Boss Me Sweetly Read online

  “Really?!” Baking and experimenting in one afternoon? I love coming to grandma’s house.

  “Really,” she smiles down at me. “Now, how about we make the filling? Remember the secret ingredient?”

  “Corn starch!”

  “That’s right!” She gives me a high five and lets me measure out the cinnamon, brown sugar, and corn starch.

  “Grams, do you think we could—”

  “MOTHER!” The front door swings open with a bang and my mom storms through. Her voice is angry, and her eyes are red. I hate when she gets like this.

  “Angie,” Grams says. “Why don’t you go take a nap.”

  “I’m not a child anymore, mother. You can’t control me.”

  I step in between Grams and mom. Sometimes mom can be unpredictable when she gets like this. I don’t want her to hurt Grams. In fact, I don’t want her here at all. She’s ruining my perfect afternoon.

  “Sienna, honey, why don’t you go downstairs and watch tv?” Grams tells me in her calm voice. I don’t want to leave her alone with mom, but I also don’t want to disobey Grams. I nod and go upstairs, keeping my head down so I don’t have to look at my mom.

  I turn the tv on, but I still hear mom and Grams arguing about money. It’s always about money. Grams offers to have us move in with her, which I would love, but mom refuses and begs for money. Grams says no, then mom cries. Then Grams cries. Then mom yells. It’s the same old argument.

  I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I know, mom is shaking me.

  “Hey there my beautiful baby,” she coos. I don’t like that voice. It’s too sweet. I don’t trust it.

  “Mommy?”

  “It’s time to go. We have to be quiet, ok? We don’t want to wake up Grams.”

  I yawn and crawl off the couch. I notice something shiny hanging out of mom’s big purse. Without thinking, I reach for it.

  “Pretty!” I exclaim once I have the gold necklace in my hands.

  Mom slaps my hand and yanks the necklace away. The motion knocks her purse off of her shoulder. Sparkly earrings, a pearl necklace, and a large diamond ring all come tumbling out of the purse when it hits the ground.

  “You clumsy bitch!” She whispers.

  “Sorry mommy, I’ll help—”

  “No, you’ve done enough,” she says angrily as she stuffs the pretty jewelry back in her purse. “Let’s go. Don’t touch anything and don’t make a noise.”

  “I want to say goodbye to grandma.”

  “No.”

  “But why?”

  She grabs my face and digs her fingers into my cheeks. Tears form in my eyes, but I try holding them back. I know mommy hates when I cry.

  “Stop asking questions. Stop talking. I told you we’re leaving, so we’re leaving. Understood?”

  I nod as best as I can while she’s holding my face. Mom lets me go and I can’t hold back the whimper or sniffle that escapes.

  One minute I’m standing, and the next minute I’m on the floor, the side of my face on fire from the back of my mom’s hand.

  I snort awake and throw the fleece blanket off of me. I must have fallen asleep on the couch. I rub my temples in an attempt to rid myself of the memory. I don’t know why I go back to that one more often than not. It’s certainly not the most traumatic thing my mom ever did to me, and half of that memory is actually really good. I always loved baking with my Grams. She was so patient with me and taught me the science behind each ingredient.

  I wish my mom would have just left me with Grams. It was obvious to me, even at that young age, that my mom didn’t want me. I didn’t know my dad, but she never let me forget what a burden I was. Like it was my fault. Like I asked to be born.

  You’re the reason no one wants me, Sienna.

  The specifics changed as I grew older. At first, I was too clingy. No one wanted to be with someone who had such a needy child. And then it was because I was in the way. I was too annoying for her to keep a boyfriend. Finally, when my boobs grew in, my mom said I was a little slut who tempted her boyfriends. No one wanted her when I was being such a cock tease.

  Gross. The thought of any of her string of disgusting boyfriends touching me makes me taste bile in the back of my throat. Thank fuck things never went that far.

  I sigh and put my head in my hands. Only, I poke myself in the face with something.

  Cooper’s business card.

  How the fuck did that get in my hand? Have I been holding it this whole time? What the hell? I’ve been clinging to the dang piece of cardstock like it’s my security blanket.

