Lydia And Her Alien Boss (8 page)

Lydia had to wonder if he would be this generous with all of his employees, or was it just her? And if it was just her, was it because she was pregnant or because there was an attraction between them? She supposed she could just ask him, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear his answer. If he wasn’t as attracted to her as she was to him, she didn’t think she wanted to know just yet. This was the closest she’d come to a potential boyfriend in over a year and she didn’t want to blow it.

Gryf pulled out some folders from a cabinet across the room and handed them to her. Lydia opened the first one and flipped through his previous marketing strategies, or lack thereof, and also his financial reports. He was right; Espress Yourself was doing very well. Not well enough to give everyone a raise like he’d hoped, but maybe with a little publicity they could increase his numbers and everyone would be a winner.

They discussed plans for another hour with Lydia making notes of calls she’d

need to make the next day. While she worked, Gryf called a local printing company and ordered business cards for her, insisting that she would need them as his marketing manager. She smiled a little, feeling more grown up than she ever had before. She had a job most people would envy, with benefits that were out of this world, and she had Gryf’s trust—trust that she would help catapult his business to the next level. It was a challenge she gladly accepted.

When she was finished for the night, she stood and stretched. Her back hurt so much she wasn’t sure she could stay standing for long, but Gryf had promised her food and her stomach was beginning to growl. He must have heard it because he chuckled and shut off his computer.

“Ready to eat?” he asked.

“Dinner sounds good. Then I need to go home and rest, I think. It’s been a long day.”

“I emailed Scott to let him know you no longer worked as a barista at Espress Yourself and that you had been promoted to marketing. Instead of going in to work tomorrow, I’m going to meet you at your home around nine, if that’s not too early, and we’re going to start boxing up your things. A woman in your condition shouldn’t handle all of that alone.”

“I appreciate all of your help, Gryf, but I can do some things on my own. I’m not helpless, despite where I was living and my current condition.”

He smiled. “I never thought you were helpless.”

“Very well. Nine o’clock tomorrow, but don’t expect me to be chipper. I’m not a morning person.”

“I’m not either, until I’ve had at least two cups of coffee.”

“I miss coffee. I stopped drinking caffeine because I read that it was bad for the baby. I’m partial to some of the decaf Frappuccinos at Espress Yourself. Even though I don’t get that jolt, I can pretend I’m drinking something that will wake me up.”

“Well, let’s get that little girl fed and I’ll take you home. You can leave your car here tonight and I’ll bring you by after we pack tomorrow so you can pick it up.

Although, I’m hoping we can get your entire apartment packed and moved tomorrow.

What do you want to do with your furniture?” he asked as they walked out to his car.

“It stays with the apartment,” Lydia said. “I rented it furnished.”

“Well, that will make things easier. The cottage is already furnished. Hopefully, you will like it, but if there’s anything you want to change, you’re more than welcome to. I had a decorator fix the place up, same with this house, but our tastes may differ.”

Lydia got into the car and buckled her seatbelt. “Gryf, I’m sure the cottage is nicer than anyplace I’ve lived in before. My parents weren’t rich, even though they made a decent living and we lived comfortably. And you’ve seen my place. Do you really think I’m going to find issue with the cottage?”

“I just have heard that human women like their homes to be a certain way. I

wanted you to know that you can change anything you want.”

Lydia shook her head. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m sure the cottage is fine the way it is.”

The diner was on the other end of town, not far from Espress Yourself. It looked quaint and Lydia couldn’t wait to try the food. They were seated immediately when they went inside, and the waitress took their drink order and left them with menus.

Everything looked delicious and Lydia had a hard time deciding what she wanted. She finally settled on a pot roast sandwich with mashed potatoes. It had been ages since she’d had one, not since her grandmother was alive.

While they waited for their food, Gryf talked about her new job a little more.

What his expectations were, how soon he’d like to have the new campaign launched.

