Page 8 of The Grump’s Assistant

VINCENT

H oly. Shit.

A curvy angel with silky red hair peers up at me, her green eyes staring straight down into my goddamn soul. This can’t be Juniper. I must have gotten the wrong address from HR. Wouldn’t surprise me, considering their less than stellar track record lately.

But Jesus, those doe eyes. Round, vulnerable, and hiding nothing. She looks like a doll, a perfect, precious doll with rosy cheeks, full lips, and a button nose slightly turned up at the end.

“Mr. Sloan?” the angel asks.

I watch her mouth form the words, mesmerized by her sweet voice. I’ve heard it over the phone several times, but hearing it in person is far more potent. Her soft tone hums through me, vibrating every muscle and squeezing my heart back to life.

“Um, is everything okay?”

I realize I’ve just been standing here gawking at her, so I clear my throat and shake my head no. “You didn’t show up to work today,” I grunt. Is that my voice? When did it get so harsh and gravelly?

Juniper’s lips twist up into a tiny, amused smile, and my heart stutters in my chest. I guess she’s used to my gruffness, but suddenly, I don’t want to be that way with her.

“Good observation,” she teases, nibbling on her bottom lip. Does she know she looks like a temptress? I’m guessing no, which only makes her more sexy.

When Juniper didn’t text to check in at the beginning of the day, I was annoyed.

After an hour of no communication, I was frustrated and angry, especially when she wouldn’t answer my calls.

Far more than I would be with any other assistant.

I know I’m a difficult man to work for, but I thought we had a good system between us.

By noon, I was going out of my mind. Anger and betrayal swirled in my chest, making it hard to breathe.

It didn’t make sense why this woman who I had previously never even laid eyes on had such a hold on me.

Storming out of my office, I marched to the human resources department with every intention of having them send her a termination email.

Instead, I demanded to know where she was.

I wasn’t expecting an answer, but the woman behind the front desk informed me she took a personal day to take care of family issues.

What family issues? Why didn’t I know? Where the fuck does she live?

I only got the answer to my last question, but I’ll find out the rest from Juniper herself.

“Are you going to introduce me to your gentleman friend?” The voice is coming from the direction of the car, but I’m having a hard time tearing my eyes away from the short, curvy goddess in front of me.

“Mom! I’ll be right there. Just wait a minute,” Juniper says as she rushes over to her mother’s side.

I watch helplessly as she carefully pulls her frail mother out of the vehicle. It’s clear the woman is ill, though to what extent, I have no idea. Another answer I’ll have to get from my assistant.

Juniper’s mother stumbles a bit, snapping me out of my daze.

In three long strides, I’m standing next to the women, who both crane their necks to look up at me.

Hovering over them, I’m not sure what to do next.

I’ve never been this out of my element, never felt the intense, almost blinding need to take care of someone.

I want to share her burdens, protect her from pain, fix her problems, and fall down on my fucking knees in front of her.

Whether to propose, worship, or lick her sweet pussy, I don’t know.

What the actual fuck is happening to me?

“Here, let me.” My voice is hoarse, nearly a growl, and I wince at my harshness. I’m not good with words. I have no idea what the hell I’m doing, but I need to be useful. Holding out my arm, I gesture for Juniper’s mother to hang on to me as well, steadying her.

“Oh, how thoughtful,” the woman gushes, giving me a smile and a knowing wink.

Is my new obsession written all over my face?

That would make sense, since I feel it in every cell in my body.

“I’m Bethany, since my daughter is having trouble remembering her manners.

” She tuts before changing the subject. “Isn’t that so thoughtful of Mr. Sloan, Juniper?

” Beth leans against me and we start walking up to the front door of their rundown cottage.

“Yes,” Juniper says cautiously. I look over at her and see those green eyes narrow into slits. “Suspiciously thoughtful.” The way she puts her hands on her lush, full hips and eyes me up is so damn adorable, I can’t hold back the tiny grin tugging at my lips. Feisty as ever.

Her cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink, and then deepen into red. God, I want to see her blush every-fucking-where, from head to toe, while I drag my lips over every dip and curve.

“Do you often make home visits when your employees call out?” Juniper asks, darting ahead of us to unlock the door.

“Only you.” I think I shocked myself as much as I shocked her. I didn’t mean to say that.

