Survivor

by Mary Alford

  “You like?” he asked at my awestruck silence.

  “It’s…nice.” Aaron took my answer for approval.

  He ticked off the floors as the elevator cruised upward, letting me know which departments were on each floor. When the elevator stopped and the doors slid open on the tenth floor, the heart of Severn Advertising spread out before me. The place was literally humming with activity.

  He stared into my eyes and winked. “Welcome to the jungle.” We started down a long hallway lined with offices. It took a mere two steps before several people realized the boss was back in town.

  “Welcome back, Aaron. Congratulations on your success in Austin. This place has been buzzing for days about it. Not to mention Wall Street.”

  Aaron glanced over at me. He knew what my reaction to those words would be.

  “Jeff, this is Grace Caldwell, my new assistant. Grace, this is my right-hand man. The one who keeps the place running while I’m away. Jeff Hamilton.”

  “Straight from Texas, huh? It’s nice to meet you, Grace.”

  I shook Jeff’s hand, but frankly, nothing he’d said or anything Aaron had told me about him registered.

  “Forget it, Jeff. Grace is definitely not your type.” Aaron’s comment took me by surprise and had me almost stumbling over him in the process. What was he talking about, and why did he suddenly sound angry?

  Jeff gave me his best smile then threw Aaron a look that told me he didn’t understand what he’d done to make his boss angry. He stopped walking beside us then and Aaron ignored him entirely.

  Aaron opened another door at the end of the hallway leading into a waiting area much larger than the one I’d become accustomed to. At the far end of the room was a desk with a well-dressed brunette seated behind it, phone held up to her ear.

  She spotted Aaron the second he walked into the room and pretty much hung up on whoever she’d been talking with.

  “Aaron, you’re back! Thank goodness! This place was getting downright boring.”

  The young girl whom I judged to be only slightly older than myself came around the desk and gave Aaron a hug.

  “Sidney, I’m sorry. I’ll have to see if I can shake things up for you a little while I’m here.”

  “Would you please? Jenna is leaving me, and you’re going to be gone all the time. Things are not looking so good around here. In fact, they’re becoming downright depressing.”

  Aaron laughed before introducing me to the girl.

  “I can’t tell you how jealous I am of you. Texas is going to be having all the fun for a while. Not that I blame you. I know how much you enjoy a good challenge. And then there’s all the pesky business stuff as well.” Her gaze slid over me, and I could almost read her thoughts. How did someone like me ever end up landing such an important job? “And the sunny weather as well,” she added when she saw Aaron was not pleased by her remark.

  “Come on. I think I’d better get you out of here before Sidney gives you any further ammo to use against me.” He gave the girl a direct look that didn’t seem to stop her from grinning at me one little bit.

  “Like she’s not going to find out all about you sooner than you’d like?”

  We passed through yet another door to a slightly larger office where another woman was seated behind a glass and brushed steel desk, frowning at something on the computer screen in front of her.

  When she glanced up and saw that it was Aaron, she started to cry.

  “You made it back! I was beginning to wonder if you’d ever come home again.” The woman didn’t bother to come around the desk. She just reached over the top of it and hugged him. It was then I noticed she was pregnant.

  “Yes, I came home and I’m glad you’re happy to see me. At least it’s what I’m hoping those tears mean. Or is it just the hormones talking?”

  The girl smiled a little at his remark. “Probably a little of both. Who’s this young thing?”

  “So far, no one’s given Grace much hope at actually liking it here, or working for me for that matter. I was hoping I could count on you to change her opinion, Jenna?”

  “This is Grace? Oh my goodness, Aaron, you didn’t tell me she was still a baby.” Jenna came around the desk and gave me the full extent of her scrutiny. She looked me over from top to bottom before smiling at my embarrassment. “I’m impressed. She’s not what I was expecting.”

  I wasn’t exactly sure what they were talking about, only that there was some secret conversation taking place I wasn’t privy to.

