Her Billionaire Boss by Gena Snow
Chapter 12
Nick
On my way back to the resort, my mind is all over the place. Harper is acting weird. I’ve never seen her so loosen up. She’s also disobedient, very different from what she was before dinner. Damn. It had to be because of Sandra, or the alcohol. She had some wine at dinner and then a Margarita at the club. It’s not much to me but I guess the girl seldom drinks.
I must say I love the drunken Harper and prefer it to the uptight, serious woman.
Her shimmering eyes and her giggles send the wrong message to my dick, not to mention the mocking look on her face when she called me “sir.” Goddamn. I had the urge to spank her until she begged me to stop.
And then I regret leaving her alone with my cousin. True, he’s with a woman, but he’s also a debaucher.
I have the impulse to turn back to the club and demand Harper to leave with me, but I grip the steering wheel tightly. She’s an adult and I’m not a possessive fool. She’s my PA, not my girlfriend. I don’t own her and she doesn’t need my protection.
Besides, I’ve already gotten to the hotel. She should be fine, I convince myself.
I turn on my laptop and get to work right away. After I’m done with reviewing and signing the contract and email it back to Brea, I answer both business and personal emails. By the time I get to take a break, it’s almost eleven.
Harper should be back by now, but she isn’t. I call her but she doesn’t answer it. I text her and get no response either. I call Rob and get a voicemail. Fuck. Anxiety builds up quickly and I pace up and down in the hotel room.
I might still have Sandra’s number, but I’m reluctant to call her. It’s over between us and I regret very much fucking her.
Before I can stop myself, I’m in my car again, heading toward the club.
I don’t see Rob’s car at the club’s parking lot, but go inside anyway. I search for them frantically, only to confirm they’ve left.
Before getting back to my car, I again attempt to call Harper. Before dialing her number, I notice a message for her. “Help!”
Shit. It was sent ten minutes ago when I was inside the bar. Knowing where Rob lives, I don’t hesitate to go there.
His car is parked on his driveway, and I hear a woman’s squeal.
Damn. I don’t bother to get to the front door, but climb over a low fence and find myself inside his backyard. It’s well illuminated and it doesn’t take me long to find the Jacuzzi. Sandra and Rob are making out inside. Where is Harper?
As I rush toward the tub, I see a hand waving above water. Fuck. “Harper!”
I jump into the pool fully clothed and get hold of her.
I ignore the startled faces and curses of the couple and place Harper on the deck. I give her mouth-to-mouth until she coughs.
“Fuck, what the hell happened?” Rob asks.
“You fucking moron!” I bark at him. “She nearly drowned right in front of you!”
“Shit. She must’ve been very drunk…”
“What the hell did you give her?” I shout. “She shouldn’t be. Two glasses of cocktails wouldn’t do this! You must’ve gotten her spiked! I’ll check the security camera in the club and if I see anything, I’ll sue the pants off you!”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Rob shouts. “I wouldn’t do such things. Go ahead and check!”
“Please don’t do it,” Sandra puts a hand on my arm and says. “It isn’t Rob’s idea. I did it. I didn’t know she’s so susceptible.”
“You fucking bitch!” Robert curses. “Why on earth did you do that for?”
“Well, honey, I… you told me you wanted a threesome…”
“But I wouldn’t do it without her consent. Not to mention drugging. Fuck. She could’ve died!”
I don’t trust my cousin either, but I don’t bother to point out that he could’ve stopped Sandra from luring Harper into the Jacuzzi.
As they’re arguing, I wrap Harper in a towel and carry her into the house.
I remove her wet underwear and put on her dress for her. Before I carry her to my car, Rob comes to apologize. “Look, I’m sorry, Nick.”
“Don’t even ask for my forgiveness,” I say. “Because it won’t happen.”
What I want is to beat the shit out of the fucker, but it’ll only get me in trouble, and delay me from taking care of Harper.
I put Harper into the bed as soon as we’re back to the suite. She mutters something indistinguishable but falls asleep soon. I lie next to her, brushing her hair away from her face.
I watch her sleep. She is so young, more like her actual age instead of the mature woman she pretends to be at work.
As I brush her hair, she stirs and turns, putting her arm on my waist.
I pull her to me by instinct and cuddle her.
God. I can’t get the horrifying image of her struggling under the water. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if anything had happened to her.
It’s my job to protect this fiery but also vulnerable young woman, whether she’s mine or not.