  I ignore the tightness in my chest when I think about being safe in Cooper’s arms. I absolutely don’t give into the fantasy of letting him take care of me. I definitely don’t let my mind wander to what it would be like to kiss him and do… other things with him.

  Nope, not me. I don’t need Cooper. Or want him.

  Yeah, keep telling yourself that…

  ✽✽✽

  It’s been three days since I last saw Cooper. Not that I’m counting. Not that I care. I’m just saying. For a guy who was so insistent on helping me, he sure gave up easily enough.

  Well, good. That’s what I wanted, after all. Is it really surprising that he hasn’t shown is face around here? I have been nothing but a total bitch to him. Of course he would want nothing to do with me after I yelled at him and kicked him out of my shop.

  Then why did he give you his business card and cell phone number?

  It doesn’t matter. It’s not like I’ve called or texted him.

  But you haven’t thrown the card away, either.

  Damn my inner monologue!

  I let out a frustrated breath and get to work on frosting cookies. These frosted lace cookies were the first item to sell out when I opened the shop a year ago. By noon on my opening day, I had sold the whole batch and had requests for more. Word of mouth got around after that, and things have been pretty perfect around here with just enough work for Mandy and me, enough money to pay the bills and lay low. What more could a girl ask for?

  Oh, I don’t know. Super hot sex with the brown-haired, blue-eyed Greek god of a man who has been starring in your dirty dreams?

  “Seriously?!”

  “Everything ok?” Mandy asks from the front counter.

  “Yeah, sorry. Just talking to myself.”

  Mandy hums something in acknowledgement and goes back to wiping down the counter. The bell on the front door rings as a customer walks in. I continue the tedious yet calming process of piping on the frosting one string of lace at a time.

  “Hello again,” I hear Mandy greet whoever just walked in. I know that voice. It’s her I’m sexy but in a coy way that implies I’m a lady in the streets and a freak in the sheets voice. I roll my eyes both at her failed attempt to be subtle and my “freak in the sheets” reference. I really am too much sometimes.

  “Hey,” comes the reply.

  Oh shit.

  I know that voice.

  “Two times in one week, lucky me,” Mandy drawls. It shouldn’t make me want to fire her, but it does. I shouldn’t care if she flirts with Cooper, or if anyone flirts with Cooper, for that matter.

  And yet…

  “Is Sienna here?” Cooper asks, not falling for Mandy’s schtick. I can’t help but smirk a little at that. Only because Mandy is so pretty, and she never gets turned down. Yes, that’s why I’m smirking. No other reason.

  “In back. Want me to—”

  “That’s ok. I know where it is.”

  Double shit. He’s coming back here.

  I don’t know what to say or how to act or apparently what to do with my hands anymore. What the hell is wrong with me? Would he notice if I hid inside of the gigantic mixer? No, that would be a bitch to sanitize again today. His footsteps are getting closer, closer…

  “Sienna,” his rich voice washes over me. It calms me and yet somehow spikes my adrenaline.

  I shove a cookie in my mouth.

  Beca
use I’m an idiot and I cannot even right now.

  And then instead of chewing the cookie, I sort of inhale it, which makes me cough.

  “Hey, woah, are you ok?” Cooper is on me in a flash, rubbing my back and telling me to breathe.

  God, could you be a bigger fool right now?

  I cover my mouth with my hand and swallow the rest of the cookie before looking up at Cooper. At first he looks worried, which kind of makes me melt for him. But then he gets that cocky grin on his face, which makes it easier to not like him.

  “Sampling the goods, eh?”

  “Just one of many perks of owning your own bakery,” I say, a little too proud of myself for actually responding and not spewing cookie crumbs all over his stupidly handsome face.

  Cooper smiles down at me, hooking me in with those gorgeous eyes of his. He leans down ever so slightly. I should move. I really should. I think he’s going to kiss me, which would be a colossal mistake on so many levels.

  And yet… My lips part slightly and my head tilts up towards his. My body is rebelling against the clear command my brain is giving, which is, slap that asshole right is his perfect face and run!

