Page 38 of Rude Boss' Secret Baby
“It’s a great nickname. I kind of want to change his information in my system so that people from my company start addressing him that way.”
Her jaw dropped open in shock. “Why, Mr. Cataline, I would have never taken you for a prankster.”
I winked up at her. “What can I say? You bring out the good in me.”
I wasn’t sure what possessed me to say something like that, but it wasn’t as if I were lying to her. For some reason, Leslie brought out a side of me I had stuffed down and away from the rest of the world. A part of me that I didn’t want to expose to the hurt and the pain I had dealt with for the majority of my life.
Somehow, Leslie had become this balm of comfort, and it was because of that comfort she provided that I felt able enough to expose a part of me that the rest of the world didn’t get to see.
“Is there something the matter?” I asked.
Leslie shook her head as if she were ripping herself out of a trance. “No, not at all. But, Iamglad I can bring out a little bit of the good in you.”
I wanted to settle my hand against her knee, but I resisted the urge. “I feel the same way.”
She smiled before clearing her throat. “So, Ol Matty Matt Harry over here wants you to call him about distribution issues. That’s all he’d say on the matter, though I’m unsure as to what distribution services have to do with your PR firm. I figured that was more an issue for your—”
I nodded. “He works closely with the same warehouses I do, yes. He’s probably wanting my opinion on something he’s trying to push that I won’t let him. I’ll make sure to give him a call later on in the day when I can stomach his tirades. Are there any other messages?”
And when Leslie sighed, I knew I was in for it. “A Mrs. Voyich called as well.”
I groaned. “Oh, boy.”
“Yeah, it’s about as good as that, too. She says you’ve been dodging her requests for video conferences and telephone meetings you two set up. Is that true?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “She’s the other investor in my yacht rental business. She wants me to expand to other coastlines instead of keeping things local where I can keep my hands on it at all times.”
“Let me guess: she wants you to make sure she’s the head of the next coastline you tackle.”
I pointed up at her. “Bingo.”
She placed her message notes on my desk. “Well, she called a few times and left you a few messages that ranged from genuine to curse-filled. I think it’s time you stop dodging her and just talk with her.”
I closed my eyes. “I suppose you’re right.”
“And think of it this way, the sooner you can get this stuff done, the sooner we can get off to dinner. Right?”
My eyes slowly eased open. “You’re absolutely right.”
She slid off my desk. “Which means I should leave you alone, right?”
I leaned up and reached for my desk phone. “Right.”
She giggled. “I’ll see you in a few hours, Mr. Cataline.”
The way she purred my name made me swallow a growl as her hips swayed deeply with her steps. She teased me with her curves as she walked toward my closed office door, tossing me a playful wink over her shoulder. I had half a mind to slam my phone down, grip her hair, and bend her over my fucking desk. However, I resisted what my cock wanted as she slipped out of my office, carrying with her the only shred of peace I’d ever come across since my mother had killed herself.
So, I placed phone calls quickly in the hopes that I could still keep my evening free.
I should have known better, though.
In my line of work with the kinds of businesses I ran, there were always snags. Once someone started placing phone calls, there was always a reason to stay late, and that day was no different. I didn’t get but about fifteen minutes into a conversation with Ol’ Matty Matt Harry before he had my ass in a warehouse checking out some pretty serious distribution issues, and by the time I got to a point where I could call Mrs. Voyich, she had already spelled out a pretty convincing argument that led to me agreeing to expand my yacht rental business.
Which meant I had to stay late to get some shitty paperwork done.
“Knock, knock.”
Leslie’s voice filtered through my office door, and I sighed. “Come in, Leslie.”
