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IN BED WITH THE BOSS 37
Vivian opened her mouth to speak, but she couldn't find the right words so she closed it again. Scott shook his head." Yeah, that's what I thought.""Scott, you don't understand." "I think I do, Vivian. Just forget it." The car stopped and Vivian looked out the window. They were already at the cheesecake shop. She returned her gaze to Scott, but he wouldn't even look at her and she felt very bad. "Thanks for the ride." she said. "Good night." "Good night, Vivian." Vivian got out of the car and hurried into the shop, feeling even worse than she felt in the morning. Scott watched her as she walked away. Damn her, he thought. Damn her for making him feel this way and putting him in this constant state of confusion. Then he withdrew his phone and canceled his date with Olivia. —-------Jennifer Bennet stood in the foyer and stared at the front door as the ring of the doorbell echoed through her house.Seven o’clock. Right on the dot, she thought and rolled her eyes. It was time to
Last Updated : 2023-07-14IN BED WITH THE BOSS 38
“I should be annoyed with both of you,” Janet Harper said, her smile erasing the reproach from her words. Leaning forward, she dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “But the two of you outing yourselves as a couple tonight has made my little dinner party the social event of the season.”Jennifer smiled, glancing up at Scott, “I told Scott he should at least give you some warning of who his plus one would be, but…” She tipped her head to the side and murmured, “The rumors are true about that stubborn nature of his.”“I find myself giving in to you way too often, though. My reputation might not survive it,” Scott replied, playing along. He squeezed her neck and brought her closer, brushing his lips over the side of her head.“Well, damn.” Janet said to her husband in an amused whisper. “Honey, I need you to take notes.”Beside Janet, her husband snorted lightly. “We’ve been married thirty-two years, darling. My hand is cramped.”Jennifer's laughter drew more gazes in their dire
Last Updated : 2023-07-14IN BED WITH THE BOSS 39
Groaning, Jennifer turned from the mirror. It would’ve been so easy to stay in bed today and burrow under the covers. Just pretend that this wasn't happening. After all, that was her forte lately. Pretend to be in a relationship. Pretend to be in love with Scott McCall. Pretend she hadn’t just thrown all common sense and family loyalty out the window. She thought about what Emily had told her. Was she really telling the truth? Did Bruce really have some kind of history with Scott's sister? With a sigh, she glanced at the clock on her bedside table. Well, no time for breakfast, and she could grab coffee at the office. If traffic cooperated, she would just make her nine o’clock meeting with the event planners for Bennet Inc's huge annual holiday party.She took a quick shower and got dresses. Grabbing her coat and purse, she descended the steps, her mind already locked on the multiplying items on her to-do list today.“Jennifer.” a voice called. She halted at the front door, shooting
Last Updated : 2023-07-14IN BED WITH THE BOSS 40
For the second time in the space of minutes, shock robbed Jennifer of speech. Icy fingers of astonishment and dread trailed down her spine.Bruce cocked his head to the side. “You believed I didn’t know about your little company all this time? Nothing gets by me. And as long as you were discreet, I didn’t see the harm in letting you dabble in business. It didn’t interfere with your responsibilities to this family. But now, your actions are jeopardizing us. If you don’t end it with Scott, I’ll ruin every business that has received money from you. And with my name and reputation, you know I could do it with just a whisper. Now, while you take some time to make your decision about who you’re giving your loyalty to, I’m going to insist you step back from your job at Bennet Inc. I’ve already asked Emily to take over some of your duties for the next few weeks. Consider it a leave of absence while you choose between a man you barely know and your family.”With that parting shot, he exited th
Last Updated : 2023-07-14IN BED WITH THE BOSS 41
She hoped she didn't look horrible standing so close to him. Dressed in a dusky-lilac shift dress and a black satin jacket, with a lot of long legs showing and her ankles elevated by the four-inch heels on her shoes. Annoying and juvenile… those words began to ring in her head once again. Was he on his way to meet a woman? Was she tall and blonde and heart-stoppingly beautiful and screamingly intelligent and sophisticated? Just like the woman she'd seen with him the first day they met. Was he planning to bring her back to his place to make wildly passionate love with her while she went home to lay alone in her bed and— "Where—?" Her small chin jerked up and their eyes clashed; tiny prickles of attraction attacked her flesh."Excuse me?" she murmured blankly."I was asking where you are going for dinner," Scott enlightened dryly. "Oh. I don’t know," Vivian let slip before she could think about it, watched his eyebrows arch, felt a deep inner niggle at the slip. "I am meeting someon
Last Updated : 2023-07-14IN BED WITH THE BOSS 42
"Was insensitive, then," he altered, the chiseled line of his jaw clenching. "But it does not change the fact that your so-called date has either stood you up or is only too happy to leave you to stand around here like a fool!" "And that is your sensitive side talking?" So close to tears now, she had to push a hand up between them so she could cover her trembling mouth.A soft curse rattled from him. "I will take you to dinner," he offered, sounding so driven to say it that Vivian almost snapped the hand up higher to slap his face!But she didn’t because it would be annoying and juvenile of her to do it! "I can provide my own dinner," she told him stiffly."And you already have a date." "I did have a date until—" Scott stopped, compressing his lips, then dealt her a glinting glimmer of a look "—until I was stood up too," he finished dryly."You—?" It was like discovering he had a chink in his impenetrable Armour. Vivian was so intrigued by the phenomenon she stopped fighting his grip
