In Love With Lucy (NSFW) (2 page)

Davide waved a hand. “Honey, you know it turns me on when you get all blood thirsty, and in that dress, I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”

“Me too.”

I jumped, almost dropping my champagne flute, as the deep voice murmured right next to my ear and the large hand slid around me to rest on the side of my waist. Shocked, I looked up into the brilliant blue eyes of my boss, Christopher James Barden. The. Fucking. Third.

“Chris!” I squeaked. “What are you doing here?”

He frowned at me. “What kind of boss would I be if I didn’t come to your showing?”

“A good one,” I muttered under my breath as I sipped my drink.

“Pardon?”

I smiled brightly. “Thank you for coming.” I tried to step away without being obvious about it, but he just followed me, his arm tightening around my waist. “Um, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go mingle.”

“No, you need to introduce me,” Davide interrupted.

Shit. He sounded curious. I glanced at him and saw the interested gleam in his eyes. Not only was he curious, he thought Chris was cute. My perfect evening was disintegrating before my very eyes.

“Davide, this is Christopher James Barden the Third, CEO of Barden Business Solutions.” I looked at Chris. “Chris, Davide owns this gallery and put together the exhibition of my work.” I made sure my eyes communicated how badly I could fuck up his entire life if he acted like an asshat.

Chris smiled at me, then Davide, and I swear I heard the other man sigh dreamily. Another one bites the dust. One glimpse of the Barden megawatt grin and most people were toast. Too bad that Chris didn’t use the smile more than his disapproval.

“A pleasure meeting you, Davide,” my boss said, extending his free hand.

Hoping he was distracted enough for me to make a quick getaway, I managed to escape the clasp of his arm and put two feet of space between us.

I looked at Davide. “Why don’t you walk Chris through the series while I go chat up guests?”

The thrilled look on my friend’s face told me that I wouldn’t have to ask twice. “Of course, of course.” He made shooing motions with his hands. “You go sell some photographs with that sexy red dress. I’ll make sure that Mr. Barden is well taken care of.”

I smirked at Chris over Davide’s shoulder and gave him a little finger wave before sauntering off into the crush. After I ditched my pain in the ass boss, I snagged a fresh glass of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter and replaced it with my empty one. Sipping the delicious sparkling wine, I sashayed to one of the exhibits and struck up a conversation with several men who were standing in front of the piece.

I worked my way through the crowd, talking to men and women of all ages. I answered questions, flirted, debated, and laughed for close to an hour before two arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me off my feet.

I squealed loudly, trying to twist out of the strong grip. When my feet hit the floor, I whirled around and looked up into the face of Marcus Flynn and squealed again, throwing both arms around his neck.

“You came,” I cried, hugging him tightly.

His sinewy arms crushed me in a huge bear hug. “Of course I did. It’s not every day the best assistant I’ve ever had has her very own showing.” His gravelly voice was deep and loud, drawing even more attention to us than my cries had.

I kissed both his cheeks twice. Before I could pull away, one of his hands snaked up to hold my head still so he could plant a hard, close-mouthed kiss right on my mouth. I laughed and shoved him away playfully.

“No stealing kisses, naughty boy,” I chided.

Marcus grinned at me. “How else am I going to get sugar from you?”

I linked my arm through his. “All you have to do is ask,” I answered cheekily.

He threw his head back and laughed. “I know you better than that, Lucy. I’d need a suit of armor and a big ass spear to get more than a stolen kiss from you.” He grabbed my glass of champagne and tossed it back.

It was my turn to giggle. “True, your spear always has been a little small for my taste.” The free-flowing wine had loosened my tongue and lowered my inhibitions.

Marcus choked and started coughing. I smacked him on the back vigorously.

“You okay?” I asked.

His eyes were watering as he cleared his throat. “I can’t believe I forgot how quick witted you are. That was a good one, Luce.”

