Page 40 of Grumpy Boss of the Year

“Hector, this is my assistant, Elisabetta Franco. We’re just trying to figure out what we want for lunch, aren’t we, Elisabetta?” There’s a warm smile on Liam’s face and a knowing look in his eyes as I feel the heat in my cheeks. Is this man a mind reader? Does he know what I’m thinking?

“Maybe we can go up to your apartment and decide?” I offer him a small smile. It’s interesting getting to see Liam’s different facets. It’s almost like he’s not the biggest asshole around.

“I thought you’d say that.” He smirks and gives me an exaggerated wink, which makes me want to slap him. I immediately dismiss my thoughts that he wasn’t an asshole. My first impression was right. He is a cocky bastard.

“What made you think that?”

“Now is not the time, Elisabetta.” He gives me a chastising look and then shakes Hector's hand. “You have a great day, Hector. Once you’re enrolled in school, see if they have any sort of internship for credit programs, and maybe I can see about some sort of mentorship to get you on your way.”

“Oh, Mr. Gallagher, that would be amazing. Thank you.” Hector’s excitement is apparent, and I’m taken aback by the nice gesture. Liam is definitely a confusing man.

“You’re welcome.” Liam nods and then heads inside the building in a leisurely fashion. I follow Liam into the grandiose lobby, and we head to a large marble fountain. Liam stops and looks at me. My heart is racing, and I wait for him to ask me if he should grab a pack of condoms or something. The man totally knows that I will not be able to resist him if he wants to get into my panties.

“What’s going on?” I cross my arms and give him my best stern teacher look. It’s a look I learned from all three of my aunties who constantly seemed to be telling me and Romeo off.

“I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable coming up to my place. I know you were teasing me in the cab...” He grins. “Quite deliciously, if I’m being honest, but I am also sure that you’re probably regretting all your big talk.”

“Oh?” I stare at him, not moving an inch.

“You seem like the sort of woman who likes to talk a big game but doesn’t really follow through.”

“You think I was just talking?”

“Were you not?” He raises a single eyebrow. “Classy women like you don’t usually offer to?—”

“You think I’m classy?” I burst out laughing then because that was the last adjective I expected him to use about me.

“Was that an incorrect assumption?” He seems surprised that I’m laughing, and that makes me feel like I’m taking back the power again.

“Not really.” I lean forward, touch his chest, brush my cheek against his, and whisper in his ear. “I’m classy in the streets but a freak in the sheets.” I pull back and touch the tip of his nose. “And right now, I wanna be on your sheets.”

His eyes catch fire, and I can feel his chest rising. I press my palm over his heart and run my fingers down. He growls under his breath, and I know I’ve gotten to him.

“Just me, though.” I bite my lower lip and press my fingernail into his side. “You can look, but you can’t touch.”

“But...” He almost seems like he’s at a loss for words.

“Cat got your tongue, Liam?” I giggle. “Just because I don’t want it right now doesn’t mean I’m regretting what I said in the cab.”

“Give me your cat and my tongue will have you changing your words.” He smirks. “Trust me on that.”

“If I ever deign to let your tongue near my cat, I will definitely let you know.” I step back and look around the lobby, grateful that no one is close enough to hear what I’m saying. “Shall we go up now?”

“I’d rather go down.” He winks, and I just shake my head as we move toward the elevator. I’m not going to say a word to him because if I’m honest, I’m dying to feel his lips and tongue on me, but I know if that happens, it is all over for me. And while I know I won’t always be able to resist, I want to make him work for it. Just because he’s a hot billionaire, it doesn’t mean he can have me as soon as he wants. He’s going to learn that you can’t buy everything you want.

“This is your place?” I walk into the modest apartment and look around in surprise. It’s not what I expected at all. There’s no marble or gold or chandeliers anywhere.

“It’s my home away from home, yes.” He nods as he closes the door behind him. “Not what you were expecting?”

“Not quite.” I head into the living room and see the tired-looking white couch with throw pillows that have cartoon characters’ faces on them. There are pieces of paper strewn all over a large wooden table and a half-empty bottle of wine, with a wineglass next to a stack of folders. “You were working here?”

“My assistants don’t seem to stay with me too long.” He shrugs. “I have to make sure someone is doing the work.”

“But that’s a lot.” I frown as I see a ledger filled with numbers. “Don’t tell me your accountant quit, as well?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “I like to run my own numbers on deals. I only trust myself.”

“In all things?”

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