My Boss’s Secret by Taryn Quinn

Twenty-Three

April hummedto herself on the ride back after the carnival. Her song of choice? “Thriller” on the Halloween satellite station.

She was so freaking enticing, I couldn’t think straight. Or keep my hands off her. I kept rubbing her knee underneath the hem of her sundress, occasionally skimming my thumb higher along her inner thigh. At a stoplight, I’d fisted my hand in her hair and dragged her close for a taste, enjoying the doughy, sugary taste of funnel cake.

Preston was right. It was delicious. Especially on her lips.

When “Thriller” rolled into “Werewolves of London”, I slid her a sidelong smile. “All things considered, I think our first couples’ date was a success, don’t you?”

Hearing myself made me groan inwardly. Seriously? Next I’d be asking to help sew tarot bags and little pouches for my balls.

Yet I couldn’t really dredge up much concern for my missing swagger. What the hell had it ever gotten me? I’d been miserable most of the past few years. Right now, I was happy. And I was going to master using that hot glue gun, dammit.

It was now a personal quest.

“Yeah. Ry mentioned making Caleb and Lu come next time. She hadn’t heard the caramel apple story. She thinks they were just naked.”

“It’s a valid reason to skip the carnival. Or basically anything.” At the stop sign, I leaned over to nuzzle her jaw, inhaling her vanilla scent. “Take off your panties.”

Her scandalized look made me hard in a second. “Why, Mr. Stone, surely that can’t be proper.” She did as I asked, removing them quickly and licked her lips as she dropped them on the center console.

I was never getting this car detailed again.

“I want to fuck you in my apartment. On every surface. In every room. Possibly also out on the fire escape.”

Her laughter teased out my grin. “Happy Fri-yay to me.”

That wasn’t all I wanted to do with her in my place, but it was a start. “Fair warning, we’ll probably have to lock out the bird. He’s a damn lech.”

“He should meet Kit-Kat. She had her face pressed against the shower door this morning.”

I grinned. “I can beat you. She curled up in the sink to watch me shower yesterday and when I got out, she tried to lick the water droplets off the floor.”

“Why am I not surprised? She’s also fond of watching you sleep. I’ve caught her doing that a couple of times this—uh oh.” She grabbed her phone out of her purse and swiped before lifting it to her ear. “Hey, Grams. How are you?”

I slid her a look. Grams wasn’t aware of how our relationship had progressed, best as I knew. April had told her we were spending time together, and her grandmother seemed glad to hear it and mentioned us all going to dinner when she and Roger returned home in a couple days.

But spending time together wasn’t quite the same as unofficially living together. I just hadn’t left since I’d gotten there on Monday, at least not for more than a few hours at a time. When I stopped by home to hang out with Santiago, I made phone calls and handled emails. I was in no mood to sort through the materials Vienna, my admin, compiled for me to keep me abreast of updates with my clients, but I did my job. Yesterday I’d had a Zoom meeting with Eli and Cord, the associate lawyers I worked with the most at my firm, and I’d discussed shifting more work their way. I’d then told them I was considering other opportunities beyond the Pierson law group.

Seriously considering.

They both had been supportive, and privately, Eli had asked if I wanted to bring someone else on where I was going. I’d admitted I didn’t know the parameters of the workflow yet or if that would be necessary, but that if I did, he was the lawyer I’d call. He thanked me, wished me luck, and then I’d gone off to clean the cage of my rage-y parrot, who had asked me no less than three times if I was on the rag.

Yes, I’d made the mistake about asking that exact question about one of my least favorite clients when talking to Eli months ago. Santiago had whipped it out at a moment’s notice ever since.

I’d learned my lesson not to anger the gods with misogynistic comments.

“Oh, that sounds so nice. Tomorrow? Home? Wow. Yes. Wow. Uh-huh. Wow.”

I frowned. That was a lot of exclamations.

“Of course. Sure, he should be available. At least I think so.” She peeked at me out of the corner of her eye. “I’ll check. He’s really busy. Not this week so much, because he took an unplanned vacation—no, Grams, oh my God.” She covered her face with her hand. “I still have a couple left.”

