The Billionaire's Assistant: A Billionaire Romance (The Hampton Billionaires Book 4)

by Erika Rose

  Cayden didn’t move a muscle but his lips opened slightly, nipping her bottom lip.

  As her breath quickened Anna knew her plan had just backfired. Now she would be thinking about what it would be like to kiss him again every waking second.

  She hastily pulled back. “I’m sorry, that was…”

  Cayden laughed easily. “That was unexpected I’d say.”

  Anna nodded chastening herself for experimenting with her new boss. “I’ve got to leave!” She said rushing away.

  She had just reached the stairs when Cayden called out to her. “You forgot your purse.”

  “Fuck!” Anna said under her breath. How more embarrassing could this get?

  She hurried towards Cayden hoping he wouldn’t notice the tomato red stains on her cheeks.

  He was amused, she could tell from the expression on his face. She grabbed her bag and keys and left before she could embarrass herself any further.

  CHAPTER 5

  Cayden woke up in the middle of the night feeling like a teenager. He had a throbbing hard-on and knew exactly why.

  Anna.

  In his dream she had writhed and bucked beneath him, her skin glistening with sweat as she called his name. Her dark mane of hair had been spread out on his pillowcase and her scent enveloped him as he thrusted time and time again.

  Ever since she had laid her lips softly against his and watched him with those ice blue eyes he couldn’t think of anything else.

  He had gone back to the restaurant but his mind wasn’t there. His mind had gone on holiday to Anna-land the moment she had kissed him.

  Since her interview Cayden had wondered what it would be like to kiss her, and now that he knew he wanted more. He wanted to bury himself inside her.

  It was evident from the straining against his boxers.

  He got up and moved to the kitchen. After pouring himself a glass of ice water he drank deeply, thoughts wandering to Anna again.

  How many men had she been with? She couldn’t be a virgin. She was confident and sexy as hell. She had to have been with a few men at least.

  The thought of Anna writhing beneath another man infuriated him, so he pushed it aside.

  How was he going to work with her every day if he wanted to jump her? Elizabeth would strangle him, he thought for the second time since hiring Anna.

  He needed to find away to move past the attraction he felt for her. Maybe he needed to phone up someone in his little black book to work some of the sexual tension off.

  No, Cayden thought. That would be a bad replacement for the real thing, he’d rather go without.

  He thought back to last night. Her lips had been so soft and her scent was dark and seductive. Not the usual floral scent, something deeper, spicier. It suited her Cayden thought smiling to himself. The kiss was more inquisitive than seductive but it had seduced him nonetheless.

  Cayden walked to his laptop on the dining table and sat down, firing it up. Nothing would take his mind of Anna and his throbbing hard-on faster than some facts and figures.

  He pulled up the sales reports for three of his chains and noticed a downward curve in sales on Tuesdays throughout the past month.

  A special, Cayden thought, as he worked through the report. He’d design a special for Tuesday’s to get more bums in seats. Something for the family, besides who wanted to cook on a Tuesday evening?

  The following morning Cayden sat in his office and looked out towards the water. He had barely slept after he had woken up in the middle of the night with thoughts of Anna. Although he had decided on a course of action for the diminishing Tuesday sales, he hadn’t thought of an exact special that would appeal to the patrons of Rosi’s.

  Anna would be in any moment, Cayden thought with his back to the door. Would she come in and greet him this morning or would she shyly avoid him for most of the day?

  He would prefer to avoid her for the rest of the day, before more fuel was poured on the fire already blazing in his pants, but Elizabeth would notice.

  Elizabeth might be an employee but she was one of the most valued in Rosetta’s Ravioli. It was Elizabeth who sourced locations for new chains, who negotiated national marketing campaigns, without her he would manage. But she just made everything run smoother. Cayden had learned a long time ago everyone was happier when Elizabeth was happy.

  At the brief knock on his door Cayden swung around forcing himself to look professional in case it was Elizabeth.

