Bastard Boss Read online

  Xavier smiled. “No, you’re not. You’re much better.”

  Chapter Two

  Had she heard right? Anya stared at her boss. The man she had known for over four years, who never pushed the boundaries too far, was staring at her like he wanted to eat her. In that moment their relationship of employer and employee faded.

  “If you would like to finish signing them, I’ll mail them out tomorrow. I’ll get them ready.” She made her way toward the door wanting away from this uncomfortable mess. Her mother had always warned her that escape was the easiest solution in dealing with problems, and this one was a huge problem.

  “Anya,” he said, using that commanding tone that made her stop and turn around. He stood and rounded his desk until he was in front of it. “You’re beautiful.”

  “Don’t cross that line.”

  “I crossed that line months ago.”

  She shook her head.

  “I’ve been crossing that line since I first met you.”

  “This is not happening, Mr. Leigh.” She clenched her hands into fists, trying to deal with what was going on between them. Nothing should be going on. They worked together. “I appreciate your kind words.”

  “Screw my kind words. I said the truth.” He stepped closer to her, and she took a step back. This side of Xavier she had never seen before.

  “I don’t understand what you’re doing.”

  He closed the distance between them and caught her face. “I’m going to do something that I can’t stop thinking about.”

  Before she could say anything his lips closed over hers. Releasing a gasp, she stood with her hand by her sides as he sank his fingers into her hair, pushing beneath the bun she kept locked at the base of her neck. Her hair was long, too long to spend the time brushing it. He licked along the seam of her lips, and she gasped, opening up to him. He plundered her mouth, and she met him stroke for stroke. Her tits felt heavy, her pussy slick. She wasn’t a virgin. There had been men in the past few years, but none of them had stuck. She hadn’t felt the need to leave her single life behind.

  The kiss went on and on, and she didn’t want it to end. Xavier knew how to kiss.

  Suddenly, he pulled away, and she opened her eyes.

  “I want a baby.”

  Out of everything she had heard him say, all the horrible names, the bluntness, she never anticipated him wanting a baby. It seemed completely outrageous.

  “Why are you telling me?” she asked.

  “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and I want you to be the mother of my child.”

  She froze. Her lips tingled from his kiss, and she was just amazed at what he was asking.

  “Is this really happening?” Anya had to be dreaming. Removing her hand from his chest—she didn’t know how it got there—she pinched her arm, hard, and flinched. “Ouch.”

  “Yeah, this is really happening. Why wouldn’t it be happening?”

  “You’re Xavier Leigh, and you’ve just asked me to be the mother of your child, and you kissed me.” She was frowning, and it was the fastest way to get wrinkles.

  “I’ve thought about it a lot.”

  “You had a woman here this morning, and you had sex with her!”

  “Months ago. I haven’t slept with Becky in a long time. She didn’t like that I had lost my interest. She even tried to get me drunk to sleep with her.”

  “This is crazy.”

  “How about we finish up here, and I take you out to dinner, and we talk?”

  Dinner? Talking?

  “I guess.”

  “I promise you won’t regret it.”

  Biting her lip, she looked into his dark brown eyes that always seemed so cold, but today they didn’t. They were staring at her in earnest.

  What could go wrong?

  He wants to talk.

  He’s your boss.

  Maybe you just heard wrong.

  “Sure. If you continue to sign those papers, I’ll get the envelopes and start getting them ready to send.”

  “Good, great.” He moved behind the desk, and he was back to being in charge, in total control. For the next hour they worked on getting the letters finished, and once they were all done, she placed them in the appropriate tray.

  By the time she grabbed her bag, he was there, jacket on, and ready.

  Taking a deep breath, she followed him toward the elevator, and this time she couldn’t help but stare at his reflection. He was a handsome man, she couldn’t deny it.

  “Do you like looking at me?” he asked.

  “You’re handsome, you know that already.”

  “I didn’t know that you knew that.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Every woman knows what a catch you are. You’re sexy, hot, and you know it. There’s no need to do the whole coy thing.”

  “I’m not. I just think it’s hot to know that you’re in agreement with me.”

  Shaking her head, she snorted. “You’re my boss, Xavier. I’m not going to point out these things. They’re not appropriate.”

  “I just asked you to be the mother of my baby. I think we’ve crossed that line, and you can now see me as hot stuff.”

  Before she had a chance to answer, the elevator pinged open. “Saved.”

  “What was that?” he asked.

  “Nothing. Don’t you just love elevators?”

  “I’m driving,” he said, gripping her waist, and leading her away from her car, and taking her toward his.

  “What about when all of this is over? I don’t want to be stuck waiting for a ride,” she said.

  “You won’t be. I’ll take you home, and tomorrow morning I’ll pick you back up, and take you to work.”

  She stared at the passenger door, hating how her stomach twisted. When colleagues hinted at her screwing the boss she’d ignored them. There was no chance of it. This was risking the rumors spreading once again, only this time, it could actually be the truth.

  He wants a baby!

  “I’m not going to hurt you, Anya. I want to have dinner, and talk about this.”

