He smirks, "You mean on old Penance?"
"Well, that too."
"You're going to get poor Wendy to try and get him on board?"
I ignore him, I'm not going to dignify that with an answer, especially as he already knows the answer.
"You're going to owe her."
If she manages to get him on board, I'll give her a damn raise and a bonus. I glance at my watch once again, it's almost seven, where the hell is she? Just as I'm about to call her, a black car pulls up out front. The driver gets out, he nods at us before walking to the back seat. When he opens the door, a long, tanned leg slides out, the high heeled foot gracefully touching the ground.
I'm fixated on this woman exiting the car, I'm enthralled. The driver holds out his hand for her to take and her dainty hand fits into his; I'm rendered speechless when I realize it’s Wendy stepping out. Her long blond hair cascading down her back in curls. Her dark blue dress clings to her body in all the right places and there's a slit on her right side all the way from the bottom to her hip.
"Holy crap." Callum gapes at her, his eyes practically bug out of their sockets.
"Put your damn eyes back into your head." I glare at him.
"Jameson, I admire your willpower, I really do. But damn, you have to learn to appreciate a beautiful woman when you see one and Wendy is fucking gorgeous. She defines beauty."
I take a deep breath. "Don't even think about it." I warn him. "You are not to fuck my assistant. Hell, you're not allowed to hit on her either."
His lips thin as his eyes narrow at me. I don't back down, I glare at him "Fine, you're an asshole."
I shrug, "Nothing new there."
"The sooner you admit that you want her the better we'll all be. You do realize that every man in here is going to be hitting on her, don't you?"
"What?"
He laughs, "She's fucking gorgeous, Jameson, every man in here is going to want to try and fuck her. What are you going to do? Glare at them all night?"
If I fucking have to, yes. "I don't know what the hell you're talking about. She's free to do whatever the hell she wants."
He opens his mouth obviously to say something stupid. "Except you."
His eyes narrow into slits. "Asshole."
I smile widely, "Yep, now how about you go and spend time with your date? What’s her name again? Tiffani?"
He holds his hands up in surrender, "Fine." He backs away glaring at me.
I turn my attention to Wendy, my mouth dries as she smiles at me. Walking down the steps, I meet her at the bottom. "You are radiant." I whisper as I kiss her cheek.
She blushes, "Thank you and thank you for this dress. You didn't need to buy it for me.” She links her arm through mine and we begin to walk up the stairs.
"I'm glad that I did, it suits you."
She smiles, "Did I spot Callum with you?"
I roll my eyes. "Yeah, he's here with his date."
"Oh, is she awful?"
I tilt my head to the side, "Why would you say that?"
Her eyes widen ever so slightly and her lips part. "The way you said he's with his date and rolled your eyes. I assumed that it was because you didn't like his date. That isn't the case?"
"I honestly haven't met her. Once tonight is over with, her and Callum won't see each other again. I steer clear of his women."
"Oh, do I have to steer clear?" She sounds upset and I stop and stare at her, "If you're steering clear then I won't have anyone to talk to."
"You'll have me and you can talk to them if you so wish."
She frowns, "Will you not be mingling? I thought this gala was for you to get new investors?"
I nod, "It is, but believe me they'd rather talk to you, than me. That's why you're here."
She seems confused, "What does that mean?"
"It means, I'm a gruff asshole. I'm not exactly easy to get along with. The investors find it hard warming to me. Whereas you’re polite, sweet, and you can hold your own with every conversation you have. You'll get along with them all and anyone who doesn't, well I don't want their money."
She stares blankly at me for a moment, it looks as though she's trying to collect her thoughts before saying something. "Jameson, I don't know very much about your business. I don't think this is such a good idea. What if I mess up?" She's panicking now, her eyes wide and her hands shaky.
"I don't care, this isn't the be all and end all. You're not here to be scrutinized, you're here to have some fun." I continue walking and she clings onto my arm, her fingers digging through my clothes and biting into my skin. She's nervous. "Relax. Shall we get you a drink?"
