Rise Up (A Coach's Love Book 3)

by Alison Mello

  My head whips up, and our eyes connect. “Talk about her like that one more time,” I threaten.

  “Dude, seriously. How long have we been friends?”

  He’s right. Paul and I go way back. We’ve been friends most of our lives. This company was a dream of ours starting back in middle school when we discovered our love for math, and we both rocked at it. In high school the dream started taking shape as we planned our college careers to line up with our goals. “I don’t care,” I growl. I never cared how he spoke about Laney, but she was a total bitch and treated everyone like shit. Even her own friends.

  “My bad. I don’t care if you’re dating.” He holds his hands up in a defensive manner, stressing the word dating.

  “She does.” I look back at my laptop, attempting to answer another email.

  Amber comes into the room carrying two cups of coffee. “Good morning, Paul.”

  “Good morning, Amber. Are you ready to come work for me?” He winks at her, making me want to grab him by the throat. He’s flirting with my girl, and he knows it.

  She rolls her eyes. “Yes.” She places my coffee down on my desk. “Here you go, hun.” She smiles and takes a seat.

  “Stop flirting with my girl before I hurt you.”

  He bursts into laughter. “You two are going to be fun to work with.” I flip him off and kick him out of my office. “Okay, okay. I’m going. Just remember that Marissa’s last day is a week from Friday. We should do something for her.”

  He’s right we should. She’s been a good employee. “We’ll order lunch and have something small in the conference room.”

  He nods. “Sounds like a plan. You two behave yourselves in here.”

  “Out!” I shout, pointing to the door. He laughs and closes it behind him.

  “This is why we need to keep our relationship professional,” Amber states with frustration.

  I shake my head. “He’s messing with you, and I’m going to kick his ass for it.” I pull the resumes from my briefcase. “Now, on to business. These are the ones we managed to look through the other day. I’d like you to call them to set up interviews.” I hand her four resumes. “While you do that, I’m going to go through these and see if I can find more.” She gets up to leave my office. “Where are you going?”

  “To my desk.” I actually pout. She really does need to go work for Paul. Now that she knows I want her, I’m acting like a child.

  She chuckles. “I’ll be back in a few.” Her heels clink on the floor as she leaves, drawing my attention to her sexy legs. “Stop checking me out, and read those resumes.”

  I can’t believe she busted me. She closes the door, leaving me to a pile of resumes, most of which are highly unqualified applicants. People think being an assistant is an easy job and anyone can do it, but it’s not true. We have a certain standard. They have to be very professional, organized, and dedicated to customer service. Some of the resumes aren’t even professionally written, and that means they won’t take the time to communicate with my clients professionally. That’s an automatic ‘no’ from me. I sigh. I hate the hiring process.

  About twenty minutes later, Amber comes into my office. “Okay, I reached two of the four and set up interviews. The other two I left messages. How are you making out?”

  “I hate this process.”

  “I know.” She walks around my desk, setting a sticky note down with the times for the two interviews. “I promise I’ll make it up to you.” She kisses me on the head.

  It totally changes my mood. “I’m surprised you gave me half of these.”

  “Why?”

  “They look awful.” I scrunch up my face.

  “You’re being very picky. Some of them don’t print as well when they copy and paste their resume in versus uploading one.” She slides her chair next to mine and grabs some of the resumes. “See. This one is a copy and paste, and this one is an upload.”

  Maybe she’s right. Maybe I’m being ridiculous because I’m giving up my awesome assistant, but for good reason. My cock has been throbbing since Saturday. I shake off my thoughts and continue to read resumes. “Do you have any plans for Saturday?”

  “Nope,” she says flatly, looking through the ones I said no to because they’re a copy and paste.

  “Can I take you on a date?” I put a yes aside.

  “What about Ethan?”

  “Trust me, he’ll have no problem sleeping out.”

  She grins. “What are we doing?”

  I look up from the document. “I’m not telling you.”

  Her jaw drops. “How will I know how to dress?”

  “Comfortable, but warm.” I tell her without giving anything more away.

  “That’s all you’re going to tell me?” She’s completely floored I will not give her any ideas as to what I’m planning.

  “Yup.”

  “You suck.” She rubs her foot up my leg, flirting with me while we continue to look over the documents.

  “That may be so, but I’m not telling you, no matter how hard you flirt with me.” I have an idea for something casual but fun and romantic this weekend. I want her to see I’m serious about spending time with her. I hope she’ll spend the night at my place.

  “I think you should consider these two.” She hands me two that I said no to. “They have all the experience you’re looking for.”

  I take a look at them again contemplating. “You’re right, they do.”

  “So what’s the problem?”

  I shrug. “I guess it bothers me that they didn’t have the skill or desire to upload the resume. It’s an unnecessary short cut.” I put them back into the no file. “I’d rather hire someone who is slightly less experienced but has the drive to do it right than hire someone who doesn’t care.”

  She picks up my next interview pile and heads out to make the calls. This time I keep my eyes on my work. A short time later she calls me from her desk. “Vincent, you have a meeting at one. Do you need lunch before they get here?”

  “Yes. I didn’t bring anything today. Did you?”

