Page 39 of The Bachelor Auction

Epilogue

Twelve monthslater

So far,Tyler’s been very happy to fulfill each and every one of my requests. In fact, last night alone he’d done it three times, and I screamed his name each time I came.

It’s almost eight a.m. but he’s already at his office, bossing someone else around. I know because Lucky’s sent me at least two messages a day, bitching about his employees’ lack of progress, offering to rehire me, which I always politely decline. I mean, the guy doesn’t just expect you to work around the clock; he’s also impatient, impossible to please, and likes to change this mind—a lot. Which is one of the reasons I didn’t agree to renewing our work contract.

While I appreciate the chance he took on me more than a year ago, by the time my work contract came to an end I was ready to jump off a bridge from sheer frustration. It took me weeks to lower my elevated stress levels. I think I even had a few nightmares at some point. Tyler didn’t take my decision too well. After a series of arguments, I gave him an ultimatum: He either let me be independent, i.e., build my own company and choose my own clients (he’s preferably not one of them), or we couldn’t be in a relationship.

I like to be with him, but I can’t have him as my boss. As wild as he is in bed, he’s a real hardass in business. At some point, I think he got the memo.

Now, I love the fact that I can set my own pace, and enjoy my long mornings and free Friday evenings. The only thing I miss is our daily “conference meetings,” which always reached a perfect climax or three.

Sitting on the sofa in my suite overlooking the Vegas skyline, I take a few sips of my coffee and go through Brenda’s emails and notes. We’re no longer a two-woman start-up, but a proud, successful, all-female company boasting a staggering eight members. After I turned Tyler’s website into a huge success, work offers started to stream in on a daily basis, and Brenda hired staff to help out with the increasing workload. We’re officially respected and have even been nominated for a few creativity awards, which Brenda believes we’ll win based on the alignment of the current star constellations or her ability to read tea leaves or something. While we’re up against impressive competition, who am I to question her spiritual abilities?

Just as I’ve finished up and start brainstorming ideas for a new campaign, wondering why the heck I still don’t have an assistant to help out with the increasing workload, my phone pings with an incoming message.

Subject:You’re late

You should have beenin my conference room five minutes ago. There’s no excuse for your lateness, unless it involves changing into that black lingerie you bought last week.

— LuckyLuke

I stareat Tyler’s message, frowning, wondering why he’d possibly think we had an appointment when I don’t remember it? I check my appointments on my tablet, just to be on the safe side. That’s when Brenda’s email catches my eye.

Subject:Urgent request

Your boyfriend said onlyyou were fit for the job. Sorry I couldn’t say no. You know how persuasive he is.

— Brenda

P.S.:He said it was urgent and that you shouldn’t keep him waiting.

“The son of a bitch.He just won’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” I mutter and begin to gather my stuff.

Not surprisingly, as I ride down the elevator to the lobby, I find Tyler’s driver and town car waiting for me. I shoot him a smile because, let’s face it, I can’t take my bad mood out on the poor guy when he’s not to blame.

The few minutes it takes us to reach Tyler’s office seem to stretch out into infinity. I pass security and grumble something that resembles a “hi” to Scarlet as I dash past her, straight for Tyler’s conference room.

He’s inside, typing on his cell phone, his brows drawn in concentration.

“How could you?” I sprint across the room and reach him just as he looks up. My breathing comes in long, labored gasps, and my eyes are throwing daggers.

“How could I what?” He cocks his brow, but his look of surprise can’t fool me. He’s laughing at my expense; I can tell from the glint of amusement in his eyes.

“Rehire me,” I hiss. “I told you there’s no chance in hell I’ll ever work for you again.”

He shrugs and his nonchalant expression breaks into a smile. “I simply put in an offer for your services and Brenda was happy to accept.”

I cringe at his choice of words. The way he puts it, it sounds like she’s pimping me out. “I quit.”

“You haven’t even started yet.”

“I can’t work with you, Tyler. You know that.”

His eyes sparkle. “Because you’re intimidated and you think you couldn’t possibly please me? You’ve been doing a fine job of that.”

I roll my eyes at his insinuation. “Because last time you almost drove me to the brink of insanity.”

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