My Boss’s Secret by Taryn Quinn

Eight

Yeah,I so wasn’t addressing that pink elephant in the room right now, thanks.

No one fell in love that fast. Not anyone regular, anyway. It wasn’t as if I was some oversexed Hollywood starlet who fell in love as easily as she blinked. I was ordinary April Finley, legal assistant. Lover of ornery cats, bargain D-I-Ys, complicated sewing projects, and gourmet hot chocolate.

Still, thank God she couldn’t see me flushing right now. I had to be beet red—and not because of my light sunburn. I really needed to get the sunscreen from my suitcase. Vacation was almost over, but I didn’t want to go home looking like a lobster.

Already almost over. How could it be possible?

I made myself answer before I turned into a crisp. I’d have to go inside to wait for him or else check out the nearby shops for sunscreen. I was probably the palest person on this island, which also hammered at my self-confidence. I’d gotten used to the milky hue of my skin years ago, but it was hard not to compare myself to all the curvy, golden bodies running about so freely in bikinis. Not a pale ass in sight. Next time, I’d spring for some self-tanner.

What next time? How are you going to afford Fiji again on a legal assistant’s salary?

Even if I saved—hell, even if I finally signed up for that course to become a paralegal—it would be awhile until I could make it back here. And I wouldn’t be staying in a bure with all the amenities, that was for sure. More like the cheapest possible room.

I gazed out at the tranquil turquoise water frothing onto the white sand and sighed as I set my chin on my palm. But the view was free.

I frowned down at the shell bracelet on my wrist. It was pretty, but I really needed more mementos from this trip. Maybe an armful of bangles like one of the masseuses had sported yesterday. Their clang was so light and cheerful. I’d just go shopping while I waited rather than fretting like some sailor’s wife pacing along her widow’s walk.

Now there was an image.

And I officially needed to stop chatting and start exploring—on my own, if need be.

I sent back another text.

Like. Serious like. He’s incredible. But no one falls in love in a few days.

Oh, my sweet summer child. You can fall in love in a moment if you allow yourself.

I replayed her words over and over as I shopped. I strolled through the different open-air markets, savoring the experience of browsing. Every piece of jewelry I picked up, I imagined my mystery man’s reaction. Every kitschy thing I found, I pictured him laughing with me.

You’re sunk, chick.

In the back of my mind, I was also searching for a small souvenir for my boss, but I especially wanted to find something for my guy. I wanted him to have a tangible reminder of this trip too. I didn’t want to go too romantic. Just enough so that with a glance, it would bring these intense days and nights rushing back.

Not that I could ever forget them.

In a funky shop run by a pair of loud, boisterous women who were clearly sisters or cousins or best friends, I bartered for a pair of bookends stained and carved into the shape of whistling doves, one of the birds I was told was found in Fiji. The green bodies and yellow heads were so cheerful and cute, not that my boss especially appreciated either of those things. He also wasn’t one for much color, preferring navy or black suits most of the time. I wasn’t a colorful sort either when it came to most of my attire, and what had that gotten me?

I smiled down at my pretty pink sundress with the hand-stitched showy flowers in a deeper pink along the hem. I was tired of neutrals and blues. It was time to enjoy the full range of colors.

Maybe that was true for Preston too.

“You got a good deal, totoka.”

Since I didn’t speak Fijian, I didn’t know what the owner’s last word meant, and I was too bashful to ask. I just smiled and thanked the women profusely before I continued on my way.

My next purchase was for my lover. I didn’t know his taste or what kind of office he had, or even what he did. But the glass globe paperweight done in swirling greens and blues immediately made me think of his eyes. They were so vivid and unique.

And you’re so screwed.

Not only that, when I was holding the world in my hand, it made what I was doing—what we were doing—seem not so futile. Sure, we wouldn’t be together after Fiji. But the world wasn’t really that big, right?

Okay, that was a lie, but knowing he was out there couldn’t make me feel any more lonely than I had before. Especially if somehow we found a way to skip that whole messy ending thing.

I was absolutely awful at them.

At the next shop, I perused the swimsuits in between darting glances over my shoulder. I’d never enjoyed flaunting myself, since I was always too aware of my flaws. I was too angular in some places, too round in others. But this body was mine. I’d lived in it for twenty-six years, and I was tired of hiding.

