His chest is still heaving, and I see his cock is still hard.
He smiles. “You’ll have to give me a minute. Don’t forget, we only have two condoms.”
I smile at him, but I’m sure I’ll be hungry soon.
***
Sometime later we break for dinner, and eventually we end the night just cuddled naked in bed together, dozing off.
Jackson’s grip on me is tight. “You’ve surprised me in so many ways.”
“I hope that’s a good thing.”
“I’m going to miss you while you’re gone.”
Reality hits. I’m leaving for several weeks. Jackson’s staying here. I’ll talk to him, but who knows what will happen. “You can always call or text me.”
“I want to come to visit you, too.”
“It’s your house. I’d never stop you.”
He lets go and rolls up on his arm to look at me. “I’ll only come to Maui if you ask me to, but please know I will be here waiting for your return. My hope is that when you come back to San Francisco, you’ll move into my apartment and be with me. If that means you need to find a different job, we’ll make it work. If you want to marry and have kids, I’m there. If you want to go slow, I’ll try to go slow. If you want to walk away, I will try to let you go. But please know you’ve affected me in a way I never thought possible. I want to know everything about you. I love spending time with you, and I want to be with you, always.”
I look at him, searching his eyes, and I believe he’s serious. It’s a lot to take in. He didn’t use the L-word, but the way he’s talking, it seems he wants to. I’m not sure where I am with my feelings. We’ve known each other for over a year, but he barely saw me as a human until three weeks ago, and I still can’t quite sort that out. I worry that those who fall in love quickly fall out just as fast.
All I can be is honest. “This is the second time today that you’ve left me speechless with a lot to think about.” I take a deep breath. “I have mixed feelings about the raise and stock options. It seems too much for what I did—which was my job, by the way. And, we’ve been out maybe four times and not really dated. We seemed to skip over that. Let’s get the renovations done and this crazy person who is after me gone, and then we can figure out if we should move forward or part ways.”
I see clouds in his eyes. He isn’t overjoyed by my answer, but it’s so much so quickly. I have to give myself time to be smart about this.
He nods. “I won’t push—at least not yet. But I want to spend the day with you tomorrow before you go. What do you want to do? We can go wine tasting. We can become tourists in our own city. Go for a boat ride. It’s a little cold to go to the beach, but we can do that. Or we can just be naked in bed. You tell me. What do you want to do?”
He just makes it impossible to fight him. “I’m kind of liking that last option for at least part of the day.”
“Then we’ll need another box of condoms.”
Chapter 25
Corrine
On Monday morning, the plane takes off as planned, and I settle back in my seat. I’m still happy, confused, scared, and concerned. So much is happening so fast. In some ways, this is what it felt like when my mom went away. It was crazy around the house, and then it changed forever.
Yesterday with Jackson was nice. It wasn’t forced. We went out to breakfast, with Ben close by. Then we walked down the hill to Pier 39 and wandered in and out of all the stalls on the wharf. It was mostly full of tourists, and it’s easy to forget it’s there, but it was quite fun. The office was still closed for cleanup, so we both did some work from the apartment in the afternoon. He gave me a list of things I’ll probably need once I get to Maui. I packed, and then we made love all evening until we collapsed. Then what seemed about ten minutes later, my alarm went off.
Matt, the pilot, could only get a landing time for just before nine, so that meant an early departure for me, but at least I’ll be online on the plane and working as everyone comes into the office back in San Francisco. Jackson will work with HR to get the temp up and running today, and maybe with her handling the phones and keeping him on his schedule, he might be okay.
The flight attendant puts a small glass of orange juice in front of me. “Would you like some breakfast?”
“Just some fruit and yogurt, if you have it.”
She nods. “We have both.”
My email is quiet, but my cell phone pings.
Jackson: I miss you already.
I miss him, too. I debate telling him and decide, why not?
Me: Miss you, too.
He probably won’t be able to visit as often as he thinks, but I’m hopeful—we have to spend time together if we’re going to see if we actually have a future—and we did agree to talk every day. Gabby and Damien are talking about coming next weekend, which would be a blast.
I lean back in my chair as the morning news plays, and before I realize it, the flight attendant is telling me we’ve landed.
Just after we touch down at the Kahalui airport, Brian pulls up with a Range Rover. He’s relaxed, in khaki shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.
“Welcome to Hawaii,” he says.
“Thank you.” I smile. “You look like you’re enjoying the Hawaiian life.”
“We are. Thank you for allowing my wife and sons to join us.”
“Of course. I suspect you’ll be bored with just me overseeing the renovations.”
“I have plenty to keep me busy. I have a long list of things Jim and Jackson want done at the house.”
“I’m meeting with Jason Crier…” I look at my watch and subtract the three-hour time difference with San Francisco. “In about an hour and a half.”
He nods. “We’re doing some background checks on some of the candidates for the majordomo position. We have a few that look interesting.”
“Good. I look forward to those. How are the renovations coming from your perspective? I know it’s only been two weeks, but they seemed a little slow.”
