by Lexy Timms
"Will do. The schedule is right here for you." Kristen moved into the office and handed Jamie a piece of paper that was sitting on the round table between them. "Let's go out for a drink tonight. You want to? Just to have some fun."
Jamie hesitated, thinking about the desire to get back to Alex as soon as the workday was over. The look on Kristen's pretty face said that it wasn't just a chance for Jamie to vent, but the Kristen obviously needed someone to talk to too. "Yeah sure. That sounds great." She walked to the door, following Kristen out into the hall. "Wish me luck."
"Yeah, I've already said several prayers for you this morning, girl. Several of these women look good on paper, but I don't know..." she smirked.
"What do you mean?" Jamie pressed her tablet to her chest.
"Two called for directions from the parking lot and another asked if lunch was included in the interview today. Her interview is at three this afternoon."
"Oh, gimme a break!" Jamie turned and walked to the conference room, dreading the idea of having to talk to anyone. She was behind on wrapping up a project for the quarterly earnings release, as well as finding a wedding dress. Alex hadn't set a date with her just yet, but she knew he wanted it to be sooner rather than later. How he thought her capable of planning a wedding while she was knee-deep in all the drama around them was beyond her.
She'd just sat down when someone darkened the door of the room. Mark.
"How are you holding up?" He gave her a warm smile.
"Good. You?" She sat down in the chair closest to the window.
"I'm good. Alex still on the schedule for a release tomorrow?" He leaned against the door frame and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Yeah. He's hoping so. Me too." She pulled out the first résumé and skimmed it. "I have an afternoon of interviewing for Kristen's position."
"Yeah. She said she was ready to get back home. I don't blame her."
Jamie glanced up as Mark ran his fingers through his hair. "You okay? What's going on?"
"Nothing. I'm just ready to live a little. Wearing this suit and sitting in this office is only going to go so far. I'm a salesman by heart and a lot like my brother. I want to own something of my own. To watch it grow and thrive. I can't do that here. Alex and I got into a small tiff before everything happened, on the process we use for vacation accruals." He shrugged. "I just want to make my mark somewhere. I'm thinking it's not here."
"I can see that." She leaned back and crossed her legs. "Let's talk later about all of it. We'll figure it out." She could see him standing on his own. He’d needed his brother but now he was thriving and doing well. “Ahhh, it looks like my little broken-winged bird is all mended.”
“Shut up,” he said, laughing good naturedly. “I love ya too, momma.”
“Momma?”
“Like a mother hen. You know.”
She laughed. “Oh you bugger!”
A smile played at the edge of his mouth.
"What now?"
"I had to stop by and feed Jake last night since you were at the hospital, and I couldn't help but notice the magazines scattered all over the big table. Wedding dress time?" He grinned, loving it because he knew Jamie thought it was pure torture.
"Yeah, I think so. I was actually just starting to feel a little panicked. I haven't picked out a dress, but it's kind of irrelevant seeing that we haven't set a date. With everything that's happened, who knows when we'll get married? It was more of a means of distraction while I’m home without Alex." She let out a frustrated sigh as he moved back and Kristen brought in a woman who looked like she belonged on the cover of Playboy, not in a stuffy office answering phones.
"Call me later." Mark moved back as his attention diverted to the girl.
"This is Kinsey." Kristen plastered a smile on her lips. "Kinsey, this is Jamie Connors, Mr. Reid's assistant and director of operations."
"Nice to meet you, Kinsey." Jamie stood up and extended her hand. "Can you shut the door for us, Kristen?"
"You bet. Let me know if you need anything." Kristen closed the door, and Jamie couldn't help but notice the subtle disappointment on the woman's face.
"So tell me a little about yourself. Your résumé looks great and speaks volumes, but—"
"Am I not being interviewed by Alex? I thought the job was to work directly for him. Am I applying for the wrong position?" The girl's voice was tight with what sounded like aggravation.
"That's the position, but he's not available today. I'm the next best thing."
"And the job would be to work with him, right? Not you?"
Jamie stifled a laugh that bubbled up inside of her. Was this girl for real? Where did these women come from? Just because Alex was once the city's most eligible bachelor didn't mean he didn't run a tight operation at the office. There was no way he would hire someone only to seduce them.
She shook her head, ignoring the small voice in her head that said that her story was a little like that, and yet nothing like it at all. She'd been overweight, lacking confidence, and needed someone to believe in her. And he had. Completely. His confidence and attention had given her a breath of fresh air and a reason to push forward into the new life she wanted so badly.
And now we're getting married.
"Are you listening to me?" The girl leaned forward, pulling Jamie from her thoughts.
"Hmm? No. Thanks for coming in today. I have all I need." Jamie got up and walked to the door, opening it and moving back. "Tell Kristen to send in the next interviewee please. We'll be in touch."
"You didn't even ask any questions." She picked up her purse and moved out into the hall.
"I didn't need to." Jamie turned and walked back into the conference room, sitting down and jotting down a few reasons why Kinsey was a bad fit for the firm.
First being: gold-digger.
*
After a long afternoon of interviewing Barbie after Barbie, Jamie was glad to finally have an interviewee who seemed genuinely interested in being at the company. Funny enough, it was a man. A younger man.