“Can I get this one?” I called too loudly to an assistant, fingering my first ever bikini. Crocheted bikini, no less.

And hot pink. Virulent pink.

Most likely, I’d end up wearing my striped tankini far more than I ever did this pink number. But it didn’t matter. I’d always have the memories of when I walked on the wild side.

And lounged. And laid.

Much laying.

After I did the walk of shame to the reception desk and got a new room key, I took my purchases back to the room and tried on my new bikini before I found the note in my guy’s slashing handwriting waiting for me.

Hoped I’d find you naked in the hot tub, but maybe we can reenact that later. I just have a quick errand and then I’ll be back. In the meantime, try not to open that item next to the couch.

Already grinning, I craned my neck and saw a huge package wrapped in brown paper leaning against the back of the sofa. It was the size of a giant picture frame. Or…mirror.

We already had enjoyed some of the mirrors in this place. If that was another freestanding one, we probably could have an orgy in front of it.

No, no orgies needed to be added to my repertoire. I was enjoying him plenty and didn’t want anyone else.

Might never want anyone else.

I crept closer to the item. I wouldn’t peek. I really would not. But if I ran my hands around the outer dimensions just to see if I could get an idea what it might be…

In front of the sofa, there was another folded note on the floor. I snatched it up.

Maybe I should say it more strongly. This is a surprise. I want to see your reaction when you open it. No peeking.

Dammit, it was like he could see me. Or else he knew curiosity killed April.

I sighed and glanced around. Could he see me? I almost wouldn’t put it past Mr. Moneybags Controller-of-All-Things.

Why did I find that hot? What was wrong with me?

Probably too much stimulation after a long sexual drought. It couldn’t be good for the psyche.

Fine, I wasn’t going to look. I was just going to wait patiently for him to finish his errand, even if I had to wonder what he was up to now. In the meantime, I’d just try on my cute new bikini and hope all my island indulgences hadn’t made me go up a size.

At least some of them were calorie-free.

I was bent over examining my ass hang between my legs when my grandmother texted me. Flushed, out of breath, more than mildly embarrassed, I grabbed my phone to read what she’d said.

I’m leaving soon, dear. You’re sure you’ll be fine on your own with your gentleman?

Already? We didn’t get to talk much.

You’re busy. I get it. And your man sure is fine. *winky face* Mine too.

I sat on the sofa, clutching the note from my fine man in one hand and my phone in the other. This whole trip was supposed to be about my grandmother, not about following my lustful loins wherever they led me. She hadn’t been as depressed or brokenhearted over her failed engagement as I’d expected—actually, she hadn’t been those things for even a minute that I’d seen—but I couldn’t imagine her just going off to island jump with a man I hadn’t even met.

Not that she’d met mine either.

Ugh, God, what were we doing? I had to see her in person. Texting didn’t accurately convey emotions. Maybe she was burying her pain in sly emojis and island beverages and naughty activities with a younger man. At least I thought he was younger. What if he was some kind of huckster, just waiting to secrete her somewhere I could never find her again? Sure, my guy hadn’t turned into a spree murderer—yet—but what were the odds we could both just have freewheeling fun with colorful condoms and couples‘ massages and pink butt floss, aka bikinis, without negative consequences?

Probably not very good.

Quickly, I sent her a message.

Are you in your room?

Yes, I’m packing. Why?

I stood up and grabbed the bag with the coverup I’d picked up in another shop. I dragged it on over my bikini and hurried over to look at my reflection. Butt floss hidden.

Yay me.

I bent to search for the flip flops I’d worn to shop. I’d kicked them off in a hurry after returning since I’d had a few too many fruity concoctions while on my spree—it was five o’clock somewhere—and my bladder had protested.

Yanking up the tangled sheets, I looked under the bed. Where the heck were they? Only I could lose shoes that quickly. It wasn’t as if I had a powerful kick.

Sparkles out of the corner of my eye made me sigh and grab the heels Bishop had given me. Not the best choice but I’d take them off on the sand and just wear them to walk through the hotel. Besides, it wasn’t as if I could wear my new fancy slippers. But I’d shove them into my bag for when I got a blister from the sexy-as-sin, not-meant-for-sand heels.