  It wasn’t.

  It was Anna looking as beautiful as the day before. Today she was wearing black trousers with a white leather jacket and spiked heel boots. She looked professional and yet he ached for her already. Her clear blue eyes watched him hesitantly from the door.

  “Cayden, do you have a minute?” she asked without moving.

  “Sure,” he said.

  Anna walked into his office and hesitantly sat down in front of his desk. Taking a deep breath she started. “I’m sorry about last night. It was completely out of line and I apologize. It won’t happen again. I understand if you would like to relieve me of my duties immediately.” She cast her eyes down towards her lap, avoiding Cayden’s eyes.

  For a moment Cayden considered it, besides he was sure to get more work done that way. But he knew she wasn’t the only guilty part.

  “Anna, I appreciate your honesty and your apology but I won’t be relieving you of your duties.”

  “Are you sure?” She asked confused looking up.

  “Yes, I think we were both at fault. It was late and … let’s just put it behind us.”

  “Thank you Cayden, I promise you it won’t happen again.”

  Even as she spoke Cayden couldn’t help but wonder if he would ever kiss her again.

  “What do you need me to do this morning?” She asked standing up.

  “I uh…you know what?” Cayden said thinking of something. “I know it isn’t part of your job description but I could use your help with something. I was up most of last night going over figures when I noticed a steady drop in our sales on Tuesdays.” Anna nodded for him to continue. “So I know we need a special, but we’ve already got the buy one get one free on Mondays and the Buffet on Thursdays. We need something fresh that will entice repeat customers and attract new ones.”

  “So you need a special?”

  “Yes. I would appreciate it if you could maybe work on a few suggestions.”

  “Sure, I’ll have them for you this afternoon.” Anna beamed.

  “No need to rush, whenever you’re ready.” Cayden said forcing his eyes to remain on hers and not to trail over her high cheek bones to her lips.

  “The sooner you decide on one the sooner we can up the Tuesday sales.”

  With that she stood up and left his office.

  The sun had started its nightly descent and was now hovering over the horizon. Cayden could hear the early supper guests start to arrive in the restaurant downstairs when Anna knocked on his door.

  “I have some ideas for you if you have time now?” She asked holding a folder.

  “Sure come on in.” Cayden said closing down his emails. As soon as she was finished he was getting out of here and staying out until the following morning. He didn’t want any more late night rendezvous’ with Anna that could lead to something more than a kiss. Next time he wasn’t sure he would let her walk away.

  “Right, so I looked at what your competition is doing every night of the week and what Rosi’s is offering.”

  “Right?” Cayden said following her train of thought.

  “You’ve got the buy one get one specials, you’ve got the buffet, and you’ve got the happy hour on Saturdays and free deserts on Sundays.”

  “That’s correct yes; we try to cater to all our different clientele at least one day a week.”

  “Exactly, but you’ve missed a large bracket.” She said pursing her lips.

  When Cayden only frowned she continued. “You’re mis
sing the family market.” She handed Cayden a folder and leaning across the desk opened it for him. The page was mazes of graphs, outlining the average American spend with one or more children. “You don’t have a special catering for families. I know you’ve got a hip crowd hanging out over weekends and late at night especially when you’ve got the live bands in, but you don’t have one night dedicated to families.”

  Cayden frowned, how did he miss that? Essentially Rosi’s had started as a family restaurant. He picked up the graph and studied it more closely.

  “If we offer Family Tuesdays and give the kids free food for each paying adult, you’ll get that market share back. We can either start a kiddies menu, or offer the kids free pizza. Both ways mom’s getting a night off from cooking, and dad doesn’t have to worry about a large bill when taking his family out for dinner.”

  Cayden let the idea mull over in his mind, quickly calculating the cost of free meals versus the profit margin of paid adult meals. The average kid would only eat two or three slices of pizza. So they could offer the kids free pizza and cash in on the adult meals and beverages which held the highest profit.