  “No. Want me to grab us something?”

  “Why don’t you just order in from that Chinese place we like.”

  “Okay, Chicken Lo Mein?” she asks, knowing full well I get the same thing every time.

  “Please.” She knows me so well it makes me smile.

  “Okay. I’ll bring it in as soon as it gets here. I have some calls to make and some things to do to prepare you for your meeting.”

  “Okay, thank you.” She cuts the call, leaving me to my silence.

  I’m almost done with these resumes, and I’m thankful. I have other stuff I need to accomplish, and I’d like to enjoy lunch with Amber before my meeting. I decide to send her an email, laughing at my lack of focus today.

  Amber,

  Do you have time to have lunch with me?

  Vincent

  I read through another resume while I await her response. Just as I’m finishing my email pings.

  Vincent,

  I will if my boss will stop emailing me and let me get some stuff done ;-) .

  Amber

  I can’t help but burst into laughter. I’m so loud I have no doubt she’s probably heard me. She truly makes my day.

  Amber,

  He is such a pain in the ass, isn’t he? I’ll have a talk with him about giving you some time to allow lunch. In the meantime, get your shit done. I want to see you.

  Vincent

  I go back to work knowing she’ll get a chuckle out of that but won’t reply. I manage to finish going through the remainder of the resumes. I have one more small pile I would like her to set up interviews with, but I won’t bother her with it until she comes in with lunch. She’s already managed to set up five interviews starting as soon as tomorrow. The next few days are going to be busy.

  Amber comes in carrying a bag of food and two bottles of water from the office kitchen. “Are you ready to eat?”

  “Yeah, I’m starving.
I didn't get to eat breakfast.”

  She places the food on the table and then plants her hands on her hips. “What have I told you?”

  “I know. I’m sorry, but I also knew I had a lot to do today, so I came in early and got right to work. Next thing I knew it was lunchtime.”

  She shakes her head at me. “Did Ethan eat?”

  My brows furrow. “Of course, he did.”

  “Then why is it more important for him to eat than you?”

  I get up from the desk and walk over to my beautiful girlfriend. I wrap my arms around her waist. “You blow me away.” I press my lips to hers. “Thank you for caring.”

  “You’re welcome, now sit down and eat. Your appointment is with Mr. Olivander, and you know he likes to show up early.”

  She places the containers of food on the conference table. “Thanks for getting those interviews set up.”

  “You’re welcome. Do you need more?”

  “Yes, but I’ll give them to you after lunch.” She nods, digging into her sweet and sour chicken. “I have a question for you, but I’m hoping it doesn’t freak you out.”

  “Vincent, we’ve gone from boss/employee to boyfriend/girlfriend in a matter of days. What more can you throw at me?”

  “I want you to spend the night Saturday,” I say nonchalantly.

  “You do?” I nod. She ponders for a second. “I’ll stay under one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I sleep in the spare room.” I can’t believe she just said that. Why would she want to sleep in the spare room? I’m fighting to keep a straight face as I struggle to come up with something to say. She finally puts me out of my misery bursting into laughter. “I’m kidding.”

  I let out a deep breath. “That wasn’t funny. I was trying to figure out why you wouldn’t sleep in my room with me.”

  She laughs so hard a tear rolls down her cheek. “I’m sorry, but that was funny.”

  “I’ll get you back for that.”

  “No, but seriously. I do have a stipulation.”

  “What? And you better be serious this time.”

  “I am.” She sips her water, making me wait. “We have to watch the Celtics game.”

  “All part of the plan. Be at my house by four.”

  She stands from the table, grabbing her food. “Yes, sir.” She salutes me and turns on her heels to leave.

  “Remember that phrase this weekend.” I shake my head. I’m in so much trouble with this one.

  It’s been an intense week of interviews and client meetings. After a lot of discussion with Vincent, he has narrowed his choice down to three potential new assistants. All of which have second interviews with the three of us next week. The downside is that two of the three have to give a two-week notice. The third is available right away.

  Now on the flip side, that means I get to work for Vincent for two more weeks, a very bittersweet reality. We have had a lot of fun working together in the time I’ve been his assistant, but things have stepped up to a new level of fun since we’ve agreed to start seeing each other. We’re strictly professional when we need to be, but when it’s just the two of us, we get our work done with a bunch of flirting mixed in. I know, flirting is tough, right. Well, it is when you haven’t been with a man as long as I have and now you’re working with yours. He’s so sweet and he makes my day fun. But he also makes me want him in ways that are inappropriate for the workplace. I just hope it doesn’t end when I start working for Paul.

  I apply my last bit of makeup in preparation for my date. He wouldn’t tell me where we’re going, only that we’ll be home in time for the game and that I should dress warm. It’s a bit cold out tonight, and the fact he wants me to dress warm tells me we’re doing something outside. I slip on my coat, gloves, and hat, grab my overnight bag and head out the door. I’m running a few minutes behind but should still get to his house right before four.

  I pull up to his house and park behind Ethan’s basketball hoop, leaving plenty of room for us to leave in his SUV. He must have been watching for me because he greets me at the door with a huge smile on his face. “You have perfect timing.”

