A Lucky Bad Boss

By Brooke Page

Mack Craft and Kelsey Neely can no longer deny their passionate chemistry and are willing to cross into the uncharted territory of a relationship...sort of.
Kelsey has devoted her life to becoming successful in her career and understands dating her boss would bring bad attention to her professionalism. She's set the boundary of keeping their physical activities on the hush, and Mack has agreed to her requests.
Keeping a promise to her best friend, Kelsey heads to the city of Chicago to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Green beer, gold beads, and little shimmery dresses will fill their weekend away, along with some shenanigans that are out of Kelsey's comfort zone.
With the push of his own best friend, Mack buys a plane ticket to the Windy City, and discreetly finds himself in the same bar as Kelsey, less than impressed with her carefree behavior. He hadn't intended to intervene with her weekend, but Mack Craft always gets what he wants.
Will Mack remain in Cognito and give Kelsey her wanted space, or will he cross the line and give in to the overpowering desire to claim Kelsey as his?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brooke Page
• Release date: Mar 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215863374

Brooke Page

Indie New Adult Romance AuthorMother of two, wonder wife, after school art/pottery instructor, self proclaimed runner, and Indie Romance Novel junkie!

Book preview

A Lucky

Bad Boss

By: Brooke Page

Mack Craft and Kelsey Neely can no longer deny their passionate chemistry and are willing to cross into the uncharted territory of a relationship...sort of.

Kelsey has devoted her life to becoming successful in her career and understands dating her boss would bring bad attention to her professionalism. She's set the boundary of keeping their physical activities on the hush, and Mack has agreed to her requests.

Keeping a promise to her best friend, Kelsey heads to the city of Chicago to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Green beer, gold beads, and little shimmery dresses will fill their weekend away, along with some shenanigans that are out of Kelsey's comfort zone.

With the push of his own best friend, Mack buys a plane ticket to the Windy City, and discreetly finds himself in the same bar as Kelsey, less than impressed with her carefree behavior. He hadn't intended to intervene with her weekend, but Mack Craft always gets what he wants.

Will Mack remain in Cognito and give Kelsey her wanted space, or will he cross the line and give in to the overpowering desire to claim Kelsey as his?

A Lucky Bad Boss

COPYRIGHT BROOKE PAGE

SMASHWORDS EDITION

2023

Table of Contents

Copyright

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Thank You

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Chapter One

Kelsey

I’ve missed you, Craft murmured across my cheek. A heavy breath escaped his nostrils. The past few months have been… 

He sighed into my neck, the fluttering of his eyelashes tickling the lobe of my ear. A soft giggle escaped my kiss-swollen lips from the gentle brush. Long, I finished his sentence for him.

Lonely, he added.

I knew what I wanted when I put on the Caribbean blue dress this morning. I’d longed to zip-up the chiffon fabric and run back to Mackenzie Craft the moment he came groveling at my doorstep but wrestling with my conscience to give him my full trust was a constant brawl and would be for a while. He was as cunning as ever but could be downright nasty. I’d never known a man so intelligent and diligent at everything he did, until I met the handsome Mr. Craft.

When we’d started our meeting an hour ago, both of my blue heels had been firmly placed on the floor, but now they were dangling from the edge of his conference table, my back and hips secured to the rich mahogany by the weight of his half-clothed body. 

 The last few weeks have been downright depressing, he muttered, the warmth of his lips peppering kisses across my jaw.

How on earth did you ever survive? I chided, tilting my neck so he had a better angle. 

He huffed, then met my eyes. I’m good at hiding my agony.

My lips twisted, and the tip of my finger traced the longer than normal hair on the nape of his neck. 

He was always so clean cut and manicured. It wasn’t until this intimate moment that I noticed the slight slips in his appearance. Stubble ran across his normally clean-shaven jaw, and the slightest dip of dark circles masked under his eyes. His core was stronger, hips a touch narrower. I should have felt more guilt for putting him through agony, but in a twisted way, it gave me more confidence.

Mean old Craft? Not a chance, I teased, trailing my hands down his broad shoulders. 

I’m only mean when I have to be. He scowled, and I smiled. Angry, stubborn, and impatient Craft was the man I was used to, but once he’d given me a peek into his softer side, I’d been infatuated. His hard exterior didn’t scare me one bit.

If you say so, I smirked, wrapping my leg around his hip.

He grinned now, a sneaky tweak spreading across his face, his hand trailing along the back of my calf. There’s a difference between giving directions and being mean.

There’s also a difference between being a boss and being an asshole.

His jaw ticked as if he were thinking, then he shrugged. I suppose we have different interpretations.

I laughed, gently pushing on his shoulders. He stood upright, grabbing my hips with his strong palms while I sat up, fixing my bra and the front of my dress. 

He watched me, his thumbs now making circles against my bare thighs. Come home with me tonight, he breathed, his eyes fading from my chest and back to my face. I have yet to see you completely naked.

My stomach fluttered. I’d day-dreamed about his naked body since I’d first laid eyes on him. We’d only fooled around while being half clothed and hidden, never had we taken our time. The idea of mapping out the muscles along his abdomen gave me shivers. I knew they were there; I’d felt them over his expensive dress shirts on more than one occasion.

Sighing, I trailed the tip of my finger across his bare chest, then tugged on the unbuttoned loop of his dress shirt. I can’t tonight.

His brows furrowed. What other plans do you have?

I have adult responsibilities. Chores around my house, some errands, and… I took a long breath. I have to pack.

