Boss Me Dirty: Boss Me, #3

By Cameron Hart

How can one kiss throw me off my game?

 

Nothing rattles me. My father's death, the board threatening to take away the company my brothers and I worked so hard for, none of it shakes the determination I have to be a better business owner than my old man.

 

And then Dakota goes and trips right into my arms, stealing every single rational thought right out of my head with one look of those brilliant green eyes of hers. We shared a devastating and dangerous kiss that night, but I never thought I'd see her again. Come Monday morning, and I get the shock of my life when Dakota shows up to the office to give a presentation.

 

Her addictive presence threatens to break all the rules I have for myself in regards to relationships. I offer her a no-strings attached situation, but I find myself thinking about her every waking moment. When we're not together, I miss her laughter, her bright green eyes, her quirky habits, and ridiculous stories.

 

Am I strong enough to let go of my strict rules and dive into a relationship with Kota before it's too late?

 

What to expect from a Cameron Hart book: Lots of heat, plenty of sweet, and just enough drama to keep things interesting. No cheating, safe, guaranteed HEA!

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cameron Hart
• Release date: Sep 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223698067

Cameron Hart

Hello. I'm Cameron Hart, and I write sweet steamy romances. I’m a USA Today Bestselling author with over forty books available. I write romance with lots of heat, plenty of sweet, and just enough drama to keep things interesting. I graduated from the Iowa Writer’s Workshop in 2012 with a degree in creative writing. When I’m not working on my next book, I can be found reading, crocheting, doing yoga, and chasing around my grumpy cats. **What to expect from a Cameron Hart book: Lots of heat, plenty of sweet, and just enough drama to keep things interesting. No cheating, safe, guaranteed HEA!**

Book preview

Chapter 1

Dakota

Hey baby, what are you drinking?

I swivel in my barstool as seductively as I can, which isn’t saying much considering I can barely move my legs in this too-short, too-tight, black dress I’m borrowing. A pair of brown eyes snap up to my face, letting me know he was checking me out. I want to burn this stupid dress and go back to my usual Saturday night wardrobe of leggings, fuzzy socks, and an oversized hoodie.

As it is, I’m here trying to get my groove back.

I look at my drink and then at the man inquiring about it. It’s a blueberry lemon mojito. Quite delicious. You should try it!

He grins, showing off a pretty smile. The man is handsome enough, I suppose. Sandy blonde hair, brown eyes, nice smile. He’s much taller than me, but that’s not saying much. He rests his elbows down on the bar and leans into me.

I’ve got a whiskey sour here, doll, but thanks for the offer, he winks. So, how ‘bout it?

I’m not sure what he’s talking about so I sip my mojito, which really is amazing, and might be the best thing to come out of tonight. He won’t stop looking at me, or specifically, at my lips and my throat as I drink.

Another drink? He asks as if I’m an idiot and he’s getting irritated with me. I know that tone well. My ex used it on me all the time. What’s this guy’s deal?

Oh, no, I’m not done with this one yet, I say, still confused at our little interaction. Why is he so interested in keeping my glass full? Is he a waiter?

I can wait, he says, back to grinning at me.

That’s...okay. Oh, I see my friend! I wave enthusiastically at Dani, who is rolling her eyes at me from a booth a few feet away.

I don’t wait to see whiskey sour guy’s reaction, I just shuffle my way ungracefully on four-inch heels towards Dani and flop down in the booth across from her when I finally finish my arduous journey. Only then do I realize I left my drink at the bar. Awesome.

Girl, what was that? Dani asks.

Ugh, I don’t even know! He was very concerned about my drink, but then he didn’t want to try it.

Dani blinks at me like she’s trying to figure out where to even begin explaining where I went wrong. Dakota, he was flirting with you, she finally says.

What? No, he wanted to know what I was drinking! I throw my hands up in exasperation.

Dani sighs and finishes off the rest of her martini. Dakota, that’s like...the oldest line in the book.

Well then I’m glad I left. I don’t want someone who isn’t creative enough to come up with his own pickup lines, I huff. Truthfully, I feel stupid. Replaying the conversation in my mind, of course that’s what he was getting at. Why am I so awkward?