  Instead of kissing me, Cooper wipes his thumb over the corner of my mouth, collecting a bit of frosting from the earlier cookie fiasco. Embarrassment floods my cheeks, but Cooper doesn’t pull his hand away. No, he presses his frosting-covered thumb in between my parted lips.

  I have no choice but to lick the frosting off. I hardly even realize I’m doing it as I stare into those hypnotizing blue eyes. Yes, that’s what wrong with me. I’m being hypnotized. It’s not my fault, I can’t control my actions. So when I wrap my lips around his digit and suck, it’s not something that I can stop. How can I when he’s looking at me with such intensity?

  Cooper slides his thumb out of my mouth and slowly trails it down the underside of my chin, my throat, and finally rests it on the hollow of my neck. I know he can feel the heat of my skin and my pulse racing. His eyes trace the same path back up to my lips, and then higher to meet my gaze. I can’t quite place the look he’s giving me. It’s more that lust. More than longing. Could it be a different L-word?

  Something about that breaks the spell.

  Holy shit, what did I just do?

  I step away from him, my heart hammering in my chest. We didn’t even kiss, it’s not like this is a big deal. So then why does it feel oddly more intimate than kissing? What in the living hell is this man doing to me?

  Cooper clears his throat.

  “I like that you always seem to have frosting on you,” he grins as if he didn’t just touch me in the most intimate way anyone has ever touched me. Pathetic? Maybe. True? Definitely.

  I try coming up with some witty response, something both sexy and alluring, even though I know I shouldn’t. But, instead of saying words, I snort. So… you know. There’s that.

  Spinning around on my heel so I don’t have to look at him, I get back to frosting my cookies. Yes, this is my comfort zone. After a beat of silence, I venture a look over my shoulder. Why, I have no idea. I’m mortified at my behavior, not only how I’ve embarrassed myself in front of him, but the fact that I care. That I want to impress him. That some part of me longs for him to want me, to touch me, to…

  Cooper grins and leans against the counter with an easy, effortless posture. Ah, yes, this brings me back to reality. He makes everything look easy. It probably has been for his whole life.

  Well I won’t be easy for him.

  “What are you making, sweetness?”

  I scowl at his pet name for me.

  “I thought we already had this discussion. I’m not your sweetness. I’m not sweet. I’m all claws, remember?” I meant it to come out harshly, but instead my voice is low and flirty. This man is breaking me. I don’t like it.

  Yes you do.

  No! Fuck.

  “Ah, yes. My kitten. How could I forget? I think you’re sweet too, though. You’re just waiting for someone to break down those walls of yours.”

  I roll my eyes and ignore his comment. I also ignore the way my heart lurches in my chest.

  The hair on the back of neck stands up. Cooper is behind me, so close I can smell his spicy, cinnamon scent. So close I can feel the warmth radiating off of his body. So close I can feel his breath on my skin.

  I hold my breath as I wait for his next move. Cooper’s lips ghost over the shell of my ear as his hands lightly hold my hips. My heart is beating so loudly I almost don’t hear his words.

  “I’ve already seen your tender heart you keep locked up tight. I don’t know why you’re so afraid, but I promise I’ll never hurt you.” Cooper kisses the side of my neck, making me close my eyes and dissolve into his touch. “I only want to protect you. Provide for you. Please you.” His mouth moves down to the sensitive spot between my neck and shoulder, kissing me there as well. “You don’t trust me yet, but I can be patient. I’ll show you how good we can be together.”

  He ends his declaration by pressing his lips to my temple and breathing me in. I shouldn’t let him touch me, I shouldn’t want his touch the way I do. But I crave it. Cooper steps away from me and I feel cold and empty. I’m trembling slightly, the piping bag shaking in my hand.

  I take a deep breath and center myself once again.

  Don’t get caught up in his game. You’re finally starting life on your own, don’t fuck it up by giving your heart away.

  “Look, Cooper, I’m sure you’re a good guy,” I start. Might as well get this over with now before he touches me again and unravels me completely.

  “Do you?” He asks, throwing me off guard.

  “No,” I tell him honestly. “Actually, I can’t get a read on you. But that’s beside the point. I’m not a kept woman, I don’t need your protection. Or your provision. In case you didn’t notice, I have my own business and I’m doing just find providing for myself.”