I grinned and winked at him. Before I could ask him if he’d seen the photographs, I felt someone move up beside me and a hard arm wrap around my waist. His hand splayed low on my hip, holding me the way a lover, not an employer, might. I recognized my boss’s cologne before I even looked up.

Trying to ignore the way the skin of my hip burned under his touch, I looked up. “Hi, Chris. Enjoying the showing?” I pulled away slightly, trying to put some distance between us, but he plastered me to his side.

I scowled up at him. What in the hell was his problem? He was acting like a jealous boyfriend rather than my boss. Then again, he was a bit of a stick in the mud. From the disapproving expression on his face, I hazarded a guess that he didn’t like the way Marcus and I had been carrying on. Probably not befitting of a Barden Business Solutions employee. Well, that was tough shit. I had sold every single damn photograph in the show. Between the money I earned that night and my now substantial savings, I had enough money to live comfortably for close to a year and I was no longer in need of my current job.

“Who’s this, Luce?” Marcus asked, breaking my train of thought.

I looked at him and smiled. “This is my boss, Christopher James Barden the Third. I’m his assistant at Barden Business Solutions.”

Marcus’ eyebrows rose in surprise. “You’re working as an assistant?”

I nodded. “Not all of us photograph the rich and famous, Marcus.”

“Hell, why didn’t you call me? I’m always in need of a good assistant.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah and I’m more in need of my sanity. The only reason I survived my internship with you is because I knew it was short term. You’re harder to work for than Chris.” I cut off abruptly. Shit, I hadn’t meant to say that. It was all that damn champagne.

Marcus roared with laughter. “That is true. You actually lasted the entire summer. Most of my interns quit within a couple of weeks.”

Chris interrupted us, leaning forward to offer Marcus his hand. “You must be Marcus Flynn.”

Marcus grabbed his hand and shook it firmly, looking Chris over, sizing him up. “I am. Pleasure to meet you, Christopher James Barden the Third.”

“Please, call me Chris,” my boss said.

I watched in confusion as they continued to hold hands. Since he was wearing a short sleeved shirt, I noticed Marcus’ forearm suddenly flex. My boss stiffened next to me. Then it hit me. They were having a freaking pissing match. Considering that Marcus often hauled heavy camera equipment and lifted weights four or five times a week, I figured he would prevail.

I kept my mouth shut, waiting for the moment when my boss realized he was beaten. I was shocked when Marcus’ face blanched and his jaw went tight before his arm went limp. Holy shit, my boss beat the strongest man I knew at the
I’m the Alpha
handshake game. I felt a pleasant tingle in my abdomen that had nothing to do with the champagne I’d been drinking and I hated it. Archaic behavior shouldn’t be a turn on.

I hooked a hand around Chris’ arm after he released Marcus’ hand. “We’ll be right back,” I said to Marcus.

He nodded though his eyes never left Chris. Jerking my boss’ arm firmly, I pulled him through the crowd, nodding and smiling at people as we passed. I dragged him to Davide’s office in the back of the gallery, slamming the door behind us. Frustrated, I stalked around him, about to drag my hand through my hair. I stopped myself just in time, almost ruining the complicated updo I had painstakingly styled.

I whirled on him, using my hand against his chest to shove him back two steps against the door. “What in the hell was that?”

Chris looked down at me, his light blue eyes cold and a little angry. “Pardon me?”

“That little
let’s see whose wanger is bigger
contest you just pulled with Marcus!” I poked him in the chest with my index finger for good measure. “Don’t think I didn’t see it.”

His hand circled my wrist tightly, pressing my palm between his pectorals. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I stomped my foot. “Don’t play dumb, Chris! I know exactly what your IQ is and you can’t pull it off!”

Incredibly, my boss grinned. “You are completely adorable when you’re angry,” he said.

I opened my mouth to tell him that he was an impossible pain in the ass when someone knocked on the office door.

