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

They spent the rest of the morning making love, then had a light lunch before showering, dressing, and taking a cab back to the office, so Ran could retrieve his Porsche convertible. Parrish’s little hatchback was parked right next to it in Mr. Burke’s executive secretary’s spot. Except for the two cars, the parking lot was empty.


“I thought vehicles left overnight would be towed.” Parrish nodded to the signs that announced such retribution.


Ran just chuckled. He couldn’t remember laughing so much with any other lover, not even Scott.


“It’s good to be the boss’s executive secretary,” Parrish teased.


“It’s good to be the boss. Leave your car here for now.”


“Yes, boss.” He snickered. “Where are we going?”


Chapter 28