He essentially wanted her to hit the ground running, and she was fine with that. Lydia was excited about her new job and couldn’t wait to get started, but if they were going to pack all day tomorrow, she wouldn’t get a chance to make those phone calls like she wanted. She mentioned as much to Gryf, but he said Monday would be soon enough.

Lydia had hoped to have an interview scheduled for next week, but it didn’t look like that was going to happen.

Lydia moaned in delight as she took a bite of her dinner and smiled

appreciatively at the waitress when she brought a refill for her. She wasn’t sure how she could have lived in this town her entire life and had never heard of this diner before now. It was a treasure and she would definitely eat here again. Soon, if she had it her way.

“I know I’ve essentially asked you to live with me,” Gryf said, “but I don’t want you to think I expect anything from you other than work. I know we’ve been on two dates now, and I’m hoping there will be more, but your job isn’t contingent on us hitting it off.”

“I never thought it was.”

“What brought you to Espress Yourself? You said you were having trouble

making the drinks, so why get a job as a barista?” Gryf asked.

“I was desperate for a job and Scott was kind enough to hire me. My parents

threw me out when I told them about the baby and my living arrangements weren’t all that great. Wylen gave me a place to stay at his motel until I could get my apartment and Scott let me start work the day after I was hired.”

His expression darkened. “They threw you out? Knowing that you carried their

grandchild?”

“They didn’t care. Their reputation was more important to them.”

“Then it sounds like you’re better off without them. I’m glad you made your way to my coffee shop and that Scott hired you. But I have to ask, if you have so much going on in your life right now, why sign up with the dating agency? Are you just looking for a father for your baby?”

“No! It’s not…I mean, yes, a father for my baby would be nice, but I wanted

someone to share my life with, someone who would be there to support me and stand by me no matter how difficult things got.” She chewed on her lower lip. “It was actually Carrie’s idea to go to the agency. She showed me a catalog of sorts that she’d picked up and I…”

“You just flushed as red as a tomato. What were you thinking?”

“I saw your picture. You’re actually the one I wanted to be paired with when I went there that day. I had wanted to take the catalog with me and point you out to whoever I talked to, but that seemed tacky.”

Gryf smiled. “You wanted to go on a date with me?”

“There was something about you, even on a flat surface, that made me want to

get to know you better.” Her gaze skirted down his shirt. “And it wasn’t just your body.”

He snorted. “Yeah, but that part didn’t hurt, right?”

Her cheeks burned again.

“You’re cute when you do that.” His grin broadened. “It makes me wonder just

how far that blush goes.”

If he didn’t stop, she’d be as red as a fire truck. It had been a while since a man had spoken to her with sexual innuendo. Actually, she’d always dated boys so she supposed a man had never talked to her that way. She couldn’t imagine what he saw in her. He couldn’t be sexually attracted to a woman with a baby bump, could he? If the smoldering look he cast her way was any indication, then yes, he was. It made Lydia tingle in all that right places as she thought about getting to run her lips and hands over every inch of his body.

“You’re not eating,” he said as he took another bite.

“What? Oh!” She looked down at her plate and realized she’d put her fork down.

Lydia picked it back up and began eating again, trying not to stare too much at the yummy alien sitting across from her.

The rest of the meal, she stole glances at him and caught him staring right back every single time. There was humor and warmth in his gaze and she wondered what he was thinking. By the time Gryf paid the check and they were on their way out the door, she wanted desperately to invite him back to her place and see if things would be as steamy between them as she imagined.

Gryf shoved his hands into his pockets. “So, I guess I should take you back to your car so you can go home.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

His gaze skimmed over her, making her skin pebble. “Or you could come back to my place and stay the night. I could loan you something to sleep in.”

She moved a little closer, close enough to touch. “And is that what you have in mind? Sleeping?”

“You’re a temptation for sure, but I won’t take advantage of you. I have plenty of guest rooms you could pick from, or you could stay in the cottage if you wanted more space between us.”

Lydia moved closer still, until her breasts brushed against him. “And if I want there to be less space?”