After sliding my feet into the heels with a little happy sigh—that would unfortunately be gone after I walked in them for a few minutes—I grabbed my phone and answered Grams.

Wait for me.

I didn’t wait for her to text me back, just silenced my phone and threw it in the beach bag I’d been using as a purse. It was hot as blazes out, or else I’d just been running around too much, so I grabbed a bottled water and dumped it in my bag with the few purchases I hadn’t yet unpacked.

My stomach growled so I plucked a croissant off a tray left from last night’s decadence and ate it while I passed the neighboring bures. Everyone was so friendly, and I found myself calling out greetings and laughing although I rarely chatted with the neighbors at home.

I was always so serious there and didn’t take time for things like that. Much like my equally serious boss who was probably still stunned I’d dared to take an impromptu vacation after eighteen months.

Truthfully, so was I.

It didn’t take me too long to arrive at my hotel but the journey there wasn’t nearly as much fun as leaving with my guy had been. Of course, there was no one to carry me over this threshold. No one to grin at me with challenge and interest in his mesmerizing eyes. The rest of him wasn’t any slouch either, but he conveyed a wealth of information in just one glance.

I crammed the last bit of flaky pastry in my mouth and forced myself to focus on my grandmother.

You’ll see him again soon, so no more mooning, Finley.

Turned out I didn’t know exactly how soon.

I entered my room and was just about to fling open the connecting door to my grandmother’s suite when her light laughter filled the space. Followed by the deep commanding tone I would know anywhere.

My clit pulsed out a weak hello while my brain whirled.

I didn’t want them talking. Not because I was ashamed of him, far from it. He was sweet and gorgeous and witty and had manners for days. He made me laugh and made me come and made me wish I hadn’t set up stupid rules that I didn’t know how to break, because breaking rules was not my thing.

God, I’d even made a rule so I could break them.

But aside from possibly revealing things to him I didn’t want him to know, my grandmother wouldn’t make it easy on me to let him go. Maybe that was for the best, but even so, that was my choice. The whole making decisions for me thing had been exciting and freeing when it hadn’t been about important issues.

This was different. We’d decided on how this would go, and now he was doing an end run around me and trying to take the decision out of my hands.

Not that I was terribly surprised. He didn’t strike me as someone who abided by what he was told very often.

My grandmother’s voice rose, but her tone held laughter not rancor. “I must say, I’m rather surprised Bunny would make such an arrangement with you. But if she did, she has her reasons, and you won’t get any more out of me.”

I pressed my ear to the door to catch more of their conversation, my heartbeat a hollow echo in my head. I needed to stop this. I also needed to hear what they’d say.

I was on a speeding bus headed to hell, and my armor was a string bikini and sex heels.

“Oh, I don’t want to break our agreement. I just wanted to surprise her by picking up her bags, and I was hoping to meet the woman who means so much to her. And I can tell the feeling is mutual.”

Despite myself, I smiled. He was an astute guy. Probably why his tongue had such unerring accuracy.

Or else he’d slept with the equivalent of twenty cheerleading squads, but I preferred to focus on his powers of observation.

My grandmother laughed. “You’re a slick one, aren’t you? Think you can wind your way around an old bird without her being any the wiser. My Bunny will see right through any games. That’s not the way to win her.”

I winced and covered my face with my hands. Probably shouldn’t mention what it had taken to “win” me—and most of the time, talking had not been involved.

“I don’t see any old birds around here, but I’ll take any advice you’d spare.”

“For one, she won’t appreciate any high-handed maneuvers. Oh, it might work once or twice. A girl does enjoy being spoiled—and surprised—now and then. But keep it up and you’ll find yourself with something other than your hat in your hand and a possible restraining order.”

His laughter was deep and rich..

Grams had a very good point. Getting presents was awesome. Making decisions without my input and replacing my wardrobe as if I was a doll to play dress up with was not.

Minus the red dress and the Cinderella heels and the plush slippers my arches were crying out for even now.

“You’re right. I got hung up on giving her the whole fairytale experience. Making her happy is addictive.” His smile resonated in his words, and I found myself smiling back, then touched my own lips as if his were against mine even now. “I’ll just leave her things where they are. We can come back and get them, or she can get them herself.”

“The boy can learn.” My grandmother laughed.