  “Don’t even go there. Since you two have met, well somewhat anyway, I’m going to turn Grace over to you for the rest of the day once I’ve shown her around the place. You think you can manage not to run her off for a day?”

  Jenna wasn’t fazed by Aaron’s attempt at anger. She was definitely a woman who could stand her own with him.

  “Well, that depends. You want me to tell her truth or you want me to lie about you?”

  “I’m wounded.” He didn’t give Jenna the chance to do either. Aaron took my hand and dragged me away.

  After another hour of seeing all the ins and outs of the advertising business, Aaron left me with Jenna while he went back to his own office to catch up on some things.

  “So what do you think of New York so far?”

  I wanted to hide my naïveté by telling her it was just like any other city I’d been in, but the truth was, I had no way of knowing, and to be honest, the place was downright frightening in its ability to impress me.

  “It’s huge. Impressive. I’ve never been anywhere like it before.”

  Jenna grinned then decided we needed some private time away from curious ears.

  I followed her into the executive breakroom, took the coffee she offered, and sat across from her while she had what she told me was her second breakfast that morning.

  “Help yourself to the donuts. They’re brought in fresh every morning.”

  The smell of warm glazed Krispy Kreme donuts was too much to resist. I took one and waited for her to begin the interrogation.

  “So, what do you think of the great and powerful Aaron Severn?” I’d known eventually she’d get around to asking the question. It was inevitable. It had been there in her eyes since we’d met.

  “I don’t know. I guess I haven’t decided yet.”

  She slowly nodded. “A woman who’s not blown away by the man. Now I am impressed. It doesn’t happen often, you know. In fact, I can’t remember the last time. Most of the girls around here would kill just to have him notice them. But Aaron doesn’t believe in mixing business with pleasure…usually.”

  I focused on my donut because I wasn’t sure how to answer. Jenna took my silence for interest and continued with our little “discussion” of Aaron.

  “You know he talks about you all the time.” My gaze shot back up to hers. What exactly had Aaron said about me?

  “If I didn’t know Aaron the way I think I do, I’d almost say his interest in you is more than just business related.” I think she may have seen some of my fear, but it didn’t slow her down one little bit. “But you see, for that to be true would go against everything I believe I do know about my boss.”

  “Don’t worry, it’s not true. Not even close. Aaron has absolutely no interest in me whatsoever. Well, other than as his assistant and I’m not so sure why he hired me in the first place. I’ve never been an assistant before this. I have no experience at it, and it’s not even the field I’m interested in pursuing. In fact, I’m not so sure I can even do the job.”

  “Aaron knows what he’s doing. He wouldn’t have picked you if he didn’t think you could do the job, so stop worrying. As far as any personal interest, well I still hold out hope for him. I do believe he’s going to lose interest in all those meaningless physical relationships he pursues and find someone he can love. Someday, Aaron is going to meet someone who will be nothing like those other women. Someone like you. When that happens, look out, because he’s going to fall hard. The strong ones always
do.”

  “Well, it won’t be me. I’m not his type and he’s definitely not mine.”

  “So I’ve heard. He told me what you said to him his first day.” She answered my curious glance. “I’m impressed with your honesty. Keep it up, because it’s exactly what he needs. Most people cower when faced with one of Aaron’s cold expressions. He does it deliberately, you know. To keep people at a distance. Getting to know the real Aaron Severn was the hardest thing in the world to do because it meant getting beyond his tough-as-nails, cold exterior he uses to keep even the most persistent of people at bay. Aaron doesn’t let too many people close to him, as you’ve no doubt discovered already. I’m finally starting to understand him a little better. You see, Aaron has never had anyone in his life to show him what he’s lacking. It’s always about what he should be accomplishing next in his life.”

  “How do you do it? I mean, how do you keep doing it and not get discouraged?”

  “You mean the way Aaron approaches business? You’re right. It’s hard to take at times. He’s not such a bad person. He just needs to see there is more to life than work and getting ahead. And I think you’re going to be a big part of making that happen.”