Look at me, Dani says, her tone much softer this time. You’re not here to find a boyfriend, you’re here to prove to yourself you can get back out there. That Ethan doesn’t have the last word.

I wince just hearing his name. I really, really wish I had my drink so I could fiddle with something or chew on the ice instead of talk about he who shall not be named.

See? This is exactly what I’m talking about! It’s been over a year since you got that two-hundred-pound sack of shit out of your life, but you still can’t even hear his name without some physical reaction.

I appreciate what you're trying to do, but I'm just not the one-night stand type of girl, Dani.

That's fine, no one is making you spread your legs unless that's what you want to do. It's 2020 and that means sex-positivity, baby! Own your sexy self and do what feels good.

Even if it means cheating on your significant other after two years? I snap back, replaying the awful moment when I found Ethan in bed with another woman.

Dani lets out an exaggerated groan and pulls at her hair. I love the girl like she’s my own sister, but good god is she a drama queen. You know that’s not what I mean. But, it’s another example of why you need to put yourself back out there and try new things. I know his unfaithful ass hurt and scarred you, Dakota, but most people move on after a year and find someone else who isn’t a douche canoe. That’s all part of the healing process.

This isn't me. I don't wear dresses that make me feel like I'm a sausage squeezed into a too-tight casing, nor do I wear stilts to make my butt look better than it really is.

Dani laughs at my assessment of the outfit she made me wear. This makes me smile too, just hanging out with her. I don’t need no man to make me happy as long as I have Dani.

Sausage? She laughs again. Stilts?

Would you rather me go on a rant about high heels and the patriarchy?

God no. I’ll take sausage dress over the patriarchy any day.

We both burst into giggles at her ridiculous sentence. Like all good besties, she knows when to change the subject and stop pushing me so hard. I wave down a waitress and have her bring me another blueberry lemon mojito while Dani and I talk about lighter subjects.

Before long, I have to go to the bathroom. I excuse myself and stand on unsteady legs. It’s not that I’m drunk – not by a long shot. It’s these stupid heels. If I weren’t a little on the germophobic side, I’d consider taking them off so I can easily navigate through the sea of people to my final destination. However, I am who I am, and that means I’ll have to brave the journey on these torture devices.

I smile a little at the easy acceptance of my quirks. It’s been a hard year trying to build myself back up after my ex tore me down, and I know I have a long road ahead of me still, but these little moments of self-acceptance let me know I’m getting there.

Eventually, I get to the bathroom and do my business. I look at myself in the mirror and shake my head, a little smile playing at my lips. I look like a Dani clone. I love my bestie with all my heart, but we could not be more opposite when it comes to our sense of fashion.

She dressed me in a tight, strapless black dress and spent far too long on my makeup. I’ll admit, the smoky eye looks good, as do the long lashes and sculpted eyebrows. My matte ruby red lips are a bit over the top, but then again, it matches the whole ensemble.

The only thing I’d probably replicate again is my hair. Dani curled my strawberry blonde locks in loose waves that shine and fall around my shoulders. None of this is me, but I appreciate Dani trying. It’s a step in the right direction, at least. I’m out here in a fancy bar flirting with guys, after all. Okay, more like making a fool out of myself, but hey. At least I’m trying.

Satisfied with the progress I’ve made tonight and the realization that next time I go out I want to do it as me instead of Dani, I head out of the bathroom, ready to call it a night.

I only make it two steps out the door before my heel gets caught on something and I pitch forward...right into a muscled wall of a man.

I brace myself on his chest and can’t help but feel his hard muscles flex underneath my fingers. He steadies me with one large hand on my hip and the other on my back, right between my shoulder blades. I feel the warmth of his embrace all around me as his earthy, woodsy scent fills my lungs and makes me lightheaded.

I slowly look up at my savior and am met with sharp blue eyes that pierce right through me. Even in these ridiculous heels, the top of my head only reaches his chin. It's a nice chin, too, covered in light stubble that I suddenly want to touch. His deep blue eyes are framed by long eyelashes and thick eyebrows that match his dark brown, slightly curly hair.