“I’m available,” I mouthed.

She reached over to grab my thigh—or so I thought she was aiming for. Instead, she grasped a part of me far more excited by the prospect and I made a noise that nearly made her drop the phone.

“Shh, shh!” she hissed at me before picking it up again. “Sorry, Grams. No, we’re just on the way to his—his size? For what? Oh, Lord, really?”

I was so intrigued by her half of the conversation, I almost forgot my throbbing dick.

Almost.

She hung up a couple of moments later just as I parked down near the end of my block. It was a nice night, and although my building had a garage—with a direct elevator to my apartment—I wanted to stroll with her for a few minutes. I wasn’t in any hurry for this day to end.

That had been true of all the days we’d shared so far. Each one had been better than the last.

Dude, you are sunk.

“Dare I ask what your grandmother wanted to know my size for?”

“She bought you something when she was in the islands. She guessed your size as extra-large.”

“My size what as extra-large?” I was afraid to verbalize the question.

“Boxers,” April said in a low voice, waving me off when I started to speak. “She assured me they’re tasteful.”

“Um…” I took a breath. “This whole meeting and getting used to the families thing is going to be an experience, isn’t it?”

“I think you’re correct. Also, she said she knew I’d used all the condoms she’d given me and was startled I had not.”

“Wait til she finds out why.”

For about the fifth time in the last half hour, she covered her face with her hands. “She’s going to think I’ve lost my cocoa puffs.”

“Your grams ran away with someone she met in Fiji for a couple of weeks. I don’t think she’ll be too judgmental.”

“Yeah, but she can’t get pregnant.”

“Let’s hope not. That would be noteworthy for an entirely different reason.”

She dropped her hands and grinned, undoing her seatbelt and sliding across the seat. “You inspire me to act like someone else.”

I ran my fingertip down her nose. “Same goes. Or maybe we just never knew ourselves at all.” I unclicked my seatbelt and lowered my head to kiss her, sucking her lower lip between my teeth while she made that hungry sound that made me so crazy. I pulled her against me and she wrapped her hand around the back my neck, dragging her nails over my skin while I drew on the tip of her tongue and wondered if I could just fuck her right here.

“No,” she said between kisses, caught between a laugh and a moan. “Take me inside.”

“Did I…say that out loud? God, your mouth.”

“Mmm, you sure did. Inside.” She drew back and patted my chest, releasing a laugh as I hauled her in for one more kiss.

Or five.

Once we finally made it out onto the sidewalk, I bent forward and lifted my brows. “Climb on.”

“What?” Her giggle was perilously loud although she tried to keep it down. “Like a piggyback ride?”

“Sure. I can handle you. Besides, you have a bad track record with heels.”

“Low blow.” But she clambered up onto my back and gripped her legs around my waist as she slung her arms around my neck and kissed my ear. “Oh, this position has its benefits.” She wiggled her foot free of my hold and managed to run her low heel over the base of my cock, eliciting a string of curses that made her laugh in delight. “Let’s see you walk with that nine-iron in your trousers, Stone.”

“Here I thought you were so sweet and kind. You fooled me, you sexy wench.” I came to a halt outside the double doors to my building, quickly typing in my code and standing still to allow the eye recognition scanners to do their thing. Squirmy McSquirmerson barely stopped moving long enough for me to remain motionless, but a series of beeps finally heralded the doors opening.

“Fancy building for a fancy lawyer.” She bit the top of my ear as I carted her inside and went straight to the elevators. The night doorman cast a dubious glance my way but said nothing.

It was completely normal to carry a beautiful blond woman on your back across the lobby of a multi-million dollar building, right? Sure thing.

And here, I’d bypassed parking in the garage where I would’ve had direct access to a private elevator that led to my apartment. More examples of my sensible thinking.

Whatever. Living dangerously was my new motto.

Once we were in the elevator, I still didn’t put her down. I wasn’t sure why I liked carrying her around so much, but the way she laughed so freely every time made me just want to do it again. Bringing joy to someone was so much more satisfying than beating them in court or finding a piece of missing evidence that would poke holes in their case.

