Then, my mind drifts to Gray again. He’s so gorgeous, with his dark hair and intense blue eyes. He must work out like a fiend because his chest is muscular, and he’s got broad shoulders that used to give me piggyback rides.
Piggyback rides? I really have gone off the deep end. I sigh to myself while staring at the ceiling. The sky mural over my bed used to bring me some sense of peace, but now, all I envision is Gray. His hot breath on my neck. His lips on my cheek. His lips down there. I’ve dreamed of him on top of me so many times, and my eyes slip closed in a sensual fantasy.
Before I know it, my hand slides into the waistband of my pajama shorts. Gray is always so in-shape, and it’s utterly delicious. He has the toned form of a volleyball player: tall, with enough muscle to fill out his custom-tailored suits, but not by any means muscularly cartoonish. My fingertips circle downwards but as they drift lower, Jane snorts in her sleep. Oh shit! I forgot my friend was here. The spell is broken, and I give up on my self-care quest, thanks to Miss Cuesta.
Besides, I’m sure Gray still thinks of me as a dorky little nuisance with pigtails and scraped knees. I was never one of those ladylike girls; I loved to play around and get dirty. My mom hated that I was never petite, graceful and lithe, like her. Her scolding always made me feel bad about myself, and to my relief, my parents divorced a long time ago.
After all, I take after my dad’s side of the family, and we like to have fun. We’re roly-poly and adventurous, with nary a fragile bone in our bodies. But as much as I would love to get to know Gray as an adult woman with sexual needs, there’s no way he will ever see me as more than the goofy, chunky girl who knocked over his birthday cake when she was ten years old. Unfortunately, it’ll never happen for me with Gray.
I snort to myself and force myself to close my eyes. But even as I begin to drift, my mind is filled with a low voice, bronzed hands, and a pair of blue eyes that follow every sway of my hips. With one last sigh, I breathe his name like a prayer, and then my mind shuts off for the night.
2
Harlow
Jane went shopping with me last week for work clothes because she said I had nothing appropriate. I’m thankful, because my friend is right. All my so-called “work clothes” were shabby and too tight. I put on the freshman fifteen and then the sophomore twenty, so I’m a bigger girl now. New clothes were definitely needed.
Now, I pull up to Kombuchaid headquarters in a pale gray skirt suit and white lace blouse. My leather messenger is by my side, and I swing it over one shoulder while getting out of my car. I’m still awkward in heels, mincing across the parking lot, but at least they make me feel taller and more confident.
As I enter the glass doors, I hear a sharp voice call out across the marble waiting area.
“Miss Marshall?” A severe woman in an eggplant suit stalks over to me in stilettos. She has far too much makeup on and one of those “I want to speak to your manager” hairstyles. I’m immediately intimidated.
“Yes?”
She gives me a perfunctory nod.
“I’m Karen, and I’m here to show you around on your first day. Follow me.” And with that, she spins on her heel and walks away, her mouth pursed like she’s just bitten into a lemon. Clearly, Karen doesn’t want to be doing this, and wishes I were dead. I instantly do not like her. She’s skinny and rude and reminds me far too much of my mother but what choice do I have?
Silently, I follow her through the labyrinth of Kombuchaid headquarters and end up completely lost by the time we arrive at my desk. It’s my own little gray corner of office hell, and I wonder if I’m being punished for something. There are probably shackles under the desk, come to think of it, although I force myself not to look.
“Um, thanks,” I mutter.
“Only the best for Brent’s daughter,” Karen says with an ugly twist to her mouth. “There’s nothing for you to do right now, but I’m sure you can occupy your time with your phone or something.”
I nod tightly.
“I’m happy to do whatever is needed, Karen. I can run copies or go get coffee if you like.”
Her sharp laugh is more like a bark. I turn to see if anyone heard, but there’s no one in the office yet.
“No, it’s fine. I’m sure you’ll find something to do. Just sit here, okay? That’s it. That’s the job.”
God, why is this woman such a bitch? I didn’t ask to be the boss’s daughter.
“Thanks,” I say tightly. “I’ll keep you updated.”
“Great,” she says coldly before disappearing down a hallway.
I’m pretty shocked at how openly hostile Karen is. I mean, who acts like that straight off the bat? Clearly, she’s got a chip on her shoulder from something or other.
But I don’t want to make a big deal of it because I don’t want everyone to think I’m that girl. There’s no sense in starting off the summer as the rich bitch who’s also the boss’s spoiled daughter. As a result, I decide to keep my head down. I get acquainted
