The Boss's Love

by Casey Clipper

  The Boss’s Love

  CASEY

  CLIPPER

  The Right of Casey Clipper to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her.

  ~

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights.

  ~

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictionally, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  ~

  First Published 2013

  Copyright © Casey Clipper 2013

  ~

  Published by

  Independent Publisher

  www.CaseyClipper.com

  Cover by Joanna Chlasta

  To my husband – my rock, my sanity (or insanity-whichever), my voice of reason.

  Chapter 1

  John

  Seated in his assigned, unmarked government car, John Marshall scanned the parking lot. His partner of ten years, David Shalen sat next to him eyeing the front doors to the bar. For an hour they had remained in that vehicle discussing their approach.

  "How's your mother?" John asked, changing the subject.

  "She is doing okay. The chemo has been rough on her but she's a fighter. She'll be fine," David answered, wishing he was with his mother right now instead of seated in this parking lot.

  "Good."

  Ten minutes later the black BMW they waited for arrived and pulled into a spot three cars up from theirs. They watched the driver talk on her cell phone for a few minutes before she climbed out of the sleek car and headed into the bar for late Friday afternoon happy hour.

  "Here we go," John said antsy.

  Shooting his partner a glare, David remained silent, keeping his concerns to himself.

  Dressed in their business suits in order to blend with the happy hour crowd, John and David strolled into the restaurant. Fortunately, they quickly found their mark seated at the bar already with a drink. As the bar filled with the after work crowd, they were lucky to find two empty stools next to her. John marched straight to the seat beside her and plopped down. Two men just relaxing after a hard week at work.

  Before they situated themselves comfortably, the female bartender was on top of them. She leaned over to expose her cleavage in her extra small V-neck tee shirt. "Hey, guys. What can I get you to drink?"

  "Two bottles of Yeungling," David ordered.

  Reaching into the cooler, she pulled out two bottles, uncapped and set the beers on the bar. "Four dollars."

  "I've got this one." David grinned, pulling out the government business debit card. Tonight was courtesy of the good taxpaying people of the Unites States of America.

  "Do you want me to start a tab?" the bartender asked.

  "Yes, thank you," David replied.

  Pretending to start up a conversation, John casually leaned against the bar. Out of his peripheral vision, he noticed Courtney Millen's beauty from her pictures didn't do her justice. She was absolutely breathtaking. Long strawberry blonde hair with a slight wave. Unfortunately the picture-perfect style hid some of her profile features but that didn't matter.

  As he got lost in trying to have a random discussion with his partner and take in more of her, a subtle floral scent wrapped around his nose. Had she just come from the salon? Man, he could bury his nose into her hair and lose himself in her.

  Courtney's cell phone rang causing their ears to perk.

  "Hello?" she answered, her voice soft but confident. "Yes," she said, nodding as if the person on the other end of the phone could see her.

  John chuckled, granting him a furrowed brow from his partner.

  "It's not listed yet but it's one point five million, Mr. Hepler. It does go on the market next week," she said.

  A business call. According to their background check, Courtney sold real estate for an east suburb agency. Considered one of the best agents in the area, she sold anything from fifty thousand dollar homes to twenty million dollar business buildings. That was how she met her boyfriend two years ago.

  "Email me the offer and I'll inform my client. I should be able to let you know by lunch Monday whether or not they'll accept," she explained. She paused for a moment then smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Hepler." She ended the call and took a sip of her fruity drink.

  John made a bold move, one not discussed with his partner.

  "You sell real estate?" he asked, leaning towards her.

  She startled but quickly recovered and stuck out her hand. "Yes, Courtney Millen."

  "John Marshall." He shook her outstretched hand, noting her soft skin and firm handshake.

  A small, disapproving growl came from his partner.

  "I'm sorry to have overhead the conversation," John said.

  Dismissively she waved her hand. "Don't apologize. If you talk on your cell phone in public, then you have to live with the fact that someone will overhear you."

  He chuckled. "I suppose that's true."

  "So, are you in the market for a home?" she asked, clearly going into business mode.

  "Maybe. I just moved here but haven’t had much time to look for a permanent home,” he baited her.

  "Well, that's my job now isn't it? What would you be looking for?" She repositioned herself to face him.

  She literally took his breath away. Flawless, porcelain skin and subtle makeup enhanced her enormous, sapphire blue eyes that drew him in.

  She reached past John to David. "Hello, Courtney Millen."

  "David Mathews," he said politely then picked up his longneck and took a long swig, but warily watched the scene.

  "To be honest with you, Courtney, can I call you Courtney?"

  "Of course." She smiled.

  "I don’t know," he said.

  "Well, are you married, engaged, single, kids?" she asked and reached into her designer purse and pulled out a small notepad.

  He chuckled. "I'm single, no kids, and not home too much. I travel extensively with my job."

  "Okay, have you thought about a condo?" she asked.

