Beneath the Boss: Omnibus (The Complete Collection) Read Online Free PDF

that?”
    “Because I told you to. And if you do, I’ll give you a reprieve.”
    Leighton knew it was a bribe, hated the idea of giving Smythe anything at all, but it was the most expedient path to keep Layla close while he figured things out.
    “How long of a reprieve?”
    “Don’t push it, Smythe. I’ll back off, give you some time to scramble, and you’ll withdraw the offer.”
    “Okay, but I don’t think Ms. Grayson will be pleased.”
    Leighton couldn’t keep the annoyance out of his voice. “Don’t speak of her, and do it soon.”
    He hung up just as Layla walked in.
    ••••
    “W ho’s the object of your scorn this morning, Leighton?”
    She’d decided to go for humor, but he didn’t seem amused.
    “I told you to call me last night.”
    Oo-kay .
    “I didn’t call because I didn’t want to talk to you.”
    He looked at her sharply, ice filling his eyes.
    “I wanted to make sure you were all right. And protected.”
    She felt the heat of embarrassment creep up her neck and covered it with abrasiveness. “Don’t worry, Leighton, you won’t have any little brown Means baby coming to shame the family name.”
    She regretted the words as soon as they were out.
    “That was low, and you know it.”
    She looked him directly in the eyes. “I do. I’m sorry.”
    She walked across the office and settled in the seat in front of his desk.
    “Fine. Let’s drop it,” he said.
    “But shouldn’t we—”
    “Drop it, Layla. We have a lot to do today, and I don’t want you distracted. I’m leaving town until Saturday, but I’ll come over when I get back, and then we can talk.”
    “I took another job. I’m leaving.”
    That seemed to get to him.
    “Then way are you here?” he said, voice low and dangerous.
    She didn’t have an answer.
    ••••
    L ater that afternoon, safely ensconced in her office, Layla thought back on the day. After the initial discomfort, she and Leighton had fallen into their old rhythm, her the dutiful employee, he the boss. By mutual, and silent, agreement, she and Leighton hadn’t discussed the previous night. But Layla knew what lay underneath his suit now, had felt Leighton inside her, seen the heat of attraction in his eyes, directed at her no less, and despite the circumstances, she couldn’t deny the power of the encounter. Something that both terrified and pleased her. She knew how easy—and harmful—it would be to just pick back up where they’d left off, but she couldn’t deny how happy she was to know they still had some of their old bond. No matter how twisted it actually was.
    Layla stood and stretched, trying to clear thoughts of Leighton, suppress memories of the feel of his hard body pressed against her much-softer one. Her core clenched, and she tried to ignore the low hum of arousal that was spreading through her. Clearly she was getting nowhere, and she needed a distraction.
    Layla grabbed her bag and retreated to the one person she knew would make her feel better.

Chapter Two
    “I t’s about damn time,” said Marla Hampton.
    Layla gave her friend what she knew was a quizzical look. “You aren’t exactly a member of the Leighton Means Fan Club,” Layla said.
    “But you are,” Marla tossed back, “and if smutty office sex is what it takes to get him out of your system, I’m all for it. And besides, you’re too young to spend all your time working or sitting at home, and, as execrable as he is, Leighton Meanie is nothing if not hot.”
    Layla snapped her mouth shut and could feel the heat rushing over her face. “Marla...” she stammered.
    “Don’t ‘Marla’ me. I’m just telling the truth. You spend night and day with that man, catering to his every whim, while denying your own. You have so much potential, so much to offer the world, and you used to dream, talk about all the things you’d do if you had a chance. And you know what happened?”
    “No doubt you’ll tell me, “ Layla said with a snort, which earned her a