“I think you need to tell me exactly what you want, what you expect. I don’t play games, Lydia. If you want to be in my bed, you need to say so. And if it’s just a one-time deal to scratch an itch, then tell me now. Otherwise, once you’re in my arms, I may not let you go.”

She could feel her pulse pounding as his words ricocheted through her mind.

Was she really going to do this? It was crazy to even think of mixing business with pleasure, but hadn’t they already gone past that point by going on the first date? Gryf hadn’t made it a secret that he wanted to know her better, and it was obvious there was a mutual attraction between them.

“Take me home, Gryf. And take me to bed. I can’t promise that we aren’t making a mistake that we’ll come to regret, but I do know that I’ll regret letting this moment pass me by. Whatever the future holds, I want you and I know you want me…and

that’s all that matters right now.”

Gryf gave her a smile before snaking an arm around her waist. His lips crashed down on hers with a fierceness that stole her breath and left her dizzy. His kiss was masterful and panty-melting good. When he drew away, Lydia had to lock her knees to stay upright. No, whatever happened, she definitely wouldn’t regret spending a night in his arms.

Chapter Six

Gryf felt his pulse pounding as he drove back to his home with Lydia at his side.

He couldn’t believe that she’d agreed to spend a night in his bed, and with any luck, she’d decide she wanted to stay there. He wasn’t stupid enough to call his raging hormones love, but Lydia was interesting. He could easily see himself waking up to her wrapped in his arms every morning, and then spending some time together in the home office. She seemed interested in Espress Yourself and he had to admit that her ideas were sound. With Lydia by his side, they could have a dual partnership, mixing both business and pleasure.

They cruised the streets, the passing street lamps highlighting Lydia’s golden hair. She was a breathtaking woman and he couldn’t understand how she could be single. With any luck, he could cement a relationship with her before the agency called her back. What would happen if they paired her with someone else? Of course, just because she’d signed up with them didn’t mean she had to follow through. She could always decline to date whoever her match was. But would she?

He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. She looked so fragile, yet he knew she was strong to have landed on her feet after being thrown out by her parents. She had survival skills, and he admired her for it. But she had more to think about than just herself. She may have agreed to come with him tonight, but there was more at stake for Lydia than just a night of pleasure. Yes, they could part ways in the morning and go back to a boss/employee relationship. Or maybe he could find a way to convince her that he was daddy material.

If it hadn’t been for spending some time with his nephew, Simon, he may have

never realized how much he enjoyed being around kids. It was one thing to know you wanted a child of your own, but another to realize that you could easily raise someone else’s. If Lydia gave him a chance, if she decided he was the right male for her, then he would raise her daughter as his own, and love them both unconditionally. He could tell Lydia that, but he knew he needed a way to show her.

They pulled into his driveway and he shut off the engine, but didn’t make a

move to exit the car just yet. Lydia looked at him, her eyes luminous in the dashboard lights. Her lips were still swollen from his kiss and it made him throb with need for her.

Gryf reached out and smoothed a thumb over her bottom lip.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked. “It’s not too late to change your mind. I won’t deny that I want you, but I don’t want you to regret being with me.”

“What I would regret is walking away.”

He tunneled his fingers through her hair and pulled her closer for a kiss. His mouth slanted over hers as his tongue delved inside for a taste. She was sweet and pliant. The way she melted every time he touched her was enough to set him on fire.

He’d been with plenty of females before, but no one had ever responded to him the way Lydia did.

“I’m guessing the hot tub is out of the question because of your pregnancy. I think my brother mentioned Violet couldn’t get in overly hot water or it might hurt the baby. But, perhaps, I could fill the tub with warm water and you could soak and relax a little?”

“And here I thought you were going to throw me on the bed and have your

wicked way with me.” She smiled.

“Don’t get me wrong, the idea did cross my mind, but you spent the morning on your feet and you’ve been running non-stop since you got up. I think you need to relax a little, and then we’ll see where things go. I can be patient, Lydia. Let me pamper you a little.”