I Won’t Be In On Monday (The Annoying Hot Bosses Club #3)

Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

R emington

“Daddy, can you read me a story, please?” Canyon looks up at me from my bed, her eyes half closed. I can tell that she is tired, but she’s not ready to sleep yet. She reminds me of myself when I was a kid. Always wanting to be involved, even as a youngster.

“What story would you like me to read?” I ask her, sitting at the edge of the bed. I touch her face gently, and she gazes up at me with such love and devotion in her eyes that I make a promise to myself that I will always be there to protect her. She's my little girl. My daughter. I feel ashamed for having required so many DNA tests before I met her. I feel ashamed for not wanting to meet her right away. I hope I haven't damaged her emotionally. I hope she doesn't feel rejected or less than. I hope she knows that I would do anything for her.

“Um, Harry Potter , please?” She points her little finger like it's a wand.

“I don’t know,” I say, pausing, trying to remember what I know about the books. “You may be a little young for Harry Potter . I will have to check the age range for the books.”

I sound like a dad. A real adult. How did I get here? I think of Juniper and how she had faith in the fact that I'd be a good dad from the beginning. I think of her blue eyes. The coquettish looks she gives me. I wish she was here, and immediately, a cloud of confusion hits me. I have entered a strange world, and I do not know the layout at all.

“But Mommy reads me Harry Potter all the time.” Canyon pouts. “I love it.” She reaches over and grabs my hand. “And I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you, too, Canyon.” I say the words. They sound foreign coming from my mouth. I look down at my daughter, at her small face, her big brown eyes, and her hair splayed across the pillowcase. She gives me the sweetest smile, and my heart melts again. I feel like I'm a father in a Christmas movie. This moment is almost too good to be true.

“Do you love me enough to give me a hundred dollars?” Canyon grins cheekily, and I burst out laughing. I love that she's not some cookie-cutter perfect daughter. That would make me feel like I had to be the perfect dad, and I know that even on my best day, I can never be perfect. I'll never be the perfect dad or boss, but I can try my best. I want to give Canyon all the love I never really felt from my dad. He was there for me. Provided for me. But we never had that father-son relationship that made me feel like I was his whole world.

“Canyon, we don’t just keep asking for money.” I don't want to tell her off, but I want to teach her right from wrong.

“But I want to get this shell necklace that I saw, and?—”

“Canyon, I thought you wanted a story more than money?”

“I do want a story, but I want a hundred dollars, as well.” She folds her arms together. “Why can’t I get a hundred dollars? Last time I asked, you only gave me $20.”

“Are you going to be some sort of grifter or gambler?” I ask her. She looks at me with a blank expression. I know that she doesn't know what those words mean. “You have to work for money, Canyon. You are far too young to need a hundred dollars.”

“I bet you Juniper would give me the money if I asked her.”

“I doubt it very much,” I say. My mind drifts to my assistant again. “But do you know what she might do?”

“What?”

“She might write you a story. Juniper is a writer. Maybe one day she will read you one of her books. Or maybe she'll write you one.”

“Oh, I want her to read me a book. Where is she right now? Can she come over and read me my story tonight?”

“Oh, it’s late. She’s probably in bed,” I say, looking at my watch. “It’s already 9:00 p.m., and I know your bedtime is meant to be 7:30 p.m.”

“I don’t have a bedtime. I’m a big girl. Plus, Mommy says that—” She pauses, and her lips tremble.

“What’s wrong?” I say, my heart stopping for a second.

“I miss Mommy.” She blinks rapidly. “I mean, I’m a big girl. And I like being here. But I miss Mommy.” She lets out a deep sigh. “But I know she is going to be the best magician’s assistant in the world. And she told me that when they come and do a show in New York, I can go every single night.”

“Well, that sounds awesome. When are they going to do that?”

“She says that she doesn’t know because Boudini is not that great of a magician. He can only get shows in other countries. But she thinks that, if she’s the best assistant in the world, she can make him better. And if she makes him better, then she can work in New York.” She grins at me. “At least, I think that’s what Mommy said.”

“Your mom said that to you?” I ask her. I’m surprised that Karen would have such a detailed conversation with Canyon. I don’t like it, but I’m not sure I have any place to say anything about it.

“Well, no, she didn’t say it to me. She said it to her friend, Carlos, because he was upset that Mommy was going to Asia, and he got angry. He was shouting and saying stuff like, “Don’t you love me?””

“Who is Carlos?” I say, frowning, hoping his anger wasn't directed toward Canyon.

