I turn to see her dad beaming.
“You guys have a good night.” He pauses once Serena walks out the door. “Bates?”
“Yeah?” I ask, wrapping my hand around the door as Serena takes my other one, hidden in the hallway.
“I’ll end you if you hurt her,” he promises.
“I’d beat you to it,” I promise back before letting his daughter drag me down the hallway, wherever the hell she pleases.
Miles and Julia have been the biggest blessing for Bound-to-Be and my work-life balance. They’re hardworking and passionate; they take initiative and love this place almost as much as Ker and me.
Which is why they each had a personal gift on their desks this morning, along with handmade cards Bates helped me with.
He admitted it wasn’t nearly as fun, making cards for anyone but me, so I think a greeting card company is out of the question for a backup career, even though the ones he makes are so beautiful.
I’m happy to keep them all for myself though.
Kerrigan and I are working behind the scenes, planning our next singles party for Saint Patrick’s Day weekend. It’s already sold out, and the waitlist is growing.
I would say that people just enjoyed the event for the food and drinks if we didn’t get so many fulfilled questionnaires back after the party with people saying they had dates lined up because of us.
The business is booming—both the business of love and Bound-to-Be. I think by the middle of the year, we’ll be hiring another full-time staff member. I never could’ve imagined my little pipe dream would turn intothis.
And we’re only just beginning.
The office is quiet as I lock up. Only Freddie and I are still here; everyone else went home for the evening. Bates is picking us up tonight since he brought us to work this morning. He insisted, and it was hard to say no to him begging when he was all sexy and shirtless.
“Hey. How was work?” Bates greets me, like he’s done this a thousand times before, as I hop into the front seat with Freddie and buckle up.
“It was good. I had to fight Kerrigan from unethically using client information to set herself up on a date. But that’s nothing new.” I laugh.
Reaching over, he pets Freddie, his massive hand almost humorously large in comparison to Freddie’s tiny head and paws.
When he’s done giving him all the love, Bates’s hand wraps around my thigh, which is thinly sheathed by sheer black pantyhose.
“I love these,” he murmurs, pulling out of the parking lot while easing my skirt up and squeezing my upper thigh.
“So do I.” I scoff. “So, try not to destroy them.”
He laughs. “You make it seem like I wreck all of your clothes.”
Glaring at him, I shake my head in disbelief. “You do.”
“It was, like, one pair of leggings.”
“Two. And at least, like, three pairs of panties,” I protest.
“What I’m hearing is that I need to take you shopping.” He turns his head, big, loving eyes finding mine.
I grin. “It wouldn’t hurt—that’s for sure.”
“Deal.” He winks, the blues in his stare darkening. “But I’m ripping these off of you tonight.”
“Bates!” I scold him, bursting into giggles as his hand around my thigh starts tickling my side. “Focus!”
He holds his hands up in surrender—bothof them—making sure to sneak a peek at me before grabbing the wheel again.
He smirks, and I contemplate slapping his arm, but Freddie’s head is resting on it, which is Bates’s saving grace.
