by Lexy Timms
"Not sure I agree with that. To hell with dinner," he smiled and kissed her again.
Jamie moved back and turned, walking to the back door and pausing. "What’re we having? Do we need to run out and pick up a few things?"
"No. I had the pantry stocked earlier today. I was thinking seafood linguine. I know how to make a killer butter sauce if you're up for it." He moved in behind her and ran his fingers over the curve of her rear.
"I thought you were just lecturing me about a donut earlier. Was that you or someone else?"
"I was just worried about your tummy from you being sick." He patted her butt. "Don't turn me into the villain. I'll never be that to you."
"Then, yes, I'm down for pasta. Do you have the stuff to make a big green salad?"
"Sure do. You get started on that, and I'll work on the pasta. We’ll show Murray we know how to cook." He winked and pushed the door open beside her and walked in. The large expanse of his living room was welcoming, and smelled of leather and cologne.
She breathed deeply and walked toward the kitchen, stopping just outside of it to slip her sandals off.
"You want red or white wine?" he asked, moving up behind her and rubbing his erection against her rear. "Or are we still thinking to hell with dinner?"
She chuckled before reaching back and popping him softly in the chest. "White wine, and behave. There's lots of time to enjoy each other after we fill our bellies."
"So many naughty things I could say." He slipped his hand under her dress and brushed a warm finger along the inside of her, though, before walking past her into the kitchen.
A shiver of anticipation raced down the center of her body and urged her toward tugging him into the bedroom. Or the living room couch. Or a table. Or the kitchen countertop. She didn’t care where. She pushed the thought away, knowing that cooking together, talking, and then snuggling would only lead to better sex as it were. Being with him was a complete turn on. The love-making was just an extension of the attraction.
"Did Paul behave himself?" Alex pulled various items out of the fridge as he spoke over his shoulder.
"Of course he did, Alex. He's a professional." She worked on getting the wine bottle open, but handed it over to him as he reached for it.
"Professional woman-stealer. I saw the way he watched you today. I don't like it." He popped the top and poured them a glass as she extended empty glasses toward him.
"You're making this up. He's a perfect gentleman, and besides... he knows we're together." She handed him his glass and took a sip of hers, enjoying the bitterness of the grapes as it raced across her tongue.
"Oh, yeah? Did you say something to him?" Alex lifted his eyebrow.
"No, Mr. Reid. You were like a Pitbull in my office this morning, spraying your scent everywhere." She slid up against him. "It was almost hot." She ran her tongue over her lower lip, enjoying his eyes follow it. “I almost had to go into your office to cool my libido down. I managed to take care of that on my own.”
Alex’s eyes grew big. “Really?” He cleared his throat. "Good! So Paul got the hint to back the fuck off." He shrugged, kissed her once, and moved to the counter. "I still want him out of your office. Give him Jerry's office, and put that old fart in there with you."
"I think Jerry’s handsome." Jamie suppressed a smile and started to work on tearing lettuce.
"Well, damn... Jerry's out, too." They laughed together, enjoying the silly banter that moved between them.
She finished the salad, and Alex had the pasta done and ready as well.
"Let's eat outside." Jamie turned to face him, falling more in love with him as he moved around the kitchen with skill. A man who could cook was rare, and yet one who could do it and do it well stood in front of her.
"Sounds great. Grab the wine and lead the way." He picked up the tray with their salads, two empty bowls, and a huge bowl of seafood linguine. The smell was divine, and her tummy rumbled in anticipation of what was to come.
Jamie picked up the wine and their glasses and walked back through the living room, making sure to breathe deeply as she stopped at the back door. They worked together to get it open, chuckling at their own inabilities and stopping to smile at each other shyly.
"Alex. Why’re we going back to Philadelphia? What's going on that you need to be there?" She sat down and rearranged the bowls for them.
