by A. Gorman
The position of this window isn’t the best location for her to be, but I did have it reinforced before she moved in, in case something happened. The house is like a fortress—no one is getting in without the correct codes.
I decide to head to the bar down the street, hoping I won’t regret this in an hour and have to come back. A few drinks and a couple games of pool sound good.
Chapter Four
Jesse
This has been the longest week ever. I was so ready for Friday to get here, but now that it’s here, I’ve hit snooze one too many times. I’m going to be late to work if I don’t hurry up. I jump into a scalding hot shower, not thinking about checking the water temperature before I get in. I finally adjust the water to where it’s soothing to my pink-tinted skin instead of searing. I let the cascading streams of warm water run over and relax my overly exhausted body.
I wash myself with my favorite Victoria’s Secret body wash, coating my body with the heavenly smell of apples and vanilla. The smell lifts my spirits. I am going to make this day awesome, even if I’m running behind. My best friend will be here for the weekend.
I hurry up and finish my shower. After turning off the water, I grab a towel to dry off. I make sure to put on plenty of the apple-scented lotion and deodorant. Nothing is worse than smelly pits. I’m keeping my makeup super simple today: mascara and lip gloss. I’m so thankful for my naturally curly hair. I run some anti-frizz lotion through my hair and brush my teeth before applying the lip gloss and mascara.
Friday’s are casual days at the office, but, since I’m my father’s assistant, I know I have to look professional. “Jesse, you have to look your best at all times. You never know who you are going to see or where you’re going to see them.” Pearse McCoy has beaten that in my head since I was a teenager. Sadly, I didn’t take his advice until I had to, when I started working for him.
A year and a half after returning to Denver, I’m getting ready to finally graduate from college. Though it took me almost two years, I’m getting through college and cleaning up my life after Chet made a huge mess of it. My house isn’t a feature mansion in Better Homes & Gardens, but it’s mine. I’m so thankful Grams left it to me. The house still has some of her touches, but it’s home—my home. I can’t believe she passed away shortly after I moved in, almost like she was waiting for me to come home.
I attach my black stockings to my favorite black, lacy garter belt. I fasten on the matching bra, and I throw on a black jersey dress over all my black laciness. I love how this dress hangs on my curves and comes to right above my knees. I add a pair of black stilettos and a dark green infinity scarf to complete my look.
Finally, I’m ready and out the door in record time. I might actually make it to work on time and before Aedan Hughes, or Asshole Hughes, as I call him.
I still can’t believe my father decided he won’t be retiring anytime soon. Well, at least I don’t have to worry about working for my siblings. My younger sister is going to medical school and my baby brother is dancing his way all over the world. Since I’m pretty much just a phone operator, to say I’m a disappointment in my father’s eyes is an understatement.
***
Aedan
McCoy’s plan has been put into place and so far nothing he’s wanted me to try has worked. Nothing I’ve tried to see if I can get her to break has worked, but in a way I’m glad it hasn’t. I don’t want her to lose everything she’s worked for because of the stupid contract.
I guess it’s easier to think about it that way since I’m thinking she doesn’t feel the same way about me as I feel about her. However, I’m going to step up my game because I have to make sure she won’t change her mind. I have to relay to McCoy that I’ve tried everything in my power to try seduce her, and so far she is winning. Well played, Jesse.
I know she picks up men from the club she frequents, but she hasn’t done that in a while. From the tracing software on her computer, I learned she has her profile up on a dating website, Denver Singles, so I figure she’s not ready to settle down anytime soon. I have my profile up there too, but so far, there hasn’t been any luck in matching us. Hopefully it will match us soon.
What is the head of security doing with his profile on a dating website? Well, this is part of the awesomeness of working for Pearse McCoy. I wish I could say I didn’t have trouble getting dates, but working the crazy hours I do for McCoy doesn’t allow for much socializing outside of the team. Normally, the kind of women I do meet are not the type of women I would take home to my mother. She would fall over dead if she met the women I fall into bed with.