"So you're working on your degree and are only two years out. Congrats on that." Jamie smiled at him as they concluded the interview.
"Thanks. I really feel like taking on a position like this one would be beneficial to the future for me, seeing that I'd like to work here as a trade analyst when it's all said and done. I realize the position would have to become available, but I'm good waiting. I just want to work for someone who's made it through hard work and being a good citizen. That's what I see in Mr. Reid."
"That's exactly who he is." Jamie stood and extended her hand. "Well, Justin, it was great to meet you. I'll have Alex give you a call in a week or so for a follow up interview with him."
"Thanks so much." He shook her hand and walked out in the hall. Mark stepped into the conference room and lifted his eyebrow.
"Wow. A guy?" He looked down the hall.
"Yep. He's my top pick too. He has all his stuff together, or is a damn good liar." Jamie chuckled and checked her phone. "Can you go over to the hospital for a few hours? I want to go have a drink with Kristen, but I feel bad not having someone go over and see Alex. He's been there all day by himself. You know he goes stir- crazy."
"Yeah, I can do that. Didn't you take him his laptop?" Mark moved back as she walked out of the conference room and closed the door behind her.
"I tried. Dr. Bennett wouldn't have any of it." She laughed. "They ran a stress test and thankfully his heart looks great. He's just about healed up from the gunshot wound. It's all stress-related."
"I figured as much." Mark walked with her back to her office. "What’re they going to do about it?"
"I would assume put him on a much-needed diet of stress-reducing medication, a week of vacation, and talk to him about pulling back a little here. Dr. Bennett asked me about everything the other day."
"He does work too much. Who does he have who can step up and do a little of what he's doing?" Mark stopped just side her door as she worked t
o put her stuff back on her desk and clean up a little. "I mean, besides you. You being up here doesn't help much of anything."
"There's a lot of senior-level staff Alex would probably consider. It's more of a trust issue with everything that's happened lately." She glanced up and worked to get her hair into a messy bun. "How about you? Are you still looking to get out and start something on your own, or are you thinking you might want to take on a bigger role here?"
"I don't know." He shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'll talk to him about all of it today. I really don't think I fit in here very well, but we'll see what my big brother has to say about all of it. I can't imagine not helping him out if he needs me, but knowing Alex he has three backup plans for any and every possible outcome."
"That sounds about right." She laughed and grabbed her purse. "Tell him I'll be there in a little bit. I just want to talk to Kristen about a few things."
"Will do." Mark moved back into the hall. "Everything okay with her? She's not upset about something, right?"
"Should she be?" Jamie closed her door and turned to face Mark.
"Not that I know of, but you know how you women can be. We think everything is fine, and then we're blindsided by something we didn't even know about."
"We're such complex creatures, aren't we?" She walked backward down the hall as she teased him.
"More than you know." He turned and walked the other way as she moved to Kristen's desk.
"You ready? I need a whole bottle of vodka to burn some of those interviews from my mind." Jamie tugged her shoulder strap to her purse up higher. "Did you see some of those chicks?"
"I did. I honestly would have killed to be a fly on the wall. Who wears four-inch pink pumps to an interview?" Kristen got up and grabbed her purse. "Or a top that shows almost all your breasts? That was so inappropriate."
"They were hoping the interview was with ‘Mr. Reid’." Jamie wagged her eyebrows and moved to the elevator. "I was quite the disappointment today."
Kristen laughed and pressed the button on the panel for the bottom floor. "I bet you were. Shame really. People have no class nowadays."
"Agreed. At least some don't." Jamie glanced up at the small screen above the floor panels on the elevator wall and watched the advertisements on the small screen. One came up for a bridal show and she groaned.
"What?" Kristen glanced over at her. "Getting tired of wedding planning?"
"More like tired of wondering when we're going to do it. We haven't set a date yet, but I know Alex is chomping at the bit to get it over with. I am too." She shrugged. "I thought we would have something huge because of who he is, but every time we talk about it he keeps referring to it as a small wedding, or intimate gathering."
"And you want something big?" Kristen walked out into the lobby as Jamie pointed to the restaurant just across the street.
"No, I'm good with small. Let's go over there. The martinis are delicious, and it's half off appetizers right now." She pushed the door open for Kristen.
"Sounds great. Small and intimate sounds like Alex. He's never been the showy kind of guy I think everyone expects him to be. He's just a good man with a lot of ambition. You're a lucky woman." There was no jealously that Jamie could find in Kristen's face. She seemed to be incredibly genuine, which was rare.
"I agree. I'm insanely lucky." She turned and waved as someone from the office called out her name.
"How many bridesmaids do you have?"
Her question hit Jamie square in the chest. "Um... none."
"What? That seems crazy." They walked across the street together as the wind picked up.
"Yeah, but I don't have many friends. Stephen and I had some friends together, but when he dumped me for my sister, that all changed."
"For your sister? That's sick." Kristen held the door to the restaurant. "Well, I could fill in if you needed me to. I don't know if you need—"
"I would love that." Jamie smiled. "That would be incredible, but Mark's going to be the best man, or so I imagine. Is that okay?"