“You know how Hawaiians like to take it easy,” he says. “I tell you, they’ve got it figured out.”
I laugh. “I’m not sure I disagree.”
We arrive at the estate, and Jason and Leilani come out to greet me. “Aloha! Welcome back!”
“And you thought you wouldn’t be coming back,” Leilani teases.
“If Jason hadn’t received such a spectacular job offer from the city, I probably wouldn’t be here.”
“Well, I, for one, am delighted you’re here. It’s much more fun having you around.” Leilani pulls me into a light embrace.
“You’re very sweet.” I turn to Brian. “Can you have the houseman put my bags in the same room as I was in before?”
He looks at me, startled. “Of course. But you are welcome to stay in the master.”
“Well, I suspect Mr. Graham will be staying there when he comes.”
He exchanges a look with Leilani. “Of course. Good thinking.”
“I need to check in with the office. They have a temp taking over my position today, but I’d also love your scramble, if you have time.”
“I’ll make that right up.” Leilani immediately begins to move around the kitchen, pulling things out. “The chickens have been generous lately, so we have lots of eggs.”
I head to the library, which I will use as my office while I’m here, and call San Francisco.
The phone rings three times. I’ve always tried to answer in one ring, but there are times the phone is just crazy busy. “Hello? Jackson Graham’s office.”
“Hi there. This is Corrine Woods. How is it going so far?”
She seems reluctant to give me much information. “Fine…”
“You’re sitting at my desk while I’m working on a project.” I offer as a subtle reminder.
“Oooookay. Did you need something?” She isn’t putting together my name and my desk. This does not bode well for Jackson.
“Well, I guess you’ve been there a few hours. Do you have any quest
ions?”
“Nooooo.” She’s obviously perplexed.
“Okay. Then may I speak to Mr. Graham?”
“Is he expecting your call?”
“I did tell him I would call when I landed, so yes.”
“And your name again?”
Is this a joke?
I take a deep breath and try to control my frustration, but I can only imagine how upset Jackson’s going to be when I get through to him. “Corrine Woods, executive assistant and project manager to Jackson Graham.”
“I’ll see if he’s available for you.” And she hangs up on me.
I count to ten and redial.
Four rings this time. “Hello? Jackson Graham’s office.”
“Hi. This is Corrine again. I think you disconnected me. I was waiting to speak with Mr. Graham.”
“I didn’t hang up on you.”
You did, but it’s not worth arguing. “May I speak with Mr. Graham?”
“What is this regarding?”
“He’s expecting my call.”
“He’s in a meeting right now; he can’t be expecting your call.”
“Can you please let him know I called?”
“What is your name again?”
Oh, you’ve got to be kidding! “Corrine Woods.”
“And your phone number?”
“Please tell him I’m at the Halona Moana. He has the number.”
“I won’t give him a message without a number.”
I think I’m getting a headache. “You can tell Mr. Graham it’s on the sticky note on the right corner of his computer monitor.”
“Unless you give me a number, I won’t give him a message.”
I can hear the phone ringing, and I don’t want to keep her from answering important calls.
I ramble off my cell phone number and disconnect.
She has me wound up. I can’t even imagine what she’s done to Jackson.
Me: I made it. Your new admin screened me out when I just called. She’s tough. Call me when you’re done with your meeting.
My phone rings moments later. Maybe she’s not good with others but is good with him.
“Hey,” I say brightly.
“I swear, I’m going to kill her.”
Maybe not. “Call HR,” I tell him. “They’ll call the temp agency, and you can have her replaced tomorrow.”
“Do you see why you’re so important?”
“I’m sorry,” I offer with a grin.
“Jesus, this woman is killing me. She must have sent through a dozen phone calls, and she screened you out?”
“I don’t think she’s right for you. Do you need me to call HR?”
“Can you?”
“I’ll call now.”
“Wait.” I hear paper shuffling. “How was your trip?”
“I was tired, I guess. I started to work but then slept the entire way. Someone wore me out this weekend.”
“I’m pretty proud of that, you know. How are the renovations coming?”
“I haven’t looked yet. Leilani is making me breakfast, and then I’m meeting with Mr. Crier.”
“Call me at the end of your day.”
“I’ll try, but first I’ll call HR.”
“Thank you.”
I disconnect the call and dial HR. “Hey, Dawn. I just spoke with Jackson, and the woman covering my desk isn’t going to make it. Can you call her agency and have them let her know she isn’t a fit?”
“I’m not surprised. She was late, and a few people have complained about her.”
“I’m sorry,” I sympathize. Sometimes there’s a reason people are temps.
“Apparently, Andy in development thinks it’s my fault,” Dawn adds.
“If it takes money, I’ll approve fifty dollars an hour for someone spectacular,” I tell her. “I’m guessing the agency pays them half, and maybe we’ll get someone who can answer the phones and manage Mr. Graham’s calendar.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the increase. That may help us.”
I hang up and head into the kitchen.