“Lucy, dearest, quit hiding in that office. It’s too late for a meltdown now. Your show is selling
out
. I think every piece has sold! So stop your pity party, get out here, and help me find that absolutely delicious hunk of man who employs you. I think I’m in love!”

I let my head fall forward so that it was resting on Chris’ chest as relief and embarrassment coursed through me. Relief because I could finally,
finally
, quit my job and embarrassment because Davide was a complete nut. I sighed and lifted my head, scowling at the huge smile on my boss’ face.

“So Davide thinks you’re hot, get over yourself,” I snapped, trying to yank my hand away from his chest. “He’s also picked up half the guys in the city, so he isn’t exactly discerning.”

Chris ignored the barb and ran a finger along my collarbone, his eyes tracking the movement with avid interest. Then he traced the edge of my dress across the top of my breasts. My breath caught in my chest.

I batted his hand away. “What in the hell are you doing?”

“Your dress is very sexy, Lucy, but I’m sure that’s why you chose it.”

I managed to yank my hand away from his clasp. “It was a gift.”

His gaze sharpened. “From Marcus?”

I scowled at him. “No, not that it’s any of your business.”

Chris stared at me and I could practically see the wheels in his big brain turning. I hated it when he did that. His eyes would become unfocused as he considered a problem or situation, then he would ultimately come up with a way to best it. I didn’t like being on the receiving end of that stare.

Then I realized I didn’t have to deal with it anymore. I’d made enough money to quit. I smiled and giggled when the epiphany hit me.

At my quick change of mood, Chris’ expression grew guarded.

Still grinning, I patted his chest with both my hands. “You know what, never mind. I don’t know why I was so upset. There is one thing, though, about work.” I paused, wanting to savor this moment. I’d been looking forward to it for a long time. “Consider this my two weeks’ notice. I quit.”

M
onday morning came
too quickly. After my showing on Friday, the weekend seemed shorter than usual. I told myself that it wasn’t because I was freaking out about what Chris might say or do when I saw him Monday.

After I dropped my bombshell, Davide opened his office door, almost knocking Chris down as he barreled into the office. When he saw my boss and I standing so close together, his eyebrows rose and a knowing expression crossed his face.

“Oh, Lucy. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that you weren’t in here alone.”

I mumbled some excuse and darted out the door between them. I managed to avoid Chris the rest of the night and drank entirely too much champagne in the process. By the end of the show, I was tipsier than I’d ever been. The gallery was all but empty except for Marcus, Davide, Chris, and my girlfriends, Tanya and Chelsea. Grier hadn’t made it because she was sick and Yancy had gone home to relieve the babysitter. Davide was helping me get my things together when I saw Chris heading toward me, a determined look in his eye.

I was saved from the big, bad wolf when Marcus appeared in front of me, taking my coat and bag out of my hand. His eyes were hard as he glared at Chris.

“I’ll give you a ride home, Luce.”

I shot a look over my shoulder at Chris and, upon seeing his scowl, I stuck my tongue out at him. After all the champagne and the way he’d aggravated me that evening, I couldn’t resist the childish behavior. It made me feel better, which was enough for me.

Now, it was Monday and I was in the break room. Chris insisted I brew a pot of coffee first thing every morning when I came into the office. As I scooped grounds into the filter, my phone buzzed. Since Chris wasn’t in yet, I went ahead and checked the message.

It was from my friend, Tanya.
Lunch @ noon today in the cafe downstairs?

I replied,
Yes.

Since I wasn’t originally from Dallas, I had to make new friends when I relocated. Luckily, I met four other women that worked in the same high-rise. Tanya, Grier, Chelsea, and Yancy had invited me to sit with them at lunch my first day and quickly became my best friends. The only thing wrong with them was their inability to understand that having a sexy boss did not negate the fact that he was a complete jackass at times. I didn’t care how pretty he was when he was being unreasonable. Even if his very stubbornness was incredibly sexy.