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

Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

J uniper

“I cannot believe that it is Friday already,” I say to Lila as we walk into the break room and grab two mugs so we can have some coffee. It's been a long week, and I'm grateful that it is coming to an end. I haven't really seen Remington all week, and I'm still wondering what his phone call had been about. I'd been so drunk that when I'd woken up the next morning, I wasn't sure if I'd been imagining him trying to have phone sex with me or not. I was pretty sure I'd told him I was naked. And I was pretty sure he'd told me to play with myself. Which I had been. In fact, I'd had the most intense orgasm of my life after I'd gotten off the phone, just thinking about him spanking me over his desk. Who knew that would be such a turn-on?

“I know. Any fun plans? I mean, aside from the makeover,” she asks, winking at me. “We are meeting tomorrow morning at ten, right?”

“I’ll be there at ten, ready for a huge, huge, huge transformation. I want to go from an ugly duckling to a swan.” I spin around like a ballerina.

“Well, that’s not going to be possible.” She has a thoughtful look on her face, and I wonder what she’s thinking. Does she think I’m expecting too much?

“What do you mean?” My heart sinks at her expression.

“I mean, you’re not an ugly duckling. So, that statement was already off.” She laughs as she points at me. “We will have you looking like the most beautiful swan in the world, though.”

“I cannot wait. And guess what? I was able to change my date with Marco to Sunday. We’re going to go to dinner after I have lunch with my dad.”

“Oh, wow. I thought you said that his only day off was Friday?”

“Well, I told him that I ended up having to work on Friday, and he was able to swap his shift. So, he is going to work today, and we are going to go out on Sunday.”

“Amazing,” she says. “I love when the universe works out like that.” Her voice belies her words, but I don't ask why she doesn't seem as happy as I do.

“Yeah, me, too. I was really shocked when he asked me out.”

“Oh, girl, he totally thought you were a dish, a snack, and a main meal.” She pauses. "I just hope he's not a fuckboy."

“Me, too! So, what is going on with Liam Gallagher? Do you know why he is here in the office?”

“No,” she says, shaking her head, “I haven’t really heard anything. I do know that he is in need of an assistant and that they are going to start interviewing on Monday morning.”

“Oh, cool. Hopefully, that means next week, I’m not going to get called in to do his bidding again.”

“He’s cute, though, don’t you think?” She tilts her head to the side. "Maybe even better than Remington."

“I mean, yeah. He is very cute. I’m not going to lie. But it’s not like he wants me here on Friday night because he wants to take me out on a date. He literally wants me to type up whatever notes he has from whatever meeting that he and Remington are going to have.” I frown for a second. “I do wonder what Remington is going to do with Canyon, though.”

“Yeah, maybe he got a babysitter. Maybe I'll volunteer."

“I suppose so. He hasn’t really said much this week about her or anything else. Not since earlier this week when he called me.” I pause as I grab my coffee and take a sip. "I'm sure he would appreciate your offer." I am not going to talk about our call.

“What’s that look on your face, Juniper?”

“What do you mean? What look?”

“When you said he hasn’t spoken about anything since your call, you got a really funny look on your face, like there was something in particular you thought he would have spoken about.”

“I just—I don’t know, like when he called me and told me I had to work on Friday, he sounded funny. And then he kind of brought up the spanking thing again. And I was like, why are you bringing this up? And he’s like, you don’t really want to know, you can’t handle it. I mean, he didn’t use those exact words, but that is sort of how I felt. And now I’m like, is he just teasing me, or…” I pause. How do I tell her that I wasn't sure if he'd been jerking off while on the phone with me?

“Or what?” she says. “Do you think he wants you?”

“No. He definitely doesn’t want me. I know he doesn’t want me like that. He is my boss. He has always been extremely appropriate. He has never crossed the line, not once.” At least not in the past. We've definitely crossed the line more recently.

“That's because Remington doesn’t shit where he eats.” She grins. “Kingston says that all the time. He won’t even hire assistants if he thinks they are flirting with him. He thinks it is extremely unprofessional to date someone who works for you.”

“So, you see, it’s obvious that he doesn’t want me. That would go against his rules.”

“But girl, rules are made to be broken.” She stares at me. “He is a man. And men think with their heads. And most of the time it’s not with the big one.” I blink at her, and she giggles. “You know what I’m saying, big head, small head.” She makes a small o and then a big o with her hands. “Big head, small head.”

“I know what you are saying, but really?” I giggle.

