Falling For Her Boss

by Tracy Reed

  “I was afraid of this.”

  “What?”

  “You, in love.”

  “Love? Who said anything about love?”

  “I’m sorry. Did I misread the situation? Because from where I’m sitting, it’s clear to see you’re in love with this woman.”

  “I…I’m uhm…where is this coming from?”

  “Let’s see. Not that you need to tell me everything that’s going on in your personal life, but explicit instructions not to contact you unless it was life or death.” He shook his head. “Not to mention you’ve become celibate.”

  “Celibate? Who said anything about…”

  “I know Gabriella very well, remember?”

  “But how would you know she’s…”

  “I’m good at my job. Plus you told me she said she wasn’t like the women in your past. No offense bro, but your past is sprinkled with a cast of very open women. Gabriella is a good girl and she ain’t giving up the goodies without a ring and parchment. So is that why you’re torn?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Does your plan include marriage? Is that why you’re having problems?”

  “First of all, my becoming celibate…”

  “So you are celibate?”

  “I choose to look it as a body fast.”

  “A body fast?” He shook his head laughing. “I like that.”

  “Anyway, this body fast, is…who said anything about marriage?”

  “Look at you. She’s got you all twisted.”

  “More like tied up in knots.” I plopped down in my chair and shook my head.

  “I don’t believe what I’m witnessing. The wild man has been tamed by a petite ball of curves in less than a month.”

  “As if I wasn’t already having challenges. She says it’s not me she’s concerned about, it’s her.”

  “You lost me.”

  “After dinner, we were dancing and really getting to know each other when you called about Seattle. I explained I needed someone there to oversee things, and she suggested you.”

  “That’s what I said.”

  “I know, but she also said she wanted you to travel with us. She said she felt more comfortable having you with us.”

  “Why?”

  “Because she doesn’t trust herself to be alone with me.” I smiled.

  Tony started choking and patting his chest. “She said what?”

  “She said as hard as we may try to not let anything happen, something might happen.”

  “What did you say?”

  I looked at my best friend sitting on the edge of his seat. “Before I knew it, the words came flying out of my mouth. ‘Nothing will happen that we don’t want to happen.’”

  “What?” He leaned back in his seat with his mouth wide open. “What did she say?”

  “She just smiled. Now this morning, she’s all formal and distant.”

  Tony stood up and started pacing. “Okay, we’ve got a problem.”

  “You think? I’ve never been in this position. I’m trying to be cool, do as you said, let her call the shots, and keep the snake in the box. But her making this confession makes me think…I didn’t sleep at all last night. Her words and that hot body of hers kept invading my thoughts. Just when I thought I was about to get some sleep, she appeared in my dreams in that black dress, doing things that I don’t think she…”

  “You’ve got it bad.”

  “You think? I’m about to spend two weeks in Europe with my girlfriend who has confessed she’s not sure she can be trusted to be alone with me. Oh yeah, and I’m celibate.”

  Tony walked over to the bar and filled two glasses half full, and handed me one of the glasses. “Drink up.”

  “Are you insane, it’s not even noon.”

  “It’s five o’clock somewhere.” We both downed the brown liquid in one shot. “We need a plan.”

  We sat silent for a few minutes. I rubbed my forehead. “Maybe I should cancel the trip. Or leave her at home.”

  “You can’t do that.”

  “Why not? I’m the boss.”

  “You need to know what’s going on with those leases. Plus, if you want me to get a team on the international expansion, we need that additional space locked up asap. You can’t do all of that research on your own. You need the help. Especially since I’ll be in Seattle.”

  “I could ask my cousin to come.”

  “And have him hit on Gabriella the entire time.”

  “She’s not his type.”

  “That’s what you said.” He tilted his head and smiled.

  I stood up and started pacing again. “My dad warned me this day would come.”

  “What day is that?”

  “The day when a woman would enter my life and cause a tsunami.” Tony laughed at me. “He just failed to mention she’d penetrate my heart and mind while doing it. I’m so screwed.”

  “Yes you are.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  gabriella

  * * *

  I haven’t slept well the past few nights. Every time I close my eyes, I’m plagued with images of Phillippe. It wouldn’t be so bad if the images were of him doing something boring like conducting a meeting or something else work-related. No, these dreams are very salacious, starring the two of us. Honestly, I think I would have been better off not confessing I didn’t trust myself to be alone with him.

  Even now, if I close my eyes, I’m sure he’ll be there in bed on top of me, kissing me and doing things I’ve only read about in books. I wonder how he looks naked? When he’s pressed up against me, I feel every detail of his body and it’s like hugging a finely chiseled marble statue. And his hands, my God, his hands are huge.

  I really noticed his hands on our first date when they slid down my back and grabbed my behind, they seemed to…uhm… What is wrong with me? These thoughts are not quite pure, and are definitely making it more difficult to be on this long flight alone with him.

  I closed my eyes and licked my lips remembering the last time he kissed me, and how he tasted. I felt a smile rise on my lips and my body temperature soared. I wrapped my arms around myself sinking deeper into my fantasy.