She nods, "Please."
I lead her through the foyer and into the bar. It's already busy, mostly everyone is here. It's the place to congregate before the meal is served. "There's Callum and his date." I maneuver us past the throngs of people to Callum's table. "What would you like?" I ask her as she takes a seat beside Callum's date. She's pretty, a bit over dressed for an occasion like this. Her tits practically spilling out of her tight dress, her lips are painted in the brightest red I've ever seen and her nails match her lips. Her hair is tied up with a few pieces hanging down around her face.
"Hi," she purrs at me.
I ignore her, I don't need that shit. Not only is she with my best friend, my date is sitting right next to her. It's disrespectful on so many counts.
"A vodka tonic, please." She reaches for her purse and I glare at her. She bites her lip before smiling. "Thank you."
"Come on." I tell Callum, and head for the bar. "Dude, what the hell is wrong with your girl?"
He groans, scrubbing his hand over his face. "God, I shouldn't have bought her with me."
The bartender comes over to us and I order mine and Wendy’s drinks and Callum grabs a beer for him and a Carbernet Sauvignon red wine for Tiffani. "You never learn, do you?"
He shrugs, "She's a wild cat, what do you expect?"
I laugh, "What's going to happen when you kick her to the curb?”
He winces, "I'm not thinking that far yet. I'll deal with it when the time comes."
"You're playing with fire."
He smirks, "I like the heat."
"Just don't get burned, yeah?"
"I got this, don't worry." He tells me as he pays for the round.
Walking back toward the table, Wendy's words hit me.
"I have a date next week, Jameson is my boss."
She has a date? Fuck, why do I feel as though someone's just sucker punched me in the gut?
"Oh, so I can fuck him?" Callum's date asks with a salacious smile.
"I'm not sure about that. Jameson has taste."
The girl frowns, not realizing she's just been insulted. "Well we'll see," she says confidently.
There's absolutely no way in hell, I'd ever go home with her.
"Hey, here's your drink." Callum says and passes his date her drink.
I gaze on in amusement as he tips the drink and spills it all over his date.
"Ah, look what you've done!" she screeches. "My dress is ruined. What am I going to do?"
"Oh no," Wendy says dramatically. "That's red wine. You'd better get it cleaned soon otherwise it's going to leave a really bad stain." She's barely holding in her laughter.
"No, that can't happen. I need to take this back to the store tomorrow," she cries, getting to her feet and pushing past Wendy to get out from the table.
"Was it expensive?" Wendy questions, trying to keep a straight face.
"Yes, it cost twelve hundred dollars, that's money I don't have. How am I supposed to take it back with a stain on it?"
"I guess there's a lesson behind this." Callum says, his voice hard. "Don't buy shit you can't afford."
Her mouth opens, and then closes, before opening again. She looks like a damn fish. "Callum!" She stamps her foot like a petulant child. "What am I going to do?"
"Not my problem." He takes a seat beside Wendy and smiles. "Have a wonderful evening, you can see
yourself out."
She gasps, "What?"
"You heard, do you need me to call security?" he questions with a raised brow.
"Fuck you, asshole," she screams, her cheeks flaming. She turns on her heel and leaves the bar, not without giving Callum a glare on her way out.
"That was a fucking lucky escape." Callum sighs taking a sip of his beer.
"I bet she'll act as though this never happened. She'll call you tomorrow," Wendy says with a smirk.
His eyes widen, "Take it back."
I chuckle, the moron thinks he's gotten away with it but she's a crazy one and Wendy could be right.
"Did you sleep with her?" I ask and he nods
"Ooooh." Wendy gasps, "You're screwed."
I should really bring her to these gala's more often.
"Jameson, sort your date out," he demands.
I laugh, "I don't need to sort her out. She's right, and you know she is."
"So, it's true?" she asks and both Callum and I look to her. "That men really do think with their dicks? I mean if you didn't, you wouldn't have brought that God awful woman with you."
