Page 44 of Sexy Bad Boss

“I’ll get it,” Abby calls out, taking off to answer the door.

“I better go with her.” I help him lower himself into the chair and then follow the rambunctious child to the door where Alex and a couple I have never met before stand.

“Uncle James was kissing Myra,” she blurts and three sets of eyebrows raise into almost identical amused expressions.

“Really?” Alex asks.

“Really,” Abby whispers, like she didn’t announce it loud enough for the man walking on the opposite side of the road to hear. Turning her attention to the couple with Alex, she asks, “Is this your mommy and daddy?”

“No.” He chuckles. “These are Simon’s owners.”

“Her name is Cleo,” the woman says, fidgeting. “We saw a post Alex put on Facebook about a kitty you found, and the photo is of our Cleo. We miss her terribly.”

“When did you do that?” I ask him.

“Before I left yesterday.” He practically bounces, reminding me of Tigger. That crazy, bouncing tiger is so energetic and eager.

“But Simon likes me, and she likes Uncle James. Simon doesn’t want to go.” Abby’s lip sticks out so far I want to warn her not to trip over it.

“Simon, huh?” The man, who appears to be in his late forties, asks as he bends lower to face Abby. “That’s a pretty creative name.”

“Would you like to come in?” I ask them. “I can make coffee while Abby says good-bye to her new friend.”

“Okay,” the woman says, tucking strands of her straw-colored bob behind her ear. “Thank you.”

“Myra, I need your help,” James calls out.

“I’ve got it.” Alex springs past me and heads straight for James.

I fight the impulse to save James from the more energetic younger man. I’ve been his gatekeeper so long it’s ingrained, but I’m not going to be around much longer, and James needs to learn how to deal with that. “I’ll put the coffee on.”

“So you and James, huh? Is that why you’re quitting? And why he doesn’t like me?” Alex asks when he joins me in the kitchen ten minutes later. I’m organizing a tray to take into the living room where three adults and a cat are completely entertained by a pint-size girl who refuses to give up her new kitty friend.

“He does like you. He just doesn’t know it yet.”  I nestle a stack of cups beside the carafe.

“Uh-huh.” He opens a bag of pastries and puts them on a plate, leaning in as though we’re co-conspirators with a plan. “He’d much prefer you weren’t going anywhere. And now I understand why. You’re the perfect woman. At his beck and call and in his bed.”

“There’s nothing going on between me and James,” I whisper. “He can’t even get up the stairs, so of course I’m in his bed. Where else would I sleep while I’m staying here?”

“You know where you want to spend your nights.” He nudges me in the ribs with his elbow. “On his—”

“Shhh.” Be friendly to the new guy for one flipping day and the next thing you know he thinks he’s privy to your personal life. “That’s completely improper.”

“What are you two doing in here?” James rolls into the kitchen. “Grinding coffee beans?”

“Wrong beans.” Alex smirks as he turns away from James.

If I’d had a mouthful of coffee at this point I would have sprayed the kitchen. The kid is completely inappropriate but entertaining. And there’s a chance he has a point too. Is having sex with James just another way I’m now on call?

“Can you do your job and look after our guests?” James addresses Alex. “After all, you did bring them here. Unannounced, I might add.”

“It’s under control, James,” I say. “I was about to take—”

“Alex?” James doesn’t bother to look at the kid as he rolls toward me.

“Going.” Alex scoops up the tray and marches out of the room.

“That kid is going to drive me into an early grave. I’m still not sure how I let you talk me into hiring him.”