Best of Penny Wylder: Boss Romance

by Wylder, Penny

  It was a bad idea to get that drunk last night.

  I'm on my way to Vanessa's bakery for the first official meet and greet with the investor. This is not how I want to make a first impression: half awake, with a headache that's ripping my brain in half, and my stomach queasy. It feels like I could throw up, my stomach is clenching and twisting, so I sip my coffee with the hope it soothes something. Anything.

  After a short walk, I pull the doors open and see Vanessa behind the counter.

  “Holy shit, look who it is.” She wipes the flour off her hands and onto the bright yellow apron around her waist. “You know if you didn't show up this morning, I was going to call the cops.”

  “What? Why?” I ask, dropping into a chair at one of the small tables.

  Vanessa steps out from behind the counter with a plate in her hand. Setting it down in front of me, she rests her hands on her hips. “I called you, I texted you, I left you a gazillion messages. You never answered any of them. Eat, it's a coffee cake muffin, it'll help.”

  “You did?” Digging around in my purse, I pull out my phone. She's right. Message after message, ten missed calls, ten new voice messages. “Oh yeah, you did. Sorry, I didn't hear it, I had it on vibrate. Plus I got pretty fucked up last night, so there's that too.” Peeling a chunk of the muffin top off, I pop a small bite into my mouth.

  “I thought you got abducted or something.” Vanessa rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

  Smirking, I lift the paper cup to my lips and say, “Or something.” Winking at her, I sip the coffee.

  “Wait, what the hell does that mean?” Her demeanor changes as she eagerly takes the seat across from me. “Did you meet someone after I left last night?”

  “After you got abducted, you mean? That guy wasn't waiting.” Pointing at her with a single finger, I pick at the muffin. “This is delicious by the way.”

  “Thank you,” she says quickly with a happy smile. “Now spill it. What happened last night after I left?”

  Shrugging a shoulder, I look down at the table. “Nothing really. I met this guy, we danced, went back to his hotel room, had sex—”

  Throwing her hand out, she doesn't let me finish. “Wait, what?” She squints her eyes in disbelief, jaw hanging open. “You did what?”

  Nodding my head in her direction, I can't help but tease her. “You uh, you might want to close your mouth a little before a random penis lands in it.”

  Vanessa starts laughing as she leans back in the chair. “You're one to talk.” She folds her hands together and rests her chin on her fingers. “Talk.”

  “There's nothing to say. It was one night, and that's it. I don't even know his name.”

  “Get out of here!”

  Flashing big eyes, I dunk a piece of muffin in my coffee, and pop it into my mouth. “I'm serious. I left while he was sleeping, no number, no name, shit, I don't even know how old he was. And that's fine with me, because I'll never see him again.” Grinning, I let my eyes connect with hers. “You're not the only one who knows how to have a good time.”

  “Evidently not,” she says with a laugh as she gets up from her seat and moves back the counter. “All right, so, Steph is in the back right now, putting together a few sample trays for the investor, Nick. He should be here any minute. I really, really want to make a good impression. If he's investing in this business, he needs to believe in it one hundred percent, just like we do.”

  “Agreed,” I say, grabbing a napkin from the small dispenser on the table, and wiping my mouth. “I'm going to go freshen up a little. I don't want to look as bad as I feel.” Pushing away from the table, I start for the bathroom, spinning to talk to her as I walk backwards. “Oh, and next time, do not convince me to get shit faced before a big meeting.”

  “It's not my fault you can't handle your liquor,” she teases back as she cleans the countertop.

  Closing the door behind me, I stand in front of the mirror. There are light bags under my eyes, but not too bad considering the night I had. My eyes are a little glossy from lack of sleep, and my hair is pulled back into a lazy bun. Loose strands frame my face, and I still have some eyeliner smudged at the corners of my eyes.

  Leaning closer, I wipe away the liner, and turn on the water. Waiting for it to get warm, I splash my face just to feel a little fresher.

  Not that it really matters what I look like. This is Vanessa's gig, it's her bakery baby. I'm just here to help sell it to everyone else. Marketing, that's what I'm good at. Word of mouth is great when it comes to these little bakeries, but it really only goes as far as the blocks can take it.