“Oh, Mommy’s friend. He’s normally really nice. I think he was just upset because he was crying, and he said, 'This is the end, this is the end.’ And she was like, 'My career means more,’ or something like that. And then she said to me the next day, ‘It is important to be a strong, independent woman and never have to rely on a man for money because sometimes you rely on them and then they don’t give you money. And then you are stuck and you can’t buy anything.’”

I stare at her for a couple of seconds. I don’t like the fact that Karen has had this conversation with Canyon, and I’m not sure what place I have to discuss with Karen the sort of conversations she has going forward. I haven’t even been a father for a week yet. I let out a sigh. I will have to deal with the complications later.

“I can tell you a fairy tale that I heard when I was a little boy.”

“Okay.” She yawns. Yyou mean like Cinderella ? I’d like to be Cinderella one day and marry Prince Charming and live in a castle and have lots of dresses and—” She pauses. “Well, I don’t want the stepmother part because she was mean.”

“Well, you’re very lucky, then. You don’t have a stepmother. I’m not married.”

“Do you think you’ll get married?” she asks as she rubs her eyes.

“Um, I’m not sure.”

“Do you think my mommy will get married?”

I pause for a second, wondering if this was going where I hoped it wasn’t going. I really didn't want her to ask me if I was going to marry her mom because there was no way in hell that was going to happen. But I don't want to hurt her feelings. “I'm sure if your mom wants to get married one day, then she can.” To someone else.

“I want to get married when I'm older and have lots and lots of dogs.”

“Dogs are always loving,” I say, nodding.

“Will you get me a dog?”

“Well, I live here in an apartment and?—”

“But you could get a house and get a dog.”

“I could,” I say, slowly, “but?—”

“I'm tired,” she says, yawning. “Can we talk about this tomorrow? I think I want to go to sleep.”

“Of course, Canyon.” I stand up, give her a kiss on the cheek, and tuck her in a little bit more. “Sweet dreams.”

“Night, night, Daddy,” she says. "I do want my story tomorrow, though, and we can talk about the dog some more."

I walk out of my bedroom and close the door slowly and head to the living room. I grab the two pillows that are on the couch and put them behind my head. I stare at the TV screen and the bright colorful images. The Disney Channel is still on, but I don't turn it. My life has changed so much, yet it's never felt more meaningful.

I pick up my phone without even knowing what I'm doing and scroll through until I see Juniper’s name. I stare at my thumb on the screen for what must have been at least three minutes before I press call . The phone rings, and Juniper answers with a loud yawn. “What is it, Remington?” She hiccups and then starts giggling. My heart jumps for joy for some unknown reason.

“What are you doing, Juniper?” I ask her as she continues giggling. “Are you drunk?”

“I am drunk. I had, like, five strawberry margaritas, the best strawberry margaritas in my life. And I think I'm going to move to Mexico so I can have them all the time. And I may or may not be going on a date with this gorgeous waiter, Marco, who asked me out, even though I said he wasn't going to ask me out."

"Sorry, what?”

“Skye and Lila were like, ‘This guy is going to ask you out.’ And I was like, ‘No, he's not, but then he did.’” She giggles some more and then hiccups loudly. “Oops, I'm so drunk.”

“What is going on here, Juniper?” I try to process all the information she's just given me. An uncomfortable feeling sits in the pit of my stomach. “You're moving to Mexico?” I ask the first question that's in my mind.

“No, goofy, I'm not really moving to Mexico. I was just saying that because I really enjoyed the strawberry margaritas. And, well, margaritas are Mexican.”

“So, were you just joking about this guy, Marco, or?—”

“No, he was our waiter. He was very tall, very good-looking, and he had these really vivid green eyes. Like, for a moment, I thought they were contact lenses, but I don't actually think they were. Anyway, he took forever to bring us our first drinks, and he said that the bartender made a mistake. And so, I?—”

I pause and release a small sigh. “How long is this story going to be, Juniper?”

“Sorry, it’s not long. Anyway, we were sort of bantering back and forth, and he left the table. And Skye said to me, 'I think he has a crush on you.’ Well, not a crush, but she said she thinks he's going to ask me out. And I was like, 'No, he's not going to ask me out.’ Well, anyway, he did ask me out, and I think we're going to go out on Friday night, which is kind of exciting because?—”

“I’m going to need you to work late on Friday night. That’s actually why I was calling,” I say, lying through my teeth.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I'm sure you heard that Liam Gallagher is going to be based in the New York office, right?"

“Yeah, but what's that got to do with me?” She sounds annoyed now. “Don't tell me you want me to babysit your daughter because you want to go have drinks with Liam.”

