After seeing his father’s profligate ways almost destroy the family business, Ransom Burke has instituted a firm policy of no work fraternization. When his longtime lover leaves him for a woman, Ransom vows never again to let anyone get close to him. He informs all future lovers he’ll shower them with gifts as long as they remain monogamous. However, at the first sign of straying, they’ll receive a bouquet of white roses tipped with gold and the affair will be over. Man after man chooses straying over Ransom until the day the very appealing Parrish Rutledge comes to work for him. That means Parrish will forever be out of his reach. Parrish has been alone since he was sixteen, having been tossed out when his older brother discovered he was gay. He’s immediately attracted to his new boss, but even though he dreams of Ransom, he knows, due to the company policy, it can’t go anywhere. But in the aftermath of the office Christmas party, things change between them, and Parrish is given a choice: keep his job and know he can never again see Ransom as anything other than his boss, or quit and become his lover. The one is unthinkable, and as for the other, Ransom is a serial monogamist who doesn’t have the best track record. Parrish’s choice will either lead to a Christmas Day where once again he’ll be alone, or the best present ever will be under his tree.

The Best

He refused to admit to the niggling feeling he’d have treated his boss so much better. 4


Parrish loved the company’s Fourth of July barbecue with its mounds of hamburgers and hot dogs, cole slaw and potato salad, and enough cotton candy to give everyone a sugar high. It was held the Saturday before the actual day so they could recuperate from the festivities. The departments separated into teams for a baseball game, and although Parrish scraped his arms and knees sliding into third and had to go to first aid to get his injuries cleaned up, he hadn’t had such a fun day in, like, forever. Best of all, when the company newsletter came out later in the month, there was a photo of him in it. Practically everyone’s photo was in it, but this made him feel like part of the team. He framed the page and hung it on the wall in his living room.


Chapter 11