Shapeshifter Romance: Duty of a Lion (Paranormal Army Hero Navy Seal Shifter Protector Alpha Lion Romance) (Fantasy Military Action Adventure Urban Wolf Romance Short Stories) (39 page)

“How are you dear?”

“Great Mom. How about you? How’s everything going?”

“Just fine,” she replies. I hear a cough through the phone.

“Are you sure? I hear a cough. Are you sick Mom?” I grill her.

“No honey. It’s just a little cough. Stop worrying.”

“I can’t help it Mom. Have you thought any more about my proposal…for you to come out here? I’m much more comfortable if you’re here with me Mom. That way I’ll know for sure you’re ok.”

Mom didn’t have to tell me, but I know she’s sick. Her cough seems to get worse every time I call her. I just haven’t been able to get her to admit it to me.

If she agrees to move out here, I’ll have peace of mind. I know she’s close and I can help her with anything she needs.

“Honey, I’m not moving out to the big city. I just can’t stand not having my horses and Daisy, you know that.” Mom is so stubborn!

“I know Mother,” I mumble.

“What’s new at work honey? How’s Mr. Jones?” Mom is quick to change the subject.

“He’s well Mom. He’s retiring next month. His son is taking over the company—officially—today,” I groan at that last sentence.

“You don’t sound happy about it,” she states.

“Of course not Mom. I love working for Mr. Jones. He’s been so good to me. He’s like the father I never had.”

Mom stays silent.

“Mom, I didn’t mean it like that,” I tell her through the phone.

“I know honey.” I can hear her voice creak a little.

Mom has been trying to put up a tough front all these years. I wish she could be here with me so I could take care of her for once.

“The point is, Mr. Jones talks about John all the time and today I finally met him. He’s nothing like I’ve imagined. He’s such a douche.”

“Well honey, you shouldn’t judge a book by…” Mom starts, but I cut her short.

“I know that saying Mom, but he’s judging me already. He hates me. I know it. I think if it weren’t for Mr. Jones, he would’ve already fired me on the spot. He thinks I’m incompetent. I don’t know why he hates me so much!”

Mom tries to console me. “Give it time dear. He’ll come around and discover that you’re a gem.”

“Thanks Mom. I know you’re saying that because you’re my mother. It’s your job to say things like that!”

“Seriously honey. You’ll be fine. You’ve done so well for yourself, just keep your head up. I’m proud of you,” Mom says.

Our conversation goes on for a bit. We talk about her horses and about Daisy, her dog. I ask about Old Man Hank, the neighbor across the street.

There was time when I thought Old Man Hank and Mom had a thing, but turns out, Hank was just very kind to Mom.

After my dad left, Mom never dated. She never gave me her reasoning and I never asked, but I knew she didn’t want to risk bringing another lowlife man into our lives.

Finally home. I tell Mom I love her and hang up the phone. I’ll try again to convince her to move out her. If there’s a way for me to bring her horses and Daisy then she might just agree with me.

I go about making dinner and eat it by myself in silence. This is a normal night for me. Sometimes I go out with Nancy, but I enjoy having the evening by myself. It’s my chance to unwind.

Everyone is always on the go go go that no ever stops to just listen to the silence now and again. You never know what you might hear if you listen carefully. Despite the fact that I live in the city, sometimes I hear crickets. Reminds me of Iowa.

As I get ready for bed, I find Ray’s toothbrush. Stupid jerk! Ray and I broke up a few months ago; we’d dated for almost two years.

I loved Ray, until I found him in our bed with another woman. In our bed!

“But, you don’t pay any attention to me anymore,” was his excuse.

I should just be like Mom. I don’t need a man in my life to make it complete. They just make life difficult….just like John will make mine.

Oh god, I’m already dreading work tomorrow. This time Mr. Jones will not be there, and that means John can say and do whatever he wants.

I toss Ray’s toothbrush in the trash and go to bed. Tomorrow’s the start of a new adventure I suppose.

***

“Good morning Sir,” I smile at John sitting in his office. He looks at his watch.

“It’s 7:50,” he says. I stand there for what seems like an hour not knowing what he’s trying to get me to understand.

“Yes, Sir…?” I half reply and half ask.

“Is that the only phrase you know?”

“Well, I’m just not sure what you’re trying to teach me here,” I reply.

“It’s 7:50. You should’ve been here at 7:30 or so to make the coffee. You should’ve walked in here with
my
cup of coffee in your hand.”

“Excuse me Sir,” I tell him. I pick up the empty mug sitting on his desk. I walk out of the office and down the hall, pour the coffee, pick up handful of creamer and sugar and walk back to John’s office.

“Good morning Sir,” I start again. “Here’s your delightful cup of joe to start off your delightful morning,” I say to him sarcastically. It’s 7:51.

“I hate black coffee,” he mutters. I hand him the handful of sugar and creamer and calmly step out of the office.

“Two creamers and two sugar next time. 7:50 pronto. Close my door.”

Wow, no please or thank you. Mr. Jones never asked me to get his coffee, even though I always brought it to him. Mr. Jones likes his coffee black. I’m glad I thought of picking up creamer and sugar. I see it’s going to be a challenge working for John.

I go back to my desk. My phone beeps. It’s a text message from Nancy.

You and lover boy getting it on this morning?

I hate that bastard so much!!!
I reply back.

LOL. If you think the rumors about you and Mr. Jones were bad, wait until you hear what everyone’s already saying about you and cutie pie over there.

Oh no. I can only imagine the strain of rumors going on about John and me. It’s not bad enough that I work for someone like John, but now I have to deal with the gossip too.

I tolerated the rumors about Mr. Jones and me because Mr. Jones treats me with respect. I don’t know if I can stand working for a horrible boss and horrible co-workers at the same time.