“What? Don't be a prude.”

“I’m not a prude. Trust me. Who knows what is going to happen on Sunday night with Marco.”

“You’re going to get to first base or maybe third.”

“I’m not in high school,” I say. “I wouldn’t mind a good make-out session. I have not made out with a guy in ages. And Marco does look like he has very luscious lips.” I pretend that I want to kiss Marco, when really, all I want is Remington and his very full lips all over me.

“You would make out with him?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I?”

“I don’t know. I thought because you were a virgin, perhaps you were not interested in doing stuff with guys.”

“I said I’d make out with him, not get down on my knees.” I giggle.

“True. You’d only get down on your knees for Remington Parker.”

“Not! What are you saying?” My jaw drops. “There is no way.”

“Yeah, there is. Picture it, you are in the office late one night. You have a bottle of wine. He takes off his tie. Calls you in to do some dictation.” She winks at me. I just roll my eyes in response. “Next thing you know, you drop your pen next to the desk, and he bends down and is like, ‘I’ll get it.’ And then you get down on your knees, and you both grab for the pen at the same time. You look up at him and realize that your head is between his legs. And he gives you this deep, intense look. And you just go for it.” She winks at me.

“Um, I think you need to stop reading steamy romance books, girl. Because that is never going to happen,” I say, laughing out loud. “But hey, maybe you can reenact that one day with Kingston.”

“Girl, I’m not even going to tell you the things that we’ve gotten up to in his office. I don’t want you to look at me differently.”

“Whoa, well, now you have to tell me.”

“Let’s just say that there is more than one position that allows you to make love on a desk.”

“What?” I stare at her. “What do you mean?

“I may have experienced five different positions on his desk. But I’m going to be a lady and not say any more about that.”

“You are crazy.” I stare at her in shock.

“No, but I do like to have fun. And it turns out he loves to have fun, too.”

“I should get back to my desk. I have so much to do for this upcoming court case that Remington has starting next month. I just don’t know if it is even worth us going to court. I feel like the client is so guilty and is going to lose so much money.”

“Girl, we make our money from going to court. They don’t care if they are going to lose. Billables, baby.”

“True, but I just feel like it’s so clear cut. Like just take the settlement offer.”

She shrugs. “It’s not our business to make those decisions. We just type up the notes.”

“Yeah, true.” I grimace. “I'm a notetaker. Just what I wanted to do in life.”

She grins. “How is your book going, by the way? You haven’t spoken about it recently.”

“It’s going really well. Actually, Remington was telling me that Canyon is interested in being a writer. And so, I think next week, I’m going to take her on a little adventure to the library and borrow some books. And maybe write a short story with her at a café or something, see how she likes it.”

She stares at me and presses her lips together.

“What? Why are you looking like that?”

“You're going to have a mommy and me play date with Canyon?”

“It's not a mommy and me playdate. I'm not her mom.”

“I know, but doesn't that seem weird to you? Canyon is your boss's daughter. He's not your boyfriend. He’s not even your best friend. You're going to take his daughter out to teach her how to write and get books at the library? Like, what sort of relationship is this?”

“It's a relationship where an assistant cares very much for her boss and his new daughter and wants to ensure that—" I pause at the look she's giving me.

“Fine.”

“I don't really understand why he wants me to do this, but I am happy to because I like Canyon. And just because Remington is confusing and bossy and constantly tries to get me to do work that I don't think is part of my job description, doesn't mean I'm going to make her suffer. Plus, I've always wanted to teach creative writing. Like, if I had the money, I would go and get an MFA. I'd love to teach English or creative writing at a college.”

“So, why don't you do that?” She looks at me seriously. “If that’s really a dream of yours.”

“Because I need money to pay for an MFA. And I need money to live and pay my bills. And I think it's really hard to get a job at a university or a college, especially teaching English. I think I probably realistically need a PhD, and I don't know that I have it in me to get a PhD.”

“So, you will just stay here, working for the rest of your life?”

“Obviously, that's not the plan. But if I can finish this first romantasy book, then maybe I can get an agent. And if it sells really well, then who knows what could happen?”

“Yeah, that's true. I bet you it will go gangbusters. You could be the next Sarah J. Maas.”

“I mean, I don't know about that, but it would be cool.” I look at my watch. “Okay, I have been here chit-chatting for way too long. Best get back to my desk. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”

“I’m looking forward to it, as well,” I say with a huge grin.