  I couldn’t bring myself to tell her I didn’t hold out any such hopes. There was no way I was ever going to convince him of anything.

  “I don’t think I’ll be much help.”

  Jenna didn’t answer right away. “I think you’re wrong,” she finally said. “I think you’re going to be the one to accomplish all those things.”

  Being close to Aaron was harder than I ever imagined. Back home, I at least could retreat to my apartment to escape for a while, but both working and living with him had me on the edge most of the time. I couldn’t sleep, and when I did, my dreams were filled with him. I was quickly becoming obsessed.

  After a few days into my stay and a virtual barrage of grueling fourteen-hour days filled with client meetings, I was ready to drop on my feet. I passed on Aaron’s offer to take me out on the town. I desperately needed a night of dreamless sleep without the object of my fantasies making his nightly appearance.

  I showered, wrapped myself in my favorite robe and climbed under the covers, praying for sleep. After tossing and turning and listening while Aaron worked late into the night, followed up by the sound of the shower running, I knew if I didn’t do something fast, sleep was not going to be an option.

  I threw back the covers, tiptoed to the door and cracked it open. Not a sound could be heard in the apartment. Finally, Aaron was going to put me out of my misery and go to sleep.

  Since I wasn’t much of a drinker, I decided hot chocolate might do the trick. I crept down the hall to the kitchen, trying to be as quiet as possible. The last thing I needed was to have to face Aaron.

  I’d just poured the hot drink into a cup when I heard noises coming from the direction of Aaron’s room. I held my breath. Had he spotted the kitchen light?

  “Grace? What are you doing up so late? I thought you went to bed hours ago.”

  I switched off the tap and put the saucepan in the dishwasher, not looking at him.

  “I couldn’t sleep. Too much on my mind, I guess.” I glanced at him. “What are you doing up? Didn’t you just turn in?” I could have slapped my own forehead at the ridiculous blunder. He knew I’d been waiting for him to go to bed.

  I watched him digest this piece of information. I watched him across the granite island between us, expecting to see his wicked smile. I was not so lucky.

  Something shifted in his eyes. I would have given just about anything not to have to face the truth with him. I’d been able to fool myself for a while, but I hadn’t fooled him. I guess I wasn’t so different from all the other women in his life after all.

  “Grace…” I held up a hand, killing whatever else he’d thought of saying. I picked up the cup, my fingers shaking, spilling the hot liquid on my hand. I just needed to get away so I could think clearly again.

  Aaron stepped in front of me, mere inches away. “Are you okay?” I couldn’t answer.

  I closed my eyes, but it was too late. He’d seen all of my longings. I wasn’t sure which of us moved first, but then I was in his arms and Aaron’s fingers threaded through my hair.

  His lips met mine, gentle and exploring, but still I could feel Aaron was holding back, waiting for some signal from me. He didn’t have to wait long. I responded eagerly to his practiced touch. It was as if I were drowning in his kisses.

  Suddenly, Aaron pulled away. He turned away, his breath hard and labored, mirroring my own.

  “Aaron, what is it?” I touched one trembling finger against my lips, swollen from his kisses.

  “Grace, I’m sorry.” His voice had never sounded so hard. “I broke my promise to you and I’m sorry. You should go before it’s too late. Before I change my mind and forget about the promises I made to you.”

  I hurried to my room. Once I’d closed the door, I slumped against it, placing my hand against my mouth to stifle the sobs. I’d never felt more confused before.

  I climbed under the covers, curled into a tiny ball, and wondered how I could ever face him again.

  While a thousand different troubled thoughts raced through my head, I heard Aaron tap on my door. “Grace, are you awake? Grace, I’m sorry.”

  The door opened slightly, and the light from the hallway spilled in. He said my name softly but I didn’t answer. I lay perfectly still and prayed he wouldn’t press the issue enough to call my bluff. He knew I wasn’t sleeping, but hopefully he would have mercy on me and not force me to talk about what had happened between us.