“No, that's not what I want. We need to work on some contracts that Liam needs by Monday morning, and it's actually going to be an all-weekend affair.”

“So, if we are working the weekend, why do I have to work on Friday evening, as well?” Her voice is loud, and she's not giggling anymore. I've pissed her off.

“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interfere with your plans. If I had known beforehand that you were not going to be available, I would have told Liam that he would have to find someone else, but he doesn't have an assistant yet, and so I said I didn't think you wouldn't mind helping him out because you are a really great assistant.”

“Why is it that I’m such a great assistant, yet I’m constantly working, doing things off the clock?”

“You are not doing it off the clock, Juniper. You do get paid, and you get paid very handsomely. And I mean, I am giving you ample notice. How was I to know that in all the months of you working for me, this would be the one Friday that you would actually have a date?” There is silence on the other line, and I wonder if I've crossed the line. It was quite rude of me to bring up the fact that she didn't go on dates. “Look, I'm sorry. That came out poorly.”

“No, it's fine. I mean, you think I'm a loser. So, of course, you would think I could work on Friday night because I'm always free on Friday nights to do whatever you want me to do. So, why should this Friday be any different, right? Why should a gorgeous waiter like Marco have any interest in taking me out just because it's his one day off this week?”

“Well, I'm sure he has a day off next week,” I say. There's more silence on the other line. “Look, I’m sorry, Juniper. If this date means so much to you, and it's going to ruin your week and your possibilities with this guy, then of course, let me contact Liam and see if we can find someone at an agency to do this very confidential work for him, even though he wanted you because he trusts you so much.”

“It’s fine. I’ll do it.” She sighs. “Well, thanks for ruining my nice buzz.”

“I didn't mean to do that.” Now I feel guilty, really, really guilty. Maybe I should tell her it was an April Fool's joke, even though it's not April, or maybe I'll tell her that I made it up. No, that’s not a good idea. There's no way I can tell her that I made up an excuse for her to work on Friday because I didn't want her going out with some random waiter. Especially because I truly didn't even care. I think I'm just being paternal now that I'm a dad, and I want to ensure that she doesn't go out with losers. And this Marco sounds like a loser. I mean, I don't know anything about him, but the fact of the matter is, she said he couldn't even get a drink order right. What sort of waiter can't get a drink order right? I know I'm making no sense, but I'm trying to rationalize it to myself.

“So, was that it, Mr. Parker?” she says in a stilted tone. “Or did you want me to come over so that I could babysit Canyon so you could go and get laid tonight or something? Because I'm sure it's been a couple of days since your...” She pauses.

"Since what?"

"Since it was wet."

"Since what was wet?"

"Nothing."

I press my lips together to stop from laughing. “It’s actually been months, thank you very much.”

“Sorry, what has been months?”

“It’s been months since I have gotten laid. Or as you would say, since my dick has been wet.”

She gasps in shock and chortles.

“Don’t act all shy and innocent with me, Juniper. We both know what you were insinuating.”

“So, do you want me to come over and babysit?” She hisses. "Is that why you're calling? Other than to ruin my hot date on Friday?"

“No. I don't want you to come over and babysit.” I don't want to tell her that I just wanted to hear her voice. I just wanted to share with her how I was feeling about the whole situation with Canyon and Karen. I'm not even sure why the thought crossed my mind to confide in her like that. I realize that's not a conversation I should be having with her. She's my assistant, not my friend, not my girlfriend, not anything like that. And I need to stop crossing those lines. I need to keep up the boundary between us because the lines are becoming too blurred.

“Okay, well, I'll be there working for you on Friday, and you can tell Liam he can count on me. I will be discreet in whatever we're doing. I guess you also want me to work on the weekend?”

“I mean, I was hoping that?—”

“I have stuff going on this weekend, so I really can’t. You’re going to have to try and figure something out. I’ll work on Friday night, but Saturday and Sunday, I just can’t. I have to see my dad. And well, Skye and Lila and I, we’ve got something important planned.”

“Oh?” I sit up. “What do you have planned?”

“That’s kind of private, and I don't really want to share it with you.”

“You going out to look for more guys or something?”

“Well, they're both in relationships, so no, I don't think they're going to look for guys.”

"Are they helping you look for guys?"

"None of your business."

“I mean, if you are that desperate for a man, I do have some friends that I can introduce you to.” My voice sounds surly, but for some reason, I'm feeling pissed off.

“No, thank you, Mr. Parker.”

“Stop with the Mr. Parker. I’m Remington. You know that.”

