Page 64 of The Boss I Can't Stand
“I thought you might enjoy one of their new exhibits,” he said, leading me up the stairs to the front door where a security guard waited to let us in the building.
Inside the lobby, I took in the classic Hollywood memorabilia and framed movie posters. I’d spent more than my fair share of time here over the years, visiting their various costume exhibits. But it was unusually quiet for a Saturday. Where were all the people?
“The only new exhibit opening isThe Evolution of Fashion in Hollywood Musicals,” I said to him. “I’ve literally been counting down the days until it starts. So I know for a fact it doesn’t begin for three more days.”
“It begins for thepublicin three days,” he said, giving me another one of those rarerealsmiles, the corner of his mouth turning up slightly.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “What did you do?”
A set of footsteps hurried toward us. I turned to see a woman in a flashy blue pantsuit. “Hi, Finn.”
“Hey, Bonnie,” he said, reaching for her hand. “Thanks for making this happen.”
“Of course. Happy to have you. The exhibit is up on the second floor. My office is just down behind security.” She pointed it out. “Take your time. But if you have any questions, let me know—I’m happy to chat.”
“Thanks,” Finn said, sending her off with one of his charming grins. It slid into something more natural as she walked away, and he took my hand.
“How did you make this happen?” I asked, thrumming with excitement as he led me up a stairwell.
He tugged me close. “In this business,” he said with a wicked grin, pressing a swift kiss to my neck just below my ear. “It’s all aboutwhoyou know.”
“And who do you know?”
“Half the board,” his said. “Several of whom owe me favors. Calling in one for this was no big deal. Just figured you’d enjoy it.”
I flushed as he tugged me along a corridor, touched that he’d gone out of his way like this for me. It wasn’t just that he’d called in a favor—it was that he’d heard about the exhibit and had thought of me, understanding how much I’d enjoy it. It was the way he made me feel seen, and understood, and appreciated.
“You didn’t have to blow your favor on this.” I batted away a surge of emotion as he entwined our fingers, leading me toward a series of mannequins and a sign with the wordsSingin’ in the Rainprinted overhead.
“I still would have appreciated it if you’d just gotten us tickets to see the exhibit once it opened. I didn’t need the fancy VIP treatment.”
“You deserve it for how hard you’ve been working on the film,” he said. “And with me on Jillian’s PR plan.” He kissed me next to a display of costumes fromThe Sound of Music, and my head felt a little fuzzy. “And how hard you’ve been working in my bed,” he added.
I gave him a coy smile. “I don’t know what you mean.”
His hand dropped to squeeze my ass through my jeans, and I squirmed against him. “You knowexactlywhat I mean.”
I swallowed hard.
“Am I distracting you from these lovely displays?” he asked, voice low, rumbly.
“No.” My pulse thumped at the base of my throat.
“You’re still a horrible liar,” he said with a chuckle. “But in all honesty, I wanted you to do something you enjoyed before our PR date. I figured this would give you something to be excited to talk about while we go to lunch, and that if you had a topic that engaged you, you’d be less likely to?—”
“Freeze up in front of the cameras?” I finished.
He scooped a piece of hair away from my face. “Exactly. I just want everyone to see how charming you are.”
I bit my lip. Mrs. Charming. Mrs. Bigshot. I really wasn’t sure I’d ever live up to that image, no matter how many fake dates we went on.
“Especially when you do that,” he said, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip. I released it, and he teased me with an almost-kiss before tugging on my hand, pulling me further into the exhibit.
We toured through the costumes, each display more fascinating than the last. I snapped covert pictures of Finn reading up on the costumesfromWest Side Story. When he caught me, he gathered me into his arms, copping another feel and whispering suggestive things in my ear.
“Stop,” I groaned, embarrassed to be so turned on in a public space, even if we were alone. Still, I didn’t really make much of an effort to get away as he held me close, his arms wrapped around me from behind. I could feel that he was hard.
“I just want to make sure you know how good of a time I’m having,” he said, tucking my hair aside to nip at my neck. I tilted my head to give him more access, and he hummed his approval.
