Dalton, Tymber - Contractual Obligation (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Tymber Dalton Page A

little more of her mask slipped, allowing him to glimpse the vulnerability she took great pains to hide behind a concrete veneer three feet thick. “Then why do you do it? Why come to these?”
    “I have to. Dear old Daddy said that when I took over, I took over. Meaning I have to go to these things. I have to make an appearance, because he used to make an appearance when he was CEO. And since he’s still technically my boss, I have to do it.”
    “Feel free to use me as a human shield, m’lady,” he joked with a small bow.
    “Don’t worry, I’ll take you up on that more than once, believe me.”

    * * * *

    Harper liked him more with every minute they spent together.
    Don’t be stupid. This is business, and that’s all.
    But boy, she wished it could be more.
    A lot more.
    She was pulled out of her thoughts by the sight of a woman making a beeline toward them.
    Oh, fuck.
    Harper stood, and so did Doug. “Now’s your chance,” she muttered to Doug.
    “What’s that?”
    “I’ll give you the story later. Just have my back.”
    She sensed him step behind her, close enough she could feel heat off his body through her clothes. Well, okay, she hadn’t meant it literally, but whatever, she’d take that, too.
    Julia Carson put on a viper-worthy smile as she sashayed up to them, a nearly empty cocktail glass in her hand. “Well hello, Harper,” she purred. “Nice to see you here.” Harper didn’t miss the more-than-curious glance Julia gave to Doug.
    Harper also didn’t understand why it made her bristle and want to deck the bitch. “Julia. What brings you here?”
    “I was hoping to run into your father. Is he here?” She spoke at Harper, but looked at Doug with appraisal.
    Harper forced a laugh. “Now, Julia, you know he doesn’t cruise the business card–exchange circuit anymore. That’s my job. Quit pissing on my leg, honey.” She heard Doug choking back a laugh behind her.
    Julia sneered at her. “You never did like me, you spoiled, little daddy’s girl,” Julia slurred. “He told me when we broke up that you were more important to him than any woman ever could be. What kind of sick freak are you?”
    Harper started to step forward when she felt Doug’s hand on her shoulder, not just holding her back, but moving her out of the way and behind him as he stepped forward.
    “Listen, lady, you are way out of line,” he said in a deep, dangerous-sounding voice that instantly made Harper’s panties wet. “Just because Mr. Wells figured out you’re a drunk, gold-digging bitch and kicked you to the curb is no reason for you to go all boiled bunny on Harper. So why don’t you just trot your little Botoxed face out of here before you end up looking like the sloshed little tramp you are.”
    If Harper had an empty bed within reach, she’d have Doug stretched out on it. Julia’s mouth flapped open and shut a few times in indignation before she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room. Doug didn’t move until she’d left. Fortunately, only a few people had been close enough to hear the exchange.

    * * * *

    When Doug turned and looked at Harper’s stunned face, his first thought was, Oh, crap, I just lost my parents their house.
    Then Harper threw her arms around him and kissed him, on the lips.
    Not wanting to be rude, he kissed her back.
    I kissed a girl and I liked it…
    When she finally looked up at him again, he couldn’t read the expression on her face. “Thank you,” she whispered. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to say something like that to her! I don’t need to give you the backstory, because you pretty much pegged her dead-on.”
    “Playing slap-a-golddiggin’-ho is just one of the many services I offer.”
    She laughed and kissed him again. This time, he was ready for her and gave her a better one in return. When she melted into his arms in a hug, he kissed the top of her head.
    “Not that I’m not enjoying this,” he said, “because I am, but people are