Read Online Beneath the Boss: Omnibus (The Complete Collection) by Lydia Rowan - Free Book Online Page A

Layla, sharp, attractive, trustworthy, and eventually someone he relies on for years. Then, boom, out of nowhere, at least as far as he can tell, she decides to leave, and he’s left with approximately no one. It’s not my life, and I’m freaking out, so I can see why he got desperate, and I can imagine that he doesn’t quite have the life experience that would allow him to express these emotions in a reasonable fashion, so he used his personality and the attraction between you to speak for him.”
    Layla nodded at Katrina’s sensible words.
    “I don’t deal with the guy day to day, so I can’t speak to that, but good, bad, and ugly, you love him, and not at least exploring that wouldn’t be fair to yourself,” Katrina said.
    “But how does she explore it?” Squeak asked. “If that means she’s stuck catering him by day and sleeping with him at night, that’s not right. Layla deserves more, and if he can’t give it, she needs to move on. And what about that other offer, Layla? You wanted open a micro-fund forever. You’re not going to give that up for Leighton, are you?”
    “I don’t know, Squeak,” Layla said, frustration building. “All of you are at least partially right. But I can’t expect Leighton to be clear about what he wants and expects if I’m not.”
    “And do you know what you want?” Katrina asked.
    “I want to try. No business, no other job, just Leighton and Layla, see if this is going anywhere.”
    “And if that’s contingent on you staying with Means?” M.A. asked.
    “I won’t be controlled, but I hope it doesn’t come to that. I’ll just have to talk to him.”
    “And if we need to bust out all the windows on however many cars he has, you know where to find us,” Squeak said.
    Layla laughed and said, “I don’t think we’ll need to commit any felonies, but thanks for the offer.”
    They finished dinner, and after well wishes and agreements to get together again soon, Layla drove off, thoughts of Leighton still on her mind.

Chapter Eight
    T he next day, Layla was still uncertain, but dinner with the girls had clarified some things. She loved Leighton, probably had for a long time, and it felt good admit it. But, love notwithstanding, she still had goals and dreams and she needed to figure out whether she could achieve them with Leighton. She’d briefly considered calling Anson to talk about his offer but decided against it. It felt wrong to talk with him before she’d settled things with Leighton, and, as ridiculous as it was, somewhat disloyal. It was settled. She’d talk to Leighton, really talk to him, and go from there.
    ••••
    A fter dressing, Leighton went down to his office. He’d missed Layla last night, missed her now, but he was unsure what do to about it. And then, as if conjured from his imagination, she there. She wore her typical attire, but today her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, exposing her cheekbones and the soft, smooth skin of her neck. Then she smiled, and his heart lifted. It took every ounce of his self-control to resist rushing to her and wrapping her in his embrace.
    “Good morning, Layla. What’s on the schedule today?”
    She settled in her favorite chair and dove in to the day’s issues, and he sat down, let himself fall into business. They talked for about a half hour before Layla said, “Okay, I think that’s it for now.” She stood and turned to head out of the door before she stopped and looked back at him.
    “May I come back before I head home? I’d like to discuss a more personal matter.”
    “I’ll be here.”
    She nodded and left. He tried to keep himself distracted throughout the day, but he kept thinking back to Layla. For a split second he worried that she wanted to call things off, but he didn’t think so. She’d seemed happy, and he doubted, hoped, she wasn’t cruel enough to string out a rejection.
    He’d find out soon enough.
    That evening, she settled into her favorite chair in his office, much