Now, Jesse…I would take her home to my mother and she would smother her to death. She’s always asking me when I’ll settle down and give her a granddaughter. One of these days, Mom, one of these days.
Unfortunately, I’ve been out of the office for a few days and I’ve missed hearing Jesse’s little smart mouth. I see Jesse pull in while I’m talking to Veronica. Thanks to Veronica, I have this nice handprint on my face. Veronica didn’t take it too well when I told her she needed to make sure to get all of her shit out of my house this morning. Her hand told me what she thought, and the phone call made sure I knew she meant it. Finding good housekeepers is hard, especially when you find the one you thought was amazing screwing an unknown man on your dining room table when you come home from a business trip a day early. Whatever, crazy lady.
If I hurry up and park, maybe I can catch up with Jesse in the elevator. I run and see the door shutting. I quickly stick my arm in, hoping it opens while yelling to hold the door. Jesse opens the door, and I’m nearly breathless. She’s stunning in all black. I can’t look affected by her beauty, so I go with what works for me—acting like a cocky son of a bitch.
Chapter five
Jesse
At seven fifty-five, I’m pulling my car into the vast parking lot that belongs to One McCoy Square. Today is my day because there is a parking spot close to the front door. I am positive I can park and make it to the forty-ninth floor on time. As I pull into my spot, I see Mr. Asshole himself pulling in. He’s enthralled by the conversation he is having on his phone.
Putting my car in park, I grab my purse, get out of my car, and almost sprint to the door. Security meets me at the door. Mr. Mills asks me how I’m doing this morning, and I respond, “I’m doing great, thank you.”
I hurry past him and rush to the elevator, hoping no one gets in with me. I need a minute to compose myself and make sure my minimal makeup is still in place. As I push the close door button, a manly hand and suit-clad arm pushes through the sliver of door still open and a voice yelling for me to hold the elevator comes from the other side. I hit the open door button and find Aedan Hughes shooting daggers at me.
Easy, killer. I could have closed the door on you, ass.
“Good morning, Jesse. How are you?” the obviously irritated jerk asks me.
“Morning, Mr. Hughes. Fine, thank you,” I reply with an eye roll, followed by a sigh.
“Aedan. Please, Jesse, call me Aedan.” He almost sounds exasperated.
“Okay? Aedan. I’m fine,” I say, finally looking up at his face.
What’s that on his cheek?
I try not to stare at his face, but it looks like a handprint is imprinted on Mr. Asshole’s face, almost like he was bitch slapped. I smile inwardly at my thoughts, not realizing I must be smiling on the outside too.
“Is there something you find humorous, Jesse?” He looks at me like I’m crazy.
“Um, I thought of something I heard on the radio this morning on the way to the office,” I lie, trying not to break eye contact with him. I so want to say something about the welt on his face, but I can’t bring myself to do it.
Just as he is about to say something, the elevator dings at our floor before he can get his words out. The doors open, and I rush out of the tight confinements and head straight to my desk. I don’t know why he didn’t get off the elevator with me. I hear my desk phone ringing,
so I hurry to pick it up before the answering service receives the call.
“McCoy Investments, this is Jesse. How may I help you?” I say almost breathlessly.
“Jesse, you rushed off the elevator before I could tell you how nice you look today.”
Chills run down my spine as his words register in my mind. “Um, thank you? Mr. Hughes…I mean, Aedan.” I’m trying to figure out why in the hell he would be saying something like this to me.
“You’re welcome. I hope you have a great day.” With that, he hangs up and I’m left holding my phone, staring at the closed doors of the elevator.
What the hell was that all about? And his words giving me chills? Oh, hell no. I can’t be looking at him like that or letting my body react to him.
