Pleasing Mr. Parker: A steamy grumpy boss romance (The Men Series - Interconnected Standalone Romances Book 5)

Product Information

I take a sip of the sweet, fiery liquid. It’s grapefruit with a hint of ginger, and completely delicious. I don’t want to spend the evening talking about work, and I’m also aware it must be boring for someone outside of The Songbird to listen to. Tonight is about letting go and making new friends. And judging by my first impressions of Suze and her unfiltered opinion of Griffin Parker, I would say we’ve got lots in common already.

She was okay. Gwen, I mean. The spa was doing well. But then there was all this stuff with the formulations for the signature products going missing. It was suspicious. There were only a handful of people who had access to them. Gwen being one of them. It all got weird. Then she and Mr. Parker broke up, and she left. No one really knows what happened.” This isn’t like me. I’m calm, level-headed and someone who knows what I’m doing at work. I can run a successful spa with my eyes shut; been doing it long enough; building up my own business, making it a success. Proving people wrong. But I’ve never worked for Griffin Parker. He’s the most prominent hotelier in New York. Rumor has it he either likes you or he doesn’t. At only thirty-three years old, he’s already on Forbes’ rich list. I doubt he got to where he is without being ruthless. I don’t think anyone would want to be on the wrong side of Mr. Parker. Yes, I’m aware of the meeting. I just didn’t see your name on the attendees’ schedule that I was sent over.” I direct my statement to Mr. Parker.Is that all I get?” She laughs, her light, breathy voice matching her appearance perfectly. Her light blonde hair and hourglass figure make her a modern-day Marilyn. But all those video calls that veered off work talk and on to more fun topics mean I’m not fooled. Harley may look sweet, but she’s feisty and impulsive and very driven. I know we’re going to be good friends. And thank God because I know absolutely no-one in New York. Why did he emphasize the words working lunch? Like I would ever use the company card for anything non-business related. Is that what he was suggesting? That must be what this weird feeling in my stomach is—anger at his insinuation. Only, I think he meant it sincerely. And if he did, then that spark is something else entirely. Because him being concerned that I may use my own money when I shouldn’t have to means something to me. Her eyes widen, and her lips part at my suggestion, as though I've spoken out of turn. She takes a moment before responding. I give him a tight smile. It feels strange calling him Griffin. Too familiar, like we should be friends. And we are definitely not friends. He doesn’t even seem happy about me calling him by his first name, but this is the second time he has corrected me, so I really should use it.

Harley slings her bag down and then throws herself into the velvet padded seat, pulling me with her. Say. That. Again.” He glares at me, his eyes penetrating deep into mine, his jaw tense. His chest expands as he draws in a breath and then lets it out in the small space that still exists between us. Mint mixes with the scent of him, and without thinking, I lean closer and inhale. Her hands stay outstretched as I stare at them. It’s the first time I’ve noticed her wear pink nail polish. Usually it’s red, or a cream color that blends in with her skin. I’ve always wondered why women wear that. It makes their hands look like an ’80s mannequin. The pink suits her. It’s softer. She seems softer today. I look up at her face. The frown she often wears in my presence is missing.I said goodbye, Reed.” Griffin slams one palm against the wall above my head, his eyes staying glued to me. Then she says, “There’s nothing in his eyes. No flash of recognition when he looks at me… it had meant nothing.” I’m sorry, are we missing something here? Are we going to pretend YOU DIDNT RUN OUT ON HIM? My god, for a woman who’s supposed to be so smart, she’s such an idiot.

Hmm.” I realize I’ve been standing with my jaw clenched instead of showing her out. “Yes, loyalty, of course.” So, when my boss at the magazine I work for decides I am to travel Italy with him while he works on his evolutionary new bio-fuel engine, I consider quitting on the spot. I was privileged to receive an ARC of Pleasing Mr. Parker by Elle Nicoll. This was my first time reading a book by Elle, but it won’t be my last.Harley smiles at me. “Come on. Let’s go find Mr. Parker and say good morning. Then I’m giving you the grand tour before all the boring ‘welcome to the company’ paperwork begins.” I didn’t realize he had guests staying.” Harley wrinkles her nose before shrugging her shoulders. Before I can ask who—or explain that they weren’t the out-of-town family type of guests—she links her arm through mine and pulls me across the plush sidewalk carpet and up the steps toward The Songbird’s main door. “Come on, let’s go in!” Reed, on the other hand.” I blow out a breath. “Feel free to call him a baboon as much as you like.” I’ll remember I have your blessing for that next time I see him. Or hear him.” Her laugh dies down as the two of us stand and look at each other. Hi!” I grin at Harley, Griffin’s personal assistant. I’ve spent more hours than I can count talking to her on video calls and setting up my move to New York.

Reed is one of those guys who always has different female company. None of whom he cares to ask the names of. It seems to suit him. He comes across as happy as a pig in shit when we get the chance to catch up. It’s not as often as we used to. Not since he moved to LA to run for Governor. But in politics, anything can change. I know for a fact he has his sights set on the New York Mayor’s office. And after my meeting there this morning to discuss some planning I’m applying for downtown, I’d say he’s in with a shot. The entire staff there seemed on tenterhooks. Hushed conversations, worried glances. There is definitely a shake-up on the horizon.Glad to see he’s on schedule,” Harley calls over her shoulder as we walk down a wide corridor. “Seriously, Maria, you could set your watch according to Mr. Parker. He likes to do things a certain way. I’m sure you know what that’s like, having already run your own business.” That won’t be necessary, thank you. Hold them from the time we previously agreed,” I tell Harley, turning to look out the window at Central Park as she leaves. She gives me a polite smile, her eyes darting to Reed’s closed door behind me. “Going out tonight?” She giggles. “Fine. I know you won’t tell him. You two barely communicate with words as it is. You just do your sexual tension thing whenever you’re in the same room instead.” I’m too busy mentally considering the logistics of booking my first work trip to the Bahamas to notice Todd leaning close.