Brazen Bossman: A Hero Club Novel Read online

  He’s going to kiss me.

  I know it is going to happen as soon as his grip on my neck tightens.

  I push up on my toes, search his face for just a moment before my eyes drop closed to wait on the connection of our lips that is, without a doubt, going to be electric… but it doesn’t happen.

  The sound of his phone ringing ricochets off the walls and he pushes away from me like I zapped him with a Taser.

  I stay plastered to the door. I can’t move. My brain isn’t communicating with my limbs yet. I just stare at him as he runs his hands through his hair before picking up his desk phone.

  “Lennox.” His voice is gruff, low, deep. His eyes are on me, holding me in place. “Gabrielle. Yes. I’m nearly ready. Just a few more words with my secretary then I’m all yours.”

  He places the phone back on the receiver and sinks to sit in his chair.

  “I have company in the lobby. Please go let her in. She knows where to go from there.”

  He is stoic, like nothing happened between us at all, and it does nothing but piss me off.

  I smooth my skirt that had somehow ended up bunching around my upper thighs, showcasing the lace tops of my stockings.

  “Right away, sir.”

  I see his jaw clench ever so slightly at my voice.

  “And hold my calls. I don’t want this meeting to be interrupted.”

  I fight every urge to roll my eyes. How can he say what he said to me, then turn around and do whatever it is he’s about to do with whoever this Gabrielle broad is?

  Then I suddenly realize, I shouldn’t give two fucks, because even though he makes me weak in the knees, he is a fucking asshole.

  Always remember that. Assholes are never worth your jealousy, confusion, or time.

  ***

  Gabrielle is exactly as I expected her to be. I’ve clearly had too much time to think about this, given that she calls the office for him every other fucking day.

  Blonde. Gorgeous. Professional in her high-waisted black slacks and matching suit jacket.

  Her hair is piled high in this twisty thing, which I’d never in a million years know how to do, and she struts her shit into his office, wearing a pair of crisp, shiny, patent leather Louboutin pumps.

  She should give off the biggest bitch vibe I’ve ever seen, but she has the kindest eyes.

  I hate her instantly, even though I have no reason.

  He is waiting for her at the door and they exchange a brief hug before she steps inside around him.

  There isn’t anything written on his face that would give away they have any type of sexual relationship… I just know this is clearly a personal meeting, as it isn’t on his calendar and he is very kind to her, which is an anomaly.

  His eyes travel toward me when she is out of sight and lock on mine.

  “You’re staring, Ms. Kingston. I pay you to work, remember? Not gawk.”

  And with that, he disappears back into his office and I don’t see him the rest of the day.

  Nathanial

  There could not have been a worse time for Gabrielle to show up. Not that I didn’t know she was coming, of course I did, but she literally stopped me from fucking Piper right there where we stood.

  One second longer, one more touch, one more lick of her lips, and I would have become a feral animal taken by the need to fuck her senseless.

  “You look… lost. Are you all right?” Gabrielle asks, as she takes her seat, pulling me out of my very inappropriate train of thought.

  “I’m fine.” I walk over to the small cabinet by the window, pulling out a bottle of scotch and two glasses. “Join me?”

  “Please. Neat.”

  I twist the cap off, pour two fingers in each glass then take my seat across from her, sliding her drink across the oak desk.

  “Long day?”

  “To say the least. You’re quite the pain in my ass.” She plops some files on my desk. “I talked to my attorney for you, just to get some guidance on what you’re wanting to do here, and it’s not as easy as you may think.”

  “But it’s not impossible, either, obviously. Companies are sold every single day.”

  “And what you’re asking is to sell a very large, very successful company, in what could be considered the worst economy in recent memory, out from underneath your ailing father without his explicit permission.”

  She words herself in such a way to make it a dig at my character. I’m not naïve enough to think otherwise. She’s not wrong, though, that’s the kicker of it all. I haven’t told them anything about my intentions with this company for a couple of reasons. One, my father couldn’t possibly understand, not with his state of mind deteriorating more and more every single day. Two, my mom would try to stop me, and I can’t put that added stress on her. It’s better if I just do it, and deal with the consequences. At the end of the day, this is what is best.

  “I’m his power of attorney, and I’ve been appointed CEO and owner of this company. The transition of power paperwork was signed and notarized. I’m free to do as I want with this place, right or wrong?”

  She sighs heavily and takes a large gulp of her drink. “Right.”

  “Just say whatever it is that you need to say.”

  Gabrielle has been in my life for as long as I can remember. Her parents were very close with mine, so we spent a lot of time together. There was never anything more than a pure, sibling type of relationship between us, even though many people like to claim otherwise, because apparently a man and woman cannot be friends without wanting to see each other naked.

  “You know I, in no way, think what you are doing is a good idea. Your father always wanted you to take over when he wasn’t able and to continue the legacy. You’ve been in control for less than a year and you’re already selling. That looks really shitty on multiple levels, Nathanial.”