I’m so caught off guard by this shockingly attractive man that I hardly notice when he walks me back a few steps and presses me into the wall with his body. In slow-motion, I watch as my sexy stranger leans down and brushes his lips with mine, tentatively, almost like he can’t believe he’s doing it, but can’t seem to help himself. I’m right there with him.

Once our lips meet, however, all questions and caution fade into the background. The kiss is beautiful and brutal. He takes my mouth with certainty, knowing this is exactly where we’re both meant to be. His confidence is intoxicating.

A shudder ripples through my body when I feel his warm tongue lick at the seam of my lips. I open up for him and gasp at the wildness behind his kiss. Like he’s hungry. Like he’s desperate. Like I’m the only one who can satisfy him. It’s a heady feeling, a powerful feeling, one that makes me fist his shirt and pull him closer.

The sexy beast growls into my mouth like he can’t get enough, his tongue lapping at me with such intensity I can’t help but moan and slide my hands up his chest, grasping the back of his neck and tangling my fingers in his hair. His hands roam lower, gripping my hips and then slowly inching towards my ass, leaving a trail of fire as they go.

I have to tear myself away from him so I can pull air into my lungs, but he’s not done with me yet. His lips trail over my skin, his hips adjusting until his ferociously hard cock aligns with the seam of my pussy. Grinding with a quick, decisive rhythm, he pulls the flesh of my neck into his lips, catching it with his teeth and sucking.

I want him to mark me, lick me, devour every inch of me. And then I want to do the same to him. Never have I felt this needy, this turned on. Ethan said I was cold and boring when it came to physical touch, but maybe that’s because I’ve never been handled like this before.

This man in my arms is worshipping me with every thrust of his hips and swipe of his tongue. Each growl that rumbles up from his chest spurs me on, encouraging me to join in this erotic dance. I tug on his hair and guide him back to my mouth, crashing my lips on his and gorging on everything he has to offer.

One minute I’m drowning in lust, and the next minute my mystery man rips himself away from me, leaving me shaking and gasping for air as we untangle from each other. He looks at me with equal parts confusion and lust.

And then he’s gone.

I watch him run away from me, disappearing into the crowd. Even if I weren’t in four-inch heels, there’s no way I could chase after him. My body is still buzzing, my heart pounding, my lungs trying to catch up with how much oxygen I need.

What the hell just happened to me? Who the hell just happened to me?

Once I gather myself enough to stand without leaning against the wall, I make my way towards Dani. I consider telling her about my encounter but decide to keep it to myself. I’m not entirely convinced it even happened. I mean, why would such an intimidatingly sexy man kiss me like that? And then just walk away?

Dani must sense something is up, because she quirks her eyebrow in a questioning manner. I just shake my head and sigh.

I think I’m ready to go home, I tell her. Predictably, she pouts, but she knows tonight was a big night for me. Of course, she has no idea how big, but still.

Alright, I suppose you’ve put your time in, she rolls her eyes playfully. Mind if I stay? There’s a hottie over there hanging out with some girls I knew back in college. I think I might try my luck with him.

I laugh and shake my head at her. I wish I had her confidence. You should definitely stay. The night is young and whatnot, I wink. You promise to text me his information if you leave here with him?

Definitely.

We hug and part ways. I’m almost to the door when someone grabs me and yanks me off to the side.

Dakota, the person slurs. I’d recognize that voice anywhere.

Ethan, I grit out, trying to jerk my arm away. My cheating, degrading, scumbag of an ex doesn’t let go. It figures the first night I’m out actively trying to put him out of my mind I’d end up running into him. Turns out New York is much smaller than it seems.

Damn, you look so fucking hot, he drawls, dragging his eyes up and down my skimpy dress.

I try again to pull myself from his grasp. He was never abusive, but I can feel a hidden threat behind the way he’s grasping my arm right now. I was just leaving, I tell him with far more confidence than I feel.

Aw, come on, I just got here. I saw you with that guy though. Where did you learn to kiss like that? Show me, baby, show me how you work that tongue.

Bile rises up in my throat. I don’t know what I ever saw in Ethan. The thought of being intimate with him in any way is abhorrent to me. Not that I’d