Page 55 of Boss of Me

“That didn’t stop you from following your little maid down here for a moonlit tryst.” Laurene sneers at me. “Were you watching her the whole time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to sneak off after her?”

“I’m not having this discussion,” I say through gritted teeth. “I’m going back to the party. You can stay here or come back with me. It’s up to you, but I’m leaving.”

She makes a huffing noise and stomps after me, her arms folded mutinously across her chest. We don’t exchange another word until we reach the party. Couples are dancing under the stars, swirling and laughing like a scene out ofThe Great Gatsby.

Trying to smooth things over, I ask Laurene to dance.

“I’m going to powder my nose.” She flounces off, still sulking.

As if on cue, a server approaches with a tray full of glasses and a bottle of Glenfiddich. “Whiskey, Mr. Ransom?”

“Hell, yes.”

He pours me a glass and hands it to me. I take a deep, grateful swig as my brother comes sauntering over, a knowing grin on his face.

“Rough night?”

“Fuck off,” I grumble.

He laughs. “You mean having your ex and your new plaything at the same partywasn’ta good idea? Shocker.”

I shoot him an annoyed glare. “Marlowe’s not my plaything.”

“I agree. She clearly means more to you than that.” Maverick searches my face in that unnerving way of his. “Why didn’t you tell me she’s working for you?”

“I didn’t realize I had to make an announcement every time I hire a new housekeeper.”

“Bullshit,” Maverick scoffs, grinning. “You’ve been obsessing over that woman since the night you met her. The fact that you secretly gave her a job is a big deal, and you know it.”

I merely grunt and down more whiskey.

Maverick stands beside me watching the dancing crowd. “Why would you invite Laurene?—”

“I didn’t. She invited herself.”

“Of course she did.” Maverick chuckles dryly. “I see it didn’t take her long to zero in on her competition. Which is no surprise, given the way you were blatantly eye-fucking Marlowe. Jesus, Gunn. You’re in even worse shape than I thought.”

My gut tightens at his words, but I don’t bother contradicting him. He’s right. Iamin bad shape. I threw a whole dinner party just to prevent Marlowe from going out with another man. If that’s not pathetic, I don’t know what is.

Maverick grins sideways at me. “Did you really impersonate her date that night?”

I scowl at him, and he laughs.

“Holy shit, bro. What the hell?”

“It wasn’t one of my finest moments,” I mutter.

“Clearly.” Maverick chuckles and shakes his head. “She’s a real firecracker. After the shitty stunt you pulled, you’re lucky she agreed to come work for you. We both know her talents would be better served elsewhere.”

I grunt agreement and knock back the rest of my drink. In my mind’s eye, I can still see Marlowe playing the piano, as hauntingly beautiful as a painting. The image is seared into my brain, probably forever.

My brother studies me for a few seconds before speaking again. “You’ve always had a rule about not sleeping with employees. Hell, just to play it safe, you even hired a lesbian as your assistant.”

I scowl. “Veronica’s sexual orientation had nothing to do with her getting the job.”

“Maybe not. But it’s sure as hell easier to avoid temptation if your hot assistant isn’t into dudes. The point is, since Dad banged every secretary he ever had, you swore you’d never be like him. Has that changed?”

My hand flexes around my empty glass. “No.”