  “And you know I have many reasons, the smallest of which is the last thing I want to do with the remainder of my life is work in publishing, Gabs. My father isn’t going to be able to come back to work, ever. That decision has already been made by him, and now that this shit is getting worse, it would have been made for him regardless. I plan on giving them one-hundred-percent of the profit left after selling and paying off any creditors or debt. They will live more than comfortably the rest of their lives, and I’ll get to go back to architecture and real estate. We will all live happily ever after.”

  She releases a heavy sigh because she knows that nothing she can say right now will make me change my mind. Lennox Publishing needs to be in the hands of someone who will appreciate it and do what needs to be done to keep it moving upward.

  And that person isn’t me.

  Chapter 6

  Piper

  The smell of pasta sauce simmering on the stove soothes my racing mind, and intense stress level, the moment I cross the threshold into my mother’s apartment. I’ve been a bundle of many different emotions since the almost kiss in Nathanial’s office on Monday. We have been expertly avoiding each other since then. If I’m being honest with myself, I would have let him fuck me right there where I stood if he hadn’t stepped away.

  Hell, I think I even wanted that… desperately.

  He rejected me so quickly that my head was spinning, but even he couldn’t deny he wanted it too. I could feel it.

  God, this is so wrong to even think about.

  “Piper? Is that you?” my mom shouts from the kitchen.

  “It’s me, Ma. I’m here.”

  “Take your shoes off. I just waxed the hardwood.”

  I roll my eyes with a smile. “Yes ma’am.” She’s always been a stickler for a spotless floor. “Are Oliver and Benj here yet?” I ask as I toe off my heels.

  “Present,” they both shout from somewhere inside the apartment, in complete unison. It’s actually kind of frightening.

  “You two are on some The Shining twins shit.”

  My mother has lived in this apartment since the day I was born, though she has slowl
y renovated it ever since my father passed away. I think she just couldn’t take the memories anymore. Especially after his ugly truths came to light.

  Where the walls were once beige, they are now a crisp, sleek gray with white accents and fresh flowers all about. It makes her happy, and that makes me even happier.

  Leaving my shoes in the foyer, I cross through the entryway, passing by the living room where my brothers are currently perched on the gray, leather sectional sofa, watching whichever sporting event is tickling their fancy at the moment. My mother, of course, is in the kitchen. That is her happy place.

  “Hi, Ma.” I stop at her side and bend a little so I can rest my head on her shoulder.

  “Are you all right, sweetie?” she asks.

  How can she tell so quickly?

  “Is it okay if I say I don’t want to talk about it?”

  “Of course. I know you’ll come to me when you need to.” She lifts a spoon up to my lips. “Taste.”

  There isn’t an ounce of hesitation before I happily taste the delicious sauce she’s offering. It’s salty, sweet, and fresh.

  “Oh wow. What did you do? That’s amazing.”

  “Added a bit of honey.” She bounces a little bit, clearly proud of herself. “I thought, what the hell? Honey makes everything better.”

  “That was a great call. We need to modify the sauce at the restaurant. It’ll make a killing.”

  She doesn’t say anything to that, she just places the lid back on the pot and removes her apron, tossing it to the counter.

  “Go grab your brothers and meet me at the dining room table. We all need to have a conversation about something.” She squeezes my arm.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “It will be.”

  ***

  The four of us are seated at the dining room table in silence as my mother worries with a handkerchief in her hands.

  “Ma, you’re scaring us,” I say.

  “Whatever it is, you need to just tell us. We can handle whatever you’ve got,” Benjamin adds.

  “Are you sick?” Oliver asks, and my stomach drops to my feet because I hadn’t even thought of that.

  “What? Oh my God, Ma. Please tell me you’re not sick.”

  “First of all, everyone relax. I’m not sick. No one died. It’s nothing like that,” my mother says to the relieved sighs of all three of her children.

  “You gotta come out with that straightaway. You can’t scare us like that.” Oliver runs his hand through his hair, giving a bit of a tug.

  “This is about Kingston’s.” She looks down at the handkerchief as she talks. “You all know what is going on with the restaurant, and the bills. We currently have two mortgages on the building, debt collectors are breathing down my neck every day, and we just can’t seem to get above water.”

  I go to speak, but my mom holds a hand up, asking me to please hear her out before I ask any questions, and I, of course, oblige.

  “I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and weighing all of my options. I have had some interest in the building itself and there have been offers. If I accept one of them, and sell this apartment… I could pay off the mortgages and the outstanding loans your father left.”

  “Whoa. Wait. Hold on.” I say, shaking my head. “You want to sell the restaurant and your home? Are you kidding me?”

  “What choice do I have, Piper? I’m drowning.”

  “We can help you. There have to be other options. This can’t be the only option.”

  Benjamin is unusually quiet; resting his chin in his hand with his elbows on the table and Oliver is pacing the room.

  “I could even have money left over, guys. This is my best option at this given time. I don’t relish the idea of losing the only piece of your father we have left, but sometimes… hard choices have to be made.”

