Page 7 of The Boss

My heart is racing. His lips are so close to mine. I'm terrified he can hear my heartbeat, see how my cheeks are flushed. I can't quite catch my breath. "And… And if I don't want to put a hand on your chest and push you away?" I murmur.

"Then all you have to do is turn your head two inches and kiss me, beautiful." My heart seizes in my throat. "You can call me Boss,” he continues. “Or Falcon. Or anything you want. Honestly, I just want you to call me yours."

I've heard of so many men demanding that women belong to them. Here's a man who wants to belong to me? Even if this is just for one evening, it's pushing all my buttons in the best possible way. This incredibly sexy man is making me feel more secure and cared for than anyone ever has. More alive. More in charge of my own life. More…

My head turns, and our lips meet in a soft, tentative kiss. I hear his sharp inhale, feel the second his lips part, inviting me to do the same. My hands wander across his wide shoulders, pulling him closer. His hand runs around my back, the other palm around my knee and under my skirt, just far enough to give me tingles without crossing any lines.

"So sweet," he growls into my lips. "I knew you would be. Sexy little angel."

A breathy moan escapes my lips as he kisses me more deeply, my entire body melting into a puddle. I bite back a whimper when he pulls away. "You need food, beautiful. Time for dinner while it's almost as hot as you are."

He chuckles, setting me back in place and pulling my skirt down politely. “I probably shouldn't have done that," he says, stirring some butter into his mashed potatoes. "Now I'm addicted to you. When it comes time for you to leave after lunch tomorrow, I'll be making up a reason why you need to stay a bit longer."

He grins, flashing me a look out of the corner of his eye.

I'm already nodding. "I'll, um, probably agree to that.”

4

BOSS

Morning. Daylight. Grr.

A shower wakes me up sixty percent of the way. I start to leave my bedroom and pause. There's a reason why I shouldn't go downstairs in just my shorts, but damned if I know what it is.

As I'm pulling on jeans, I remember. Etta. Here. Sleeping in my guest room.

Knowing she's in bed down the hall…allowing me to care for her… Suddenly, it's a bit more difficult to pull on my jeans.

That woman is driving me wild. I've never had this instant an attraction to anyone. The few times I dated years ago, it was always a slow burn. I’d get to like the woman, then feel some physical attraction. Nothing like how I already feel with Etta. Also, this time, both sides are clearly feeling the same way…I hope.

I walk down to the kitchen, trying to remain as quiet as possible.

With Etta, it’s different. I need to know her as a person, deeply and completely. Naturally I need her physically – that hot curvy body is driving me wild. But with her, there's a need to care for her as well. To nurture. To provide. I've never experienced anything like it.

I'm still not sure what the whole deal is with her uncle, sending her here on some bullshit expedition looking for “environmental hazards”. Come on. Who sends a young woman off to meet ranchers all on her own?

My body is completely on autopilot as I start the coffee. Usually the smell hits me and creates instant peace. This morning, I'm angry. Angry at Etta's family. They probably thought a pretty girl would make small town hicks tell her anything they wanted to know.

I’m bad enough. What if she’d come across a real asshole? I don't even want to think about it. Well, she's under my care and protection now. That's all that matters.

As soon as I take my first sip of coffee, last night's dream surges into my mind. Etta was stretched across my bed, naked. I can't remember exactly what her body looked like, just that she was sexy and precious and made a soft little moan when I spread her soft thighs to prepare to lick her pussy. Then the dream shifted, and she was pulled away from me. That’s all I remember.

I'm at my laptop at the dining room table sifting through supply orders when I hear footsteps on the stairs. Leaping up, I turn to Etta and my breath stops.

She’s stunning.

Even though she’s just wearing plain jeans and a long-sleeved dark purple t-shirt, she’s utterly radiant. Natural, with barely any makeup. Her hair is half pulled up, away from her face. No jewelry. Nothing to distract me from the curve of her full, round breasts. Her sexy wide hips. The sweet playful smile on her perfect lips.

I quickly pour her a glass of water and some coffee, and as soon as she steps nearer I reach out to hug her against my chest. "Good morning, beautiful."

It's not until her hands rub along my bare back that I remember I'm not wearing a shirt, but she seems content to nuzzle her cheek against my chest.

I step back with a grin. "Sorry, I should've asked if that was okay. I just… This connection feels so real."

Luckily, she smiles instead of smacking me. "Yeah, I hear you… It's weird, right?"

"A bit. But does it feel right to you?"