  “I do?”

  He nods, taking my bag. “Let’s go put this in my room.” He escorts me down the hall to his room. It’s a rather large space with a king-size four poster bed. The carpet is a deep gray, and I bet it’s super soft under your feet. He tucks my bag in the corner of the room and shows me his master bathroom. “I set up some stuff in here for you. I didn’t know what you liked, so I just guessed.”

  “You guessed?” I ask him.

  “Well, more like I picked what I thought would smell good on you.” He backs me against the counter. “You have no idea how much I’ve wanted this.” He rubs his nose on mine.

  “Me too.” I kiss him gently, but it quickly turns into so much more.

  We’re like two kids in heat. Our tongues become a tangled mess of passion as we explore and taste one another. His hands roam up my back as he presses me closer to his body.

  He pulls away panting. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “I can’t help myself when I’m with you. I love touching you.”

  I smile. “Please, don’t ever apologize. You make my body hum to life. It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before.” The slightest touch of his hand or the press of his lips and instantly my body responds. Heat pools below, and my body trembles like I’ve been zapped. It’s the most amazing feeling in the world. I’ve never experienced something like this.

  He presses his lips to mine one more time. “I plan on making you come alive more later, but for now, we need to get going.”

  “You still haven’t told me what we’re doing,” I state flatly.

  “No, I haven’t. We have a reservation we can’t miss, though, or it will throw off all of my plans.” He looks down at his watch. “We need to be at the restaurant in forty minutes. I know it’s a bit early for dinner, but it was the only reservation I could get and still do my second surprise.”

  I shrug. “Well, we better get going then.”

  He links his arms with mine in the most gentlemanly fashion and escorts me out to his SUV, which he somehow managed to warm without me knowing. He opens my door for me and helps me onto the heated leather seat which feels so nice. It was a chilly fifty-five degrees this afternoon, and the temperature is quickly dropping.

  The ride to the restaurant is a quiet one. We both enjoy the soft music flowing through the speakers. “You have a lovely voice.”

  “Thank you. I love to sing.”

  “How come you never did anything with it?”

  I shrug. “Just never happened. It wasn’t in the cards for me.” I glance over at him. “My friend Nat tells me I should sing in our church band all the time, but I’ve never auditioned.”

  “Why don’t you? I bet you’d be amazing.”

  “I’ve thought about it, just never stepped up to do it. Maybe someday.”

  He pulls up to this quaint, little restaurant made of brick with large windows and black wrought iron railing. Another place I’ve never been to. It’s very popular, and the food is supposed to be delicious. It’s hard to get a seat if you don’t make a reservation. I’d never attempt to make a reservation for one, and none of my exes would take me to a place like this.

  Vincent opens my door for me again, linking his arm through mine. He walks me inside. The aroma of food fills the air. I inhale a deep breath, taking it in.

  “Good evening, and welcome. How can I help you?”

  “I have a reservation.” Vincent gives his name, and the gentleman smiles.

  “We have your table ready. Right this way, sir.” He escorts us to a small table for two set up by one of the windows. The sun is setting, and the lights decorating the streets for the holiday are all kicking on. It’s beautiful.

  “Your server will be with you in a moment.” He pours us each a glass of ice water and leaves us to our menus.

  �
��This is all so nice.” I can’t help the smile on my face as I glance around the dimly lit restaurant. Each table dressed with a white linen tablecloth and a candle.

  “I wanted to have a nice, romantic evening with you. From what you’ve told me, you’ve never gotten too much of this.” He waves his hand around the room.

  I shake my head ever so slightly. “Even Daniel who treated me better than any of my other exes, never took me to places like this. We would go out to eat, but it was always a chain restaurant. Never anything super nice, and certainly nothing he ever put any real thought into.”

  “Well, no more talk of the past,” he says as our waiter comes over. “How do you feel about some wine?”

  “I would love some. I prefer Pinot Grigio please.”

  “Sounds good to me.” He looks at the waiter. “Two glasses of Pinot Grigio please.” The waiter nods and dismisses himself.

  He pulls his phone from his pocket. “I’m sorry, my phone keeps vibrating in my pocket.” He looks down and rolls his eyes. He presses the button sending it to voicemail, but it starts right back up again. “Speaking of the past.” He looks at his phone in pure disgust.

  “Clearly she’s not going away. You should just answer it.”

  “I’m so sorry.” He presses the button. “Laney, why can’t you get the hint. I’m busy.”

  “Because I need to talk to you,” she announces with total frustration that it took me three times to answer her call.

  “And as usual, Laney is more important than the date I’m on. Well, guess what. You’re not.” He starts to end the call, but she shouts so loud I can hear it.

  “My attorney wants a meeting,” she again yells into the phone. He lowers the volume so not to disturb the other patrons.

  “So you’re flying here?” I can no longer hear the conversation happening between them, but he finally cuts her off. “Laney, this is not what I consider urgent. Call me during the day on Monday, and we’ll schedule it.” She starts to yell again, but he speaks over her. “Good night, Laney.” He hangs up the call and sets the phone on the table.