  “So many people have tried to talk you out of our building. Years and years you’ve turned people away because it means too much to you, why now?” Benjamin speaks softly.

  “Because… I’m entertaining an offer I nearly can’t refuse. The city wants to take the entire block and convert it into sustainable housing.”

  “Ma, look.” I take her hands in mine. “I understand the desire to do this. I really do. But… Kingston’s… this apartment… I know that’s what keeps you going.”

  “It does, especially on days when I think I can’t but, Piper, I’m left with very few options.”

  I take a breath, fighting the tears that are threatening to fall. “Just promise me… you won’t make any decisions yet. We have time to think. This isn’t something that has to be decided today, right?”

  “Let us help you figure something out, Ma.” Oliver chimes in. “Just give us time to do that, okay?”

  “I love you all dearly, I do, but I’m meeting with them again in two weeks. That’s when they need a final say.”

  “Two weeks. Okay. We can work with that.”

  Even as I say the words, I know it’s a lie. My mother is nothing if not stubborn, and it seems to me her mind is made up.

  Nathanial

  My home office is dark when the clock strikes midnight. I’ve made a ritual out of sitting in my desk chair, facing the large floor-to-ceiling windows with a scotch in hand, people watching from my penthouse on the sixteenth floor.

  I tip the tumbler back and let the amber liquid pass over my tongue, relishing in the heat it leaves behind as it glides down my throat.

  This is when I should be turning my brain off and unwinding for bed, but I’m not sure my mind has slowed for a single minute in years.

  Between my father being sick, leaving my career behind, taking over for him, and all the bullshit in between, I live in a twisted cyclone of thoughts, anger, frustration, and sadness.

  Those emotions are put into a blender and out pours a temper for the fucking ages.

  The streets below are relatively empty, given the hour, but I am able to see directly across from me into a few of the apartments in the other building.

  The vast variety of things I see sometimes is enough entertainment for anyone. Fighting, to fucking, to singing, to dancing. It’s a clear statement to the fact people really need to learn to close their goddamn curtains.

  Tonight though, even I couldn’t get lucky enough to see anything even mildly entertaining to occupy my brain for a single moment.

  I scrub my hand through my hair, giving it a tug, then push to stand up from my chair. I down the remainder of my scotch in a single gulp, discarding the glass on my desk. It’ll be dealt with tomorrow.

  Loosening my tie as I walk into my bedroom, I catch my phone lighting up on the nightstand where it is charging.

  As it is after midnight, I can only expect it is an email or a text from one of two people. Gabrielle, with some kind of lawyery shit… or Courtney, or another woman like her, reaching out for a fuck.

  However, I’m confused, and intrigued when I see the flashing email notification from one Piper Kingston.

  From: Kingston, Piper

  To: Lennox, Nathanial

  Subject: Initial Twisted Vines Read Through

  Mr. Lennox,

  I couldn’t sleep tonight, so I went ahead and did an initial read through of Laura Fowler’s latest submission. I have attached my thoughts on it all. I thought it could be one less thing on your plate, since I know this is not your favorite part of the job.

  Let me know if you need anything else on this.

  Piper

  I read over her email twice then open up the file she attached and just as she said, there are multiple red highlights indicating she’s made notes on the file itself. She is so good at her job that it makes mine significantly easier; especially when she does things like this, simply because she wants to.

  From: Lennox, Nathanial

  To: Kingston, Piper

  Subject: RE: Initial Twisted Vines Read Through

  That makes two of us, Ms. Kingston.

  Thank you for this. I’ll be sure t
o take a look at this and see what else is needed before we move it on to editing.

  You should get some sleep. You need it.

  Nathanial

  Within a few minutes, a reply pings from the speakers.

  From: Kingston, Piper

  To: Lennox, Nathanial

  Subject: RE: Initial Twisted Vines Read Through

  You need sleep as well. You tend to be quite cranky in the morning.

  Had I known you’d be awake, I wouldn’t have sent this until morning, because now I know you’ll review instead of sleep.

  How about I’ll sleep if you sleep? Deal?

  Piper

  A sudden and very real image pops in my head of her, in my bed, hair tousled from sex, wrapped in my sheets, beckoning me to come sleep with her. It’s unwelcome, unexpected, but fuck if it isn’t all I can think about now.

  From: Lennox, Nathanial

  To: Kingston, Piper

  Subject: RE: Initial Twisted Vines Read Through

  Aren’t I the boss here? You’re very brave over email, Ms. Kingston.

  But that is a fair deal. I will go to bed now, as long as you do as well.

  Can I trust you?

  Nathanial

  I don’t mean to come off as flirtatious as I am, but there is something about this woman that brings it out of me in an unexpected way.

  I tuck my phone into the pocket of my slacks and head up the white, tiled stairs toward my bedroom. As soon as I step through the threshold and turn on the lights, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.

  From: Kingston, Piper

  To: Lennox, Nathanial

  Subject: RE: Initial Twisted Vines Read Through

  I have a feeling if you couldn’t trust me, I wouldn’t still work for you.