“Yes, Remington. Was there anything else?”

“In fact, there was,” I say quickly. “I was speaking with Canyon tonight, and we were talking about books and stories, and she expressed an interest in creative writing.”

“She did?” She sounds surprised. “I didn't know she wanted to be a writer.”

“Well, she didn't say exactly she wanted to be a writer, but we were talking about books, and I told her that you're a writer, and she was really excited about that, and I figured maybe the two of you could discuss fiction and all that good stuff.” I know that I'm twisting the truth, but I don't care. I want to see her outside of the office without it being awkward. Even though I know I shouldn't use my daughter in this way, it's the only way I know how to approach it.I know Canyon would forgive the lie because Canyon loves Juniper. And I truly do think that she would love writing, as well. She loves reading, so maybe they could write a book together and just bond.

“Sure, I'd like that.” Juniper's voice is soft again. “We can work out a time, and I’d be happy to talk to her about books and writing and all that good stuff.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate it. I know that's not part of your traditional job description.”

“I know it's not part of my job description, Remington." She sighs. "I don't want you to think that I'm not going to do anything that's not part of the traditional job description.”

“So, you're willing to do other things?” I ask teasingly, glad she doesn't sound mad at me anymore.

“Um, depends on what the ‘things’ are.”

“Sounds good to me,” I say. "I like the sound of that."

“What do you think I’m talking about, Remington?”

“I don’t know. What are you talking about, Juniper?”

“Not what you are thinking,” she says quickly.

“What am I thinking?”

“I mean if you are thinking about the belt or the hand or the tie or the rope, it’s a no.”

“Actually, I was not thinking about any of those things. But thank you for bringing them to mind. If you don’t want the hand, the belt, the tie, or the rope, what do you want?”

“Mr. Parker, we are not having this conversation again. It's highly inappropriate, especially for the evening.”

“Is it appropriate for the day, then?”

“No, but I’m your assistant. And?—”

“And what? I can't ask you your preference?”

“Why do you want to know my preference?"

"I don’t know if you want to know,” I say softly. “I don’t want to scare you.”

“What does that mean?” She is whispering now.

"I mean we don't always have to be so professional, Juniper. We can spice it up a little bit."

"Spice what up?"

"Our interactions." I shift on the couch and reach into my pants. My cock is hard. I close my eyes, and Juniper's face pops into my mind. "Maybe we can ensure that we both don't fall into the all-work-and-no-play category."

"What are you saying?"

"What are you wearing?" I ask her, as my hand goes up and down.

"Nothing." She giggles. "I mean, not in the sexy way."

"There's a non-sexy naked way?" I grunt into the phone as my hand moves faster. "Are you in bed?"

"Yes!" She giggles. "I was hot, so I decided to sleep naked."

"Do you like sleeping naked?"

"What sort of question is that?" There's silence on the line, and then she lets out a low moan that turns me on even more.

"What are you doing, Juniper?"

"Nothing."

"Where are your hands?"

"In my bed."

"Under your sheets?"

"Yes."

"On your pussy?" I whisper, and there's a shocked silence. "Pretend your fingers are mine."

"Remington." She groans. "I... I'm not sure what you're saying."

"Fuck, I wish I was there with you right now." I grunt. “I'd show you exactly what I was saying."

"What are you doing?" she whispers, her voice silky. I can picture her inquisitive face, her thick black glasses, and that bun on the top of her head. I can picture taking those glasses off, taking her hair down, and bending her over my desk. I can picture pushing her skirt up, sliding her panties to the side, and thrusting into her.

"Fuck." I groan as my hand stills on my throbbing cock. I am close to coming. This is not why I'd called her.

"Is everything okay?" Her voice is sultry. "What did you just say?"

“Nothing.” I groan. “I will see you in the morning, Juniper. Have a good evening.” I cannot come with her on the phone. I shouldn't even be thinking about her like that.

“You, too, Mr. Parker. Sweet dreams."

“Sweet dreams, darling Juniper. Don't let all that nakedness go to waste.” I hang up the phone and close my eyes again. I picture Juniper walking up to me, pulling me by the tie, and pushing me down onto the chair. I picture her pulling my cock out and slamming down on me. I can almost feel her tight pussy on me. "Oh, fuck, yes." I groan as my hand jerks back and forth until I feel myself exploding. I grab the throw blanket and spurt into it, before leaning back in the chair. "What are you doing to me?" I mumble to myself as I take a deep breath. Juniper Hardman has infected me with her charm and sexiness, and I don't know what I'm going to do now.