My Ruff Boss by Ophelia Jewels

Chapter One

Faye

Banana fucking shenanigans! My stupid heels click on the lobby’s marble floor. I’m late. So late.

“No, we are not late.” I say to the basket of squirming puppies in my arms, like it would help.

Four metal elevators hold the finish line. I double tap the up button. And then again. And once more. In case it does make a difference. But none of the elevators are near the lobby. Dang it.

I take a breath and peer into the basket. Three pairs of adorable eyes melt my heart and worries like an ice-cream cone on a summer day. “You doing okay?” I smile. “It won’t be long before you’re free.”

The elevator doors open to a man. Not just any man. A stop my heart, and make me second guess my underwear choice man.

His gray suit is gorgeous, pulling tight around his muscular frame. Every detail is perfect. The color matches the slight peppering in his hair. The white shirt has crisp edges. Elegant and sophisticated. Almost like he is from one of those weird perfume adverts. The ones where you don’t know what they are selling, the product or luxurious sex. And we all know it’s the latter.

Yep. I should have trusted my gut and the fact this is the fanciest building in the city. My dinosaur blouse is not up to James Bond standards. Even if it’s rawrsome.

The man’s hand flies out, catching the closing door.

“Thanks.” I say.

His dark eyes pierce into the basket as if he is a child trying to use x-ray vision on his Christmas present. But not in a happy, excited way. No, he knows it’s another pair of socks from grandma.

“Puppies.” I say. “Allergies?”

The stranger’s grip tightens, knuckles puncturing with white.

“Cynophobia?”

No response.

“Woof. Woof. No?”

A small muscle in Mr Tall-Dark-And-Silent’s jaw twinges.

A flush of heat crashes over my cheeks. Oh no, I just barked at a complete stranger. It’s fine, totally fine. Dork. “Well, as much as I would love to bark at you all day. I have places to be, so am I coming with you or waiting for the next one?”

The man’s shoulders drop with a sigh, and he moves to the side.

“Thank you.” I step into the elevator. Light fruit and woody scents infiltrate my nose.

Tall-Dark-And-Silent stares at the doors. I reach for the elevator buttons, but the floor is already lit up. Great! There hasn’t been a person I met that needed a puppy cuddle session more than him.

“Are you looking to adopt a puppy?” I ask.

Silence.

“Well as a thanks for the ride, I will be sure to tell the puppies not to pee on you.” I lean to the side, closer to him. “But between you and me, I don’t think they will listen.”

Wow. Nothing. Not even a smile? Fine. I get it. No sense of humor. No dogs. No talking.

Out of the corner of my eye, I scan over him. Perhaps this is the rich thing Charlotte talks about. It’s not all about the flashy products but superior ones. And damn, that suit is good. At least according to the butterflies in my stomach.

Two floors up and we stop. The doors open to a young man wearing thick glasses which do nothing to hide the racoon eyes. He is holding a mountain of paperwork and muttering under his breath. Okay, move over Tall-Dark-And-Silent. We just got a new contender for the person-who-needs-a-puppy-break-the-most award.

Another floor and the silence is gnawing at my soul. “So how’s everyone’s morning?”

Both of the men stare at me as if I have grown another head.

“Well, my morning has been quite uplifting.” I snort at my joke. At least one person will have fun during this ride. “Suppose there’s many levels to that, though.”

The elevator stops, and the paperwork man gets off.

“Must have pushed his buttons.” I laugh. I am on fire today.

For a split second, I swear Tall-Dark-And-Silent smiles. No, not a smile. A smirk? A curl? Lip twitch. Well, whatever it was, it at least proves he’s not a cyborg.

I stare at the metallic doors. I am sure I have missed an elevator pun. You totally floor me? That will sound like I am flirting with him and I am not flirting with him... then again. What would Honey say? Be you, Faye. If you want to flirt, flirt. Have fun. What is he going to do?

Imaginary Honey in my mind is right. What is going to happen? He flirts back? He sweeps me off my feet? Or he becomes a stalker and finds out where I live... well, I am going to have to move out of the city regardless soon, so... why not have some fun?

Our eyes catch. Tall-Dark-And-Silent arches an eyebrow. My heart jumps to my throat.

“I… I…” A heat of embarrassment floods my cheeks. “Just so you know I am here to ride the elevator, not—” you. My stomach clutches with a laugh, cutting off my words. I am so taking this ‘be yourself’ mantra too far. This isn’t me. I don’t flirt with hot strangers who are way too good for me. “Never mind.”

