Page 13 of The Boss and the Adoption Mess
“Kim?” Nothing. I clear my throat, pause, because there’s no way this is happening. “Kim?” I nudge her gently. She’s out cold. She actually fell asleep.
I let out a long breath and move back. Fantastic. My night’s definitely over.
Whatever. I lift her legs onto the bed and pull a blanket over her. Set my phone alarm for eight sharp. Maybe tomorrow morning she’ll be rested and ready, and we can make up for what I actually wanted to do with her now.
Quick detour to the kitchen—I down some water, kill the lights, and crawl back into bed. First time for everything, I guess. A woman in my place and not even had sex. Not happening again. Next time, I’ll order my next conquest tea or juice. Definitely no drinks.
I lie there, trying to sleep. Not so easy to think of anything else now with such a gorgeous woman right next to me and…
“Chrrr…” She’s snoring. I take it all back.
I close my eyes, breathe in deep, and try to think about anything else while it sounds like a forest’s getting leveled beside me. Unreal…
I chuckle to myself and roll onto my side. With luck, she’ll quiet down and I’ll get some rest.
When my phone alarm drags me up the next morning, I feel anything but rested. Kim eventually stopped sawing logs, but lying there next to her, breathing in her perfume, hearing those soft little noises she made while mumbling—it kept me wired. More than once I almost pulled her into my arms just to hold her. Just to enjoy the moment.
I sit up and glance at her, rubbing sleep from her face. Even groggy and half-dead from sleep, she looks damn cute. Messy hair and cranky expressions work for her.
“God, it’s so early…” she groans.
“Want to join me in the shower?” I shoot my shot. But what does she do? Yanks the blanket over her head and rolls away. “Don’t fall back asleep.”
“I won’t. I’m awake…” she mumbles under the covers.
“You sure you don’t want to come shower with me?” There goes my shot at hot morning sex in the bathroom.
“Just five more minutes…” Nope. Completely useless right now. Fine. I’ll get her out the door, then head to the office.
“Alright. I’m going ahead. If you change your mind, come join me.” I stand by the bed for a moment. “Don’t fall back asleep, okay?”
“I’m awake. I’m awake…” she grumbles. She was sweeter last night. Funny how appearances fool you.
“Great.” I sigh, annoyed, and head to the bathroom. Cold shower. Very cold.
What a miserable start to the day.
Chapter 3
Kimberley
I strut past the receptionist with my head high, nod to the doorman, and step outside. The taxi’s already waiting—perfect timing. I slide in, give the driver EDL’s address, and lean back. As long as we don’t hit the worst traffic jam in London history, I should still get there on time.
I slept like crap. Let’s just blame the whiskey. Definitely not touching another drop anytime soon.
Chloe: You’re alive! I’m still listening to your message…
Me: Sorry, couldn’t keep it short. I’m in the taxi now on my way to EDL. Interview’s in about twenty minutes. Should be there in four. So, I’ll be on time.
Chloe: Perfect. Sending you a virtual hug. Glad you got out of there safely. What a jerk! That poor girl…
Me: Yeah. You’d never guess by looking at these guys. I feel bad for his wife too. Awful. Well, we’re here. Wish me luck!
Chloe blasts me with heart emojis, and I send just as many back. Then a quick text to the family group chat so they can keep me in their thoughts too. They know how badly I want this job—and how badly I need the money. Sweet, sweet money. Somehow luck always lands in the wrong hands.
Gabriel clearly has plenty of it, otherwise he couldn’t afford that ridiculous apartment. What does he even do for a living? Maybe it’s an inheritance. Who knows.
Whatever. I'll just put that idiot out of my mind. I'll never see him again anyway.
