Big Bad Boss (Romance)

by Mia Carson

  “Kris?” Edmund asked. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” She unclenched her hands from the steering wheel. “Nothing at all. Just some unexpected guests.”

  “Who are they?”

  She pulled her cell from her pocket and texted Dennis. “My parents.”

  “And that’s bad?” he asked confused.

  “Not ideal, I can tell you that much,” she muttered and waited for her brother to text her back. He told her they showed up an hour ago, just dropped in and claimed they didn’t have a place to stay. She knew Grams wouldn’t let them anywhere near the inn because they had destroyed a room the last time they’d stayed there. Dennis promised they were sober—for the most part—and that Grams threatened to drag her by her ears if she didn’t get her ass inside. She slammed her head against the headrest and glared at the ceiling of the cab.

  This was not what she intended to happen when she’d invited Edmund over for dinner. Grams and Dennis were enough to deal with on their own, but her drunken parents? Sober for the most part meant they were drunk, and a drunk Sharon and Leroy were not fun to deal with. And if they were back in town, it wasn’t for a friendly visit. They wanted something. They’d stay for a few days, beg for money, and take off once they’d gotten it.

  Not this time. Kris wasn’t going to give them a dime.

  “I’m sure it’ll be fine,” he assured her as he reached for her hand. “I can handle myself.”

  “Around these people? They’ll give you a run for your money,” she grumbled. “Damn it. Of all the times for them to pop in for one of their visits, they choose now.”

  “I’ve dealt with worse, guaranteed,” he said as he squeezed her hand. Gently, he reached out and turned her to face him. “I’ll survive, I promise, and I won’t hold any of this against you.”

  She wanted to believe him, but he’d never met her parents. They were manipulative assholes who cared nothing for their family. Her cell chirped again, and she groaned. “Grams is giving us thirty seconds to get our asses inside before she makes a scene.”

  “Then let’s get inside,” he said quietly as he leaned in closer.

  Kris met him the rest of the way, and as their lips connected, desires flared to life of being in his arms all night long. Of learning what it meant to be with a man. She clenched her hands in his shirt, dragging him even closer, but her cell chirped again and she grimaced.

  “Time’s up,” he muttered, tucking her hair behind her ears. “Ready?”

  “I’m never ready for them,” she muttered but jumped out of the cab. Edmund followed her quickly through the rain to the front porch, and they shook out their hair. “Right, here we go.” She opened the door and stepped inside. The house was tiny, and there was no wall separating the small living space from the tiny kitchen with a table barely big enough for four. “Here we are.”

  “My baby girl!” Sharon squealed and leapt to her feet. “Oh, I’ve missed you, honey! Give your momma a hug!”

  Kris’s smile faltered as Sharon hugged her so tightly she could barely breathe. “Hi, Mom,” she said and waited impatiently for her to let go. “I didn’t know you two were going to be in town.” She looked into the kitchen, and her smile froze when she saw they’d already dug into dinner without asking or waiting. “And please help yourselves to the dinner I prepared for my guest.”

  “See, told you she didn’t mind,” Leroy called from the table with a mouthful of chili.

  Grams shot daggers at him, and Dennis, who sat next to the man, scowled. He picked at his food. “I told them to wait, but they said they hadn’t eaten all day,” he told Kris stiffly.

  Leroy nodded as he picked up the whiskey bottle and poured more into his glass of pop. “Damn right we hadn’t. Been on the road for three days straight and only stopped for gas and so your mom could take a piss.”

  Kris hung her head, wishing she could disappear into a hole. Edmund didn’t need to see any of this, but to her surprise, he stepped closer and held out his hand to Sharon. “Edmund Eastwood, pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

  “That’s a fine name you have there, son,” Sharon purred as she shook his hand. “Sharon Rivers, and that’s my husband Leroy. I didn’t know you were bringing a man friend over, honey.”

  “Just passing through town,” Edmund said smoothly. “My car broke down. Kris has been gracious enough to show me around town and invite me to dinner.”

  “Well then, please, come on in,” Sharon said and wrapped her hand around his arm.