  "No, I’d like to have a yard. When I'm home I like to entertain friends. You know, watch football, barbeque. But I'm not looking for something with three bedrooms,” he answered truthfully. If he actually was in the market that description would be what he wanted in a home.

  "A starter home."

  "Yeah, I suppose." John shrugged and took a swig from his beer.

  "Any certain area?"

  "I like the east suburbs side of the city. From what I've been told there's more to do there and nice neighborhoods." And close to Courtney's work.

  "Well, you're information is correct,” she said, furiously scribbling on her notepad. "If you want me to I can look into some homes for you." She pulled out a business card from her purse and handed it to him. "My office and cell numbers. I'll let you think about it over the weekend. If you decide you would like to look for a home call me Monday and I'll pull up some homes to get started."

  "Thanks, Courtney. I appreciate it,” he said. Her name rolled beautifully off his tongue.

  A large hand placed possessively on Courtney's shoulder interrupted their conversation. Their subject, Darren Murphy, had arrived.

  "Hello, gorgeous,” Darren said smoothly.

  Courtney's attention immediately went to her boyfriend. "Hey, handsome."

  Affectionately, he smiled at his girlfriend. His eyes gleamed with obvious adoration. He chastely kissed her lips. Clearly marking his territory. He glanced up at the two men seated next to his best girl
and surveyed them with keen eyes.

  "I may have just picked up another client, honey. He needs a home." Courtney beamed and flashed John a brilliant smile.

  Struck stupid, he felt as if he'd been hit by lightning. That breathtaking smile would be permanently burned into his memory.

  "Ah." Darren nodded. "Well, you're in good hands if you go with my girl here. She's the best and brightest in real estate,” he bragged.

  Finally Mr. Murphy ordered a drink off the overheated bartender but not before he granted her with a flirtatious wink. Typical. The man was quite aware of his affect on women. While the bartender fumbled for his drink, he took the seat on the other side of Courtney, who abandoned their potential business interaction to focus on her long-time boyfriend.

  Damn it, Darren Murphy could have any woman he wanted. In fact for many years he had. But to the man's credit, since the day he met her, he only had eyes for Courtney. No girlfriends on the side. Didn't fool around behind her back. No mistresses to coerce and turn on Mr. Murphy. They determined his past lovers were kept close to the chest within his mob community. Somehow he changed into a one-woman man and that made their job much more difficult. But Courtney was considered an outsider of his world, which was why they initiated their focus on her.

  Darren

  When Darren stepped into the bar to meet the love of his life for their usual Friday happy hour meeting, he zeroed in on the man seated too close to her and his body language. Of course the man was attracted to his Court. Why wouldn't he be? Gorgeous, brilliant, and kind, in addition, her job made her innately outgoing. But the sight of her speaking to another man in a bar did not sit well with him.

  He strode with purpose up to his girl and made certain to show she was taken. Yes, totally caveman, but he didn’t give a shit. Since Courtney refused the ring he desperately wanted to give her, he found other mannerisms to make certain men knew she was spoken for. He made territorial contact as he kissed her soft cheek and took in her heady scent. Naturally she abandoned the guy and focused on him, which had his heart expand even more, if possible, over her loyalty to him. God, he loved and adored her.

  Once the bartender served Darren his drink, and Courtney focused entirely on him, he brushed her beautiful hair off her shoulder. Parting his legs, he pulled her bar stool closer to him then leaned over and brushed his lips against hers.

  "How was your day, sweetheart?" he asked. The seemingly mundane question he asked everyday. Her safety was priority number one in his world. If she answered by voicing concerns over someone who raised her hackles, little did she know she’d no longer be working alone.

  "Busy, how was yours?" she asked in return.

  "Busy,” he replied.

  She chuckled and took a sip of her drink.

  "Have you thought of an answer?" Darren asked.

  Eyeing him through her long, painted eyelashes, those large blue eyes glistened with that look he had received far too many times from her.

  "Darren, the problem is I feel if I move in with you then we should at least be engaged," she said.

  "Does that mean you're accepting my proposal?" he asked, unable to hide his surprise. Could this be the time she finally accepts?

  "No," she teased. She visible held her breath. He assumed she hoped a third rejection wouldn’t cause another episode. One that would turn into a mountainous two-hour long discussion that confirmed their relationship was terrific and she was still completely, insanely in love and devoted to him. Yes, he would insist on the reassurance again and again until she accepted.

  "That's what I thought." He sighed, dejected. "What's it going to take, Courtney? I want you to become my wife, Mrs. Darren Murphy. I want to come home to you every day and wake up to you every morning, not just the mornings you decide to stay the night. I want to have family functions together in our home and get a dog, or even a cat. I want to have babies with you and cater to you while you’re beautifully pregnant. The entire family package."

  She outright laughed at him. "You are such a sap, Darren. No wonder I adore you."

  Snagging her around the waist, he pulled her off the stool to stand between his legs. He loved wrapping her tiny five feet two inch frame with his six feet three inch physique. "Please," he begged.

