Dirty Boss

by Mia Ford

  Uncertainty breeds doubt and along the way he found himself asking all kinds of desperate questions as to whether Darlene was in trouble. Perhaps she had been chased off the road already and he had driven on by because, when clarity descended, he felt sure that this fruitcake Jefferson would have found a way to follow her. There is only one main freeway leading from Pacific City to Portland after all, so the guy would not have to be Einstein to relocate the girl he had called a ‘slut’.

  They both had a head start on him, but Kurt was the type to put the pedal to the metal and, providing nothing had forced Darlene into making an alternative plan, he was determined to reach the Furse’s residence.

  Maybe I should have bought a Porsche after all, he caught himself thinking, but fortunately he found that his vehicle served him well.

  It must have been about a mile from the Furse’s house when he caught sight of a familiar looking jeep and – if he wasn’t very much mistaken – a silver Fiesta it appeared to be tailing. Unless it was a very uncanny coincidence, that was his girlfriend’s inherited company car being tailed by a foul-mouthed religious extremist with whom he had a bone to pick.

  Kurt guessed a little what the swine must have been up to and held back a tad in order to assess what was his best move. If possible, he would have liked to ensure the gentle Furse family avoided any unhappy drama. That was not achievable, however, and Kurt arrived on the scene in time to hear Jefferson spouting out his self-righteous insults in the direction of Clive and his daughter.

  A week or so earlier, Kurt had been considering a means by which to sneak up to Darlene’s bedroom window and it was a peculiar twist of fate that such preparation would return to benefit him now. Had he approached via the drive then Jefferson would have seen him and had plenty of room to flee, but seafarer’s legs don’t often make for sprinter’s legs and he did not want that.

  Instead he took advantage of the line of finely pruned fir trees that Clive had been so kind to love and nurture to three times the height of a man. So, it was that he was able to approach a shouting and preaching Jefferson without being seen, until at the last minute when he came out of the shadows and challenged him.

  ‘What’s all this then?’ he asked, giving Jefferson the time to turn around and face him before planting a fist on the side of his temple.

  Jefferson went down like a sack of spuds, immediately trying to get back up, but then falling straight down again as if the brain had taken a few seconds to realize how hard it had been shaken. Kurt had seen boxers knocked out in such a way before; trying to get back up and then falling down again. It was unclear whether Jefferson wanted to get back up to fight him or to run away, though it might just have been the panic at being hit that took him a while to decide to lie still and let the effects wear off.

  Kurt felt slightly sorry for him then, in knowing he was the better built of the two – but not that much. Had he been prone to violence he could have hurt the man a lot worse and probably gotten away with it, considering Jefferson had been pursuing a young lady for over fifty kilometres.

  Understandably then there was something like chaos on the Furse’s front lawn. Beatrice and even one of the neighbors both ran out to find out what was going on and everyone seemed to have a dozen questions each, that were being directed at no one in particular because it was not obvious who might have all the answers.

  Most perturbed was Mr Clive Furse himself (unless you count Jefferson who remained sprawled on the ground), who was trying to take in his daughter’s assurances, deal with questions from Beatrice over what had happened, as well as figuring out why Kurt was there.

  At some point clarity reached Kurt through the cacophony and he realized that this was his moment. If anyone could set matters straight it was him and, as it so happened, the chance was exactly what he had wanted.

  You see, something unusual had been happening to Kurt over the last few weeks that, probably because he was unused to the notion, caused him a while to clue on to. For sure he was aware that Darlene was something special among his list of bedroom conquests, in that she was different and physically speaking the most desirable of anyone he had ever met. In a short time, he had grown attached to her to the point of not even asking himself the question of how long should this last. Usually he was in the habit of deciding that this or that girl should last for a night, a week or a month. That he had not come to address the question about Darlene had been explained away because it was such an enticing mission of discovery. There was so much more to accomplish and so why cut it short? Although it turned out there was a lot more to his feelings from which there was now no escaping.

  When peril had turned up outside his parents’ place, Kurt had first recalled his mermaid analogy. In doing so he had been tempted to kick himself for not considering that a man’s ultimate image of desire – the mythical mermaid – only appeared in order to lure a man into danger. Why had he overlooked such a fundamental aspect of that whole scenario?

  But then the realization hit.

  As Darlene disappeared into the distance and the haze of a weary day dissipated, fear helped Kurt to locate a piece of inner knowledge that had completely eluded him.

  First it struck him that he could not bear the thought of anything bad happening to Darlene. Why had he let her leave like that at such a time? Then he understood why he should feel so protective and afraid for her well-being? Because he was falling in love with her; that’s why.

  Heck, he almost certainly was in love with her, if all he had heard about it was true. That sick feeling in the stomach; that yearning to see her reaction all the time; the desire to share every aspect of his lifestyle with her as if in her company it all made so much more sense.

  OK, so he had been directing most of his efforts into organizing a seascape of sexual exploits. He was a horny young male and such an approach was true to his character, but he accepted in that moment that there was more to this girl. They made sense together; amazingly they had a similar spirit of adventure. It had just taken a bit longer to coax it out of Darlene.