"The estate sale. You really don't have to go if you're too busy or don't feel up to it. I just don't want to go without you." He shrugged and poured his salad dressing. "I'm sure I'm going to run into a few old memories, and maybe I'm just being a wimp, but I want you there to help me process anything that happens."
Warmth flooded her system and she reached out, touching his hand. "I wouldn't be anywhere else."
He captured her hand and moved it to his lips, kissing her palm softly. "Good. Mark’ll be there, so promise you'll be the softness between us."
"I'll do my best." She touched his face gingerly before slipping out of his grasp and eating her dinner. The meal was exquisite, each bite better than the last.
The cleaned everything up and moved to the couch, snuggling up and watching an old black and white movie until late into the night. Alex loved the damn things, though she could do without ever having to see another one; for him... she would do just about anything.
She turned as the credits rolled and snuggled down against his chest, wrapping her arms around him tightly.
"Why don't we do this every night?" he asked, brushing his lips on her forehead. "It feels so right. So good."
"Because you're busy, and, like you said," she said as she yawned, "until we decide we're headed into the next phase of our relationship, we're really just dating on and off."
He touched her chin, forcing her to look up. "Then let's start talking about what the next phase looks like. I want you in my arms at night."
"Me too." She scooted up and pressed her lips to his, starting the fire that would lead to a long night of moaning his name.
Chapter 6
Alex wasn't in the bed beside her when she woke, but the smell of his soap lingered in the air. Jamie rolled onto her back and tugged the covers up to her nose, breathing deeply and groaning. The man could be a pain in the butt, but he was a god in bed and smelled like heaven itself.
She laid there a moment more before getting up and checking her phone. There was a text from Gina that Nicholas, one of their investors who had vied for Jamie’s attention and then effed that up royally, had called and was stopping by at nine to talk with Jamie.
"Nine?" She glanced at the clock and let out a yelp. She had fifty minutes to get ready and get to the office. There was no way. It took that long to get into work.
She texted Gina back as she tried to get her dress back on. It would have to be nine-thirty. Gina seemed more than willing to keep the handsome investor busy. Jamie couldn't help but roll her eyes at the saucy Italian woman. She was too much for her own good.
After slipping her feet into her sandals, she half ran- half jogged back to her place and worked as fast as possible to get a pair of black slacks and grey button-down on. Her breasts were a little big for the shirt, but she could suck in each time someone came in. She was used to doing it for most of her life anyway.
Her stomach growled angrily as she climbed into her car and sped off toward the office, but she ignored it. Nicholas. The man had confused her with some of the stuff he had pulled over the last few months, but something told her that they were headed toward better days. It was hard fending off a love interest, and a handsome wealthy one, when no one could know about her and Alex actually being together.
Nicholas seemed to know, but perhaps that was because of her not correcting him when he saw her and Alex together in a restaurant not too long ago. The fact that he was interested in her was charming, but he was a good ten years older, if not more. Secondly, whether anyone really knew it or not - she was taken. Plus, wasn’t it bad business to date your competitor’s staff? Invest
or or partner or whatever?
Her phone rang, pulling her from her internal meanderings. Christine.
"Ugh," Jamie grumbled before hitting the speaker button. "This is Jamie."
"Hey. It's me. Do you have a minute?" Her sister's voice was chipper, with an edge of entitlement to it.
"I'm driving to work. I can talk while I'm o—"
Christine cut her off. "Right. So I need to talk to you about something. It's extremely personal. You're the only one in the car, right?"
"Mom already called me. I know about her and Dad." Jamie turned onto the main freeway as traffic came to a dead stop. Excellent. Nothing like being late for one of the largest investors in the company.
"It's not about Mom and Dad. That's old news." Her sister made a sound like she was sucking something out of her teeth. "I need your advice."
Jamie cringed at the nasty sound coming from the phone. "On what?"
"On my sex life." There was an odd pause, and Jamie sure as hell wasn't filling it. "I can tell that caught you a little by surprise."
"Just a bit."