He laughed with her, and they said a few things too low for me to discern. Then my grandmother gasped loudly enough I teetered on my heels and nearly overbalanced from my full beach bag.

“I see it now.”

“See what?” His question was easy, relaxed.

“I knew I recognized you. I thought it was from that show with the vampire brothers. One of them is sleeper sexy, not as overtly sex on wheels as the older brother.”

I closed my eyes. Please God, don’t let her explain how she ranks the appeal of the Salvatore brothers.

But she didn’t go into that. Instead, she went in a direction that was far worse.

“When Bunny sent me your photo, something clicked in my mind. I figured it’s the bone structure. You could fill in on that show, you know.”

“Sorry.” His tone was thick with humor. “I haven’t seen it.”

“Well, broaden your mind. Anyway, that wasn’t it. I’ve seen you on TV, but not on a rerun. You do those commercials, don’t you? You’re the bye guy.”

I frowned. What did that mean?

He cleared his throat. “I didn’t come up with that unfortunate nickname, but I was convinced by a PR firm that it was hooky enough to catch attention. I stopped doing those commercials more than a year ago, by the way. We only ran them in the tri-state area with a brief expansion into the south. After that, I was so inundated with business, I no longer needed to advertise.”

“I can only imagine. Handsome, slick divorce attorney like yourself, you must’ve had to beat the horny wanna-be divorcees off with sticks.”

Divorce attorney.Like my boss, my boss’s brother, and their father, who planned to retire soon. Shaw, Shaw, and Shaw, LLC was my place of employment.

I clutched my stomach. Well, his tattoo certainly made sense now.

His chuckle was smooth, saying without words that she was right on the money.

Lovely.

I knew all too well how women swarmed around my boss, and he gave them no encouragement whatsoever. He also didn’t serve clients outside of New York unless they were a personal referral.

My guy had who knows how many likely attractive and soon-to-be single women flitting around him at any given time. Like I could compete with that? I could halfheartedly pretend to fun and exciting for a few days, but my true staid, steady personality lurked underneath. I wasn’t the kind of woman who could keep a man like him intrigued for long.

Good thing this was all just very temporary. I’d been smart.

“I don’t mix business and pleasure.”

“Never?” My grandmother pressed.

“Rarely,” he hedged. “If I do indulge, I make it clear I’m not interested in anything that lasts longer than a weekend reservation. I learned my lesson well in that arena.”

A ripple of pain went through my belly though I firmed my shoulders. Me too.

Just more confirmation we’d made the right choice by keeping the pressure off. And if my grandmother slipped and said my real name instead of bunny, so what? We both knew the score.

“If that’s the case, why are you here warming me up to plead your case? Your temporary arrangement with my granddaughter must suit you right down to the ground.”

“It does. It did.” He let out a baffled laugh as I closed my eyes and tried to ignore the traitorous flutters in my chest. “I don’t understand it myself, but I’m not ready to let her go. I can’t.”

Oh, God. The backs of my eyes heated. I fought every urge to open the door and tell him I felt the same. But how could I do that? Never mind my eavesdropping. There was no way we could last, and then I’d ruin the best memory of my life by reaching for more than I was meant to have.

It would end. It always ended with me. Every real relationship of any sort in my life had ended before I was ready, other than with my best friends and Grams.

Even my parents had split on me, for God’s sake.

My grandmother’s voice gentled. “Sounds like that’s a conversation you need to have with her.”

“She doesn’t want to go there. The first woman—shit.” He blew out a breath. “Wait a second, where are you located? If you saw those commercials, you have to live in one of the markets we serve.”

I grabbed the doorknob. He served those markets because he lived in one of them himself, obviously, and if she told him where we were from, he would follow suit and everything would fall apart.

But she didn’t answer his question. “Preston Shaw,” she said instead.

My boss? What the heck?

“I saw a picture of you two together in the paper,” she said slowly. “Oh, dear.”

My throat closed and I gripped it to keep from throwing up. Oh, dear indeed.

“Yes. He’s my best friend. Where are you—”

The beach bag slipped off my arm. The sound reverberated in the base of my skull like a gong.

I didn’t wait to hear more. I just grabbed the beach bag I’d dropped and my still-packed carry-on and escaped.

Running was the only option I had left.