Once I start getting settled, I realize this day isn’t starting out as I thought it would. I was expecting drama, but it’s been quiet. The rest of my morning is uneventful, but my mind keeps going back to my first phone call of the day. I’m clueless as to why Aedan would even say anything nice to me.
Some days I believe my father put me up here so people wouldn’t see how big of a failure his oldest child is since he is rarely in the office these days. However, I still think I should be taking over the company, but Pearse McCoy is making sure I earn his job, just as he had to from his father.
I had dreamed of working beside my father before I was married. I slowly saw those dreams slip away when I found out I was pregnant. I was hoping this was a second chance to get what I wanted, but no luck. I’m exhausted. I hope people don’t think I was a rich, spoiled bitch growing up because I was far from it. So were my siblings. My father made sure we worked for what we got.
Yes, we had money, but I also did well in school even though I liked to party. Now I’m on the fence about what I want to do. Do I stay here and work my way up through the ranks after I graduate in a few weeks? I know I don’t want to work for someone who isn’t family if I don’t get the CEO position before my father retires. I know, really immature of me, but right now I’m being punished for the mistakes I made.
My phone rings, pulling me out of my cloud of thoughts.
“McCoy Investments, this is Jesse. How may I help you?” I ask absentmindedly.
“Jesse Rae!”
“Laney! How are you, sweets?”
“I’ll be in tonight around six. You’ll be there at the airport to pick me up, right?” she excitedly asks me.
“Yes, I’ll be there around five thirty. I’ll keep an eye on your flight for delays. I am so excited to see you. Six months is way too long,” I reply, thinking of the last time I saw her.
“I know, hun. I might have some exciting news for you when I get out there.”
“Tell me now! Please!”
“No, no, no! I want to make sure it’s a done deal before I tell you. I’ll see you in six and a half hours. Go eat lunch and we’ll talk soon.”
“Fine, bitch! I’m starving. I’ll have to tell you about my interesting phone call this morning when I see you.”
“What?”
“I’ll wait to tell you. It’s lunchtime. Love you, sweets,” I say nonchalantly.
“Whore! I love you. See you soon.” She laughs as she hangs up.
I grab my purse and go to lunch. I hope the afternoon goes by as fast as the morning has.
Chapter Six
Jesse
I look up at the clock and discover it’s almost five in the afternoon. This has been one of the best workdays I’ve had in a while, possibly because my dad is out of the office playing golf today. As I’m turning off the lighting that my father had installed to highlight the McCoy logo and the art on the wall, my desk phone rings.
“Pearse McCoy’s—”
“Jesse, can you please come to my office? I need help with a file your father said you have access to. Please?” Aedan begs on the other end of the line.
“Yes, Mr. Hughes. I’ll be there as soon as I turn off everything at my desk.”
“Thank you. And, Jesse, please call me Aedan.” He hangs up before I can reply.
Before I turn my computer off, I check on the status of Laney’s flight. Fog has delayed her arrival. Therefore, I don’t have to rush to the airport. After turning off my computer and the rest of the lights, I walk down the long hallway to Aedan’s office. His door is slightly open, and standing before me isn’t the normally crisp, suit-clad Aedan, but a completely distraught, hair going every which direction Aedan Hughes.
“I honestly thought you might have blown me off.” With a slight shrug, Aedan smirks at me.
“The thought did cross my mind. I have to drive across the city to the airport. I have a friend arriving in a few hours, thanks to the fog,” I say with a frown.
“I’m grateful for the fog then.” He looks at me with a sexy, boyish smile.
Wait, sexy? Um, easy, girl. I know it’s been a while since we’ve had fun, but Aedan Hughes is on the no-go list. And he’s an asshole, remember?
“Jesse? Um…Jesse?”
“Oh, sorry. It’s been a long week. I’m ready to get out of here. So, what file are you needing that can’t wait until Monday?” I say in a bitchy tone.
Aedan seems a little hurt and replies, “I’m sorry. I should have considered you probably have plans this evening. Don’t worry about it, I’ll get it figured out.”