  Kris mouthed an apology to Edmund as Sharon dragged him to the table. Grudgingly, Kris followed and caught Grams scrutinizing Edmund. She knew, sooner or later, the old bat was going to grill Edmund about his life and why he was out in the middle of nowhere when he’d broken down. Kris only hoped she’d wait until Sharon and Leroy vacated the premises. Sharon set a full bowl of chili in front of Edmund and asked him if he wanted some whiskey.

  “I’ll pass for now, thanks,” he said politely and ate a spoonful of chili. “This is great, Kris, really.”

  “My old recipe,” Grams said before Kris could speak.

  “Well, it tastes great, better than anything I’ve had where I’m from,” he said, winking at Kris as she stalked to the counter. She wanted to sit by him, but no one offered her a seat in her own house, so she stood by Grams and watched her family warily.

  “And where are you from?” Leroy asked.

  “Louisville,” he said. “My family owns several businesses, but I decided I needed a break for a few weeks.”

  “And you came to Green Valley? This shitty town can’t offer you anything,” Leroy muttered.

  “It hasn’t been bad so far,” Edmund said lightly. “I’ve quite enjoyed my stay here.”

  “You won’t for long, trust me,” Leroy growled, suddenly serious as he leaned over the table and pointed his spoon at Edmund. Kris gripped the counter, ready to butt in if she needed too, but Sharon laughed in her high-pitched squeal that told Kris she was already drunk.

  “Leave him be, Leroy. He’s just passing through. He’s our daughter’s guest.”

  “What are your intentions with our daughter?” Leroy snapped. “Better not be taking advantage of my baby girl.”

  Edmund rested his hands flat on the table as Kris held her face in hers, muttering curses quietly under her breath. “I’ve done no such thing.”

  “That's not what I heard around town,” Dennis mumbled into his bowl.

  “Speak up, son,” Leroy grunted and smacked Dennis on the arm. “What did you say?”

  “I said that’s not what I heard around town,” Dennis said louder and leered at Edmund. “I heard you were getting quite friendly at the bar last night.”

  “Yes, we kissed,” Kris sputtered. “Can we get over it? People kiss, it’s not a big deal.”

  “It is when you’re my kid sister,” Dennis warned.

  Kris stormed around the counter and aimed a finger at Dennis. “Don’t you dare pull that big brother shit on me. Or you, Dad,” she snapped as he opened his mouth to chime in. “None of you get a say about what I do with my life or my free time, so shut up and eat your damn chili or get out of my house.”

  “Oh, we can’t leave, honey,” Sharon said sweetly and took her hand. Her eyes widened, and Kris sighed inwardly, knowing exactly what was coming. “We have no place to stay.”

  “I thought you had an apartment?” Grams chimed in.

  “We did, but the landlord evicted us a week ago,” Leroy huffed. “He claimed we didn’t pay our rent. Called the cops on us three times.”

  “Let me guess, drunk and disorderly,” Kris muttered.

  “No, no, nothing like that,” Sharon claimed, but Kris wasn’t an idiot. She’d learned, over the years, not to believe anything her parents told her unless they had proof to back it up. “We need a place to crash for a few days, just until we’re back on our feet and have some money to move on.”

  “You came to the wrong house if you’re looking for money,�
�� Kris said and tugged her hand free. “I have nothing to give you if I want to pay my bills this month, so don’t ask.”

  Sharon’s eyes hardened, but the smile stayed on her face. “We wouldn’t dream of it, honey. Just a place to sleep.”

  “I have no extra beds,” she argued, but Grams cleared her throat loudly. “I mean, of course you can stay here. I’ll stay in town or something.” She waited for her parents to assure her that wasn’t necessary, but neither one spoke. There was a couch in the garage. She’d bunk there for a few nights. No way in hell was she staying anywhere near her parents. Her valuables were locked up in the safe at the garage. She excused herself for a minute and giving Edmund an encouraging smile, stalked to her bedroom to pack some clothes.