Last Updated : 2023-07-14IN BED WITH THE BOSS 43
"I have a sweet tooth." said Vivian. "Among other things," Scott murmured oddly.About to ask him what he meant by that— "Do you want coffee?" he got in before her."And spoil the taste of the wine? Thanks, no," she refused."Then if you’ve finished do you mind if we leave now?" he asked. "Oh…" Vivian tensed, her slender spine arching up on the sudden realization that she’d talked his socks off all the way through the meal! It was no wonder he was wearing that blank expression on his face. "I had lost track of how long we have been here…" "And the restaurant has emptied," Scott pointed out dryly. "We’re the last ones here…" Flickering a surprised glance around the empty tables she noticed the restaurant staff standing around, trying hard not to look impatient for them to leave. "Why didn’t you say something sooner?" she whispered from the depths of a sinking embarrassment."You were enjoying your meal. There was no need to rush." With the merest glance in the waiter’s direction h
Last Updated : 2023-07-14IN BED WITH THE BOSS 44
Staring at him, feeling a sinking sense of confusion assail her, it all suddenly changed to a sense-crawling horror when she realized what they'd done. She spun away in a shaken, horrified need to escape but he stopped her. "Just get back in the car so I can take you home, Vivian" he said. His voice was calmer now, no longer angry, and maybe it was that tone that made her turn and began to move back towards his car. He walked beside her, not saying anything till they got to his car. He opened the door for her and when she got in, he went around and climbed into the driver's seat. The ride was quiet. They turned into the street on which her apartment block was situated, and Scott slowed down. "Was that just about the wine or did I do something wrong?" he asked. He just couldn’t leave it alone! "Why the sudden interest in my sleazy feelings, Scott?" "It’s not sleazy, Vivian," he pointed out. "Believe it or not, but I…. I… I care about you, damn it." Only slightly mollified by that
Last Updated : 2023-07-14
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IN BED WITH THE BOSS 83
He nodded,"I was so determined to ruin Bruce using his sister Jennifer too, but then I met you, and without even trying, you touched something inside of me. You made me care. Stopped me from becoming a monster, and made me start to care about more important things than revenge. Hell, I even became friends with Jennifer. She had been trying to reach out to me after the accident, but my mother and sister just weren't ready to have her around at such a time. ""Oh Scott" "When I had that accident, I was on my way to you. I wanted to tell you that I missed you. I was still running away from the way I felt about you, and I wasn't ready to admit my feelings to myself, but I missed you… badly. And I was coming to you… to tell you…. And that's when I…. I…. What I'm trying to say, Vivian, is that you're an amazing woman, and I… I…"Enough was enough. She had heard his declaration, seen the evidence of it in his eyes. Now she wanted him close—as close as a man and woman could be. "I understand
IN BED WITH THE BOSS 82
"You’re looking good. I mean, you’re looking well—fully recovered." said Vivian. "I feel it." He raised a dark eyebrow. "Aren’t you going to invite me inside?" "Of course!" She opened the door wide and as he walked into the hall she thought that the fact he had had to ask spoke volumes about the distance which had grown between them. As did the fact that he hadn’t touched her—and the coolly remote look on his dark face which showed no inclination to do so. She faced him awkwardly. "Where shall we go?" He wondered how she would react if he suggested the bedroom, but, while that wasn’t quite the last thing on his mind, that wasn’t the reason he had come here today. "Is it warm enough to sit outside?" "I think so. Shall I make us some coffee and bring it onto the balcony?" But he didn’t want a social ritual. He didn’t even particularly want coffee. He shook his head. "Not unless you really want some. I’m fine.""So am I."He hadn't forgotten just how beautiful it felt to be around
IN BED WITH THE BOSS 81
Vivian could do nothing but nod. She couldn't tell Scott's mother about their troubles, so she simply gave her a hug and wished her well. "Please tell Sara that I'm very sorry I couldn't see her before leaving." she said, and with that she went out of the house. It was only when she got into her car and drove off that she let the tears flow. ________Vivian spent the evening wandering around her house like a lost soul, unable to settle to anything, and her heart nearly leapt out of her chest when her phone began to ring.She snatched it up when she saw the caller. "Hello?". "Vivian""Oh, Scott!" She breathed a low sigh of relief, appalled to realize that she had half expected never to hear from him again. But that would have implied a lack of courage on his part, and he was certainly not lacking in courage. "Are you okay?" she asked. Okay? Scott looked around him, at the luxurious house which was his home. It didn’t feel like home any more. It felt like some gloriously appointed bu
IN BED WITH THE BOSS 80