"Oh yeah. Mark and I worked everything out the other day. He's a lot like Alex. Just a good man, trying to make his way and figure things out." She smiled and turned to the hostess. "Two please."
"Then it's settled. You'll be my maid of honor. We need to get you a dress." Jamie slid into the booth across from Kristen and ordered a drink the minute the server showed up.
"Do you have your dress?" Kristen leaned forward, pressing her forearms to the table. "There's a huge sale online right now at the Bridal Extravaganza."
"Really? No, I don't have it. Maybe I'll get online and find one tonight."
"Let's do it now." Kristen pulled out her phone and moved to the other side of the table to sit beside Jamie.
A warmth swept across Jamie that she hadn't felt in a long time. She missed Gina, but maybe a new friendship was the answer to that. That Kristen would be willing to be in the wedding without too much notice said a lot about the girl's character.
Alex and Mark weren't the only good people trying to find their way through the wicked world around them.
It would seem Kristen was too.
Chapter 13
"Finally," Jaime muttered under her breath as she parked outside the hospital the next day. Alex was released to come home, and she'd turned over the office to Dillon, one of Alex's senior advisors who played well with everyone and worked almost as hard as Alex himself.
She smoothed down her blue button-down shirt and wiped at her teeth, suddenly a little nervous about how she looked. It was silly, but wanting to be picture perfect for the man would be something that was sure to plague her for the entirety of their lives together, though he would never demand such a thing.
The hospital halls were busy as usual as she walked toward Alex's room, and after knocking softly, she opened the door to find him up and dressed in a pair of slacks and a black t-shirt. He looked like sin incarnate.
"Hi." She smiled and closed the door behind her, pausing to take him in.
"Hi, beautiful. You ready for me to come home?" He extended one hand to her, beckoning her to come to him.
She didn't hesitate, but walked across the room and slid into his arms, enjoying greatly the long kiss he awarded her. He licked and sucked at her mouth while running his hands down her back and cupping her rear.
"I'm so ready." She kissed him again and wrapped her arms around his neck, trying to be careful of any tenderness he might have from the wound. "Just a night together with nothing on but the TV, and no one to deal with. Yes."
"Actually... I have a surprise for you." He smiled and kissed her again quickly before pulling away. "Let's get home, and I'll explain."
"Why do I feel like your surprise is going to take away from a quiet night for just the two of us?" She smirked and walked to the door, holding it open until he joined her.
"It’ll be just the two of us, but I'm not sure quiet is going to be the mood of the evening." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and glanced down at her as they walked through the lobby. "I'm all checked out, so we can get the hell out of here. I never want to do this again."
"It's been quite an experience." She snuggled against his left side and tried to ignore the warring emotions within her. Why he would want to go out and do anything after just getting out of the hospital was beyond her, but then again Alex Reid was unpredictable if anything.
"How's the firm? No burning down the building, right?" he chuckled as he released her and walked to the passenger side door. "You drive?"
"Yeah, sure." She got in and buckled up before looking over at him. "It's all good. Dillon is keeping an eye on things for us today and tomorrow. I know you probably want to get back into the swing of things, but Dr. Bennett said to take off the rest of the weekend. I think it's a good idea that you do just that."
"I'm fine with being off this weekend." He reclined his seat a little. "I like that shirt. Looks really good on you." He reached over and ran the back of his fingers past her nip
ple, causing her to stiffen.
"I guess you spoke with Mark about him maybe looking at other opportunities?" She reached out and took his hand, lifting it to her mouth and kissing his fingers before nibbling along one of them.
He growled softly. "Yeah. I see where he's coming from, but I'm not sure I agree with him leaving just yet. He needs to build up his résumé, but he's not the kind of guy you can tell anything to."
He sucked a breath in between clenched teeth as she slipped one of his fingers into the warmth of her mouth. Her body reacted violently to the sight of him leaning back and letting out a sensual groan.
"I need you," he mumbled and scooted closer as she pulled out of the parking lot and released his hand.
"We'll be home in about twenty minutes." She glanced over at him as her heart began to race. He looked hungry for attention. Attention that she wanted to give him in large doses.
"Too long." He smiled and slid his hand down her thigh, only to drag her dress back up with him as he came to the junction between her thighs. "Black panties. I love it."
"I thought you might." She tried to find enough air to breathe as his fingers danced across her mound. "Alex. I can't drive with you touching me like that. You know you make me crazy with lust."
"I do?" He glanced up and licked his lips before slipping his fingers under her panties and petting her in long strokes.
"Fuck," she mumbled and gripped the wheel with both hands. Him being in the hospital with nothing to do was obviously not a good thing, and yet a really great thing too.
"I want to. Now." He moved up a little and pressed his fingers into her body, turning his face to watch her as she let out a long groan. "So hot and wet. I love how ready you are for me."
"You're going to get us in a wreck." She glanced over at him, memorizing how incredibly beautiful he was in the midst of his nefarious acts.
"Then pull over. Find somewhere to park so I can lie down and take care of you." He licked at his lips again, and she growled, pushing at him.