  He looks like he wants to protest but changes his mind and smiles instead. “Speaking of your business, have you thought any more about my offer?”

  “I already told you I don’t want your help. With anything. Ever.” I go back to decorating the cookies, feeling a calm wash over me. I can be annoyed with him. I feel like I have footing on solid ground once again, not drowning in the deep end like I was before.

  “I hope to change that, kitten, I really do.” I can’t see his face, since I’m ultra-focused on these damn cookies, but I can hear the grin. I can even hear the dimple popping out.

  “I’m not a kitten. I’m a fucking tiger, so you better step off,” I growl.

  Cooper chuckles, which makes me want to kick him in the knee. “You can be a tiger to everyone else, but to me, you are my kitten.”

  I spin around with my hands on my hips, dropping the piping bag and not giving a single shit about the wasted frosting. Right as I’m about to yell at him, Cooper backs up with his hands out in front of him.

  “I’ll leave before you can kick me out,” he says, still smiling.

  I scowl at him as he walks out of the back room. When I hear the bell ding, signaling he’s left the shop, I take a deep breath and ignore the tightness in my chest.

  Chapter 4

  Cooper

  I’m still buzzing from seeing Sienna yesterday. She was growly and feisty as fuck, but also vulnerable and fragile, though she has no idea I saw that side of her too. I took a risk the way I held her, peppered kisses on her delicate neck, and whispered my intentions in her ear. But I felt how she longed for my touch, the way her body softened in my hands. It told me everything I need to know. It’s not just me in this thing. She feels it too. She just needs time. I can give her that.

  While I wait for her to come to terms with the fact that she’s mine, I’ll hang on to these small moments. The little touches. The sparkle in her eyes when she lets me in just a little. The feel of her silky-smooth skin beneath my lips. Goddamn, when she licked my thumb and sucked on me? Fucking Christ I swear I almost nutted in my damn pants. When
I finally sink my nine inches into her tight little pussy, I know it’s going to be amazing. She’s so damn tempting, so fucking sexy.

  “Cooper!” Asher yells at me, startling me out of my thoughts. “What the hell is wrong with you lately? You’re always a little…” he waves his hand around like he doesn’t even have a word to describe me. “But these last few days it’s like you’re not even here.”

  Normally something like this would prompt me to give a snarky remark and piss my oldest brother off, but I don’t want his shitty attitude to ruin my good mood. I look over at Declan, who is grinning and shaking his head at me. He knows what’s up.

  “Leave him alone, Ash,” Declan says.

  Asher looks at him like he grew a second head. Ash isn’t used to people standing up to him or contradicting him. He’s always been the de facto leader of the three of us, probably due to his sense of superiority being the eldest and all. Despite all of us having equal shares and equal responsibility in the company, Asher has always called most of the shots. What he says goes around here. I’m fine letting him take charge if he wants to. I like my job, but I’ve always known life is about so much more than work. Declan used to be just as consumed by the job as Asher is, but then he met his Luna and got on my level with the correct priorities.

  All that being said, typically our dynamic is that Asher is the iron fist and Declan supports his decisions while I make his life annoying in any way I can. That’s not to say I don’t take my job seriously or I don’t care about the company. I can stand up and argue a point if I find it important enough. The few times I have, though, Declan and Asher team up and trample my ideas. Now, the power is shifting, so to speak. Declan is becoming less of a hardass, and more of a neutral figure. Still not a pushover by any means, but he’s a little more balanced.

  And Ash doesn’t like it.

  “I won’t leave him alone. Not when his blasé attitude is threatening to ruin the company,” Asher snaps.

  “Psh, stop being so dramatic, brother,” I say. “I’m not ruining the company. We’re doing really well. After landing the Hashimoto account and killing it with the pitch to Fendi, we’re way beyond reaching our goal of increasing profits by twenty percent. Plus, Declan and Luna getting married and starting a family have the board off of our backs. We have more inquiries than ever, we opened that new office in Chicago this last month, and my team in research and development has been hard at work upping our targeted and in-line ads game.”