  The wait was worth it though. Finally, he came to understand what that niggling feeling that something was missing from his life had come to represent. He did have a yearning for companionship after all; that was what was missing. Kurt wanted to settle down and share his life with a long-term partner who he loved and cherished.

  It was all so soppy and romantic. So much so that, if he wasn’t completely love struck he would have lurched and vomited at the idea.

  That didn’t happen, however.

  What did happen instead was a springing into action that only concluded when he walloped that dick Jefferson around the head – and now, with no sign of caution or inner conflict whatsoever, he was prepared to go one step further.

  ‘Mr Furse, I can explain everything,’ Kurt announced and everyone turned his way to listen to his words, Darlene clearly the most apprehensive right then in hoping that he had found a convenient excuse for them both.

  ‘The truth is that this… Jefferson guy, did see me with your daughter and get the wrong impression.’

  ‘That’s right he got the wrong impression,’ Darlene butted in.

  ‘Yes, you see, I think he jumped to the conclusion that I’m something of a chancer who was trying to sweet-talk someone he once had eyes on – if you’ll forgive the terminology.’

  ‘Oh, I’m aware of how… of how young people talk,’ Clive responded, though looking like he was about to join his company’s co-owner with a visit to the emergency ward.

  ‘The truth is Mr Furse, that I have been dating your daughter.’

  ‘What?’ Darlene exclaimed, as Clive stared back blankly.

  ‘Yes, I have been dating her, but not for some wicked reason as this idiot is suggesting. No, I am in love with your daughter.’

  There was a pregnant pause as Darlene’s second attempt to interrupt then caught in her throat.

  ‘Yes, I am in love with Darlene,’ he then went on, ‘and, if you h
ave no objection, I would like to ask for her hand in marriage?’

  Then it was over to Clive and, before replying, he had to look around at everyone present to see that this was really happening. Clearly the information was taking a while to sink in and, by that point, even the half comatose Jefferson was sitting up and listening to proceedings.

  ‘In… in love with her you say,’ Clive replied at last, uncertainty hanging in the air. ‘Well, I don’t possibly see how we can stand in the way of such a thing and so sincerely delivered.’

  Clive turned around to look at his wife, checking that there was nothing like disapproval on her face, before turning back and saying, ‘Kurt, I’ve known you since you were a delightful young boy and, though we still think of you like that in some ways, it’s clear you have since grown into a man. Please be assured that we have no objection.’

  Kurt managed a smile in hearing such favorable words, but he knew that the request was completely out of the blue and that was only the half of it.

  Turning around to look at Darlene then, Kurt saw that she was still in a state of shock. At best perhaps thinking this was some ploy to outwit Jefferson; at worse she was completely mortified that he was taking such a drastic step.

  ‘Darlene, I’m sorry this is unprepared and that I have no engagement ring as yet,’ he told her, ‘but, as your father says, I am sincere. I am in love with you and wish to ask for your hand in marriage.’

  The wait, between asking for Clive’s blessing and speaking to Darlene had made Kurt nervous. After he had gotten the words out he took a big gasp of air and then realized how scared he was in case it was all too weird and she said ‘no’.

  There was a wait… an insufferable wait, during which Kurt sensed Beatrice bristling and dying to cry out to her daughter to say something. Had he put her in an unworkable situation or was the penny just taking so long to drop that he actually meant it?

  It happened. The penny dropped.

  Darlene’s face softened into a smile and he could read on her features that she knew he meant it.

  ‘Kurt, I’d love to, you incurable romantic,’ she said and relief washed over him like tidal waters over the driest desert.

  There were cheers, hugs and congratulations all round. Clive must have shaken his hand a dozen times and all they could say was how beautiful it was that the two families had yet another reason to feel such close bonds.

  There was some comment about the fact that Earl and Brenda were not present, but they all agreed that, on the morrow, they would head to Pacific City and bring some joyous news to the poorly father and worried wife.

  At some point during the merriment (which the unintroduced neighbor insisted on hanging around for as if a part of) Kurt saw that Jefferson had risen and was skulking off back to his jeep. His walk had the air of a dejected person who had given up on something. If so that was best for him and everyone and, if not, he would be by Darlene’s side through whatever problems she faced.

  Before they went inside for refreshments his fiancée linked arms with him and whispered, ‘That was incredible; I had no idea you were in love, I just thought you wanted to sleep with me.’

  ‘Now what on earth gave you that impression?’ he asked.

  So, it was a happy end for the seaman who had found his mermaid after all. Although, as superstitious folk might say, the sea is a cruel mistress.

  There are more bonus stories ahead…..just look what you want to read next via the Table of Contents (TOC)

  The Happily Ever After Series

  BOOK 1: Second Chance

  Blurb

  Beverley Wade has always been a nerd. In college, she had eyes only for her books and the campus heartthrob, Grant Jennings. Grant was not only a fantasy for her but was way out of her league and also was her biggest competitor. By the time college was over, Beverley was relieved that she wouldn’t have to deal with her conflicting emotions for Grant any longer.

