The Boss Project by Vi Keeland

Merrick shook his head. “No, I don’t think so.”

“Well, at least I think it was Cooper who helped me. I didn’t stop to look once I got back on the ladder. Years later, I asked him about it, and he said he didn’t remember. But I prefer to think it was Cooper who saved me, rather than that I unknowingly accepted help from my father—who could have come out of the house. Anyway, I remember that treehouse and that little rhinestone clock so clearly, but I can’t remember a lot of other things about my childhood. That treehouse made me feel so safe. My grandfather built it for me for my fifth birthday. He died the following summer.”

Merrick frowned. “I’m sorry you went through all of that.”

I shrugged. “It made me stronger in a lot of ways. Not being able to remember got me interested in how the brain works, which eventually led me to study psychology and become a therapist. And that treehouse I loved so much is where I got the idea for my Airbnbs. I know my grandparents would be thrilled at what I did with their property, and all of the profits are donated to an Atlanta DV shelter—the one Kitty founded.”

“God, you must think I’m such a dick.” Merrick rubbed the back of his neck. “I basically made fun of your rentals when you told me about them during the interview, and all the profits go to my grandmother’s charity.”

“Nah. I know renting treehouses and a glamping site sounds a little odd. I didn’t think you were a dick for that.” I grinned. “There were so many other reasons to think you were a dick. You know, like you telling me you were hiring me because I was the least-competent candidate.” I paused and smiled. “Sorry. We had a deal that I wouldn’t bring that up anymore.”

Merrick hung his head. “I really am an ass.”

“At least you own it.”

“You know, I ridiculed your upbeat personality when we first met because we’re so different, and I didn’t understand it. But maybe I can learn something from you.”

I cupped my ear and leaned to Merrick. “What was that? I didn’t hear you. I think it might have been another compliment. Can you repeat it?”

Merrick lifted his glass of wine. “If you tell Will I just said that, I’ll deny every word.”

“Your secret is safe with me.”

“I don’t think I ever actually apologized for the way I treated you at first. So I’m sorry.”

I smiled. “Thank you. But you can’t appreciate the beauty in someone without seeing the ugly. You just got your ugly out of the way to make it easier to appreciate the good parts.”

His eyes swept over me. “I’m not sure that’s always true. I haven’t seen any ugly side of you.”

Oh wow. That made my belly feel all mushy. You know what goes good with mush? Wine—lots of it. So I drank half mine down.

A few minutes later, we’d both emptied our glasses, and Merrick yawned.

“What time zone are you on right now?” I asked.

“I have no damn idea.”

“Welp, on that note, I think it’s time for me to let you get some sleep. Are you sure you don’t want the bed? I really don’t mind the couch at all.”

“I’m good. But thank you.”

I went and grabbed a blanket and pillow from the guest room and returned to set them down on the couch. When I got to the doorway, I stopped and looked back over my shoulder. “Thanks again for, you know, saving my ass.”

Merrick’s eyes dropped to my butt, and his lips formed a dirty grin. “Anytime you need to drop your drawers and bend over a knee bare assed, I’m your man. Let’s just say, it wasn’t miserable for me.”

I winked. “I might’ve enjoyed it a little myself.”





CHAPTER 15

Evie



Holy shit.

The next morning, I froze mid-step as I walked into the living room. Merrick was sound asleep on the couch, one arm slung across his forehead partially covered his eyes, but that was pretty much the only part of his body I couldn’t see. Well, that and one foot covered by the blanket I’d given him last night, which was now bunched up in a ball at the bottom of the couch.

And I couldn’t stop staring.

He wore only a pair of tight, black boxer briefs. I grew hot taking in his sculpted eight-pack, narrow waist, and the sexy V carved into his beautiful, tanned skin. Not to mention, there was a pretty large bulge in those skin-hugging underwear. Merrick Crawford was a sight in a suit, but this… This was next level. At any second, he could’ve opened his eyes and found me staring, but I was pretty sure even that wouldn’t have stopped my ogling. Some guilty pleasures were worth the consequences.

Damn. I might have to go back to my room for a little while, or maybe even take a cold shower.

But then Merrick shifted on the couch, and I held my breath while he settled in. I waited for him to open his eyes and find me drooling like a teenage girl. When he didn’t, I blinked myself back from my fantasy and managed to put one foot in front of the other and make it to the kitchen.

Fifteen minutes later, I sat at the table, drinking a cup of coffee and fantasizing about my boss’s body, when the door swung open. Merrick seemed surprised to see me.

“Oh, hey.” He raked a hand through his bed hair, which really worked for him. “What time is it?”