  “Miss Townsend…Miss Townsend….”

  A familiar voice was invading my fantasy followed by a soft nudge. “Oh…” I jumped.

  “I’m sorry. Did I startle you?” Gil asked.

  “Uhm…no. I’m fine.”

  “Mr. Marchant called. He’s on his way.”

  “Okay.”

  “Can I get you something?”

  “A glass of ice water would be perfect. Thank you.” I sat down.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  As quickly as he disappeared, he reappeared and placed the glass on the table in front of me. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Can I get you anything else?”

  “No.”

  He looked at his watch. “Once we get on the way we’ll have a light snack, and dinner a little later.”

  “I’m sure whatever you have planned will be fine.” I looked around. “Gil, everything seems different. I mean the plane seems larger, or am I imagining it?”

  “No Miss, you aren’t imagining it. Mr. Marchant and Mr. Walsh took the other jet to Seattle. This is the one we use for international travel.”

  “Oh.”

  “It has sleeping quarters with showers and a slightly larger galley.”

  “Sleeping quarters?”

  “Yes. You will be in the front bedroom and Mr. Marchant will be behind you.”

  “I see. And you?”

  “I never sleep,” he teased. “But if I get tired, there’s a space for me as well. If you’ll excuse me.”

  “Thank you, Gil.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll be in the back if you need anything.” He was gone again.

  I picked up the glass. The ice cold water was just what I needed to cool down. I laid my head back, closed my eyes, and said a little prayer. I needed to keep alert and
not yield to temptation. I slowly nodded off and drifted to that place where Phillippe was the star of my dreams.

  Suddenly, the kiss I was dreaming about seemed very real. His lips were just as I remembered the last time we kissed. I tried to smile, but I couldn’t. I forced my eyes open, and staring at me was the star of my dreams.

  “Mon amour, you looked so peaceful I thought about not waking you until after takeoff.” He gently brushed my cheek. “Miss me?”

  I shrugged my shoulder. “Maybe.” He clutched his chest and dropped his head. I lifted his chin and was presented with a beautiful smile, and those incredible dimples. “Maybe I missed you a little.” I smiled.

  He pressed his lips against mine, and a surge traveled from my lips down my body. He pulled back and whispered, “I missed you too.” He stood up. “Did you get settled into your room?”

  “No.”

  He extended his hand to me. “Come, let me show you where you will be sleeping.” I stood up and followed Phillippe down to the door on the left, and he pushed it open.

  I looked around and it was just like the rest of the jet, champagne and black with hints of brass. And on the bed was a Brockman’s garment bag. “What’s that?”

  “I stopped at Brockman’s to pick up some things, and Cameron told me the suit you wanted was on sale.” He sat on the side of the bed and pulled me down onto his lap. “Why didn’t you get the suit when you got the dress?”

  “Because I couldn’t afford it.”

  He brushed the side of my face. “My sweet, if there’s something you want…”

  “Phillippe, you don’t have to…,” I dropped my head.

  “What’s wrong?”

  I looked at him, thinking about what I wanted to say. “Thank you, but I wasn’t raised to…”

  He grabbed my chin. “I didn’t mean to imply…I…this is different for me as well.”

  “You?”

  “Yes, I’m not used to having a girlfriend…” I started smiling. “Did I say something amusing?”

  I shook my head. “Girlfriend.”

  “Yes, girlfriend.”

  “It sounds strange.”

  “What is strange about what I said?”

  “I thought men like you…never mind. You were saying?”

  “I’m not used to having a girlfriend that doesn’t expect things from me.”

  “I expect things from you.”

  “Let me rephrase it. I’m not use to a having a girlfriend that doesn’t expect a lot of material things from me. So it’s going to take a while for me to get used to…”

  “Giving yourself?”

  “Exactly.” He looked at the bag and back at me. “If you want me to return the suit…”

  “How about this. We’ll work out a payment plan.” He started laughing at me. “What’s so funny?”

  “You.” He pulled me closer. “Let’s call it a bonus.”

  “A bonus?”

  “You’ve been working with me one month and this is my way of saying how much I appreciate the job you’ve done so far.”

  I looked at him smiling, and knew I was falling deeper down the rabbit hole. “Okay.”

  “Good. Now that we have settled that, will you enjoy your bonus?”

  “Yes. Thank you.”

  “Tell you what, since I had to break our date…” I quickly covered his mouth with my hand. He reached up, pulled my hand down and kissed my palm. “What are you doing?”

  “Gil might hear you.”

  “He knows.”

  “Oh great, he probably thinks I’m some tramp trying to sleep her way up the corporate ladder.”

  “He doesn’t think that. In fact, he said if this doesn’t work out, he’d like to introduce you to his son,” he teased.

  “Not funny.” He kissed me.