“Perfect timing,” Leilani says. “Your breakfast is just now ready.”
“You know, I dreamed of this all last week.”
“Do you have any special requests while you’re here?”
“Who do you cook for at night?” I ask.
“There’s the staff that lives onsite, and I cook for Brian and his family.”
“Are you making the same meal for all of them?” I want to understand what she does before I make her do a bunch of unnecessary work on my behalf.
“I can, at least for the adults.”
I look at her, puzzled.
“The twins are adorable, but they eat rice, chicken, french fries, and well, anything white.”
I laugh. “I’ve heard about that. I don’t want to be any trouble. I’ll eat whatever you make the staff.”
She nods. “Will you be assuming the majordomo role?”
“Probably not. I may manage the estate in terms of Mr. Graham’s interests, but that just means I’ll make sure there’s enough money to do what needs to be done.”
I take a bite of my eggs, and they’re spectacular.
“Would you know of anyone interested in the job?” I ask her. I think she’d make a great majordomo. She’s like a mother to most of the staff anyway.
Leilani shrugs.
I can read her body language. She’s unsure about taking the risk. “Are you thinking you might be interested?”
She looks at me. “I think I can cook and be the majordomo. I might want an assistant when it comes to larger meals, but I don’t think we need to spend the money. Mostly I cook three times a day for eight people. Occasionally there are more when you’re here, but even Mr. Graham doesn’t have a family, so it’s him and a guest.”
I like that she thinks about the cost of the estate. I could take over any bills, but that also means I would remain working for Jackson.
I heard what he said, but I’m still not sure he understands why it’s a bad idea for us to live and work together. If I move in, after a few months, I could lose my job and my place to live. He’s never had a relationship last longer than three months, and he didn’t work or live with any of those women, so we’d be tempting fate by doing both.
After my tour with Jason, I’m happy with what they’ve done so far with the renovations, but also concerned that some things are not progressing as quickly as I’d like. I look at the time, and it’s after seven in San Francisco, but I call Jackson on his phone.
“Hey,” he answers. “How did it go today?”
“Not bad. I may move a little bit more money over. The designer has gone over budget because of some structural work that needed to be done. They didn’t realize a wall was load-bearing.”
“Whatever you need.”
“I may have walked Leilani into a request today.”
“What was it?”
I talk him through promoting her to majordomo, and he seems open to the idea.
“What do you think?” he asks when I’ve finished explaining.
“I’m not sure yet. I have three interviews, but if you’re really not going to be here often, we need to conserve money. Promoting her would take at least seventy thousand dollars off the top line. Plus, I think Leilani’s looking for some job security.”
“I agree with you. Meet the other candidates and see if you feel the same after that. On another subject, I was wondering…when we saw Mia on Saturday, we joked about moving the poker game to the estate. What do you think? It would be roughly ten or twelve couples for a weekend, plus security and increased staff.”
“You’d need to wait until the renovations are done, but we could probably make that work. Leilani would definitely need some help. Let me do some research, and I’ll get back to you.”
“I was thinking about sometime in May.”
“I don’t know much about organizing a poker tournament.”
“I’ll send you Jonathan Best’s con
tact info, and he can talk you through it. Maybe find out if he, his dealers, and Gillian Reece, his manager of guest relations, can come to manage the game that night. Gillian would be great with bar recommendations and possibly food and entertainment.”
“I can work on that. Did your afternoon get any better?”
He sighs. “Not in the slightest, and the temp left at four.”
Ouch. That’s not good. Jackson’s just hitting his stride about four and usually needs help making and fielding phone calls.
“I spoke with HR, and she won’t be back tomorrow,” I assure him. “I increased the allowable cost, so maybe we can find someone more professional.”
“God, I hope so. I can’t take six weeks of this.”
“Hopefully they have someone. If that agency doesn’t, we’ll call around. I can also put a push out to several of your friends and see who they know.”
“But they won’t be temporary.”
I’m quiet a moment. “You mentioned that if I came back, I wouldn’t be answering the phones anymore.”
He takes a deep breath. “I know I did. You’re right. I’m just reacting to having a bad day, and you aren’t even here to come home to.”
“Six weeks will fly by.”
“I’ll fly out before then.”
That sounds good, but then I start wondering if it’s wise. I honestly don’t know what to do with this man—or myself where he’s concerned.
I try to regroup. “How was your meeting with Dillon and Cheryl to go over the P&Ls?”
“He was surprisingly not upset. I was prepared to have to write a check and return their investment. Cheryl went back over the records, and it seems like Jeremy was writing the checks to himself and keeping them just under the point where I might notice. But it was over a million dollars in total.”
“Holy crap. Can you chase Jeremy for it?”
“SHN’s attorney is working with Cheryl, and we may prosecute.”
“I know he didn’t like me very much, so understand I might be biased, but I think you should. It sends a message that you’re generous, but those who take advantage will be held accountable.”
Royally Flushed: Tech Billionaires Page 20
