Waking Up with the Boss by Sheri Whitefeather Read Free Book Online Page A

care because his single mother had gotten terribly ill from an infectious disease and wasn’t able to care for him. At the time, she’d already been struggling with an autoimmune disorder. Although she recovered from the infection, the chronic illness continued to plague her, even now.
    Jake added, “Without Garrett and his mom, I would have been totally displaced, graduating from high school with nowhere to go.”
    â€œWhere was Max?”
    â€œHe was still in foster care.”
    â€œOh, that’s right. He’s a little younger than you and Garrett. But you’ve all come a long way.”
    â€œThat’s for sure. Max made it first, though, being the nerd that he is.”
    Carol smiled, amused by Jake’s description of his foster brother. Max was a self-taught software designer and internet entrepreneur who’d become a billionaire in his early twenties. But even so, she thought he was too handsome to be called a nerd. Then again, he did seem a bit socially awkward at times.
    Jake said, “Max loaned Garrett and me the money to get our businesses off the ground. We couldn’t have done it without him.”
    â€œThe bond between the three of you is amazing.” Max’s childhood had been especially troubling, from what she understood. “Where is he? I haven’t seen him around lately.”
    â€œHe went on a long holiday or sabbatical or whatever he’s choosing to call it. I guess he needed some time alone. He can be elusive when he wants to be.”
    Unlike Jake, she thought, who lived his life out in the open.
    â€œAre you cold?” he asked as a breeze kicked up. “I can give you my jacket.”
    She wasn’t freezing by any means, but there was a bit of a chill in the air. “That would be great. Thank you.”
    He removed the garment and draped it around her shoulders.
    Then he unpacked the food and made up a plate for her. “This looks good, doesn’t it?”
    â€œYes, it does.” She balanced the china on her lap, feeling warm and cozy with his jacket against her body.
    Jake filled his plate, too, and they nibbled on an assortment of fancy appetizers and decadent desserts.
    â€œIt’s a yummy combination,” she said.
    He met her gaze. “And we couldn’t ask for a nicer setting, surrounded by the moon and the stars. You sure look pretty out here. But you’ve looked pretty all night.”
    â€œEven when I was a nervous wreck in the cage?”
    â€œYes, even then. I shouldn’t have suggested that we dance in there.”
    â€œIt’s okay. You didn’t know how it would turn out.” She polished off her champagne. She had no intention of getting drunk, but a little buzz wouldn’t hurt, especially with the way Jake was staring at her. She was curious to know more about him. Things she shouldn’t want to know. Things she shouldn’t ask. But she questioned him, anyway. “Do you do that type of stuff?”
    He put his plate aside. “What stuff?”
    â€œLike what was in the video.” She refilled her glass, waiting to see what he would say. She’d heard that he was wild in bed, but no one had ever said just how wild. Not even the starlet who’d blogged about him had included those types of details.
    â€œBondage? No, I’m not into that.” Without taking his eyes off her, he added, “Why...are you a secret dominatrix or something?”
    If she wasn’t so enraptured with him, she would have laughed. “Are you kidding? Me being a secret anything is preposterous. I just like regular sex.”
    â€œTruthfully, I was kidding. But I like it regular, too. Only, I think they call it vanilla in that lifestyle.” He gestured to the vanilla-scented candle. “Like that.”
    Had she actually started this conversation? She put down her champagne and reached for a scone that was glazed with white icing. “This is