  I help her reach new customers, people that don't know this quaint little bakery even exists if they're never in this part of the city.

  This meeting is really for her. I'm just here to support her, and give the investor an idea of what I bring to the table. I bring people. And my goal is to bring people to the new stores too.

  There are voices in the front of the bakery. I hear Vanessa do her nervous laugh, it's distinct: a loud cackle that sounds almost like a cat in heat.

  I better get out there before she embarrasses herself.

  Giving myself one last look in the mirror, I tug on the bottom of my shirt, and fiddle with my hair, tucking one loose strand behind my ear.

  Good enough.

  Opening the door, Vanessa is facing me, and the investor has his back to me. His head is down, and it looks like he's examining her tray of cupcakes. Steph smiles and gives me a light wave, I smile back.

  Vanessa notices me, her eyes brighten as she claps her hands. “Here she is, our expert with media arts. Mr. Torro, this is Misty Glensdale.”

  “Please,” he says, lifting his head up, and twisting to look at me as he's still talking to her. “Call me Nick.” His eyes meet mine as he finishes his name, and I see the same shock in his face that I feel inside.

  Holy fucking shit. . .

  It's him. You have got to be fucking kidding me!

  The air is suddenly gone around me and I can't catch my breath. I'm trying, I'm trying like hell to ease the sudden strain on my lungs.

  This isn't happening. It can't be happening.

  Blinking one clean blink, I'm hoping like hell his face morphs into someone else when I open my eyes.

  It doesn't. It's still him.

  Same sexy dark hair, tousled to perfection. I'm not sure if it's all messy because of me, or if he styled it this way. Bold, striking green eyes capture me where I am, freezing me in place. And his lips, those fucking lips. My pussy throbs with shadowed memories, and my clit ignites with liquid fire.

  I'm wet. My cheeks flush, and I find myself wiping sweat off my forehead. My mouth opens, ready to speak, but the words are stuck in my throat. I can't get them out, my mouth is dry.

  Inadvertently, my eyes drop below his belt, and he catches it.

  His surprise fades, turning into a sly grin. “Misty, is it?” he asks as he steps forward. “It's a pleasure to meet you. Vanessa has basically talked you into a goddess of your craft. Do you think your reputation precedes you?”

  “I—well, I—”

  Vanessa steps up, saving me from having to answer and giving me a few more seconds for this shock to settle. “Misty isn't the type of girl who's going to sit here and pat herself on the back. She's really great at what she does, but she's always looking for ways to do it better.”

  Nick's jaw jets to the side as his eyes lick my body and his tongue tempts the opening of his mouth. I'm not sure if Vanessa and Steph see the look in his eyes, but I do. I can feel it all the way in my bones.

  He strolls forward, wrapping his arms behind his back. “I've been impressed so far,” he says to Vanessa as he leans over to look in the glass case. “Now it's your turn, Misty. Impress me, give me something to think about.”

  I can see his breath fan out across the clear surface, then disappear as he breathes in. There's a hidden meaning to what he's asking me, it's written all over his tone.

  All right, h
e wants to play this game. We can play.

  “Well, in the last year, with my marketing plan, Vanessa has seen a thirty percent growth in sales from outside vendors. She's now supplying baked goods to a handful of hotel chains for their breakfast service.”

  His reflection is perfect in the glass. Every feature, from the way his eyebrow quirks up on one side, to the small twitch in the corner of his lip.

  A chill scales my spine as he stands up straight, running a finger across the top of the counter, and feeling the leaf on a plant.

  He rubs his thumb and forefinger together, lifting them to his nose, and casually rubbing his upper lip. His eyes set on mine, sending my heart into my throat. His lids drop to half mast, and he inhales a slow, deep breath as his fingers move back across his face.

  Did he? He did. Nick just revisited his fingers as if my scent's still there. His eyes flutter behind semi closed lids, his smile is teasingly delicious. I know I'm turning red; I can feel it as it spreads from my cheeks to my neck, and curls around my ribs.

