Hitting the boss, p.1
Hitting the Boss, page 1
Hitting the Boss
A Billionaire Romance
Lily Prince
Contents
Information
1. Jordan
2. Cal
3. Jordan
4. Jordan
5. Jordan
6. Cal
7. Jordan
8. Jordan
9. Cal
10. Jordan
11. Jordan
12. Jordan
13. Cal
14. Jordan
15. Cal
16. Jordan
17. Cal
18. Cal
19. Jordan
20. Jordan
21. Cal
22. Jordan
23. Jordan
24. Jordan
25. Jordan
26. Jordan
27. Jordan
28. Cal
29. Jordan
30. Cal
31. Jordan
32. Cal
33. Jordan
34. Jordan
35. Jordan
36. Cal
37. Jordan
38. Jordan
39. Cal
40. Jordan
41. Jordan
42. Cal
43. Jordan
44. Jordan
45. Cal
46. Jordan
47. Cal
48. Jordan
49. Cal
50. Jordan
51. Cal
52. Jordan
Chapter 53
About the Author
Also by Lily Prince
Information
Hitting the Boss
by Lily Prince
He called me a good girl today.
And how could I not fall in lov—lust with someone like him?
He’s a hot businessman, a fantastic chef, and not afraid to throw me around a bit before pampering me after.
He’s everything you could ever want in a boyfriend.
The problem is: he’s definitely not what you would want in a boss. But turns out, that’s exactly what he is.
After we exchange some steamy texts at work, I’m grabbed from behind, taken to his office, and then taken in his office.
He’s in control, at least until I regain proper brain function.
We cannot be together. I need this job. So I break up with him to protect us both.
Too bad that, as retaliation, he promotes me to his personal assistant. What’s worse is, even after work, I can’t seem to stay away from him.
Every “just one more night” turns into another afternoon of hidden touches, stern commands, and stolen kisses. It’s just a matter of time until this all blows up in our faces.
The only question is whether it’s just our careers that are about to shatter into a million pieces or my heart?
CW
SA in workplace, worrying about finances/insurance, nepo baby, getting fired, pushy MMC regarding relationship, dubcon, spankings, public play
Previously a KindleVella story that has been edited.
ATTENTION
This book is on Kindle Unlimited. If you find/purchase the ebook anywhere but Amazon (unless given an ARC by the author), that is piracy and risks all my income. Please do not do that. I have open spots on my ARC team and would gladly let you join. Thanks for fighting piracy! Thanks.
Chapter 1
Jordan
Spinning.
My world spun around me as the music blared in my ears. The weight of this poi set was much more familiar than my last set. The movements smooth as I ducked, spun and wove in a trance-like dance. The heavy spheres on the ends of each handheld rope followed my movements like a shadow. A smile stretched across my face as I found my new happy spot in the world. No stupid bosses. Nobody worried about a playboy son taking over the company and ruining it. Change wasn’t always good. New blood tends to make awful choices for the office. Everyone was worried at work.
This was home while I spun in my own little world. In reality, I was at the park. But lately, this was my home away from home since I decided to learn poi dancing. My apartment’s ceilings were too low to practice most moves inside. I replayed the directions to myself from the video I watched at lunch on the trick I wanted to do. I started to twist and turn my body to allow me to do the move. I placed my foot too far and I felt myself falling backward. I dropped the poi handles in my hand, but the poi that was on the upswing flew through the air. As I landed on the ground, pain ripped through my back. I heard a shout a few feet behind me. I flipped over and stood up. A man wearing a hoodie was clutching his stomach as he dropped to his knees.
Shit, shit, shit. I picked up the other poi, ripped my earbuds out of my ear, and ran over to help. “Oh my God, I am so sorry. Are you going to be okay? Do you need to go to urgent care?” I asked as I grabbed the poi from the ground. I lowered myself to my knees.
He looked up. I sucked in a breath as I looked into his ice-blue eyes. Long dark blond hair cascaded out of his hoodie. He pushed some of it away from his face and pointed to the poi in my hands. “What is this?”
“Poi. I am learning. I tripped. I'm sorry,” I said. I bit my bottom lip. His eyes darted toward my lips. I felt my cheeks flush even more. This wasn’t just from the exertion of practicing. I shook my head gently. This guy would not be interested in me.
Anxiety pulsed through me. Would he sue me? What if I hurt him? He was holding his torso. Could there be internal bleeding? I was panicking which meant I started to ramble and blurt things out.
“Um, are you okay? Like I can't help pay for an ER bill. Or an ambulance ride. Okay. The most I can do is . . . not much. I guess we could work things out if we have to but . . .”
He chuckled and a small smirk formed on his face. “Internal bleeding where?”
I reached out and touched his stomach. I could feel the rock-hard abs underneath the hoodie. “Shit. I shouldn't have touched you. Sorry. Uh, there. Obviously.” Why did I do that? Why did I touch him?
He chuckled. “I’m fine.”
