Page 25 of Fake Summer Boss
Then my entire body sags. It's not the most abrupt work text he's ever sent me, and there was a second one right after. But still, it makes me feel I should put on the brakes.
I jump in the shower, hoping the hot water will soothe my muscles and relax my mind. It doesn't, not even when I think how unbelievably hot it was when Mack and I were in here together. Everything he’s said and done suggests that he wants our relationship to continue past Monday.
And yet…
I have to take care of myself. There's no way to tell what might happen, so I need to prepare myself for the worst, just in case. I’m all I’ve got.
Mack is surprised that I'm all packed and ready to go when he returns. "In a hurry?" he asks.
"I just thought it might be awkward making small talk with these people now that the job is over."
He nods. "Whatever you like." He quickly throws his things together, then stops, looking me up and down. "I've liked all of your outfits this weekend, but that blue makes you look the most relaxed."
"Thank you, I guess?"
Relaxed. He didn't call me beautiful like he did yesterday. Either that's just for the floral patterns, or we’re going back to real life again already.
"Was Ron happy?" I ask.
"Very. He was impressed that we kept things quiet and didn't cause a scene. He'll be coming on Tuesday to go through the details of what he needs from us and sign some contracts."
I sigh with relief. "So we got the business?"
"Yes." Mack sets his suitcase beside the door, then stands in front of me. His hand slides slowly down my spine, gently caressing as his other fingers tangle in the back of my hair. “We have a lot to figure out about our personal business, baby. But we can talk about that on the drive…right?”
"Sure."
The way he holds me takes my breath away. Every caress, every seductive glance makes my heart flutter. My arms ache to fling themselves around his shoulders.
So why am I so scared?
I think it’s because Mack is overwhelming. He's larger than life. If I let myself get lost in him and things don't work out, I'll be left with nothing. Not just without a job. I'll feel even emptier than I did before.
I know that a romantic relationship is not a security assignment, but I can’t help but wish I had a brief of what was expected, and had everything outlined.
Maybe Mack was right when he sent texts that were just the facts.
Right now I need to know whether my feelings for him are a fact, or if I'm so wrapped up in the afterglow of my first ever sexual encounter that I'm not thinking clearly.
16
MACK
Ihate that Layne is so nervous. Even though we chat about the wedding, the hotel, and vacations on the drive home, she’s quieter than she was all weekend, and too restrained.
A series of things bug me. I don't like that she hasn't been on nearly enough vacations, even though she's still quite young. I don't like that she's all alone in the world. Really don't like that she has no family except for a mother who largely left her alone and that she rarely speaks to these days.
Hmm. If her mother is cold, Layne could be understandably twitchy about other people being in her life?—
Oh shit. Like the man who emailed and texted her like a robot for the past month, showing no emotion or feeling. More importantly, not caring about her as a person.
It's almost noon when we approach Kingsville.
Layne is staring down at her hands, picking at her thumbnail. "Hey, would you like to grab lunch before I drop you at home?" I ask. "I could use your help with an errand."
"Of course. " Although she didn't exactly sayyes, boss, I heard it in her tone.
I reach out and squeeze her hand gently. "Trust me. It's going to be good for both of us."