“You don’t have to thank me yet. You haven’t seen your new look yet, but I’m sure it’s going to be great.”

I head back to my desk, sipping my coffee, and look into the office. Remington is not there. I feel a slight twitch of disappointment, but I let it pass as I sit down. “You need to stop crushing on Remington,” I mumble to myself. “Focus on Marco.” And while I’ve been pretending to be really excited to Lila and Skye, I’m not super-duper stoked to go on a date with Marco. It isn't because I don't find him attractive, because I do. And it isn't because I think he has a bad personality, because I didn't really know his personality, other than from the restaurant. It’s because I don't feel that spark. And I know I don't feel that spark because I have that spark for Remington, and I hate it. I want to extinguish the fire that I feel for my boss. I hate the fact that I’m such a monogamous, one-eyed woman. I hate the fact that I don't seem capable of having a crush or being interested in two men at the same time.

“Hey there, Juniper. How's it going?” I look up and see Liam Gallagher standing next to the desk, his eyes narrowed as he takes me in.

“Oh, great, thanks.” I nod. “How are you liking New York?”

“It's always a fun time when I'm in New York,” he responds. “I am grateful that you guys had an open office so that I can work here for the next six months. I don't suppose you'd allow me to poach you from Remington?” He leans down and gazes at me intently.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you don't want to be my assistant, do you?” He is serious. "I need a hard worker like you on my team. I have a lot of important deals that I'm working on."

“I'm going to be here tonight to help, but I work for Remington. You're interviewing for an assistant on Monday, right?”

“Yeah, but the interviews could be for Remington instead. I know you. I've worked with you, albeit via the Internet and phone calls, but you're a very good assistant. You're great at your job.”

I blushed slightly. “Well, thank you, Mr. Gallagher, but I am Remington’s assistant. And I think you'll find that HR will be able to find you a more than adequate assistant to work with.”

“I’m sure they will. I had to shoot my shot, right?”

“I guess,” I say, picking up a folder. “Remington's not in his office, but I can take a message if you have one for him.”

“Um, I didn't actually come to see Remington. I came to talk to you.”

“I'm flattered. I'll see you this evening, though. Did you need any specific from me tonight?”

He blinks at me for a couple of seconds. “Um, the work for tonight?” He frowns. “What work is that, exactly?”

“The project that you have to have completed by Monday morning, that you're working on tonight and this weekend.”

“The project I have due by Monday morning?” he repeats and runs his fingers through his hair. He looks at me like he thinks I'm slightly crazy. “Um, okay. What project is this?”

“I don't know, but Remington told me that I have to work tonight because we're working on a project for you. I assumed that you were going to be there, but?—”

“This is the first I’ve heard about it.” He shakes his head and grabs his phone. “Let me call Remington and see what’s going on.”

I nod. “Yes, please, because I could have sworn that he said the project was for you and that you would be there. And that it was extremely important because I literally had to change a date for this.”

“A date? With your boyfriend?” He looks me over in surprise, which annoys me.

“No, with a new guy that I met. It was a first date, so obviously I did not like having to tell him I could no longer make it. So, I’m curious to find out what is going on.”

“I understand,” he says. His lips are twitching slightly. “Hold on. Let me see what Remington says…

Hey, Remington, what's going on? It's me, Liam. I'm here with your assistant. Yeah, I know you're not in the office; she told me. But what's this about us having to work tonight?” He pauses, and his eyes look over at me, then straight ahead. I can't tell from his facial expression what's going on or what's being said. “I see.” He nods slightly. “Okay.” He looks back over at me again. “Sure, yeah.” He nods some more. “Okay, cool. Give me a call when you get to the office. Perfect.” He hangs up and puts the phone back in his pocket. “Okay, then. Well, that's taken care of.” He smiles at me and taps his fingers against the desk. “You have a good afternoon, Juniper.”

“Wait, what? What did Remington say? What’s going on?”

“I guess there is stuff that needs to be done for one of the cases that he is working on for me.” He nods. “I guess I will see you later.”

“Oh, okay. But you didn’t know this before? Or?—”

He shrugs. “Maybe something got lost in communication. That’s why I need an assistant.” He grins. “Someone good like you.”

“Yeah,” I say slowly. “I guess.”

“Well, anyway, you have a great afternoon. I’ll see you this evening.”