  “It's a start,” he says, smirking at me before turning back to Vanessa. “So, two more stores in New York, one in New Hampshire. Are you planning on changing up the menu for each area?” Nick walks back to the sample tray, picking up a muffin, and taking a bite. “What's this one?” he asks.

  “Papaya,” she says. “And yes—”

  Nick swallows his bite, holding up a hand and cutting her off. “Papaya. . .” His gaze shifts, falling over me. “Sweet and delicious, just how I like it.”

  Scrubbing my forehead, I look away. I can't take it. My body is defying me. His voice is giving me chills. His eyes are making my heart stampede and my skin bristle with need.

  Vanessa cups her hands, taking a step closer to him. She glances at me, and I nod for her to say what she wants.

  Nick stands, quickly taking his phone from his pocket. He looks at the screen, then holds it to his ear. “I'm sorry, hold that thought. I really need to take this.”

  Vanessa nods as Nick walks outside. “Can you believe how fucking hot he is?” Vanessa asks as her eyes trace his every move. “If I ask him out, would that be wrong? I mean, I shouldn't mix business with pleasure, but hot damn, how do I not when it comes like that?”

  I'm quiet for a second, not sure how to really answer her. She likes him, and she's my best friend. Besides, it was just a one night stand, that's it. I never planned to see him again, so who am I to get in the way if she likes the guy?

  “You won't know unless you try, right?” I watch him as he runs a hand over his jaw and looks up at the sky. “If you like him, go for it.”

  I can keep away from him. It's not like he's mine. One night of unbridled lust doesn't equal a stake on the man. Vanessa doesn't even know my one night stand is him. I feel like I owe her the chance to see if it goes anywhere.

  Nick paces back and forth in front of the big picture window, talking on the phone, oblivious to the fact he's being watched. And we just stand here staring at him for different reasons.

  Steph looks intimidated. She's Vanessa's head baker, but she's easily affected by a person in power. It took her ages to get comfortable with me, and I have no real power here at all.

  Vanessa looks flirty, and mesmerized. I can see her attraction all over her face. Her eyes are wide, her mouth is slightly open, and she keeps softly touching her bottom lip.

  And me, well, I'm remembering the way his tongue felt as it dragged across my clit, and how the orgasm left me dizzy. I can see his firm chest in my mind, his tattoos, his thick cock right before it disappeared inside me.

  Forcing myself to walk away, I turn to Vanessa, and walk to the sample platter Steph put out. “Just be careful, Vanessa. A guy like that is probably just a playboy. I bet he's never been with someone who wasn't plastic and can think for themselves.”

  “Ahem.” He clears his throat.

  I freeze in place, knowing he just heard every word I said. “Nick,” I say, twisting to look at him over my shoulder. “Is everything all right? It looked like a serious phone call.”

  “Everything's fine.” His voice is colder, cruel, sharp as a razor. He moves with long, sweeping strides across the bakery, and stops just before crashing into me. He's glaring down at me, every muscle in his face stiff, and stern. “Let's get down to business now, shall we,” he says, tilting his head, and continuing past me as if I'm not here.

  His arm bumps into my shoulder, causing me to sway on my feet. It's like he's pretending I don't exist. His eyes are down as he takes a seat, staring at his hands. Reaching into his blazer, he pulls out a small bundle of folded papers. “It's time to make this official, Vanessa.”

  She giggles nervously, plucking a pen from her hair. “Got a pen right here.” She grins playfully as she holds out the pen like it has some magical powers.

  Nick doesn't laugh, he doesn't crack a smile or even pretend to be amused. He flicks his eyes up to me, his mouth taut as he smooths the papers out on the table.

  Vanessa doesn't seem to notice anything that's happening around her. She doesn't feel the tension. She doesn't sense the desire and lust, and the remnants of a wild night dangling between us.

  I feel so fucking stupid right now. I didn't mean to upset him. I'm just trying to avoid any questions from Vanessa. It's a show, an act, just telling her what I thought would help her and draw any attention away from the energy between us.

  Because I'm not going to get in the way of my best friend and the possibility of her finding the right guy. Maybe the right guy is Nick. Maybe he's the one she's been looking for all these years?