  But when her start-up tech company in Silicon Valley faces financial disaster, the highly successful Grant Jennings swoops in to buy her off. Not only is Beverley furious that her old rival wants to buy her company, but it seems like suddenly he can’t keep his hands off her either.

  Can Beverly trust Grant? Or, will Grant’s chiseled body and dreamy eyes be too hard for Beverly to resist?

  Chapter 1

  Beverley

  I looked on either side before crossing the road, safety first! Even though my mind was whirling with thoughts and I couldn’t concentrate on a single thing, I could still walk to my office blindfolded. I knew these streets like the back of my hand. I couldn’t fathom what it would feel like, to not go to that office any more. I’d dedicated the past four years of my life to it. Building up the company from scratch, working weekends to ensure that we might be able to finally break even. I had poured my blood and sweat and soul into it, and just when I thought that I just might be able to make it…my accountant told me that the company was going under, that I wouldn’t be able to pay my employees and the only way out would be to sell the company while I still could.

  This was an absolute nightmare. I was walking to the office, but I might as well have been a ghost, because I wasn’t thinking any more. What was I supposed to do now? Get a job? I’d been self-employed since college.

  From the moment I graduated, I made plans of starting my own company. The tech industry was reaching its peaks and I had an idea for a mobile game. I moved to Silicon Valley, rented a small apartment and converted it into an office. I wrote the code for the app myself and within the first three months, it had reached a thousand downloads on various app stores. I hired employees, I set up a separate office space and we worked tirelessly to ensure its success.

  And now it wasn’t the way I expected. I would have to sell the game to a bigger corporation just to stay out of bankruptcy and be able to pay my employees. I was ashamed and angry and feeling completely lost.

  I took the stairs up to my office, and pushed open the wooden door that led me to the small reception area. My office had three rooms. A reception area for Susan, the receptionist, a room for the other two programmers and one for myself where I sat behind a desk facing three connected computer screens.

  Susan looked up at me with a nervous expression on her face when I walked in.

  “Morning, Bev,” she said and I forced a smile on my face. There was no reason for me to smile any more.

  “Morning, Susan. I’ll be in my office if there are any calls for me,” I said, still in a daze. But, Susan stood up all of a sudden and startled me.

  “Bev, there has been an offer” she said, and I looked at her still a little confused with my brows crossed.

  “An offer for what?” I asked her and Susan looked like she was struggling to get the words out.

  “For the company, you know?” she said and my heart sank. This was getting more real by the minute.

  “Someone made an offer to buy my company?” I asked her in a raised voice. Sasha, one of the programmers, stuck his head out from his room and looked at us. Susan sat back down and nodded her head, like she was ashamed of herself. They all knew exactly how badly I was taking this.

  “Who is it?” I asked Susan, who also doubled up as my assistant and secretary. She looked at her papers, and shuffled through her notes.

  “I got a call from them only half an hour ago. From the offices of Lonex Apps?” Susan said and looked up at me. Now, she was beginning to look like she was worried for me.

  “Lonex Apps?” I said, in a much shriller voice. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

  “That’s what the man said on the phone,” Susan replied and I fisted the palms of my hands and tried to control my rage.

  “You mean, Grant Jennings’ company?” I asked and Susan shrugged her shoulders.

  I was asking the wrong person, Susan wasn’t up to date with the inner workings of Silicon Valley. But, I had no one else to take my temper out on, and I had a lot of temper inside me at that moment. I coul
dn’t believe that Grant Jennings’ company wanted to make an offer.

  “What does this mean?” Sasha’s voice interrupted my thoughts and I whipped around to face him with narrowed eyes.

  “I don’t know what this means. I don’t even know what they want,” I growled at him.

  “Lonex is huge, they are becoming even bigger by the day. I’m sure if they want to buy us out, they’ll have a big sum to offer…don’t you think?” Sasha continued, unaware of the bubbling feelings of rage that were erupting in me.

  I tried to control them, I barely could. Sasha’s words were slowly sinking into my brain and driving me nuts. Just when I thought that my day couldn’t get any worse, it had.

  “I mean, Grant Jennings…that dude really knows what he’s doing. I bet he has big plans for the app. This could actually be great, Bev,” Sasha said and I shook my head silently. I didn’t want to hear his name, I didn’t want to think about what Grant Jennings wanted to do with my company. I wouldn’t sell to him even if I had to go bankrupt.

  “Hey, didn’t you go to college with him or something?” Sasha said and I glared at him, before turning on my heels and walking straight into my office. I banged the door shut behind me and leaned against it, just to catch my breath.

  This was the worst possible way that Grant Jennings could make a re-entrance into my life. I thought I never had to think about him again. That my feelings for him in college were over and I could finally move on with my life. But here he was again, turning my world upside down…but this time I was resolved not to let him.

  Chapter 2

  Grant

  The meeting was set up for the next afternoon. Our secretaries had spoken to each other, so I hadn’t actually heard Beverley’s voice, but I got the feeling that she wasn’t pleased. In fact, I had expected her to turn down even before meeting up with me. But, I had a look at the company’s financials, I was aware of their state of affairs. That would have made her desperate to meet with me.