Who knew?

“I think you were a horse in another life with all your toting me around.” She covered my eyes with her hands as the elevator dinged on my floor. “Let’s see how well you know your building.”

“Oh, now you’re raising the bar.” I headed out in what I hoped was the right direction and she laughed uproariously as I overcompensated and pivoted into the wall instead of around the corner.

“Left. At least I think that’s where you were headed.” She giggled. “Guess this wasn’t too smart since I haven’t been—Bishop.”

At the sudden worry in her tone, I reached up to drag her hand away from my eye. And came face to face with someone I’d never wanted to see again.

The fact that it was a man I’d once idolized and had considered my best friend made it so much worse.

“Bishop.” Key’s voice sounded ragged as he walked up the hall toward me. His jacket had seen better days. His shirt didn’t fit him right. He smelled of his preferred whiskey and as if he hadn’t showered recently.

I didn’t feel concern. Not right away. I’d hardened my heart toward my brother years ago, and the walls were thick. But one emotion cracked through immediately.

“Jump down,” I said softly, calmly, to April.

She did as I asked and then I turned to her, trying like hell not to show what was in my head as I withdrew her panties from my pocket and pressed them into her hand. “My apartment is at the other end of the hall. 11B. Code is 89912.” The last part I mouthed so we couldn’t be overheard. “I’ll be right in. Please get dressed.”

I couldn’t believe I’d had her take off her panties when she was wearing a dress. A long one, but still. Then I’d paraded around with her on my back where anyone could see if she moved wrong.

I was a damn fool.

Her brows knitted together at the final thing I’d said before she peered over my shoulder in Key’s direction. Her pupils enlarged as if she understood who he was. We’d always looked a lot alike. He was just the taller, leaner version. We still shared a strong similarity, even if he appeared far rougher than he had the last time I saw him.

At your wedding.

April reached up to wrap her hands around the back of my neck, drawing me into a long, slow kiss without any concern for who was watching. As she eased back, I fumbled for something to say, but she spoke before I could.

“I love you, Bishop.” Her expression held so much emotion that I couldn’t breathe.

She walked away, confidence in every step. Was this still the same woman who’d seemed so shy at first in Fiji? We both had changed in the very best ways in such a short time.

Having someone who cared about you made everything different. Better.

Made me better.

When she passed my brother, she didn’t pause, just gave him a scathing glance that could’ve torched him where he stood.

She went down the hall, tapped in the code I’d given her, and then walked inside to a loud series of parrot screams that barely made her miss a beat before she closed the door.

Despite everything, I grinned. I didn’t have to worry about intruders. Santiago could do a good imitation of a murder victim on cue.

And besides that, April Finley loved me. She hadn’t even hesitated. So, really, what did I care about Key showing up here like the prodigal brother?

He couldn’t hurt me anymore.

Couldn’t hurt us.

“You look good.” Key scraped a hand over his over-long golden brown hair so like my own. His was more on the golden side thanks to lots of hours spent working outside. He had his own successful landscaping business. He loved nothing more than spending hours cultivating a client’s outdoor space, even though he’d built a talented team to support him.

Or at least that had been the case a few years ago. After the wedding, he and Rina had moved to a town halfway between here and Buffalo, and I’d assumed he’d transferred the business, as well.

The Key I’d known hadn’t worn ripped jeans or baggy shirts and let his hair grow unkempt. The light that had always been in his eyes was gone, and his ready smile had disappeared behind a thick beard.

He was still my brother—but not.

Hell, he could dress and live however he wanted to. His choice. In the end, I hadn’t really known him at all. So, maybe this was simply the real Key.

“You don’t,” I said shortly. “What are you doing here?”

For a moment, his blinding white smile slashed through his beard. “Right to it, huh?”

“I don’t want to keep my girlfriend waiting. We have plans.”

“She’s beautiful.”

With effort, I didn’t growl. I trusted her and this was a whole new situation. But it was really hard not to let echoes of my past resurface while I was standing a few feet away from the man who had literally helped to change the trajectory of my life.