  “This could work.” He said almost to himself.

  “I know, its brilliant right? And on Tuesday you could offer something any kid likes, a bacon and banana pizza!” Her hands went up in the air as an epiphany had just dawned on her.

  Cayden looked up and met her excited gaze. “You sound more excited about that pizza than the kids.”

  “Let’s just we didn’t go out for pizza often but when we did that was my Achilles.”

  Cayden laughed. She intrigued him more by the minute.

  “I’ll just run it by Elizabeth, but Anna I think you nailed it.”

  Surprise and achievement washed over her face as she smiled broadly at him. “Thanks! I really enjoyed it actually. Let’s just hope it works.”

  “It will.” Cayden smiled. “Goodnight Anna.”

  “Bye,” she waved as she headed out.

  Cayden looked over the figures again, shocked that he had missed it. He was even more impressed that Anna had caught the gap in the market and worked out a special that would bridge it.

  Maybe she wasn’t just a pretty face; maybe she was exactly what Cayden needed.

  CHAPTER 6

  “Anna!” Cayden called from inside his office. “Are you ready to leave, the plane is waiting for us.”

  Anna switched off her computer, trying her best to hide the excitement she was feeling. She was going on her first business trip.

  A business trip with Cayden Lee.

  Ever since they kissed two weeks ago Anna had made a conscious effort not to be alone with Cayden. She always made sure she left the office the same time as Elizabeth and the other staff and never came in early when it would just be her and Cayden.

  She had found the work challenging but gratifying at Rosi’s. Even though Cayden still hadn’t given her a proper work description, she did as he asked. Basically helped everywhere it was needed. She even helped to waitress the early shift in Rosi’s one evening when a waiter fell suddenly ill.

  He had planned a business trip to Los Angeles for a few days this week, but Elizabeth had excused herself due to personal issues on short notice.

  So to her amazement Cayden had asked Anna to join him. She didn’t know whether to be flattered or terrified. She had none of the bargaining experience that Elizabeth had when it came to negotiating new premises for the franchise, but Cayden had insisted.

  “I’m ready,” Anna called, grabbing her handbag. She had left her small carry on suitcase in the storage room and would get it on the way out.

  Cayden stepped out of his office and her heart skipped a beat. Their first meeting was only tomorrow so he had dressed comfortably for the flight. His light blue jeans had seen better days; they were scuffed and slightly torn over the knees. He wore a white t-shirt under a grey cardigan. Anna just wanted to snuggle right in.

  At the strangest times, like now, their experimental kiss would come crashing back into her mind and she would wonder…

  What would it be like to kiss him again, to take her time tasting him, exploring his mouth and his body…

  Shoving the thoughts aside she smiled at Cayden. “Let’s go.”

  Cayden watched her and for a second Anna could swear he knew exactly what she had been thinking.

  He smiled at her cheekily and led the way to the stairs.

  The following morning Anna woke with the sun shining in through her windows. Like an excited child she leapt out of bed and straight to the wide windows and looked at the Pacific. She had never been on the west coast before, and they arrived too late last night to see any of it.

  Not wanting to be caught in an awkward situation, Anna had excused herself and came up to her bedroom just as they arrived. No late night drink in the bar for her, not when Cayden was looking as hot as he was.

  She drank in the view, the teal ocean with white lace edges as it rambled towards the sandy shore. The gulls leaping in the wind as they called to each other. Palm trees slow-danced in the light breeze.

  Young girls’ roller-scated down the narrow side walk with miniature denim shorts and bikini tops, joggers swerved in and out of side-walk traffic facing straight ahead.

  Fall might’ve arrived in the Hamptons, but in Los Angeles it still felt like summer.

  And this would be the perfect setting to have a Rosi’s on the West Coast.