Tall-Dark-And-Silent knits his eyebrows tight. Yeah, like he didn’t know how I was going to end that sentence.

I gaze back at our reflections on the door. It wouldn’t have worked, anyway. He is refinement with a capital R, and I… I am a mess.

Shitake mushrooms. My curls have taken a serious vengeance against today’s humidity. There is something that I do not want to know what it is, stained on the pink T-Rex near my collar. My wrinkled pant legs are covered in dog hair. And Honey’s heels, well the heels are scuffed—no surprise there. I should have worn my sneakers. But no, a part of me had to make sure I fit in with the business attire on some level. I need to sort this out.

“Hey, can you do me a favor?” I ask the man.

The man cocks his head to the side.

“Can you hold this for a moment, please?” I hold out the basket of puppies. “I promise, it will take them two whole minutes to chew their way out. So there’s plenty of time.”

Tall-Dark-And-Silent reaches out, but hesitates. “How long have they been in there?”

Oh, he can speak. And not only that, but he can speak in a spine tingling voice. Low and deep, as if he’s whispering on my shoulder. No wonder he’s quiet with a super power like that.

“Please,” I ask again.

The man takes the basket of puppies and holds them out at arm’s length.

“Thanks.” I yank my hair tie out. Bend over. Shake. And gather my hair back up into a tight knot. “First day. Figure I should make a good impression. Even though I am sure no one notices me compared to the pups. But got to be professional in front of the boss and all that.” And damn do I need the business.

“Mhmm.” The man murmurs, eyes locking onto my shirt. Yes, yes. I get it. Next time I won’t listen to Honey and her encouragement to always be myself and own it. In some situations, you have to fit in and not be the dork you are. A boring shirt next time.

Licking my thumb, I rub the stain on the blouse. Luckily, it seems to be coffee.

“Hopefully I am not over dressed.” I say.

The man raises an eyebrow.

“The company I am going to. Deep Throb.” I chuckle. “Sounds like I should be in my nice lingerie and brought blindfolds for the innocent puppy eyes.”

“It’s a dating app.” He says under his breath.

I take back the basket. “I know.” I smile. “I am sure it is a type of dating app. Not shaming anyone who would use it. Sometimes you just want a good deep throb.” A breath catches in my throat. “I know I do.”

The man’s lips purse tight.

Cheese and delicious cheddar, abandon the conversation. I should not be hitting on him. Where’s the emergency escape button? “Sorry, didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“You didn’t.”

I swallow hard. “Well, it’s a strange name regardless… Deep Throb. There must be a board room laughing their heads off somewhere.”

Tall-Dark-And-Silent’s jaw clenches and the elevator doors open. I follow the man out and into a gorgeous office space. Cubicles lead to a grand office behind a glass partition. Everything is clean and white. Hints of blue and aqua accents pieces are dotted around the place. It’s beautiful and less… leathery than I expected.

“That was quick, Mr Hunnd.” The chirpy blond receptionist sighs.

Wait.

Back up.

That’s Mr Hunnd.

Dang it, he looks nothing like his brother. Dash is so more… like a Labrador puppy. This Hunnd is a bulldog pouting in the corner. So much for the professional impression to the rich-ass CEO who has hired you, Faye. Well, it can’t be worse than the I called the police man who pulled me over Daddy.

“You’re Mr Hunnd?” I stutter.

Mr Hunnd nods.

I place the basket on the reception desk and extend my hand for a shake. “It’s lovely to meet you Mr Hunnd.” I smile.

An eyebrow cocks, but he doesn’t shake my hand. He straightens his tie and walks away.

Rude.

“It’s nice to meet you too.” I call out after him.

He freezes.

“Thank you for taking the puppies. You were a great help.” I say to his back.

There is no reply. Of course, not. What is up his butt? Not politeness, that’s for sure. But there’s something about him. Something that just makes me want to crack his shell, and see him smile.

“No problem. I will show you where to set up. By the way, Puppy Break sounds like a great idea. My employees will love it and no doubt adopt some. Personally, I can’t wait to play with them.” I mimic his deep voice. It’s terrible, but it makes the receptionist cackle.

“I don’t like dogs.” Mr Hunnd states stalking away.

What might as well be hundreds of eyes peer over the sea of cubicles toward us. This might not be the best idea I’ve had. But I am not letting him have the last word.

“Well. Deep Throb is a porn studio name.” I say too loud. “And not a good one.”