Beauty and the Boss - MINK Page 0,2

dance around, still not believing I got the job. Mr. Grumpy Pants does not look the least bit convinced of my happiness theory.

“Keep it down up there!” Mr. Samson yells from downstairs and hits the ceiling with what I’m guessing is a broom.

“Sorry! I got the job,” I shout to him.

“No one cares,” he shouts back.

Maybe I should take him some cookies, too. He also seems to need a little sunshine in his life, and I’m going to make sure he gets it. That’s how I live my life, being as positive as I possibly can. I learned long ago not to let the little things that didn’t matter in life bring me down. My dad is a miserable human being most of the time, and I never want to be that way. So at a young age, I decided to turn negatives into positives and focus on those. Not everyone understands this, but I don’t let it deter me. I’ll never live under the dark cloud he let rule our home. Maybe one day, he’ll let me give him a little bit of sunshine. Miracles happen.

Look at me. I got the job, and I have Mr. Grumpy Pants. I am on a roll at this adulting thing. Nothing is going to stop me.

3

Liam

I stop her as she walks through the door to my office. “Knock first.”

She blinks, then retreats and stands outside my office.

I wait.

Then wait some more.

Why isn’t she knocking?

“Ms. Lavine, I said knock, not leave.” I pinch the bridge of my nose.

“Oh, right.” She knocks. “I was just, you know, building up to it,” she calls.

“Come in.”

She enters again, her long legs on display from her short gray skirt. The buttons of her pink shirt pull a little between her breasts, but I don’t focus on that. I haven’t brought her here to bend her over my desk. A mental image of just that flits through my mind. I shut it down.

“Sorry.” She hitches a thumb behind her. “About the knocking. I just thought that since your receptionist said you were waiting for me that--”

“Sit.” I point at one of the office chairs across from my metal and glass desk.

“Oh, okay.” She lowers herself primly, her skirt riding up her thighs as she crosses her legs.

I watch every move she makes, from the paleness of her thighs to the eagerness in her eyes. Desire lights inside me, which is completely out of place. She’s young, naïve, and the daughter of my enemy. I have her here for one reason only. To use.

“Your office is so … big.” She smiles, the look natural on her pretty face. “When I got the job I thought I’d be doing low level stuff, but you’re the CEO. I’m sort of shocked.”

Her bubblegum tongue darts out to wet her lower lip. My cock wakes at the thought of what that pink tongue might taste like, might feel like against my skin. Get it together, Liam. This is my masterstroke of revenge, but my mind is wandering into Bradley territory. He preys on all the new hires. I make a note to keep him away from this one. She’s too sweet, like a ripe cherry that I need to pluck with my teeth. Just me. No one else.

“Mr. Baxter?”

I snap my gaze back to her. “What?”

“I was just asking what my duties are going to be.”

“There is a detailed file in your computer and on your phone of how I like my days handled. I expect you to follow those instructions to the letter.”

“Okay, but--”

“Any deviation from those instructions will result in discipline.” I clear my throat as the image of my hand reddening her round ass shows up unbidden. “Disciplinary action,” I amend. “Professional disciplinary action that will go in your file.”

“Sure, but--”

“If I have need of you, I will call you to my office. Do not forget to knock. Treat all visitors with the utmost respect, and above all, do what I tell you without question or interruption. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good. You may go.” I wave a hand at her and turn my gaze to my computer screen.

“Mr. Baxter?” She rises, but I try not to look at her.

“What?” I bark.

“I just wanted to know if this was a cat-friendly workplace? See, I have this rescue cat that I think would be great to have around the office for morale and, you know, to lessen tension for anyone who might need it.” She looks away, then back at me. “Petting cats