She thought that he spoke it like a word he was unfamiliar with. "Yes, us." He smiled, but Vivian thought that it was a cool smile, even though he touched the tip of her nose with his lips."I know that we’ve been having a relationship and that it’s a very agreeable relationship." Very agreeable? He made it sound like a piece of classical music playing on the radio!"I see." Vivian said. He wondered if she did, but in the sweet afterhaze of making love his mind had been busy. "Shall we get dressed and go and find ourselves a drink?" If it had been anyone else, she might have thought he was searching for Dutch courage, but Scott was not the kind of man who needed alcohol to spur him on to say something, no matter how unpalatable.She sensed that the end was coming, and that, if it was, she would face it calmly and with dignity. "I’d love a drink," she said lightly.He might not need courage, but she certainly did. They dressed in silence, bending to pick up discarded pieces of clot
IN BED WITH THE BOSS 79
He had changed. The dark eyes were no longer so restless. The glittering, predatory eyes of the shark had gone.But a jolt to his memory might bring them back, surely? And the coldly ambitious Scott McCall might reemerge from the chrysalis of his coma."Ready?" she asked.He drifted his hand over her hair and followed it with the butterfly touch of his lips on the back of her neck. "Maybe we should go back to bed for a while?" he murmured.Vivian closed her eyes, tempted. If there was one thing that Scott had recovered quickly, it was his prowess as a lover. "But we’ve only just got up!" she objected."The doctor said that I was to rest as much as possible." "I think that your idea of rest and the doctor’s are not quite the same thing." Vivian replied. Reluctantly, she pulled her neck away. "Shall we drive or shall we walk for a while? We can order a cab later to my place or call your driver." "Walk," said Scott. "You won’t get too tired?" "Vivian," he sighed. "I’m fine. You know,
IN BED WITH THE BOSS 78
He sucked in a low breath of appreciation as she stood before him wearing nothing but flimsy underwear of soft green lace, her skin gleaming like silk. Her breasts spilled over the low-cut bra and the matching knickers made her legs seem to go on and on forever.He must have seen her like this before and yet it seemed as though he had never really looked at her. Never appreciated the satin fall of the dark hair which tumbled all over her shoulders."Dear God," he murmured. "You are unbelievable. Unbelievable." "No, I’m real." She began to unbutton his shirt."You’re wearing all this, while I’m not wearing nearly enough," she complained.He gave a low laugh, sucking in his breath as her palms skated light, sensuous circles over his nipples. "You’re wearing too much, oh, Vivian—" This as she unzipped his trousers and teased her fingertips over his straining hardness. He slid his hand between her thighs and her eyes widened in helpless pleasure as he began to move his fingertips agains
IN BED WITH THE BOSS 77
With Scott it had never been more than what they had today. And while that made her appreciate what she had got, it also made her long for what she had not. Commitment—and that was one thing she would never get from him."I’ll sleep next door for the time being. I think you need a little space," she said lightly.And so did she.He pulled a face of objection, but he was too tired to object too much. He lay down on the bed and it felt like heaven."Okay," he yawned. "If you say so." But within a couple of weeks he began to show very definite signs of improvement—physically, at least. The sleep showed in the renewed brightening of his eyes and the familiar healthy glow of his skin. Often they took him outside, to sit in the restorative sunshine and to sit quietly in the haven which Felicia's garden provided. He was eating proper meals, too—the freshest, most delicious food that Felicia and sometimes Vivian could conjure up.She put two plates of salmon down on the table one evening and
IN BED WITH THE BOSS 76
Scott drank his tea. It was very comfortable here by the fire—warm and welcoming. If only his head didn’t feel as though someone had jammed it in between a giant nutcracker, and in the process managed to take away some of the thoughts and associations and familiarity which made him what he normally was. But how did he know what he normally was? He didn't know what to believe. He still had childhood memories. He knew his family and his job, but most memories of the past months were missing so he was confused. He put the cup down and looked at Vivian, which was halfway to a cure in itself. She was wearing a soft wool dress, the color of blueberries, and her hair was loose—like the moon against the backdrop of a nearly dark sky. Her legs were spread in front of her and she had kicked her shoes off. He might be only two days out of a coma, but that didn’t mean that all his senses were dead. He might have a little difficulty wanting food as he usually did, but the stirring leap of awarene
IN BED WITH THE BOSS 75
"I can get myself dressed!" he protested. "Not yet, you can’t," the nurse fussed. "You’re as weak as a kitten, although I must say that you don’t particularly look as weak as a kitten!" "Why can’t Vivian help me?" he demanded, his heart sinking as he saw the nurse begin to roll her sleeves up over her rather hefty forearms. He’d much rather that dark-haired angel be at hand.The nurse coughed. "Well, she was a little taken-aback when you didn’t recognise her, of course—but, as I told her, that’s perfectly normal in these circumstances." "You mean I know her?" The nurse helped him with his jeans and began to get rather pink around the neck."Yes, Scott" said Vivian, in an odd, strained kind of voice as she walked into the room. "You do know me—you just can’t remember." Scott was still feeling groggy, but not too groggy to wonder how well he had known her."Here." Vivian began to slide a sweater over his head, her fingers automatically colliding with the silken flesh, and she saw h
