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Chapter 148
Mack
The Cleveland airport was packed with holiday travelers, and I was glad I added pre-check to our first-class tickets. Kelsey didn’t know I’d upgraded our seats until she downloaded the airline app and I transferred her ticket.
“There’s no reason for us to fly first class,” she scolded, crossing her legs while we sat in the wide leather seats of our gate. “The flight isn’t that long.”I shrugged. “So, I splurged for your Christmas present.”She shot me a glare. “Right. I would have dressed differently.” She pointed to my pants. “I should have known when you put on chinos and a button up instead of jeans and a t-shirt.” Leaning toward her, I grabbed her thigh. “You know I don’t like to fly wearing casual clothing.”“But it’s okay for me to fly with leggings and an oversized sweater? I’m glad I decided on my cute boots insteaKaugnay na kabanata
Bad Boss: An Office Romance Chapter 149
Kelsey put her arm around Talon, then looked back at the house, concern etching her face. “Where’s Dad?”Simon’s eyes rolled dramatically. “He had to go to a jobsite. Some idiot didn’t read the floor plan correctly, got your father in a real mood last night. He’ll be home soon. Come on inside!” Simon waved for us to follow him. “Talon, help them with their suitcases.”“Go ahead, Talon and I can handle the bags,” I told Kelsey, opening the trunk of the rental car and grabbing our carry-ons, handing one to Talon.“You’re going to have to stay in the basement,” Talon said evenly. “I hope you brought warm pajamas.”“Thanks for the heads up,” I said, following him inside.“I’m in the middle of dinner. Kelsey, I figured you’d be more comfortable downstairs together versus in your bedroom?” Simon said, making his way to a l
Bad Boss: An Office Romance Chapter 150
“Mack, have you had Puerto Rican cuisine before?” Simon asked, push rice around in a big skillet.“Probably nothing as authentic as what you’ve got cooking. It smells delicious.”Just then, the garage door opened, and a giant of a man filled the doorframe. His skin was dark as if he’d been in the sun for days at a time, his hair black and long, tied into a ponytail. His work boots were heavy on the wood flooring, his carpenter jeans worn from working on job sites. His expression wasn’t inviting or friendly, and I found my knee beginning to bounce while I sat on the stool. He was more intimidating than Nancy Neely.Kelsey popped from her seat, and the massive man melted when he saw his daughter rushing toward him. She wrapped her arms around him, and he cradled her, his eyes squinting as they embraced. “Papoose,” he said softly, swaying back and forth. “It’s so good to see you.”Kelsey’s
Bad Boss: An Office Romance Chapter 151
KelseyMy nerves had vaporized the moment my stepbrothers and Simon had wrapped their arms around me. I don’t know why, but the longer I was away from this happy home, the less a part of their world I felt. My absence was clearly missed by all of them, versus my thinking they’d forgotten about me, assuming their lives were better without me.The warmth and inviting energy of my father’s house never changed, and I needed to realize that. After helping Simon with the dishes, Carysn and Talon played video games with Mack. He was apprehensive to go into the basement with them at first, but by his constant jaw ticking around my father, I got the inkling he’d rather be thumbing a controller with a seven and eleven-year-old instead of sitting across from my father.He was over six feet and four inches tall with broad shoulders and hair as long as mine. He’d braid it each month for the local Pow Wows, and vowed to never cut it off,
Bad Boss: An Office Romance Chapter 152
Simon opened the slider door, holding a tumbler. “Am I intruding on father daughter time?”Letting go of my dad, I went back to leaning on his shoulder. “Not at all, join us. Tell me about the design business.” Simon was a part time interior designer. He came from Puerto Rico with nothing when he was eighteen, banned from his family because of his lifestyle choices. With only a handful of English and hardly anything money, he managed to find a job as a janitor at a design firm in Miami. He managed to steal the heart of the owner who took him under his wing, and he only blossomed from there. He and my dad met at a bar when my dad was on a job site in Miami.The American dream, that’s how Simon describes his move from Puerto Rico to America.“Kelsey, what are your plans for this weekend?” Simon asked, taking a seat in one of the rocking chairs across from us.“All I care about is spending time with you all
Bad Boss: An Office Romance Chapter 153
“Sorry I passed out last night,” Kelsey said when I emerged from the bathroom. I’d woken up a few hours earlier, unable to fall back asleep, so I plugged in my computer and ran through some emails while she continued to sleep. As badly as I wanted to wake her for a shower, she needed her rest.“I was tired too,” I admitted. My eyes closed nearly as fast as hers did.I’d woken up when she had her first round of morning sickness, but didn’t want her to realize I’d heard her. I knew she felt awkward when I’d try to comfort her, and I also knew if I started to move around, she wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep. She needed to rest more now that she was growing two babies.She stood from the bed and stretched, her hips showing when her arms rose into the air. She’d thrown on one of my white undershirts, and like normal, her nipples were poking against the thin fabric to say good morning. Reaching out
Bad Boss: An Office Romance Chapter 154
I found myself getting into Talon’s basketball game. He was pretty athletic, and ran the court with assertiveness. I wasn’t surprised, the kid had a strong disposition, and leadership would be in his future if he kept it up.Carsyn sat on Kelsey’s lap for most of the game, talking her ear off until she gave him her phone to play with. I didn’t mind that he was chatty, he didn’t require answers from me or Amos, so we were able to focus on the game. Amos was more interested than I would have predicted, and even cheered for his boy. Simon was on the end of the bench as one of the assistant coaches, the one who made sure they were all hydrated and encouraged.“You’ll have fun,” Kelsey said while Simon mingled with some of the other parents just outside of the gym in the parking lot, and Amos gave Talon his fatherly recap of the basketball game. “My dad is a big teddy bear.”I touched her cheek. “I&rsq
Bad Boss: An Office Romance Chapter 155
“Has Kelsey been hunting with you?” I asked as we sat on logs near the lake. Amos had started a fire and had butchered parts of the elk. I wasn’t expecting him to pull out cooking utensils and seasons from his backpack, prepared to roast whatever animal we’d come across for dinner.He took a long drag of his cigarette before answer. “No, she hasn’t. I wish I had taught her, but it’s not my people’s way. Hunting is meant for the man, not the woman. I know that’s a stereotype the world doesn’t like to hear, but it’s our culture, and if our people don’t like it, they don’t have to do it. We don’t hold our own kind hostage.”I rested my elbows on my knees. “You don’t like that she has a career and lives in the city, do you?”Amos kept his eyes on the flames, watching the piece of meat cook. “I wish she were closer to home. I’m glad she’s foun
Bad Boss: An Office Romance Chapter 157
She met my grin, and did as I asked, rolling to her side as I climbed off her, then continued unpacking.Kelsey must have been tired because her breathing had changed within minutes of closing her eyes. I loved watching her sleep. Something about her relaxed state was soothing and brought me comfort knowing she felt safe and cared for to sleep soundly.***Lunch with my mother came in what felt like the snap of my fingers, and I found myself sitting in my car giving myself a pep talk before joining her at her favorite restaurant. Normally we’d sit outside, but the weather was bitter cold and snow was still on the ground.“Don’t overthink this,” I murmured to myself, my hands sliding around the steering wheel. Taking another deep breath, I shut off the car and headed into the café.She was sitting at a table when I arrived, her back to me. Her dark hair was tied back into it’s perfect bun, her j
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Bad Boss: An Office Romance Chapter 156
Bad Boss: An Office Romance Chapter 157
Bad Boss: An Office Romance Chapter 155
Bad Boss: An Office Romance Chapter 154
Bad Boss: An Office Romance Chapter 153
