Page 2 of The Boss

“Shhh, it's okay." His strong arm wraps around my shoulders, guiding me forward. "I'm taking you to a chair. It's just a blackout. Our generator will kick in in about a minute."

I shriek again when the entire sky ignites outside the window. It feels like my eyes have been seared as I cringe away from the lightning…directly into a solid, muscular chest.

Boss just chuckles while gently rubbing my back. "Yeah, thunderstorms can be intense out here on the mountain. You're safe, Etta, I promise."

He helps me into the chair, then sits beside me, holding my hands. I'm sure he means it as a kind gesture toward someone who is clearly in a state of panic. Yet I can't help noticing certain nerves and feelings ignite when I feel his strong, rough palm on my skin.

It’s not just the intense thunderstorm that’s got me flustered. This man is impossibly sexy. I’ve never taken one look at a guy like this and needed him to hold me. Touch me. Do anything he wants.

I’ve never really thought about men at all, but now that I think about it, the only guys I’ve known up to now were boys. Not men, especially when compared to Boss. Boss. Is that really his name?

My trembles now are from the way he’s caring for me. He’s gruff and obviously hates real estate people, but the second I freaked out, he only wanted to protect me.

Strange, I don’t know if I’ve ever felt protected.

I flinch from another blinding flash through the window, and as soon as my eyes squeeze shut, another crash of thunder shakes the entire mountain.

“Shh, this is normal,” Boss says in a soothing tone. “It’s passing right over us and will be gone in a few minutes.”

I nod, then blink in the darkness when I realize he’s pulled his chair closer, slipped an arm around me, and is cradling me against his chest.

“Breathe,” he murmurs. “Nice and slow. I bet the lights will come on—” Amber lights at the end of the room kick in. “Right about now,” he chuckles.

I take a few deep breaths, inhaling a scent that’s forty percent sage and cedar soap, sixty percent hot masculine animal sensuality.

Straightening up, I shake my head. “I’m sorry. I swear, I don’t usually behave like this.”

“It’s okay.” He strokes the back of my hand. “You’re not from the mountain. There are dozens of things around here that I’m sure would scare the hell out of a city girl.” The next peal of thunder isn’t quite as loud. “See? Moving off already.”

“Yeah. Thank you.”

Boss rolls his shoulders. “Now, if the power is out, that means a line has gone down. Could be because of a tree that is now lying across the road between here and town. You’re stuck here until I get one of the guys to confirm it’s safe for you to leave.”

“Oh. Um.” I look into his eyes, which are darker in the half-light. “I don’t want to be in your way. I can wait in the car.”

“Nah.” He shrugs. “There’s a full pot of coffee that finished brewing just a few minutes ago. How about you help me drink it while you tell me what your evil real estate associates are up to?”

“You don’t want me to…” I can’t help another giggle. “Tell them to fuck all the way off, then turn the corner and keep going?”

“Oh, most definitely,” he chuckles, smiling in a way that sends heat pooling in my lower belly and makes my thighs tremble as he takes my arm. “But if you tell me what they’re up to, I might be able to give them more detailed directions.”

2

BOSS

Well, fuck me sideways. Twice.

My deep distrust of real estate scum has been kicked to the curb by this woman.

She’s stunning. Gorgeous. Not in a model way. That’s never interested me. No, Etta is the girl next door. The woman of my dreams. Those dewy fresh cheeks when she came in from the rain…those wide, blue-green eyes…her natural, dirty blonde hair…

Her breasts are breathtaking, too. With her slightly damp, pale green dress clinging to her, every curve is amplified. It was actually good that she clearly needed to be comforted from the storm. Otherwise, I don’t know how much longer I could have resisted touching her. Holding her. She feels…right…in my arms. Like she's always belonged there.

I have no idea what this real estate bullshit is about, but I need to get to the bottom of it and deal with it so I can figure out how to spend some quality time with Etta. Then I can… I don't even know. Bond with her? Talk her into dating me? I've been surrounded by men and animals for so long that I think I’ve forgotten how to treat a lady. Crap.

I pour us each a cup of coffee, then bring the mugs to the table at the front of the dining hall, where Etta is checking her phone.

“No Wi-Fi if the power is out, I guess?” she asks glumly.