Page 41 of Hot for the Boss

“Are you going to leave it alone?”

“Dude, I’m your best friend. If you need to talk to someone⁠—”

“I don’t.”

Bas sighs. “Something is up. You and Nia have both been acting weird lately. Since I was raised by a single mom and I’ve got four pain-in-my-butt sisters, I speak female. You don’t. I can help.”

He wants me to be happy, and I don’t want to be an ass, but… “I have to figure this out for myself.”

“Listen, buddy. I think Nia is good for you, and I’d rather not see you screw this up. I overheard you say on the phone earlier that you two are going out tonight. Let me help. What are your plans?”

Since he means well, I can’t be mad. “She’s planning tonight, so I have no clue. I admit I’m anxious because I had no idea she enjoys performing in a burlesque show in her spare time. So who knows what she’ll come up with for us to do?”

Bas laughs. “And you hate not being in control.”

Almost as much as I hate him ribbing me about it. “Bite me.”

“Do you know what you two are going to talk about?”

“I need an agenda on a date?”

He rolls his eyes. “No, but if you want to move your relationship forward and you’re looking for a way to tell her that⁠—”

“Nia knows exactly how interested I am. The ball is in her court.” And it’s going to be a long six weeks without knowing whether she’ll be moving to Maui with me as my wife. Because even if I sell out, I’m moving. I can start a business on the island. There’s nothing keeping me in Seattle.

But no matter what, I’m not letting Nia go to the Lunds.

“Okay. Well, if she gets back to you and you need to talk, I’m here.”

“Thanks.” Right now, there’s simply nothing to say.

“Have fun tonight.” Bas gives me a jaunty wave, then he’s gone.

Since Nia left the office an hour ago and it’s nearly six, I pack up and head to my place. She’s supposed to meet me there at six thirty.

As soon as I hit the door, I pick up the few odds and ends lying around. My running shoes go in the closet. Yesterday’s water glass goes in the dishwasher. I fluff up the comforter on my bed, which has clean sheets as of yesterday, thank you very much.

By the time I change my clothes, check my hair, and find a bottle of wine in case I can talk her into staying here for the evening, the bell rings.

“Hi.” Somehow, I manage to breathe the word as she stands in my doorway.

I must look somewhere between bowled over and stupefied because she grins. “You like my dress?”

“Like isn’t the right word.”

She’s wantable. Edible. Fuckable. I swallow, but I can’t tear my gaze away from the thin straps grazing her shoulders, leading to a tight white, corset-style dress that dips low and hugs her plump breasts. My mouth is already watering as I take the visual tour lower and trace the nip of her waist, the womanly swell of her hips, and the lace trim that flirts with her thighs. Her white wedges show off her insanely gorgeous legs and a flash of turquoise toe polish.

“Are you going to invite me in?”

“Are we going to stay in so I can talk you out of that dress?”

She laughs and shakes her head. “No. We’ve got plans.”

“I said that out loud?”

“You did.”

“I…um, only meant to think it. Oops.”