"So Stephen and I are doing good, but he's been complaining a lot about our sexy time."
"Sexy time?" Jamie rolled her eyes and prayed for the earth to split open and suck her into its center to be burned alive. Was she really about to talk to her sister about 'sexy time' with her ex? Was it not enough that Stephen was now married to her sister? She wasn't at all interested in the bastard any more, but it did happen to leave things quite awkward between her and all of them.
"Yep. So he was telling me the other day that you happen to be the best lay of his life." She huffed. "I was a little surprised. Most girls with a little extra in the middle won't get naked to save their life. I'm actually proud of you."
"A little extra in the middle?" Heat rose up the center of Jamie's chest. "Right. I'll have to call you back, Christine. Wreck up here and I need to pay attention. Best of luck on your issues. Bye, now!" She used a sugary-sweet voice and growled loudly after hitting the ‘end call’ button.
"That sorry bitch." Jamie hit the steering wheel. She had been working so hard to lose weight and feel better about herself, and she'd done it. How in the world did it only take mere minutes for her shitty sister to pull her back down to feeling horrible about herself? Not everyone had bones protruding from their hips and cheeks. Not all guys in the universe wanted a woman like that anyway.
"Sexy time," she mumbled and turned in to the parking garage. Having to talk with her mother and father about their failing marriage was more than enough drama for her. Having to help her sister with her sex life now, too? Hell no. That was completely out. She felt like she might soon end up on the Oprah show. The series would be called 'Keeping it in the family'.
Jamie parked and got out, still grumbling under her breath by the time she arrived in the office. She glanced toward Gina and then to Nicholas.
"Morning. Traffic was a bear. Just give me a minute and we can meet in my office, Nicholas."
"Of course. Good to see you, Jamie." He smiled and glanced back down at his phone.
"Morning. I put a cup of coffee on your desk just to save you the time." Gina winked.
"Thank you." Jamie walked into her office and realized she wouldn't be meeting with anyone in there. She had an officemate.
"Morning." Paul turned and let his gaze roam over her. "You look great today. There's a nice healthy glow about you."
"It's called starvation." Jamie gave a cheeky grin.
"I saw that someone was waiting for you out there. How about I go downstairs and grab us both something to eat? I'll take my time and wait in the breakroom if I get back early. That should give you time with him and something to eat when you're done." He stood and ran his fingers through his thick blond hair.
"Yeah. Wow. That would actually be amazing." Jamie dug in her purse as she continued, "Let me just get you some money."
"No. My treat. You want something healthy or something delicious?" The smirk that lifted his mouth caused her to chuckle.
"They have to be mutually exclusive? No good-tasting healthy stuff?"
"Not in my opinion." He shrugged. He was similar to Alex; a younger version with the same confidence.
She smiled. "Let's go healthy. I’ve a plane to catch in a few hours. I'd rather not feel too bad for the flight."
"Good call." He walked to the door. "Good luck with your meeting."
"Right. Tell Gina to send him in for me." Jamie moved to take a seat at the small round table by the window as Paul nodded and walked out.
Moments later Nicholas knocked on the doorframe and stuck his head in.
His dark hair was starting to turn gray, though he couldn't be more than forty. He was distinguished-looking, handsome, and beyond wealthy. Where Alex had made every penny he had, it would appear after looking through his portfolio that Nicholas had inherited most of his money and made more of it. The man knew how to invest it, which caused his wealth to expand far beyond anything he might have done otherwise.
"Now a good time?" He walked in and unbuttoned his suit jacket. He was tall and built like a basketball player, but what she liked most about him was the warmth of his smile. He might be a snake behind the kindness he exuded, but, if so, he hid it well.
"It sure is. Please come sit down and tell me what I can do for you." She motioned for him to take the seat near her.
"Thanks. I won't take much of your time." He sat down and leaned back, his eyes remaining on her face, which left her feeling respected – empowered.