  After a moment, the door closed once more. He’d left me alone. I wiped away the silent tears, and then buried my face against the pillow until exhaustion overtook me and I finally fell into a fitful sleep.

  I dressed and went into the kitchen the following morning, hoping to get the awkward encounter with Aaron over and done. A full pot of coffee told me he was awake. I steeled myself for the inevitable.

  Aaron and I had gotten into a comfortable routine of having our coffee together in the morning and then discussing current issues at work on the ride into the office. It was nice and something I’d started looking forward to just a little too much.

  Today, we were different. Last night still lay between us. I dreaded the thought of sitting next to him in the tense silence of the car and not feeling the closeness that seemed to have become part of our relationship.

  I didn’t hear him come in, but when he stood close to me I sensed his presence even though I couldn’t look at him.

  He took my shoulders and drew me back against his body. His arms went around my waist. I stood perfectly still in his embrace, but the tension of the previous night slowly began to leave me.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let it happen. I don’t want to ever do anything to break my promise to you. Things just got out of hand. It won’t happen again.” He spoke the words softly against my ear, sending shivers through my body and awakening a response deep inside of me that shook my resolve.

  I forced myself to remain still in his arms. I couldn’t let him see the way being close to him, hearing those words, made me want him even more.

  “Say something.” Aaron had read my silence entirely wrong. He thought I was angry with him.

  The tension between us continued to lengthen.

  “Grace, we need to talk.”

  I pushed him away. “I don’t want to talk, Aaron. Whatever happened last night was a mistake. Let’s just leave it at that.”

  “Impossible. What happened can’t be undone.”

  I stepped past him.

  Aaron’s frustration was evident in his tone. “You’re just going to run away, is that it? Pretend nothing took place. I was there remember. You weren’t exactly pushing me away.”

  I stopped in the doorway but didn’t look at him. “Yes. Because I can’t think about last night and keep working for you.”

  “Alright. I gues
s I can’t force you to talk if you don’t want to, but if you believe ignoring what happened between us will make it go away, then you’re only fooling yourself.”

  By the time we left New York, Aaron and I were almost back to our normal relationship. We’d never once mentioned what had taken place between us, even though on more than one occasion I caught him watching me as if he were trying to decide what to do with me.

  I wasn’t any closer to being convinced I was the right person to be Aaron’s assistant than I had been in the beginning.

  The car service dropped us off at the airport with plenty of time to spare before our flight back to Austin. We sat in the Admiral’s Club waiting for our boarding call. Aaron was busy working through some long, boring presentation from one of his international team members while I was on the phone with my choice in decorators trying to make sure Aaron had a place to sleep.

  “So, am I bunking at your place?” He’d overheard just enough of my frustration to know things were not looking so good in his fancy little mansion.

  “No. But you’re definitely going to be eating out for a while. The bedroom is finished, or I should say that at least you have a bed. In fact, most of the rest of the house is completed with the exception of the kitchen, which is going more slowly than they expected. Not that it matters, because I can’t see you cooking any elaborate meals in there anyway. And I don’t think you’ll be entertaining anytime soon.”

  I’d just spent the hardest week of my life in Aaron’s constant company, and I’d come close to finding out firsthand if he lived up to his reputation as a great lover. I was not feeling nice. I wanted to get away from him so I could try to remember I wasn’t interested in him as anything more than my boss. The fact he was amazing in just about everything he did was making that all but impossible.

  “You’re wrong. I happen to love to cook and I’m good at it. I’d even go so far as to say I’d put you to shame.”

  “Is that supposed to be an insult? I hate to disappoint you, Aaron, but you’re going to have to try harder. I never said I could cook. I said I could make one thing well. There’s a difference. And you’ve already had it so…I’m sorry but I just can’t picture you in the kitchen.” I actually laughed when I thought of him in an apron until my imagination took it one step further and I pictured Aaron wearing nothing but the apron.