I kind of feel bad for acting childish. “Sorry, Mr. Hughes. It’s not a bother. What do you need help with?”
“The Anderson file. Your father wants me to look into the security risks if we buy their company and building. It’s not in a safe part of the city, and I need to see how much it will cost the company in security details to be deemed safe,” Aedan explains in a frenzy.
Damn, I’ve never seen Mr. Asshole frazzled. This behavior is not like him. First, the compliment and now he’s asking—no, practically begging—for my help. This is completely unlike Aedan Hughes.
We walk to his large credenza, which is set up to overlook the city. As I sit down at his desk, memories of sitting in this office as a child come flooding in, memories of happier times in my life.
“I thought you had access to all of the company’s files?” I say.
He looks at me like I’m stupid. “No, just security files, and I wasn’t given permission on this one because it’s new.”
“Okay. I will have to login as myself. Give me a few minutes.”
He stands right next to me as I click around on his computer. I don’t work well with someone over my shoulder. “Aedan, can you please sit? You’re making me nervous with your pacing and watching.”
“Say it again.”
“Um, please sit?”
“No, you said my name. I like when you say my name,” Aedan says as he locks his eyes on me.
“Well, you did say to call you Aedan.”
I keep on working, ignoring his weirdness.
“Found what you need. I’m going to give you permission so you can login as yourself and get my father whatever information he needs.”
Aedan rushes around his desk and is hovering so close behind me that he’s nearly touching me. I can smell his cologne, and it’s almost orgasm inducing.
“Wonderful! Thank you so much. Let me check, please,” he says as his breath tickles my neck.
I have to get out of here because this man is starting to make me come undone.
“It all should be there. If not, call IT. They should be able to help you more than I can.”
With that, I grab my purse and head to the elevator. I’m lost in my thoughts when I suddenly feel a gentle tapping on my shoulder. The heat from their fingers warms my body, and I slowly turn around. Aedan.
“Jesse, you forgot your scarf. Thank you again for all your help.”
I grab the scarf from his hands and our fingers brush against each other, sending goose bumps up my arms. My body is betraying me because my mind knows I can’t cross this line with Aedan.
The elevator dings. “You’re welcome.”
<
br /> He lets go of my scarf and I get in the elevator, pressing the button for the lobby.
I glance through the closing doors of the elevator, and Aedan appears sad, almost lost.
***
Aedan
The elevator dings and she looks up at me. “You’re welcome.”
I need to figure out a way to get private time away from the office with this woman.
Sighing, I remember I need to check in with her father. I have to let him know what her plans are for the weekend and that I will personally be handling this assignment. I go back to my desk, still smelling the scent of apples and Jesse.
I felt the heat radiating from her body when I was close to her. She’s been on my mind since she stepped off the elevator this morning. The thought of her on top of me, riding my cock, has had me hard all day.
Reaching out for her, feeling her skin, made me want to pull her into me for a kiss. My head is a mess because I want her, but I love my job. I can’t betray McCoy. Fuck this job some days. I’m beginning to think I should come clean with McCoy and let him know that I’m attracted to his daughter, that maybe I should find a new job.
A drink is sounding good right now. I suddenly wish I hadn’t dismissed Veronica so hastily this morning. Now I have to go home and cook dinner. I will miss having someone to talk to and prepare dinner for me, but I will not miss having to worry about who’s been having sex on my table.
Chapter seven
Jesse
I don’t think I’ve ever been so grateful for a long drive in the city. Getting to the Denver International Airport from downtown Denver can be crazy some days. Today is one of those days, but it doesn’t bother me.
I keep replaying my extremely odd interaction with Aedan. In the course of the year I’ve been here, I spoke more to him today than I ever have. He never has been very approachable. He has a company reputation of being a manwhore. That’s hearsay, but I’ve never heard of him having a wife or a girlfriend, for that matter.