For the better, I could see now. April had been absolutely right there. Rina had never been meant for me.

“She is, and even better, she’s smart and funny and sweet.”

And I can believe in her and us and what we’re building.

“You’re happy.”

“I am. Very much so.”

“I’d like to talk to her, get to know her—hell, Shoop, get to know you again. A lot of time has passed.”

I locked my jaw. Hearing my old nickname from him reopened ancient wounds and dumped in a dollop of salt. “What did you hope to gain from coming here?”

“Didn’t I just tell you?”

“You wanted to meet my girlfriend you didn’t know I had. Right.” I crossed my arms. “How did you even get in here?”

“I said I was your brother, showed ID. The woman in the lobby took pity on me.”

“Woman. Right.” He wouldn’t have been as lucky with the doorman working now. “So, flashed her the old Key charm. You never quit.”

“Actually, I do. But I’m desperate. I need to apologize to you. I need to make amends.”

“Oh, you need. It’s all about you again.” I shook my head and started walking up the hall toward my apartment. I wished it didn’t hurt to turn my back on him, that I could be as cold as I’d purported to be these past few years. But I’d loved and admired my brother so much. Deep down, some part of me still longed for his approval.

Especially longed for my family to be whole and okay again. We’d been so close and tight knit before all of this. I’d give anything to have not proposed to Rina if it meant I’d get to keep my big brother and my parents in my life.

In fact, I wished I could erase her existence entirely. I’d thought I’d loved her, but my feelings for her paled compared to how I already felt for April.

She was my forever. Rina had been my right then.

“Shoop, I divorced Rina. We’re through.”

I didn’t turn around. “So? Is that supposed to change anything?”

“I guess I hoped…” He puffed out a breath. “I did this all wrong.”

A flicker of compassion tried to build inside of me. I didn’t want it. I also didn’t think it was entirely my own doing. Someone was already making me softer. Turning my apex predator into a teddy bear with quills.

I hoped I still had the damn quills. Somewhere.

I closed my eyes and hoped like hell I wasn’t making a mistake. Wanting something didn’t mean it was the smart choice. Sometimes the only decision to make was to move on. Which I thought I’d done.

Not so much.

A lot harder to move on when he was standing here in my hallway, and I knew he was struggling. What the hell kind of man was I if I could turn away from my own flesh and blood, even if he’d wronged me? Everyone made mistakes. He hadn’t had a pattern of them with me. Just the opposite. We’d always been so tight and losing him for these past few years had been agony.

If I could get him back again…

“Let’s go inside.” Before he could take a step, I held up my hand. “This isn’t any more than a conversation. Don’t make it anything else.”

“I know. I won’t. I’m grateful for even that, man.” He exhaled again, the tension in his long, lanky frame leaving him for a moment. “You don’t know how much.”

“Yeah, yeah. If you look at April sideways, I will make your nuts into ponytail holders. Don’t think I won’t.”

His lips started to twist before he schooled his features. “Noted.”

I watched him over my shoulder, making sure he kept his distance while I typed in my code. He kept a proper distance back. I opened the door and ducked and almost rolled into the couch as a low flying, shrieking African Grey sailed over my head and into the hall.

It sounded suspiciously like he was screeching the word, “pussy!”

My brother also ducked, but he wasn’t expecting the dive bombing parrot so wasn’t able to correct himself before he cannonballed into the wall. April raced into the hall after Santiago, shooting me a panicked look before Key shot to his feet and whipped off his jacket, covering the bird who had momentarily landed on the floor to examine some speck he’d considered might be a snack. Key grabbed him like a football and sprinted down the hall, doing his best to contain the squawking, flailing parrot before tossing him in the direction of my open apartment door and pulling it shut as if he’d locked away some evil spirit.

He wasn’t evil, but he did a pretty good imitation when he was irritated. Which was often.

Panting, Key turned around and sagged against the solid steel core door while Santiago shouted his word of the moment on the opposite side.

“Pussy! Pussy! Pussy!”

I glanced at April, who was wide-eyed and staring back at me. “So, that’s my bird. What did you think?”