He strides away before I can ask him anything else, and I frown. That was weird—really, really weird. I don’t really understand what’s going on. He didn’t know anything about working tonight or this weekend. Nor about a case that seemed like it needed immediate action. And I knew Liam Gallagher, maybe not personally, but I knew he was a client who was on top of everything. So, something odd was happening here. I bite down on my lower lip and open my email to see if I can find any trace of a case that needs urgent attention.

“Hey, Juniper, can I speak to you a second?” Remington strides towards his office. I look up into his dark brown eyes. He's wearing a gray suit and a crisp white shirt. There's a thin line on his face, and he looks like he's pissed about something. My heart thuds as I see his handsome face. Why do I always have this reaction to him?

“Sure, is everything okay?”

“We’ll talk in my office,” he says and strides past me.

I stand up slowly and follow behind him. I have no idea what is going on. But suddenly, I’m nervous. What have I done wrong now?

“Close the door,” he says as he crosses his arms and stares at me.

I close the door softly and stand there, waiting for him to tell me what’s going on. I stare at his shirt and the muscles underneath. Then I look at his tanned hands, so strong and big. My eyes fly back to his face, and he’s staring at me intently. There’s a fire in his eyes as he leans back against his desk.

“Remington?” I ask as he takes a step toward me. I watch as he undoes his belt and pulls it out of his pants. My jaw drops as he steps toward me. “Remington?” I lick my lips nervously.

“You were questioning Liam about tonight? And complaining?”

“No.” I frown as he grabs me around the waist and pulls me to him. “Not at all.”

“Are you sure?” he whispers in my ear, and I shiver slightly.

“If I say no, are you going to spank me?” I turn to stare into his eyes and press my hands against his chest. “Are you going to put me over your lap and spank me?”

“Why would you think that?” he asks innocently, his eyes sparkling, teasing me. He thinks he’s in control here, and I want to put him in his place.

“Because you took off your belt.” I step back and undo the top button of my shirt, watching as his eyes widen. Then I shift my skirt up and head to his desk. I bend forward, look back over my shoulder, and motion to him. “I’m waiting,” I say breathlessly.

He stares at me in shock, then heads over to me. He comes up behind me, and I can feel my heart racing. I place my head forward and wait. I feel his hand on my ass, rubbing softly.

“That didn’t even hurt,” I say softly, and he grunts. I feel him pulling my skirt all the way up. The cool air brushes past my legs and ass. My entire body is trembling, and I wonder what he’s thinking. I’m wearing a black thong, and I know he can see most of my ass cheeks. I feel his thumb run down my crack, and he lightly slaps my ass. I let out a low moan and grip the table. I cannot believe this is happening.

“Is that all you got?” I tease him, looking back again. He smirks and taps my ass a little harder. It stings, but it doesn’t hurt. Then I feel his fingers rubbing up and down and suddenly, they are between my legs, and he’s rubbing my clit. I gasp as my panties grow wet. He slips a finger inside and rubs for a second before he mumbles something under his breath and pulls them back. He grabs my hips and pulls me back quickly, and I feel him push up behind me, his huge bulge rubbing against me. I gasp at the feel of his hardness. All he would have to do is unzip and thrust and that would be it. I close my eyes and wait. Suddenly, he pulls back and pulls me back up, off the desk.

“We shouldn’t do this.” He brushes my lips with his thumb as I pull my skirt down. “Get back to work. It’s going to be a long night.”

I just stare at him in confusion, not really sure what’s going on. And then he grins and sniffs his fingers before licking them.

“I’m a dirty man, Juniper. Don’t offer what you’re not willing to give,” he whispers in my ear, and I press my body against his.

“Don’t tease if you’re not willing to play,” I whisper against his lips. “And don’t assume that just because you sniff, you can eat.” I lick my lips slowly. “Maybe all you’ll ever get is a crumb... Maybe this entrée will never be available to you.” We stare at each other for a few moments, and I think I’ve won, until I feel his hand creeping up my shirt, slipping under my bra and playing with my breast. My heart races as I stand there, and then he slips his hand further down, past my skirt, inside my panties, and he rubs. I hold on to his arms tightly, moaning slightly as he plays with me.

He grins as my breathing grows faster, and my body starts trembling. He withdraws his fingers and sucks on them before returning to his desk. “I can have a four-course meal if I want, Juniper. I think we both know that.” He turns on his laptop and looks at his watch. “Now, back to work. We have a lot to do.”

I don’t say anything as I walk back to my desk, my panties soaked. I’m not sure what just happened, but I know that my insides feel like they are going to explode.