Pulling my hand away, I looked up into his face. “There is a really good coffee shop near here. It's by my apartment. Could I pay for a coffee for you as an apology?”
A smile widened on his perfectly sculpted face. “I can handle that. And I am fine. I didn’t expect to be pummeled with a ball today. I just moved to town a week ago. I would love to see where the locals get their coffee.”
“Oh, new in town? Did you just stop here from a modeling gig?” I asked as I stood up. I cringed at the statement. Was this how I was going to flirt with him? He was hot enough to model.
He laughed as he stood up. “No. I’m here to take over my dad's business.” Sadness seemed to etch in his words.
I paused and looked at him. “But is it what you want?”
Shock flashed across his face. “I have been avoiding it for a few years.”
I shrugged. “I know we all have obligations but if your heart isn't in it, maybe you should tell your dad. Anyways, the coffee shop is this way, but my bag is by this tree. So, let's go.” I walked over to the tree where my backpack was sitting and shoved my earbuds inside. The man followed behind me with a smirk on his face.
“It's not that I don't want this. I guess I am afraid I will fail.”
As we came to a stop at the corner, I gave a careless shrug. I hit the pedestrian button. “I just hit you in the stomach with a hard-ass ball. Does that mean I am going to stop trying to learn? No. I am picking myself up, bribing you with a coffee, and gonna try again tomorrow,” I said.
He smiled as the light changed. I turned and started to walk across the street. “You're right.”
Once we crossed the street, we were standing in front of 4th Street Coffee. The signs were all colorful and hand-painted with murals on the outside walls. “This is it. My favorite coffee shop is near here. I have a list of favorites around the city. There is a cute little shop in the front and coffee in the back. I think they get their beans from a local roastery, too,” I said. I was nervous and babbling.
He chuckled and looked at me as he grabbed the door open. “Ladies first,” he said. He gestured with his hand as he smiled at me.
I ducked my head down as I could feel my face growing warm. “Thanks,” I mumbled. I slid around mingling people and shelves till we were in the back of the shop in front of the register.
“Some of the names are funny. I like it here. The ambiance and stuff. I usually get an iced Chunky Monkey when I am feeling fancy with my calories and my cash. But there are a few other good choices,” I said as I turned toward him. I pointed to the sign.
His brow furrowed as he looked down at my body slowly. “Are you on a diet or something? I’m not saying you should be. You look delectable.”
My face warmed as I laughed nervously. I batted my hair away again—a nervous tick. “Not currently.”
He smiled as he stepped in front of me to order. His firm physique brushed against me, leaving a tingling sensation in its wake. I looked at the ground again as my stomach flipped. I wasn’t sure why this guy was even talking to me. I know I hit him, but this guy was way out of my league. He was way hotter than me. He should have just walked off, angry at me, but he was still talking to me.
He stepped over and I rambled off my order to the barista. I slid my card through the machine and stepped beside him as we waited for our drinks. I started to tug at the bottom of my shirt.
I felt his hot breath on the side of my neck as he leaned in toward me. “I swear l’m okay. No need to worry.”
Pausing my shirt tugging, I looked up. “Yeah, yeah. It's not like I could really afford an ER bill that isn't even mine. I can’t even afford my own ER bill if I were to get hurt. And what if you sued me? Or if I hurt you?”
His eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“Even with decent insurance, an ER trip is like two k, ya know? And people are sue-happy.”
“Oh.”
Trying to sway the conversation to be lighter, I punched the side of his arm. “Guess you are lucky enough not to cut your finger when urgent care isn't open!” I laughed. ”Which did happen to me. It sucks. I’m still paying the bills for it.”
The barista called a name. “Cal!”
The man—Cal—stepped forward. He gingerly took a sip as he stood beside me again.
“Cal?”
He nodded. “Yeah. Yours?”
“Jordan!”
I looked over my shoulder toward him and smirked as I grabbed my iced coffee. He grabbed my hand and walked me over to the loveseat in the back of the shop. My heart started pounding as he tugged me to sit beside him. My face was warm again. With my straw, I scooped a dollop of whipped cream, swirling it around before taking a sip. I pulled it out and licked it off. There was a small grunt from Cal.
I looked over. His eyes were dark as they gazed at my lips. “What?”
He reached over. I sucked in a breath. His hand cupped my chin as he swiped the side of my lip. “You got a bit here,” he whispered hoarsely. He pulled away from me and licked his thumb. “Delicious.”
I stared at him for a moment, my eyes wide. I felt myself get wet watching him. He smiled mischievously and I blinked. A cold drip of liquid hit my thigh and realized I was still holding my straw. As I slipped the straw back into my iced coffee, I stirred the straw in small circles, listening to the clinking of the ice cubes.
“You okay?” he whispered in my ear. I could feel his heat as he leaned closer to me.
I shook my head. This guy couldn’t like me, right? He was too attractive for me. I felt his abs earlier. His long hair was gorgeous. He looked like a model. I bit my lip. “I’m perfect.”