  Maybe he's the one I’ve been waiting for all these years?

  There's no point in wondering that because she likes him. That's all that’s needed to make him off limits. Period. I need to just forget him all together.

  Forget the man who gave me butterflies. Forget the way he kissed me, the way he touched me, the way I melted in his mouth.

  Forget his cock, and the way he made me scream. Forget that he made me come twice, and I couldn't feel my legs after.

  Forget him. Just like you were supposed to this morning.

  Except, now I have a name to scream. . .

  3

  Nick

  Her eyes are on me. I don't even have to look up to know it.

  I can feel her. She watches me move across the room, her eyes steady, piercing. I can't help but smirk lightly, enjoying her discomfort.

  She isn't liking the cold shoulder at all.

  I'm winning this little game she's playing, and she isn't ready for the challenge ahead. She can't deny the attraction between us, she can't deny that I was her best fuck ever. I could see it as I fucked her last night, her mouth forming a perfect O, her moan long and winded, her pussy dripping.

  She can try to pretend all she wants, but I'm going to fucking break her down bit by bit. Every time she looks at me, or I look at her, her panties will be drenched.

  From the corner of my eyes, I watch Misty as Vanessa signs the papers. She's fumbling with her mouth, plucking her bottom lip as she crosses her legs and twists her toe into the floor.

  “Thanks,” I say, taking the stack of papers and tucking them back into the pocket of my jacket. “So. . .” Pausing, I stand up, and take one last look around, “I guess that's it. I'll be in touch.”

  Shaking Vanessa's hand, I don't say goodbye to Misty. I just turn and walk out. Misty's eyes are burning a hole in the back of my head, but I don't give an inch, I just keep going.

  She's going to follow me, I can tell.

  I step out onto the street, letting the door close behind me. Putting my head down, I start walking to my car parked up the street a little, when I hear my name.

  “Nick! Nick, wait up!”

  I knew she'd come for me.

  Turning around, I see Misty as she waves her hand, and hurries to catch up with me. Her tits bounce gently as she half jogs to my side.

  “What?” I ask. I force myself to sound annoyed, my tone sha
rp and short. If she knew how much I'm enjoying myself, it would ruin our cat and mouse game.

  She holds out her hand and tries to force a relaxed smile. “Listen, about last night—”

  “What about it?” Arching a brow, I tip my head.

  “I didn't. . .” Misty starts to pick at her lips again. It's a nervous habit, something she probably doesn't even realize she's doing. “I didn't know who you were, I swear. If I had. . .” she says, not completing her thought.

  Shrugging a shoulder, I keep my voice cold. “If you had, then what? You wouldn't have let me fuck you?”

  Her eyes jump open and her lips thin.

  Didn't expect that, did you?

  Her lip curls as she rests her hand on her hip. “I just don't want what happened between us to affect Vanessa and the bakery. I'm not sure what you're thinking, I just don't want you to blame her for anything. All right?”

  “Blame her?” Smirking, I take a long step forward, making her step back uncomfortably. “No one's at fault here, Misty, neither of us knew. I didn't know who you were, you didn't know who I was, we're even. But,” I say, reaching out, and taking a loose strand of her hair, and twist it around my fingers, “I won't lie and say I wasn't a little upset to wake up in an empty bed this morning.”

  She hangs her head, obviously a little embarrassed by her choice. “I just wanted to keep things simple. No names, no one getting the wrong message, no expectations; just sex, and that's it.”

  “Well, looks like your plan just got more complicated now, didn't it?” My eyes slip down her chest, watching her breathing increase and her nipples harden.

  They bead under her shirt, turning into little pebbles. Licking my lips, they get firmer and more defined. My cock jerks in my pants, ready and willing to fuck her right here and now.

  She swallows hard, and I watch the lump get stuck in her throat. It jumps softly, and she has to swallow again. “Look, I didn't mean to offend you by leaving. Just don't take it out on Vanessa, she has no idea we hooked up.”

  “So you want me to keep it a secret?”

  Nodding, she clamps her hands together in front of her waist. “That would be great.”