  ***

  Edmund watched Kris walk down the short hall and wanted to follow but knew getting up and leaving the table filled with her family might send the wrong message. Her parents were drunk, that wasn’t hard to tell, but the death glare Dennis kept shooting him wasn’t as unnerving as the way Grams watched him like a hawk, ready to dive in and make the kill if he slipped up.

  “You never told us what your businesses were,” Sharon said, resting her hand on Edmund’s.

  “My family owns several stables, and we own the Woodland Whiskey River distillery,” he told them and mentally kicked himself for answering her truthfully. The sudden greed in her eyes, and in Leroy’s, was worse than any he’d seen amongst those of his circle. “I only see parts of the business, though. My dad runs the main business.”

  “I’m sure you get your fair share of it all,” Leroy leered.

  “I do well enough,” he hedged and leaned back to look down the hall. “If you’d excuse me for a moment. Where’s the restroom?”

  “Down the hall,” Dennis directed. “Can’t miss it.”

  Edmund smiled and stood, but when he reached the bathroom, he turned to the right and found Kris sitting on a narrow bed, glaring at an empty duffel bag on the floor at her feet. “What are you doing?” he asked, crossing his arms and his ankles as he leaned against the wall.

  “Regretting my decision to invite you over,” she muttered darkly.

  “And what’s with the bag?”

  “I’m not staying if my parents are here. There’s a couch in the garage. I’ve slept on it before, and I’d rather be there than here, warding them off.”

  “Why don’t you stay at the inn?”

  “Nah, then I’m in a room that Grams has a spare key to.” She burst out laughing when his face went rigid. “Oh, yeah, spare key. How do you think she cleans your room?”

  Edmund hung his head. “I wish you hadn’t told me that.”

  “Just like I’m sure you wish I hadn’t brought you here. I’m really sorry about tonight,” she apologized, cringing.

  “It could’ve been worse, I’m sure,” he told her. “Why don’t we just go?”

  “You didn’t even eat much,” she said, sounding defeated.

  He walked into the room and crouched, holding her hands. “I’ll survive, I promise. Besides, I have plenty of beer in my room at the inn.”

  She glanced past him out the door when her mom cackled again and nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. I just have to pack some clothes.”

  “I’ll help,” he said, but she shoved him out the door with a laugh. “What, afraid I’ll see something… panty-related?”

  She gave him another shove, laughing. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

  Edmund walked back to the kitchen and all eyes fell on him, which erased his smile. “I checked on Kris while I was there,” he told them, clearing his throat as he shoved his hands in his pockets.

  Dennis pushed to his feet, and Edmund cursed quietly at the size of the man. He towered over Edmund, who was no small man himself. “I don’t know what you’re planning to do with my sister,” he whispered, “but she’s my sister, and if you hurt her, you’ll have me to deal with. Understand?”

  Edmund straightened his shoulders and raised a single eyebrow. “I do, but I’m not sure she wants you in her life like that.”

  Dennis growled and took a step forward when Kris called his name. “Get away from him right now, Dennis, or I’ll deck you myself.”

  “Where are you going, sweetie?” Sharon asked. “We were just getting to know your friend and learning about his business in Louisville.”

  Kris hoisted her duffel higher on her shoulder until Edmund reached out and took it for her. “I’m going to take Edmund back to the inn. He’s not feeling well. I’m staying at the garage while you’re in town. Make yourselves at home—oh, wait,” she said sarcastically, “you already did. Enjoy the chili.”

  Kris stormed out of the house, and Edmund waited a beat before following. “Nice meeting you all,” he called over his shoulder. The front door closed tightly behind him. He tossed the duffel in the back seat and pulled his body up into the cab. “Beer?”

  She started the truck and nodded. “Beer. Lots and lots of beer.”

  Chapter 8

  Kris parked the tow truck at the garage after dropping off Edmund at the inn. She ran across the street to join him for a few beers in his room. She tugged up her top with a giggle as it started to fall, and Edmund’s eyes followed it hungrily. He licked his lips and led the way to his room, letting her walk in first.

  “Beer,” he said and went to the mini fridge in the corner. He popped the tops and handed her a chilled bottle. “A toast to surviving families?”