  Grabbing the door handle, she opened the door and climbed into his car. Xavier further surprised her as he leaned in and buckled her in. “I just want to make sure you’re safe.”

  She smiled. “Okay.”

  The back of his hand brushed across her breasts, and she tensed up. Had it been on purpose? Was it a mistake? Sitting back in her seat, she did her best to ignore him as he climbed behind the wheel and started up his car. She glanced over at her own car, and tried her hardest not to pout.

  Neither of them spoke as he drove through the busy city streets. Even at seven o’clock at night it was still busy. It was one of the downfalls of living in a city, the chaos. Living here was like living on constant speed.

  “Today was a good day.”

  “Did your deal go well with Kurtis?” she asked.

  “Yes. Of course it did. He just needs to learn some respect. I don’t want you alone with him if he ever comes by the office.”

  “Why?”

  “Don’t trust him.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be fine. You put him in his place.” She had heard him growl at the man. Kurtis had looked so afraid. For a split second she had actually felt sorry for the man. Still, it was no excuse to be a pig of a man. Respect was something that was earned, and Kurtis hadn’t earned hers. Either way, she wouldn’t do anything to ruin the reputation of the company, or Xavier.

  “I won’t have him upsetting you. If I’m not there, stay at your desk, and don’t bring yourself to be alone with him.”

  He sounded … strange.

  “I’m going to still be working there then?”

  “Why wouldn’t you be?”

  “The kiss. The whole baby thing. It’s, erm, not exactly making for a stable working environment.”

  “Don’t worry about that. I’d never fire you. Besides, I want to talk about it when I can look at you. Face to face conversation is always better than none.”

  “S
ure.” She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t curious about his little outburst. Xavier Leigh wanted a baby. It seemed surreal. If he said he wanted an extra billion, she would have understood a lot more.

  They were silent on the drive to the restaurant. There was no need to be talking. Their silence wasn’t awkward either. She liked that.

  Resting against the leather seat, she watched the city go by, wondering what life would be like outside where everything was slower, more enjoyable.

  He suddenly pulled outside of a busy Italian restaurant, and the door was opened for her. She smiled at the valet, used to Xavier’s expensive taste. He liked quality in everything, food, service, wine, women. She gasped as he took her arm and led the way inside. This was really happening. They weren’t on the way to meet prospective clients. This was between the two of them.

  I can do this.

  ****

  Anya looked ready to bolt at any minute, and he couldn’t blame her. Xavier waved away the waiter, the maître d’, and everyone that fawned all over him.

  “This is where you bring your women, right?” she asked. “Wine them, dine them, bed them.”

  He sighed. “Yes.”

  “At least you’re not blunt about it.” She took a sip of her water, and he watched her throat work, wondering what it would be like to have his dick passing between those sweet fucking lips. His cock thickened at the thought.

  “I don’t believe in holding back. Nothing gets sorted in life if you’re constantly waiting around.”

  “Then I suggest you tell me exactly what you want instead of lingering.”

  “Fine. I have everything in life. A successful company, cars, money, houses, plenty of time for vacations if I wish. I can have any woman that money can buy.”

  “You buy women?”

  “What I’ve come to see is that in my world, my personal company comes with certain requirements. They fuck me, I have to give them nice things in return.”

  She sat back, eyes wide. “What happened to just the pleasure of company?”

  “Get a lot of money, and it extends to a piece of jewelry, or even a few nights’ stay in a luxury spa.” He shrugged. “It’s all just money.”

  “And it’s cold.”

  “Even still. The one thing I don’t have is an heir. Someone to hand my legacy down to. I worked my way from the gutter up, and I’m not going to do that to have it torn apart and sold. I want my own flesh and blood to take over.”

  “A baby.”

  “A baby, a son or a daughter, both even. Someone that I can nurture, and in time, I can give him or her the chances that I never got. They would be more than ready to take the lead of my company.” He took a sip of his water. “None of the women I’ve been with are what I’m looking for in a mother. They are only there to serve their own goals. I want you. I think you’ll be a perfect fit.”

  “Xavier, if I was to get pregnant with your child, I wouldn’t leave it. I would want to be with him or her. It’s not like a house that you can walk away from, and sell.”

  “You wouldn’t have to worry. I’d hoped that you would be interested in staying around. I know you’re a wonderful woman, kind, nurturing. I’ve seen the way you’ve been with the new starters in the office, and when others have no one to look after them, you make sure you’re available to take care of their kids. I’ve seen you with children, and you’re a natural. Your file states that you’ve never been in a serious relationship. There’s no one now. You’re free, available, and I know I like you.”

  “Right now I’m not sure that I like you.”

  He chuckled. “I’m used to that. Don’t worry, you’ll grow to like me. I’m the same guy.”

  She bit her lip, taking another sip of her water. He was pleased he hadn’t allowed her to have wine. At this rate she would be having way too much to drink.

  “Where do I fit into all this?”

  “You don’t have a partner. No lover. We get along well. You put up with me, and I think we’d make a good team for my child.”

  “Wow.” She sat back, and stared at him, her green eyes open and wild.