“You sure are,” he whispered.
Oh god. My heart raced as I took another sip of my coffee. He chuckled. “What happened to that bright girl from the park? The rambly one?”
As I turned my face toward him, I noticed the intensity in his sparkling light blue eyes. Our faces were close and he was smiling. “Well, I think the adrenaline subsided and now I don't really know what I’m doing here. Especially with you.”
“What do you mean?”
I waved my hand toward him. “Well, look at you, and then look at me.”
“And?”
I blinked. “I am not the type of girl—”
“You don't know me. How can you say what my type of girl is?” he asked. He winked and leaned back into the love seat as he sipped his coffee. “Should you be judging me like that?”
I took a deep breath now that he was out of my space. “I guess you’re right. I just . . .”
He chuckled again. “So tell me about you, Jordan?”
“Oh.” I looked away from his dazzling face. “I work as an assistant’s assistant. So essentially, I make copies, deliver stuff that can be emailed, and get coffee. I don't mind the coffee. Caffeine is in my blood.”
“Do you like it?” he asked. The warmth of his leg touching mine was ever-present.
“Do I want to be there all my life and climb the ladder or whatever? No. But it pays well. Unfortunately, the jobs I’m good at are not the kinds that pay well. So, I am there till I figure things out.” I laughed. “Now some of the ladies I work with are that type. Catty. Want success to a fault. There is some drama brewing with shifts of the bigwigs. Some girls are even plotting to somehow date the person that can help shift their status at work. I just keep my head down and run my errands.”
He laughed. “I have been around the corporate world for a while. There is always a select few. In my experience. I hoped things had changed.”
I tilted my head and furrowed my brows. “You said you were going back?”
“Yeah, I have been avoiding it for a few years. It's time. I just don't want to screw it up. I have been traveling. Sometimes catching the odd job here and there. Kept me honest.”
I snorted. Odd jobs as a way to keep honest. It took all my strength not to roll my eyes. “So what will you be doing?”
He shrugged and looked towards the window. “Managing people. Pencil pushing. You probably know what that’s like,” he said.
Not really. I glanced down at his clothes. Even in workout clothes, the brands and lines looked more expensive than the average guy’s. “Well, if you ever need a coffee mule, I’m your girl. If you can match my current pay, “ I said with a laugh.
He leaned closer to me. His hand lay on my thigh as he traced circles with his thumb. “I don't think HR would appreciate that.”
I swallowed. My breathing quickened. I bit the bottom of my lip as I dipped my head down. His hand reached out, touching my chin, and gently turned my head toward him. “Look at me, pretty girl. Hand me your phone so I can give you my number.”
I blinked. “Oh-okay.” He let me go and I pulled my phone out of my bag. I unlocked my phone and passed it to him. He was smiling as he typed in a message bubble. After a moment, his phone dinged.
“There. Now you have my number.”
I smiled as I grabbed my phone. “Thanks.”
“I should be thanking you,” he said.
I put my phone back into my bag and stood up. “I should probably head home. It's getting late and work calls tomorrow.”
He nodded as he stood up. “Yeah, it does. I will text you.”
I nodded and walked toward the door. “Sounds great,” I said as we split to walk in different directions.
Chapter 2
Cal
Istepped into the elevator of my father's business, Duncan Associates. The old portrait of us hung in the lobby. Fresh-faced and young. My shoulders slumped as memories coursed through me and I sighed. Before I started to disappoint everyone. My father decided to move his main headquarters to this small city when I was a teen. He thought it would keep me out of trouble. I still found it. At that time, I missed the big city. Since I was mad about it, I spent my teen years acting out. I did a few internships here over the years. Now that I was older and was relocating back here, I was grateful. Over the years of traveling, I realized the smaller cities were much better than the hustle and bustle of places like New York City. In just a few minutes, my dad would re-introduce me to the company. With a sigh, I leaned against the wall and scrolled through my phone.
Me
What are you doing?
Getting hit by that woman was not the plan yesterday, but for some reason, I was glad. Her bright and short hair framed her heart-shaped face and when I had flirted with her, her skin bloomed the nicest shade of pink. Her green eyes sparkled with life as she rambled. She didn't care about my money. She smiled honestly at me.
Jordan
running late for work.
Me
The manager in me does not approve.
When am I going to tell her that I won't just be a manager but the future CEO of Duncan Associates? It was one of the biggest companies in this town. She would know what it is but if I told her that, she would know who I was. I’m not the man the media tried to peg me as, but she wouldn’t know that with a google search.
Three dots appeared, then disappeared, and finally, I received another text:
Jordan
Does that make me a bad girl?
I smiled as I read it. A rush of lust burst through my body.
Me
Bad girls get punished.
No reply. I slipped my phone into my pocket as the doors opened. I walked toward my dad's office. The door opened and he walked out. The “great man in charge” around here. He was tall and lean, with gray hair and thin, wiry glasses on the tip of his nose.