  “I’ll drink to that,” she said and drank half her beer. “By the way, be careful when you’re talking to my parents about your business. They’re manipulative bastards and have taken more money than I can count from Grams before she finally put her foot down. They always come begging me or Dennis now.”

  Edmund sat on the couch and Kris joined him, kicking off her boots and tucking her feet up under her. “I’ll keep that in mind, but don’t worry. The only thing of value I have here is a dead car.”

  She rested her head against the back of the couch, picking at the label on her beer bottle. “I wish they’d just stay away for good,” she muttered. “It’s not like they ever change, even if they say they’re going to. It kills Grams a little more each time she sees her daughter with that bastard.”

  “Have they always been like this?” he asked quietly.

  Nodding, she chewed on her tongue, thinking about when she and Dennis had actually lived with her parents. “We were five and eight when Grams finally got sole custody of us. Back then, they were worse, much worse. Dad hit Mom every now and then, blamed it on the drinking, and she was into pot and meth for a while before Grams ran them both out of town.”

  He rested his hand on her knee, a comforting weight. “I didn’t know it was so rough for you.”

  “Eh, we survived. A lot of kids with parents like that don’t,” she said simply. “Grams made it work, and we turned out decent. Dennis started down that road for a while until Grams kicked his ass one night. He went to jail, and afterwards, rehab. He’s been clean almost six months now, working, helping me fix up our tiny house.”

  “Must be nice to have your brother back,” he said tightly.

  Kris eyed him and shook her head. “That bastard threatened you, didn’t he? He won’t do anything, don’t worry.”

  He chuckled. “I think I could take him if it came down to that.”

  “No, he can’t get into fights. It’s against his probation,” she explained, unfolding her body from the couch and stretching her arms over her head. The stack of books on the desk drew her attention, and she paced towards them, sensing his eyes on her the whole way. She scanned the titles, and when she picked the top one up, the jacket slipped.

  “You don’t have to look at those,” he said quickly as he jumped to his feet.

  “Why not?” she asked, amused, and held the book out of his reach as he followed her around the room. “My, my, Ed likes romance novels.” She dangled the book just out of reach, and he lunged forward to snatch it. S
he put it behind her back.

  Edmund’s arms wrapped around her body, trapping her against him as he fumbled for the book. Her smile fell as she stared up into his stormy eyes. His brow furrowed as she dropped the book to the floor and her hands glided up his tensed arms to his shoulders. Her breasts pressed against his chest with each deep breath she drew into her lungs. The room fell away, the town disappeared, and it was just her and Edmund. He blinked, and the want in his eyes called to the desires swimming through her body, but beneath that, she saw a brief glimpse of lingering bitterness.

  “What happened?” she asked, brushing the hair from his forehead.

  “What do you mean?” he said as his arms tightened slightly.

  “The wedding and the woman who stood you up. You said it was a long story. I’ve got all night to hear it.”

  He rested his chin on the top of her head, hugging her to his hard body, and Kris melted against him. With all the other guys she’d dated in this town, none of them held her as gently and securely as Edmund did. She closed her eyes, pressing her ear against his chest and listening to the steady pounding of his heart behind his ribs. When he spoke, the deep timber of his voice vibrated through his chest and flooded into her.

  “When I was younger, my parents planned my whole future for me,” he said bitterly. “It happens when you’re rich, I guess. They picked my wife before I was fifteen, and planned our wedding before I was twenty-one. They even had the nerve to tell me when we’d have our first kid, as if they could control something like that.”

  “That’s terrible,” she said, stunned. “They really did that to you?”

  “Yeah,” he said with a quiet laugh of disbelief. “It sounds insane saying it out loud like that.”

  “And this woman, she went along with it?”

  “Her parents and mine had been talking about it since we were born. Jenny—my almost wife—she rebelled more than I did.” He slipped away from Kris, rubbing a hand against the back of his neck. “She actually had fun, went on adventures, lived like a teenager is supposed to, but me, I was too worried about disappointing my parents.”