"Take as long as you need. We appreciate you believing enough in what Mr. Reid is doing to invest with us. I'm here to make you comfortable and help address any questions or concerns you might have."
He nodded. "I'm thrilled with the company's performance over the last month… hell, the last year. I'm here on a more personal note."
"Oh." Jamie stiffened, but forced herself to remain open to whatever he was going to say, or offer.
"I owe you a more in-depth apology. Last time we spoke, perhaps I was a little too forward. Alex's personal business is just that. I'm not too fond of some of the things I've seen in the past with him and other women, but that gives me no right to judge. Heaven forbid someone decides to judge me based on my past." His eyes grew wide, and Jamie chuckled.
"Right? I'd not survive that either." She crossed her legs and kept her hands in her lap. "Apology accepted. I wasn't too offended, though I might have stated that I was."
"Yes, well. I was downright inappropriate. I haven't found a woman who caused my heart to flutter quite the way you did... the way you do." A blush warmed his cheeks, and she was a little surprised at how flattered she felt over the situation.
"I'm not sure how to respond to that." She pressed her hand to her chest as her heart began to beat faster.
"There's no need to. I was coming through town for an eleven o'clock meeting and figured now was as good a time as any to tell you once again that I'm sorry, and if you ever find yourself needing a dinner date... I'm your guy." He stood and offered his hand. "And if you decide that you're ready to start your own firm or want another place to work... call me for that reason as well. That job offer is always available."
She stood and shook his hand, offering him a warm smile. "Well, thank you on all three accounts. I have your number on speed dial."
"I like the sound of that." He winked and turned, walking toward the door before pausing and looking back over his shoulder. "Gray looks look good on you; brings out your eyes."
"Thanks." She felt a little overwhelmed with his attention locked onto her, but she held his gaze nevertheless.
He walked out and Jamie stood there, trying to sort through her feelings about the older man. No one but Alex held the keys to her heart, but it was insanely warming to think that perhaps she wasn't as revolting or unwanted as she’d believed herself to be only a few months ago.
"Here we go, pretty woman." Paul walked in and set down her cup of oatmeal. He gl
anced up at her and chuckled. "Damn. What did the old guy say?"
She blinked a few times and smiled. "What? Why?"
"Because that look on your face is dreamy. I want to learn from the best. You seem like a hard cookie to break. If he's got you looking like you’re lost in a daydream, I want in."
Jamie laughed louder. "You're incorrigible."
"You have no idea." He winked and walked to his desk, sitting down and pulling the wrapper off of his sandwich. "If you decide you want something that tastes good, I got an extra bacon, egg, and cheese."
Jamie took one look at her oatmeal and shook her head before walking toward him. "Yeah, to hell with it. I'm starving. I'll just eat a light lunch."
"You’re kidding, right? You’ve got nothing to worry about, weight-wise.” He shook his head. “You women are silly with your body-complexes.” He handed the extra sandwich to her over his shoulder, never looking away from his computer.
She was starting to like him. He could stay – for now.
Jamie was still thinking about the conversation with Nicholas when she reached the hanger for Alex's private jet. She walked on to the aircraft and nestled into a large leather chair as Alex glanced up from his across the aisle.
"Hey, beautiful. Sleep good last night?" He turned his full attention on her.
"Sure did. I'm a little sleepy now, too. Mind if I take a nap while we fly?"
"Not at all. I have several things I need to review before we get there. I assume we'll be going through the rest of the house and working out the documents for the estate to sell. Long two days coming up, with little time for work."
"Which is a blessing in disguise, I'm sure." She smiled at him and reached for a blue blanket that lay in a cubbyhole beside her. She wrapped herself up and closed her eyes, leaning back and drifting off as the plane took off, her thoughts on Alex but her dreams mixed with three men’s faces.
Chapter 7
"Hey. We're here. Let's go." Alex's voice was cold, and not at all what she wanted pulling her from the restful nap she got to take.