I swallow back my response. I'm not getting involved in this debate.
"Hey, there was nothing wrong with her this afternoon."
Wendy's eyes widen, "You met her this afternoon?"
"Yes..." He glances at me as if I should help him out. I'm not that fucking stupid. I'm staying out of this. I like not having my ass handed to me.
Wendy doesn't say anything, just takes a sip from her drink.
“What’s wrong with meeting her this afternoon?" Damn he doesn't know when to stop.
"I never said there was, I just asked a question and you responded."
"But it was implied," he continues.
"Dude, shut up." I tell him, he's just making things worse for himself.
"Oh, Jameson, I got a call this evening. Mr Fotheringham called me."
I frown, "He called your cell?"
She nods, "Yes, he wanted to talk to you but he called the office and no one was there. He did say he tried calling your cell but there was no answer."
"Let me get this straight. He called the office, then my cell, didn’t reach me so then he called yours?"
She nods, her eyes wide.
"Where the hell did he get your cell number from?" I say through clenched teeth.
She glances at Callum and for once he's keeping his mouth closed. "I’m not sure, I asked but he didn't reply."
I nod, "What exactly was it that he wanted?"
She focuses on her glass rather than on me. "He was wondering if you'd have a meeting with him on Monday."
My hand tightens around my beer bottle. "I hope you told that fucker no." She doesn't respond which means she didn't. "Please tell me you didn’t give into his petulant demands and scheduled him a meeting?" My anger’s rising, what a fucking asshole Mr Fotheringham is.
She nods. "I'm sorry," she tells me softly, her eyes full of tears.
"From now on, if a client of mine, or anyone other than me calls you, you do not answer and if you do, do not give into their fucking demands."
She nods, "Okay."
Callum laughs, "He's here tonight, isn't he?"
I nod, "Yes and he's going to understand what it means to feel my wrath."
He rubs his hands together, "Good, just when I thought this event was going to be a total bust."
I glare at him, "Oh, you made our night. What with you, Tiffani, and your lovers quarrel."
"Don't," he warns. "If she turns up at my place tomorrow, I swear to God, I'm sending her to you."
"Try it," I reply, my tone deadly.
He smirks, "Oh, you'll have a great night’s sleep. Not knowing whether she'll be waiting for you or not in the morning."
"You're an asshole."
He smirks, "Oh look, they're calling us for the meal." He rises to his feet. "I'll see you two in there." He winks at Wendy as he leaves.
"I'm really sorry, Jameson," she says as we stand. "I thought I was doing the right thing."
"It's fine." It comes out a lot more gruff than I intended.
"It won't happen again. I promise," she says, and once again links her arm through mine.
"Next weekend, I have another gala. You'll attend?" Even though I pose it as a question, it's more of a demand.
I watch as she bites her lip, obviously trying to determine if she can get out of it. She has a date next weekend. "Of course." She smiles.
"Excellent, I'll adjust the hotel, I’ll get you a room too."
She frowns, "Hotel?"
I nod, "Yes, Wendy. The gala is in Florida, we'll leave Friday evening and return late Sunday."
Her eyes light up. "Okay."
Good, now she won't be going on that damn date.
Six
Wendy
“Two Hours, JFK airport.
Bring clothes for the weekend. There’s a business meeting and I want you there with me. Don’t be late!”
I’m so mad right now! Why am I not surprised that he’s done this? I finished work an hour ago and there was absolutely no mention of it. It’s been the same for the past four weeks. Every weekend something turns up and I have to get on a plane. He had ample opportunity to tell me that he needed me this weekend but no, he had to wait until I had made plans for this weekend and now yet again, I’m having to change them for his bossy ass.
I’ve been sitting here staring at my cell for the past five minutes, I’m shocked and pissed. When I first started working for Jameson, it was good, easy, and I liked it but these past couple of weeks he’s been an asshole. He’s been bossier than usual, not only that, he gets mad if I make a mistake, something that is very rare.
