Page 16 of Sexy Bad Boss

And, yes, during the course of that tiny timeframe, my gaze may have strayed to that rounded ass on display in her tight pencil skirt, so close I could lift my hand and give it a squeeze, if I were a pervy boss. Which I’m not. Even though I don’t have time to find dates outside of work, I’m sure as hell not going to take the chance of ruining my relationship with my brand-new admin. Not when she just saved my ass, without my asking. And after I was an ass to her, too.

Still bent over my desk, she turns her head and gives me a sparkling smile over her shoulder. Such pretty blue eyes. Such a lovely grin, too, those perfect, white teeth framed by crimson red lipstick.

It’s been a while since I’ve been out on a date. That’s surely the reason I’m noticing every minute detail of her face, the dirty blonde hair done up in a smooth chignon, her silk blouse and narrow skirt with thin pinstripes running throughout, those legs that go on for miles.

The last thing I need right now is to consider hitting on my new admin. Having a quality assistant is far more important than having a beautiful woman warm my bed, especially considering, given my track record, it would be a temporary arrangement at best.

“Thanks,” she says, and then she turns back to the computer. “Let me just do a few quick searches and delete these group emails I know you probably don’t care about. Tomorrow I’ll have IT take you off those lists. It’ll help you better manage your inbox.”

“That…that’ll be great. So, you’re all set? With HR, I mean?”

She nods without taking her focus away from the screen. “Yes. I’ve already set up my computer on the desk outside your door. I presume, based on the location, I get to be your gatekeeper too?”

I chuckle. “You’ll have all the control. You decide who gets through to see me each and every day.”

“But not today,” my sister Ronnie announces as she breezes through my office door, with Paynt and Garrett on her heels. She’s wearing a red mini dress, while Paynter is in his typical uniform of a T-shirt and jeans, and Garrett’s sporting khakis and a neon-green golf shirt that’s so bright I wish I had sunglasses.

Myra throws the entourage a startled look and straightens but doesn’t move from her position behind my desk. Almost like she’s planning to shield me from these three intruders.

“What are you all doing here? I didn’t even know you were coming into town, Ronnie.”

She rolls her eyes. “Of course I’m here. It’s our tradition. We always take each other out for our birthdays.”

My gaze darts to the lower right corner of the computer screen, where today’s date stares back at me. “Holy shit, I forgot it was my birthday.”

“Oh,” Myra says, half turning to face me. “Happy birthday. If I’d known, I would have baked you a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Everyone says they’re divine.” She gives this small shrug, like the praise of her cooking abilities is par for the course.

“I’m Ronnie,” my sister says, shoving her hand at Myra, who automatically grasps it and shakes. “James’s sister. Younger, I might add. And you are…?”

“Myra Edwards. New admin. I just started today.”

“Too bad,” Ronnie says. “I thought for a minute…”

Myra scrunches up her face like she’s confused. So am I, for that matter. “What did you think?” I demand of my sister.

But she’s already pointing at each of my brothers in turn, introducing them to Myra. And then she says, “We’re kidnapping him, taking him out to get him drunk for his birthday. It’s our obligation as his siblings. Want to join us?”

With a swift glance at me, Myra says, “I’m not sure…”

“Come on,” Garrett says with an exaggerated wink and a wave of his hand. “We’re fun to hang with, I promise. Even James is, after you get a few drinks in him.”

“Hey,” I protest, and the three of them laugh while Myra furrows her brow and smiles. “Besides,” I add. “I’m not sure it’s proper business etiquette for Myra to experience me drunk on her first day on the job.”

Ronnie cracks up while Garrett snorts and Paynt steps around my desk to peer at the computer screen. “Looks like you got your email up and running.”

“Myra did,” I say.

“You’re a keeper,” Paynter says. “James needs someone to take care of the little things for him.”

“That’s what I’m best at,” Myra says, flashing that beautiful smile again. Garrett’s watching her, the look on his face telling me he’s going to hit on her the first opportunity he gets.

“How about we have our first drinks with fellow co-workers, rather than my obnoxious family?” I suggest.

“Whatever,” Ronnie says, rolling her eyes again. She whips a card out of her purse and offers it to Myra. “Call me. Let’s do lunch while I’m in town. Something tells me you and I will get along swimmingly.”

“Sure.” Myra smiles like she’s genuinely interested in pursuing a relationship with my sister. As long as it’s not Garrett, I can live with it.

Paynt snaps my laptop closed. “Time to go. We’ve already worked out the first stop, and we need to get there before happy hour ends.”