  Figuring it was a good time to grab the waiter’s attention, he ordered for them both, keeping their beverages to water. He didn’t want her drinking. This was a serious discussion for him.

  The waiter left them.

  “I know you’re thinking I’m crazy.”

  “That’s the nicest thing that I’m thinking right now.”

  He smirked. “I’m serious.”

  She suddenly sat up, leaning a little closer to him. “So say I agreed. What would I have to do? Sign a contract? Will we separate? I don’t want to be away from my child. No matter what, I will love him or her. Also, my parents will be a little shocked by this arrangement. I always imagined that my life would take a different path.”

  “I would expect you to be with me. You’ll live with me, be part of my life, and the mother to my child.”

  “So … like a couple?”

  “Yes.”

  “How do you expect us to get pregnant?”

  “The usual way.”

  “Through a clinic? Insemination?”

  He chuckled. “No. I intend it to be traditional, with sex.”

  “You want to have sex with me?” She went a little pale, which wasn’t doing any good for his ego.

  “I’m good at sex, at fucking.” He stopped as the waiter put their orders down in front of them.

  “Thank you,” Anya said.

  He watched as she lifted up a fork and started to pierce her dinner but not actually taste it.

  “You’re a man-whore! I, just, I don’t understand what you want from me?”

  He took a bite of his beef and reached out, taking hold of her hand. When she made to pull away from him, he held onto her hand a little tighter.

  “I want us both to have a baby. There won’t be any more women, I can promise you.”

  She let out a breath. “This morning you were just my boss. I listened to you be mean to Becky. What if you change your mind? What if I end up out of a job, and with no way to support myself, and I’m pregnant. I just—” She dropped the fork, and shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t eat. I can’t. I need to walk.”

  For the first time in his life a woman walked out of a restaurant. She didn’t wait for him, nor could he rush out to stop her. Cursing, he threw down plenty of money, apologized, and followed her outside. Looking left and right, he saw her approaching a cab. “Anya!”

  She stopped, waiting for him.

  “Where are you going?” he asked.

  “I’m going to head home. This is all just too much. Your idea is ridiculous.”

  “Let’s walk.” He closed the door of the cab, linking her arm between his. Walking across the street, they passed several shops that were still open. “I want you to consider this. I’ve been thinking for a while.”

  “And now you’ve decided that I’m the best option for you?”

  “You’re perfect.” He meant every single word.

  “How is this going to play out? Take it from the top.”

  “I want us to try for a baby. When you get pregnant, you’ll move in with me, and we’ll raise the child together. You can still work for me, and nothing will change.”

  “We’ll be in each other’s life for longer periods of time.”

  “We’re rarely apart now.”

  She stopped. “I don’t know if I can handle a relationship with you seeing other women.”

  “I wouldn’t.”

  “You’ll just stop seeing other people.”

  “I’ll be with you. I won’t need other women.”

  “What about after the baby?”

  He reached out, stroking a curl behind her ear. “What do you think is going to happen? We’re going to be together. I like you. For the most part, you like me.”

  “Like is really far away from attraction.”

  “Sex is easy.”

  “For you. I’m not attracte
d to you.”

  He took hold of her face, and pressed his lips to hers. “I can change your mind.”

  She pulled away from him. “I’ve got to think about this. You’re asking me to sign my life away. Give up on the chance of finding a man who could love me.”

  “Love is overrated. Believe me, I have yet to find a woman who could be so loving and loyal when money isn’t involved.”

  “I find your attitude disgusting. You can have love. Money doesn’t have to mean everything. Yeah, it makes life easier not having to worry about it.”

  Xavier shrugged. “Then prove me wrong.”

  “How can I do that? You have money. Ugh, look, I will think about this, okay? I don’t want you rushing me, nor do I want this getting out. The last thing I need is for our colleagues to start spreading vicious rumors.” She pulled out of his arms, and rubbed her own. “Can you take me home?”

  “You don’t want to eat?”

  “Not with you. I need my space.”

  Xavier wasn’t used to a woman wanting space. They were usually all over him, and this was a new turn for him. “Sure.”

  They made their way back to the restaurant where the valet was waiting with a bag of food, and his keys. “You may not want to eat, but I do. I’m starving.”

  Climbing behind the wheel, he made his way toward her apartment, and parked outside.

  “I’ll be by tomorrow morning to pick you up.”

  “Okay. I won’t be late.” She climbed out of the car, and he watched her round ass walk toward the door.

  He was going to own that ass, and he was going to make her fall in love with him. Xavier liked a challenge, and Anya was going to be his biggest conquest yet.

  Chapter Three

  The following day, Anya was waiting for Xavier as he pulled up outside of her apartment building. She didn’t linger, and climbed into the passenger side.

  “You’re in a rush to get to work?” he asked.

  “Yes. You can’t say too much. You’re here in good time. I guess we’re both ready to go to work.”

  Last night when she finally got home, she had called her mother to ask her advice. Of course, her mother thought it was strange, but if it was something she wanted to do then full support would be provided. They wanted to be grandparents long before they passed.