Juniper’s eyes soften as she tilts her head to the side. Then, she shakes off whatever thoughts are fluttering through her head, and shoves the creaky door open. I make a note to have it replaced. Hell, this whole place could use a facelift. But that’s not important right now. First things first.

“Well, thanks. We’re good now. I’m sure you have more important things to do,” Juniper says, not looking at me.

She’s busy guiding her mother to an overstuffed recliner.

The women pause and Juniper’s shoulders fall.

I take a step closer, wanting to ease her stress and destroy whatever made her anxious.

“Let’s sit on the couch for now,” she tells her mother, who nods in agreement.

I peer at the chair, trying to see what’s wrong with it, but my eyes land on something else. A tray lays haphazardly on the floor, surrounded by shards of glass from a broken cup. Some green mixture is splattered everywhere, as well as energy bars and a few other things.

I’m not sure what happened, but it’s obvious these two left in a hurry.

I’m guessing it had something to do with her mother getting to the hospital.

Looking over my shoulder at Juniper, I see she’s fussing over pillows and blankets for Beth.

I peer into the small kitchen, spotting a few rags and cleaning supplies in the corner.

There’s not much I can do to help, but I can clean up this mess so Juniper doesn’t have to deal with it. She’s trying her best to be brave and strong, but I saw the weariness in her eyes. She’s a breath away from falling apart. I want to be the one she turns to when her world comes crashing down.

Looking down at the mess, I start by picking out the glass pieces and then dabbing away the green stain before applying carpet cleaner. It’s been a long damn time since I’ve had to clean anything myself. I have well-paid staff to do those mundane tasks for me.

“You don’t have to do that,” Juniper says from behind me. “You’re going to get your suit dirty.”

“Good thing I get a discount at my favorite dry cleaners then,” I quip while finishing up.

The softest, sweetest laughter falls from her lips. I feel it trickle down my spine, lighting up every nerve ending along the way. “Yeah, I heard you have a pretty great assistant.”

“Is that right?” I ask, standing up and turning to face her. “What else have you heard about my assistant?” I’m aware that her mom is sitting a dozen feet away from us, but I can’t stop myself from stalking forward.

“Um…” Her trembling voice trails off as she fixes her emerald gaze on me. She’s trying to be playful, but she’s too nervous to pull it off.

“Juniper,” her mother calls. “Offer Mr. Sloan a drink and invite him to sit down. Show him we have some manners.”

Juniper rolls her eyes and my lips twist into an almost-smile. I see where she gets her sassiness from. “Yes, Mama,” she drawls, though I can hear the love in her voice. “Mr. Sloan?—”

“Vincent,” I correct her. She stares at me for a second, apparently as surprised as I am at my words.

Once again, I’m speaking without thinking.

My employees never address me by my first name.

I like the distance it puts between myself and everyone under my employ.

It’s not that I think I’m better than them.

I’m just more important, and I pay their income, so that deserves some respect.

Looking at Juniper now, however, I realize I want something more than isolation and respect. I want her.

“Uh, okay,” she quickly recovers. “Would you like something to drink, Vincent ?” Juniper emphasizes my name, and goddamn if I don’t like hearing her say it. She bites down softly on her bottom lip, a gesture that’s both adorable and sexy as fuck.

“No, thank you.”

“Okay then.” Juniper stares at me from across the living room, waiting for me to say something.

For the first time in my life, I feel awkward. I’ve never cared about anyone’s opinion enough to let it make me nervous. In fact, I don’t care much about what anyone says about me, period. Who gives a fuck when you have millions in the bank and adding to your wealth every day?

But this woman…

Fuck. She’s rearranging my future, making room for her needs, wants, and dreams. Juniper is also digging around in my chest, trying to get to my heart.

I’m not sure what good it is, or why someone like her would want it, but I’m just obsessed enough to not give a shit.

She has a hold on me, and now I need to make her as crazy as I am. How the hell do I do that?

“Are you okay?” Juniper asks.

At the same time, I say, “What happened?” as I sweep my hand out to the carpet that still has a faint stain from the spilled beverage.

“That would be my fault,” Beth sighs. “I gave my girl a good scare this morning. It’s my fault she skipped out on work, too, so please don’t take it out on her.”