  Anna found it so much different than Portland, New York and even the Hamptons. Even looking down detached behind the glass wall of her hotel bedroom, Anna could tell this was a different way of life. A slower beat thrummed in these city streets.

  She walked over to the PDA she used for Cayden and noted the time of his meeting. 10 Am. That wouldn’t work, Anna thought as she moved towards the phone by the bedside table.

  A few minutes later she had successfully moved the meeting to a few hours later. Chuffed with herself she ordered some coffee and eggs from room service and drew a luxurious long bath.

  Anna was answering the final few emails before calling Cayden to tell him to be ready in thirty minutes for their meeting. She hadn’t heard from him all morning and assumed he either forgot about the meeting or he was still sleeping.

  She had already dressed in the new butter yellow trouser suit she had bought especially for today, and was very happy with the results. She looked professional without looking stuffy.

  Just as Anna checked her lipstick in her compact there was a pounding on her door.

  “Anna!” Cayden’s deep voice came through the door.

  “I’m coming!” She called back moving towards the door. She opened it with a smile as bright as the sunshine outside. “I was just about to call you.”

  “We’re late, we missed the goddamn meeting!” Cayden shouted as he shoved past her into her room. “I hired you to make sure this doesn’t happen.” He was already dressed in his suit and tie and even as Anna assessed he was ready for the meeting she felt her own temper snap at the anger and accusation in his voice. “You didn’t miss the goddamn meeting Cayden, I moved it!”

  “You what?” Cayden asked intimidating her as he moved closer.

  “I moved it. I phoned them this morning and asked if we could move it by a few hours and they agreed. So you didn’t miss anything!” Anna said flicking her ebony mane of hair out of her face.

  “You don’t have the right to move my meetings.” Cayden’s voice was dangerously soft.

  Anna swallowed the fear in her throat, she had to stand up for what she believed in. “Actually I do, that is what an assistant does.” Anna said with way more attitude than she had ever imagined giving her boss. “You are still asleep at ten am Cayden, why would you plan a meeting for that time. You’re grumpy until 11am every morning when you drink your third cup of coffee, only then do your lights come on. I didn’t want you flying all this way only to be grumpy in a meeting and making it cost
Rosi’s a franchise, the first on the west coast!”

  “That’s not…” Cayden shouted but stopped as he digested the information. “How do you know when I drink my third cup of coffee?”

  “Cayden I might not make it, but I’ve seen you most of everyday over the past couple of weeks. Besides its business 101, you don’t plan meetings for the time of day when you’re down.” Anna nodded bringing her point home. She walked back to her laptop and closed it before meeting his dark gaze again. “Your juices start flowing at 11am, that’s why I moved the meeting to noon. Trust me Cayden; you’re going to hit it out of the park.”

  Cayden stalked towards her, fury glowing in his eyes. “You do not make those decisions without consulting with me first.”

  “You’ll thank me later.” Anna said chirpily forcing herself not to feel intimated by him. The room suddenly felt small with him in it. He surrounded her, his scent, his voice, his sexuality.

  A sudden silence fell over them as their eyes met. Ice blue melting into dark chocolate. Anna could see the exact moment he thought of kissing her.

  His eyes trailed over her cheeks and paused on her lips before he slightly turned his head and focused on her eyes, arrogant smile in place.

  Anna wanted to move, she wanted to make sure it didn’t happen again but she had lost control of her speech and movement.

  She watched slowly as he moved in, his brow with the sexy mole above it slightly cocking as he angled his head.

  His warm lips rubbed against hers sending shock waves of pleasure through her body. She softly gasped at the wonderful sensation after dreaming about it for so many weeks.

  Cayden didn’t wait for further invitation, his hands still in his trouser pockets, he glided into her mouth.

  Anna received him eagerly, stroking his tongue and familiarizing herself with his taste.

  He was a much better kisser than she ever could’ve imagined. The way he assaulted her senses without even touching her, made her knees weak. This was the sexiest kiss she had ever experienced.