I start organizing my desk to start my day. My desk phone rings.

“Jones Corp. This is Allie. How can I help you?”

“I need you to call a meeting with all the executives starting in 15 minutes, pronto,” the jerk orders over the phone and hangs up.

“Yes Sir,” I reply to an empty receiver.

I send out a meeting invite and follow up with an email. I call every executive on the list to ensure that they received the calendar invitation as well as the email.

10 minutes go by and I go into the conference room to take roll call. Only two executives are present. John walks in.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“I’m taking roll call,” I tell him. He shakes his head.

“That’s how my father does business, that’s not how I do business. I don’t need you in here in all my meetings. These things are discussed with my executives and a secretary has no business being in here.”

I’m in total shock. I can’t believe he’s talking to me like this AND with other people around.

“And it’s 5 minutes till, you should’ve had everyone in here already. None of this coming in right on the dot. If you’re not here 10 minutes prior you’re late. I expect everyone to arrive 10 minutes early to work, to meetings, everything. That goes for you two also. Understood?” John turns to look at the two executives.  They nod their head. 

I’m almost in tears as I walk out of the room. Today is already turning out to be a horrible day and I’m only 15 minutes into the workday. 

The rest of the day didn’t go  smoothly either. There’s always a phone call or an email that John needs me to get on pronto. He needs me to inform the staff of such and such—pronto.

He’s already made changes to the late policy and to the schedule. He’s already exiled me from all meetings with the expectation that I be able to keep track of deadlines and projects. How does he expect me to do that without first knowing what he’s assigned?

Years of schooling and experience with overseas businesses and he doesn’t even know how to lead. He doesn’t know how to inspire or motivate. He clearly needs work. I don’t know why Mr. Jones decided to have him run his business.  John is sure to run the business to the ground.

5 o’clock rolls around and I start to pack up. Everyone leaves at around this time. Mr. Jones never wanted anyone to stay late so he always forces all his staff out the door. The office is pretty empty as John happens to walk by with a stack of paperwork and drops it on my desk.

“Where are you going?” he asks.

“It’s 5 o’clock. I’m heading home,” I tell him.

“You’re not done unless I tell you you’re done,” John snaps at me.

I have had it with him. It’s only day two with him and he’s already driving me insane!

“Sir, can I have a word,” I tell him rather than ask as I walk into his office. I hold the door open and shut it as he walks in.

Standing by the door I decide to give him a piece of my mind. No one wants to stand up to him, but I will.

“Sir, I have had it with you belittling me. This morning you could’ve informed me nicely that you like your coffee in the morning. You could’ve pulled me aside and told me you don’t want me in meetings instead of embarrassing me in front of others.”

I’m getting teary-eyed as my anger stirs inside me. I’ve held it in all day and now the flood of emotions will not stop. “Sir, there are more tactful ways of going about giving me orders rather than talking down to me and—”

John cuts me off short. “I’m not my father so don’t expect me to treat you like a superstar. I’m the boss, not your friend!”

“I’m just saying there’s a better way of going about telling me to do something rather than—”

He cuts me off again.  Looks like he will not let me get a word in. “Look, if you don’t like the way I do business then get out. You don’t have to work here!”

“Fine! I will not work here. I will not work for a horrible boss like you with no respect for others. I quit!” I yell at him and turn to leave.

I creak the door open only to have John slam it shut. He’s standing behind me now, just inches away. His arm stretches past me to keep the door shut. I can smell is Armani cologne: fresh, musky, and sweet at the same time.

He takes in a long deep breath.

“I’m not apologizing,” he starts off telling me, “but I can’t let you quit. Dad won’t let me.”

My hand is still on the doorknob. I try to pull the door open but he pushes it shut again.

Silence. I can feel him breathing down my neck. My heart skips a beat and pumps faster.
Thump Thump Thump
. The room is so quiet I’m sure he can hear my heart beating. 

“Well, I don’t care. I’m not working for you,” I stammer.

“Not even if I ask nicely?”

His hand slides down towards the doorknob and wraps around mine. I can’t believe what’s happening right now.

His hand is rough, not what I expect. He’s the son of a multi-billionaire, I expect someone who’s never had to do hard labor. But wherever John worked before, he surely did not work behind a desk. 

He comes closer behind me. I can feel his hard-on against my behind.

“Sir,” I break the silence to try and tell him this is inappropriate.

“Call me John,” he whispers in my ear as he takes in my scent. As much as I want to, I don’t resist him.

This is so wrong. I know it is, but I can’t help it. It feels so good to be his in arms, to feel him behind me, to feel his hands. Just moments ago I hated this man so much and now he’s making me melt.

His hands come up to caress my breasts. He pulls my top down to expose them and starts thumbing my nipples as he plants soft kisses on my neck.

To my surprise, he’s so gentle with every touch, every kiss.

I turn my head in search of his lips for a passionate kiss. He rolls his smooth tongue in and out of my mouth. One hand trails down between my legs. I feel a gush of wetness as soon as he touches me.

In this moment, I want him. I want him badly. I reach out to grab him, to pull him closer. He pushes against me, towards the door. I feel him grinding against me. He’s so hard. I know he wants me too.

From behind, John pulls up my skirt to expose my cheeks. He takes one step back to take a look and slips one finger down my crack and gently massages in between.

“Mmmm…” I moan and fall back into his arms. His other hand comes around to my front to feel in between my legs. He gently nibbles on my ear.

“You’re so sexy Allie,” he whispers. “I wanted you the moment I saw you walk into that conference room,” he says and slips two fingers inside me.

I let out another moan. I want him inside me. 

I reach behind to unbuckle his belt. Instead, he pushes my hands away.