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

“Keep in mind you may need appliances as well.”


“Oh, shit, I didn’t even think—”


“Listen to me. If Ms. Sayles should find something and you like it, put in an offer for it. I’ll call my lawyer and tell him I’ve authorized you to do that.”


“For how much? That house we were going to look at was more than a quarter of a million dollars!”


“I think five hundred should be a good place to start, and—”


“Five hundred thousand? Are you insane?”


Ransom chuckled. “No, I’m in—” He coughed lightly. “What I was going to say is if you found something you really loved, I wouldn’t object if you went higher.”


“How high?” Parrish asked suspiciously.


It was a good thing his car was right there. Parrish collapsed against it, trying to catch his breath. He had no intention of allowing Ms. Sayles to show him a house that expensive. There was no need to be greedy. He was getting so many perks, the best one being able to sleep with the man on the other end of the line.


Chapter 47