  She kissed him on each corner of his mouth, while his chocolate brown eyes intently watched her, and then placed a reassuring kiss on his bottom lip. "Not now, but some day, my love."

  Her term of endearment made him smile. He whispered, "My love."

  "Always."

  He cupped her perfect face in his hands. "I love you."

  "I love you."

  "Promise?" he asked and kissed the tip of her nose.

  "With my whole heart."

  His most breathtaking smile he had in his arsenal of good looks crossed over his features. Madly in love with Courtney didn’t cover his emotions. Even though she denied him, again, he vowed to spend the rest of his life making her happy. If only he could get her to say yes. There was no other woman on this earth for him and he desperately wanted to make Courtney permanently his.

  "Are you spending the night?" he asked. He took her soft, delicate hands into his and ran his thumb over her naked ring finger.

  "Of course, I need my fix," she teased. A naughty glint lit those blue eyes.

  "Oh, you'll get your fix, Miss Millen," he growled. He loved the minx in her.

  "Promise?"

  "Always." He laughed.

  John Marshall

  Listening to the couple's banter, John felt himself grow jealous of Darren Murphy. How desperately he wanted what they exhibited. Lost in one another without a care who surrounded them. What he wouldn't give to have a woman like Courtney to himself.

  Watching Darren Murphy up close and personal, when he focused on Courtney, no one was allowed to enter his bubble. What struck him the most was Darren's blatant admission about marriage. That revelation gave them leverage. She was his weakness. A chink in his armor. And she fell into their lap like a gift from Santa.

  Chapter 2

  Courtney

  Stirring from a well-rested night, Courtney found herself alone in an empty bed. Clearly Darren had started his morning early.

  Stretching her jellied limps, she grinned, thinking about last night’s long extracurricular activities. What a lucky girl she was.

  She crawled out of his California King and jumped into the shower. Most likely Darren planned to hit the gym and she decided to join him. Rarely did she work out with her man but today she felt the need to hit the treadmill.

  Once she showered and threw on her workout clothes, she jogged downstairs to find Darren’s home hopping with his staff.

  "Miss Millen, good morning," Jack, Darren's driver and personal security, greeted her when she reached the bottom of the steps.

  "Hi, Jack. Is Darren at the gym?" That was a stupid question and she knew it as soon as it left her mouth. Darren didn't go anywhere without Jack.

  "No, he's in the kitchen but he'll be leaving soon,” he answered. He opened the front door and scooped up the morning newspaper.

  "Thanks."

  Prancing into the large, modern eat-in kitchen, she was greeted with a beaming smile from her guy.

  "Beautiful, you're up early," he gushed. He set down his protein drink, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her soundly.

  "Yeah, I woke and you were gone." She playfully pouted.

  A deep growl left his solid chest then he bit her full bottom lip and tugged. "I'm sorry. Couldn't sleep."

  "Is everything alright?" she asked concerned.

  "Yes, sweetheart. Everything is fine. Nothing for you to worry about. Just work issues," he assured her but refused to elaborate. He never discussed work with her. Never would. All she knew about his career was he involved himself in investments and was quite successful.

  He noticed her outfit. “Are you joining me at the gym today?"

  "Do you mind?"

  "Absolutely not. I love having you ther
e," he answered.

  "Let me grab some toast so I have something in my stomach," she said.

  Darren reluctantly released her with a loud kiss on the side of the neck.

  While she busied herself popping wheat bread into the toaster and pulled out a bottle of water, Courtney didn’t pay any mind to the other three men in the kitchen. So used to Darren’s staff constant presence, they blended into the background.

  "I was thinking, if you're up to it, we could go out on the boat today, honey," Darren said, finishing his protein drink and placing his glass into the dishwasher.

  Courtney caught herself mesmerized by the overwhelming attractiveness of her man and how fluidly he moved. Short, dark brown hair slightly askew today with that just gotten-out-of-bed-and-threw-on-clothes look. A snug, black tee shirt and work out shorts conformed to his hard body. His perceptive chocolate eyes watched her size him up while his chiseled jaw flexed. He smirked knowingly.

  She pulled herself out of her trance and asked, "Is it too chilly for that?" The temperature had dropped twenty degrees overnight. Typical Pittsburgh weather.

  "You can wear jeans and a jacket. The wind might be chilly but it'll be a great day to ride on the river if the sun is out," he said. Hope seeped through his tone.

  She chuckled at how childlike he was when he wanted something, but she understood having his girl out on his boat for the day meant the world to him. "If that's what you want."

  "It is."

  "Okay."

  Jack sauntered into the kitchen. "Aren't you working this weekend, Courtney? I thought weekends were big showing times for agents."

  "They are but I've worked every weekend for the past two months. I took this one off," she answered.

  Darren looked at her shocked. "Courtney, why didn't you tell me? I had no idea. I would never ask you to do such a thing."

  "Have you noticed I haven't been around on the weekends?" She raised an eyebrow.

  "Yes." He grinned.

  "And have you been alright with it?" she tested.