  “I thought it was best to tell him about us, so he didn’t think I was sexually harassing you when he saw me kissing you. You should have seen the look on his face when I told him to make up both bedrooms.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He said, it was about time I dated a lady.” My face felt hot. “So no sneaking into my room tonight.” I playfully socked him. “Seriously, I told Cameron…”

  “I’m not letting you…”

  He put his finger against my lips. “Cameron is now your personal shopper.”

  “I don’t need—”

  “Yes, you do. With our being on the road a lot, you might not be able to get into the store, and I don’t want you to miss out on something you want. When something you like goes on sale, he’ll put it aside for you. Or, if you need something sent to you, he can do that as well.”

  “I…” A knock on the door interrupted our conversation.

  “Sir…”

  “Yes, Gil?”

  “We’re ready.”

  “Thank you. We’ll be right there.” I started to get up and he pulled me back. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Are you upset with me?”

  “Yes and no. I don’t…”

  “You don’t have to use Cameron, but he’s there if you need him.” He lifted my chin. “Mon amour, let’s not fight. I didn’t mean to overstep my bounds. Forgive me?”

  I put my arms around his neck and kissed him. “Yes.”

  * * *

  phillippe

  * * *

  The past week has been hell. Not exactly the best time to start a new relationship, but is there ever really a good time? Having Gabriella in my life gives me something to look forward to. She’s forcing me to relax, which doesn’t make any sense, because I’ve never wanted or needed an escape from work. I enjoy what I do. But, but she makes me think there’s more to life, or that I’m missing something.

  However, the past couple of days, she hasn’t sounded like her normal upbeat self. Funny, it was me that was a little apprehensive about mixing business with pleasure, and now it seems like it’s in reverse.

  I walked into Brockman’s surveying everything. I had just enough time to handle a couple of things before heading to the airport. I took over the conference room for a quick meeting.

  “Hi, Cameron.” I shook his hand.

  “Hello, Mr. Marchant.”

  “Have a seat. I wanted to talk to you.” I looked at my watch. I wanted to be at the airport when Gabriella arrived, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.

  “Is there a problem?”

  “No. You’re an excellent Personal Shopper or, what are we calling your department now?”

  “VIP Services.”

  “I don’t really like that. All of our customers are VIPs. You will need to come up with something else.”

  “Excuse me, sir?”

  “I’m offering you the position of Senior Director of Client Services, or whatever it’s going to be called.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’m sorry. Normally, I would have this meeting in my office. However, I’m running late. I should have been at the airport an hour ago. I’m promoting you. Peter speaks highly of you, and I agree you would be an excellent department head.”

  “Thank you, sir.” We shook hands.

  “Phillippe.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I have been meaning to call to tell you how much I liked the dress you selected for my assistant.”

  “She’s lovely. It was a pleasure working with her.”

  “About that.”

  “Yes?”

  “With your new position, you might need to scale your client list down. Don’t worry, your salary will be more than commensurate.”

  “Thank you. I’ll take care of that immediately.”

  “However, I want you to personally handle Miss Townsend.”

  “Yes, sir. I mean Phillippe.”

  “I like that black dress you selected as well.”

  “I wish I could take credit, but that was her selection.” He smiled. “She’s a delight to work with.”

  “Whenever she comes
in, you are to use my discount.”

  “Oh?” His eyebrows raised.

  I understood the shock on his face. My discount is only for my immediate family. My offering it to Gabriella said a lot about our relationship. I didn’t even let Chantal use it. I gave her the standard employee discount.

  “I should explain…she and I are…”

  He looked at me and smiled. “I understand. If you don’t mind my saying, she’s not like Miss Myers. She would email me photos from the collections immediately after the shows, demanding expedited delivery.”

  “I had no idea. Well, Miss Townsend isn’t like that.”

  “No, she isn’t. And if you don’t mind my saying, she has an incredible figure.”

  I smiled, thinking about Gabriella’s curves and how I couldn’t wait to have her in my arms. “Yes, she does.” I looked at my watch. “I’m sorry, but I need to get to the airport.” We stood up and shook hands.

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “I’ll have your new paperwork forwarded tomorrow. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

  “Sir, I mean Phillippe, before you leave. I was going to call Miss Townsend later today. The suit she wanted has been marked down and I don’t want her to miss out…”

  I looked at my watch. “Get it, and I’ll take it with me.”

  I boarded the plane, and Gabriella looked so peaceful. She was sleeping and had a slight smile on her face. I didn’t want to wake her, but I desperately wanted to kiss her. She’s that piece that’s been missing from my life.

  I handed Gil the garment bag, walked over, and gently pressed my lips against hers. She slowly opened her eyes and greeted me with a smile.

  “Hey…”

  “Mon amour…did you miss me?”

  Chapter Fourteen

  gabriella

  * * *

  Instead of going to London first, Phillippe reversed the schedule. We went to Paris first.

  As we drove to the hotel, my nerves started gathering. I was in the city of love with my boyfriend. A man I have been having impure thoughts, fantasies and hot dreams about. God, please don’t let me lose control. I can’t say regret, because let’s be real, if something did happen, I doubt I’d regret it. I’d feel really bad, but, man what a memory I’d have.