His brows deepened. Pack for what? Moving into your new office will be an easy move. I know I promised a coordinator position, but Kelsey, I can’t give you the big corner office.

A soft chuckle escaped my lips recalling my demands for us getting back together. I told him I had no intention of being his assistant and secretary any longer, and that I was more than ready and capable of moving to the next highest position at the marketing firm. I wish that were why I needed to pack.

He tilted his head, clear impatience crossing his tensed cheekbones. Well?

I’m going out of town with Mindy this weekend.

His face fell. Oh. What’s the occasion?

I nudged forward, causing him to drop his hands from my hips, wobbling slightly, searching for my other heel on the floor with my toe. 

It’s for St. Patrick’s Day. Mindy’s Irish, and from Chicago. The past few years I’ve tagged along with her to celebrate in the heart of the city.

A scowl marred his beautiful face. That doesn’t seem safe. When are you leaving?

Tomorrow. She took the day off, and since I don’t start until Monday… 

His brows lifted. Assuming you can take the day off, too?

My lip twitched. I don’t start my new position until Monday, remember?

His forehead crinkled, and although he was trying to appear stern, the crinkle in his eyes gave him away. You know, I don’t remember you taking vacation days when you worked for me prior to your resignation.

Maybe that’s because I was too dedicated to take vacation days while I was your assistant. Now, I’m planning on taking every hour you’ll give me, I flirted, fussing with a button on his shirt.

He watched my hands. You’ll have to have a meeting with HR to discuss that. I’m sure they’ll have more paperwork for you to fill out regarding your new coordinator position.

Is that necessary? I grumbled. Don’t they already have all of my information?

His hands found my jaw. "You’d think I was a stalker if you really knew how much I know about you now. Without the help of HR."

I rolled my eyes. I knew you were crazy when you followed me to the bar, then came pounding on my door the other night. I should have been more nervous from his antics, but I decided to ignore them.

He shrugged. I knew what I wanted, so I went for it.

Maybe I should worry. A small cast of uncertainty came over me. So, I did what I typically did whenever my emotions became uncomfortable, I made a joke. Stalker, I emphasized, scooting around him to the mirror on the opposite side of his office.

Taking a deep breath, I began fixing my hair, ignoring the reflection of his sulk behind me while he pulled up his dress pants and began buttoning his dress shirt. You’ll just have to stalk someone else this weekend.

All weekend, huh, he tisked, tucking in his shirt then meandering toward his desk to take a seat. You can stand Mindy for that long?

My jaw tightened, why was he so anti- Mindy? She’s my best friend, so yes.

He chuckled, sensing my protectiveness toward her. No need to get upset, she just seems too catty for you, that’s all.

She’s far from that, actually. She’s a fantastic friend and isn’t afraid to stand up for me.

His chair squeaked when he sat down, spinning to face his computer. Oh, trust me, I know she’s not afraid to go to bat for you.

I nodded my head, happy he realized how important she was to me. If he were going to become a part of my life, he’d have to accept Mindy as my best friend. Not wanting to get into a fight after we’d so wonderfully made up, I decided to change the subject.  What will you be doing this weekend?

 I will be stalking, he teased, his eyes now peering over the monitor.

You’re such a creep, I muttered, unable to contain my smile.

He spun in his chair, holding his arms out to his sides. I could be much worse.

Crossing my arms, I met his stare. I sure hope so.

He cocked his head. Would you consider me worse if I showed up in Chicago?

I pointed a finger at him. Then, Mackenzie Craft, I will have to call the authorities.

His smirk was devious. And if I snuck into your hotel room? Maybe found the same elevator? I’m sure there’s a conference table somewhere at your hotel.

I raised a brow at him. Taboo foreplay would not mask your stalker behavior.

He shrugged. We could always pretend.

I shook my head then paced to the doorway. I’m going to leave with the mentality that you’re joking about the stalking.

His chair squeaked, and before I could reach for the door handle, he grabbed my wrist and turned me, pinning me seductively against the door. Of course, I’m joking. I can’t help it that when my eyes are on you all these filthy fantasies just trounce through my brain.

The corner of my mouth tugged upward, and my hand found his jaw. He leaned into my touch, his eyelids becoming heavy. It was a sweet gesture, a simple caress that I’d refrained from giving him during our push and pull relationship. Maybe some of them will come true, I flirted, stroking my thumb along the coarse stubble of his jaw.

He snaked his arm around my lower back, tilting his head so our noses were touching. "I have no doubt, they will come true. I’d like for your first fantasy to become a reality, tonight." His last word was a growl, his palm grasping my hip. 

He was never good at being patient, and didn’t respond well when he didn’t get his way. Lucky for me, I thrived on a good challenge, and getting a rise out of him was becoming a turn-on in a very real way.

You know, you still haven’t shared your fantasy. 

Delayed gratification, I whispered, then gave him a chaste kiss. 

He pulled me flush to his chest, morphing my gentle pluck into a deep seeded promise that he had more plans for our physical relationship. His tongue dipped past my lips and mingled with mine, twirling around in a motion that made my insides tingle. Both my hands tugged on his shirt, my body reviving back to what we had been doing only a few moments ago. How did this man turn me on so fast?

His mouth released me, and I gasped, my chest heaving. Jesus.

He smirked. That was just a taste, sweetheart. Let me spend time with you tonight. 

As much as I wanted to finally get lost in him, I couldn’t completely throw my plans out the window. Mindy would be devastated,