Page 15 of Bred By the Boss

It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. I wasn’t supposed to develop feelings for her, but she’s drawn me in like a moth to a flame. But unlike the moth, I’m determined not to burn up. No, if she’s going to be mine, she’s going to be well and truly mine.

It just means I need to make a few adjustments to my plan.

“Sir,” my assistant’s voice suddenly buzzes from my office phone. “I have the items you requested ready for you.”

“Bring them in,” I respond, standing from my desk.

My assistant walks in with a few garment bags over her arm and a file in her other hand. I take them from her with a thankful smile and send her on her way.

First, the list of guests to the benefit dinner I’m supposed to attend tomorrow. A quick scan reveals that many big, established names in tech will be there, as well as up-and-comers like me. A few game execs, some people with programming firms, and then people working for security firms, like me. When I see “Robert Peterson and Guest” listed a few names under my own, I smirk. Perfect. Just as I’d anticipated.

I snap the folder closed and toss it on my desk. That’s all I needed to know from the file. More important is the bundle of plastic garment bags, each holding a dress on a hanger—gowns for Noelle, picked with care over my morning cup of coffee and delivered to my office by my on-call concierge.

She needs something nice to wear to the benefit, after all.

I inspect each piece carefully, envisioning Noelle on my arm while wearing them. Each of the gowns is in a muted jewel tone, except one, which is black. It’s my favorite of the bunch now that I’ve seen them in person. The bodice is fitted, but the skirt is sumptuous and flowy. There’s even a slit that goes up to mid-thigh, making the understated dress stand out against the competition. It’s understated, but I’d hate for anything to outshine my kitten. Her beauty deserves to be accentuated, not obscured.

Satisfied, I hang the dress on my coat stand and buzz my secretary to take away the rest to be returned. As soon as she’s gone, I sit down to call Noelle.

She answers after two rings. “Hello?”

“Hey, Kitten,” I purr.

“Connor,” Noelle says breathlessly. “I was expecting it to be your assistant.”

“What are you doing right now?”

There’s a shuffle on her end of the line before she says, “Changing sheets on your bed. Why?”

“You know that credit card you have for groceries?”

“Yeah?”

“I want you to take off the rest of the day, go to the spa for a few hours,” I tell her. For a moment, she says nothing. I can almost picture the surprise on her face. Her lips parted, her face flushed.

“You want me … to go to a spa?”

“My assistant has made you a reservation already with one downtown. I’ll have her forward the details to you.”

“O-okay.” She falls silent again. “I’ve just … I’ve never been to a spa before.”

Something inside me growls. Has she truly never had the chance to pamper herself, to take some time to treat herself like the queen she is?

“You’ll enjoy it, I think. You deserve something special,” I tell her calmly, hoping that the warmth I feel for her translates over the phone line. “You’re not doing anything tomorrow night, right?”

Noelle laughs incredulously, but the sound still makes me smile to myself. “No, Connor. I’m not. You’re the only thing on my schedule for the foreseeable future.”

Just as I’m about to comment on her little slip, she gasps into the line. “I can’t believe I just said that.”

“Happy to hear I’m a priority for you, kitten,” I smirk. “Since your evening’s free, I’m letting you know that I’d like you to accompany me to a benefit tomorrow evening. The one you picked up my tux for.”

“Connor, I don’t know if that’s the best idea …”

My brow furrows. “Why not?”

“I’m not much of a party person,” she explains to me. I can picture her nervously biting her lip. “I’ve never even been to a wedding before, let alone something like a benefit with rich people. I don’t have a dress or anything, and I can’t afford one quite yet.”

“Noelle—”

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