve been naughty. I think you want me to punish you, don’t you, Bella?”
Boss Of Her Heart Page 6