Althea, has been begging me for the past three months to let her set me up on a blind date and last month I caved and told her to do it. She’s organized this date three times and each and every time Jameson has some sort of emergency and I can’t attend. The most annoying part was that it was always on the same evening as my date, if I didn't know better I would swear he was doing it on purpose. I’m getting to the point where I’m thinking it’s a sign, me and Althea’s friend aren’t a match.
My eyes glance to the front door when it opens, standing there with a smile on her face is Althea. She takes one look at me and shakes her head. “No, hell fucking no!” she says, kicking the door closed behind her. She has so many shopping bags in both hands, she’s barely able to walk. “Tell me he didn’t do it again?”
I nod, “Yeah, he did.” I tell her with a sigh, “I’ve an hour and a half to get showered, dressed, packed and to the airport.”
Her eyes widen, but she quickly catches herself before she grins like a Cheshire cat. “What did he say? Tell me the exact words.”
I shake my head, “Here,” I tell her, handing her my cell phone, “Read it yourself. I’m going to take a shower.”
Getting up off the sofa I make my way to the bathroom, I hate that I’ve got to rush, no doubt I’ll forget something.
“Wendy,” Althea calls out as I switch on the shower. “You know how I’m your best friend.”
I roll my eyes already guessing where this is going, she no doubt wants to throw a party while I’m gone.
“Sometimes.” I shout back as I strip out of my clothes, “What do you want?” I accuse her as I step into the shower and let the hot water cascade down over my head. I glance down at my legs, they’re not bad but they’ll need to be shaved.
The bathroom door opens, and I let out a squeal, “Althea!” I growl as she comes in and sits down on the toilet. “Why, why do you always have to sit down and chat whenever I’m in the shower?” This girl, I love her to death, but she really doesn’t know what privacy is.
She smirks, “I’m the best friend any girl could have. I met Daddy this morning for coffee. I told him all about your boss, and I told him that both of us need new clothes for our new important jobs.” She crosses her leg over the other and smiles, “He didn’t eve
n hesitate in handing over his credit card. I think he feels bad for doubting that I’d get the job with Chardonnay.”
I shake my head, she has her father wrapped around her little finger. She’s an only child and her mom died when she was little. “So, what did you buy?” She’s a shopaholic, usually she doesn’t ask her father for money, she’s worked since she was old enough to. Althea is now Chardonnay Halley’s full time assistant, she’s no longer in her probationary period which means she’s making better money. Althea loves Chardonnay and the clothes that she designs, she was surprised when Chardonnay offered her the assistant position permanently. Today though, her boss is attending a funeral and gave Althea the day off, hence why she went shopping. Although, she never usually needs an excuse.
“I got loads of new suits for the both of us. Yours are outdated, Wendy.”
“Althea!” I can’t believe she bought me clothes, I thought she was messing when she said she asked her father for me. “I’ll pay you back.”
She waves me off, “You’ve paid the rent on this place for a long time and I can finally contribute.” She’s been paying off her debts, the ones that her father isn’t aware of, now she’s making better money, she’s able to contribute a bit more.
I was annoyed for a while that I was the only one contributing to rent and utilities but it’s worked out now, as we’re both making good money. It means that I can start saving again as my account was depleted while we were searching for work. It also means that we don’t have to live like paupers anymore. I’m still frugal about what I buy but I’m not against splurging every once in a while.
“I’m going to pack for you, I’m going to put all your new clothes in.” She jumps off the toilet and practically skips to the bathroom door.
“Hold up, how much did you get for me?” I ask as I pour shampoo into my hands.
“I have to make a few more trips to my car.” She laughs, “I may have gone overboard.” Her laughter follows her out of the bathroom and into my bedroom.
I really do need to pay her back, there’s no way I can let her or her father buy me things. I was planning on updating my wardrobe next month. Once I had a bit of money saved, I was going to buy clothes every time I got paid.
Resisting the Boss Page 4
