And I’d giggled then, giving in. Because the green eyeshadow he held up was so ugly it was laughable. If I wanted to be a witch for Halloween then that was one thing, but no one couldn’t possibly use it in real life.
So I picked out a couple items, a blush, a lip liner, an eyeshadow that were pretty, neutral, colors I could wear day and night. But Chris shook his head.
“Nuh uh, honey, we just bought you a couple cocktail dresses in red, purple and blue. You need more than that to match your new outfits, so keep going,” he commanded.
And sighing, I picked out a couple more things as Chris looked on, adding to the pile, offering commentary along the way.
“Honey, this would be perfect on you,” he said, holding up a vampy red lipstick.
I laughed, exasperated.
“Chris, have you seen my lips? They’re so big already, this lipstick is going to make them look bigger, I’m gonna be Angelina Jolie on drugs.”
He just grinned.
“My point exactly,” he rasped, throwing the red lipstick into the “buy” pile. “My point exactly.”
And now I was left with reminders of him everywhere, his generosity, his sense of humor, his preferences in clothes, make-up, lingerie, apparent even now that I was a hundred miles away. Oh god, what was I going to do? My heart crumpled again, my attempt to unpack and take my mind off things had backfired, making me depressed and sad once more.
Suddenly, Kara’s voice interrupted me from outside.
“Lindy, phone!” she yelled.
God, why did she have to scream? Our apartment was so small, we could practically hear each other breathe even when were in different rooms, a nice, mild “Phone, Lindy” would have been enough. But I guess it was good that Kara had even called me, sometimes she ignored the land line, letting it ring until it stopped on its own.
“Got it!” I called back, going into my room to take the call. “Hello?” I said breathlessly into the receiver. My heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably. Maybe it was Chris, maybe he was calling to check up on me, maybe he missed me already and wanted to hear my voice.
But reality dropped like a ton of bricks.
“Hi honey!” came my mom’s cheery voice. “How are you? How’s the job going? Are you ready for school?”
Oh right, my parents thought I’d been on campus this entire time working at Mo’s, they had no idea of what I’d been up to in the last ten days. Right. My heart stopped its thudding, coming almost to a standstill instead.
“Things are good,” I lied with a small, sad twist to my lips. “Things are good.” Hopefully my parents would never know about what happened, that my secret would be hidden forever.
“Oh good,” trilled Brenda. “And are you ready for school to start? When does it start again, baby?” she asked.
“Tomorrow,” I breathed into the phone, suddenly feeling extremely tired. “Listen Ma, I gotta get to work, and then I need to go to the bookstore, then the laundromat, there’s a ton of errands I have to run.”
“Oh sure, sure,” my mom gushed. “Your dad and I, we just wanted to check in, we hadn’t talked to you since you left here last week. We’ll be up for parents’ weekend, see you then?”
I groaned internally. Of course my parents were going to visit in two weeks’ time, they never missed stuff like parents’ weekend because I was the living manifestation of their dreams, a student at a four-year college. And I desperately wanted to avoid them, I wanted to mope and be alone instead, nurse my heart in privacy, but there was no deterring Jim and Brenda.
So I gave in.
“Sure Mom,” I said listlessly. “Sure, no problem. I’ll see you then.”
But it was then that Brenda threw me for a loop.
“And Lindy,” she added, almost breathless now with excitement. “We’re going to celebrate that weekend because you know what? Daddy just got a promotion at work! Can you believe it? He’s worked for Chris Jones for years now and never gotten a promotion, but the boss just told him today, Daddy’s going to be a VP in the company starting next week!”
My mouth dropped open, my fingers almost losing hold of the receiver. I knew that my ten days with Mr. Jones had guaranteed my dad a couple more months, he wasn’t going to be let go right away. But my dad was still going to be fired, it was just a question of when.
So this was a complete turnabout and I was cautious. Chris had never promised this, so I asked gently.
“Mom, are you sure? I mean, I thought Dad was having a hard time at United Electric.”
She just squealed again.
“Of course I’m sure! Chris Jones told Daddy himself, called him into his office today and made it official with a letter and a raise. Can you believe it?” she asked excitedly. “Daddy made so little before and Mr. Jones tripled his salary just like that! I had no idea being an accountant could be so lucrative, but you know, Daddy’s always worked so hard …”
Her voice babbled on and on but I was only listening with one ear. Chris had called my dad into his office, and personally given him a promotion, throwing in a raise to boot? I could hardly believe it, hardly believe the windfall that my family had just received. And it’d make a huge difference for sure, because now Brenda was babbling on about my job.
“Honey, you won’t have to work at Little Mo’s anymore, you can quit your job. With Daddy’s new salary we’ll be safe, you can concentrate on school and getting good grades. Didn’t you want to be an architect baby? You were always so good with building blocks, always building little houses and barns, even tepees and igloos when you were small.”
I was silent, motionless. I couldn’t believe what was happening, that Mr. Jones had done all this, that my family’s finances had turned on a dime, all because of the big man’s generosity, his appreciation for my ten day stay. And that brought me back to reality with a jolt. Because this wasn’t generosity, this wasn’t a gift because Chris Jones was a good man. This was payment for my services, we’d negotiated a bargain and I’d exceeded expectations, so the big man was rewarding me for my excellent work.
And knowing that only made the bottom drop out of my stomach, made me miserable, a nauseous feeling rolling over me. Because I was nothing but an employee, I’d performed well and deserved to be compensated, to see the fruit of my labor. Sadly, I was nothing more than a minion to Christopher Jones, one who slept in his bed, but a paid employee nonetheless. And the knowledge made my head hurt, another wave of nausea overtaking me.
“Okay Mom, that’s great news,” I said weakly. “I’m so happy for you guys, it’s fantastic. See you in two weeks okay?”
But Brenda was so excited that she kept babbling away, chattering on and on about Daddy, his job, United Electric, and Mr. Jones until I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Ma,” I said sharply this time. “I gotta go, I gotta get to work.”
My mom paused for a second.
“But honey, I thought we just agreed you don’t have to work at Little Mo’s anymore, your dad makes more than enough now. Just tell them you’re quitting.”
I let out a huge sigh.
“Ma, I can’t leave just like that, without any notice. Besides, you know Carla, my manager, has been so nice to me, she’d never speak to me again if I left her hanging with an open dinner shift.”
My mom paused for a moment.
“Of course honey, I understand,” she said. “But this will be your last shift, right? No more Little Mo’s?”
And I grew angry all of a sudden.
“No Brenda, I’m not sure I’m so ready to quit,” I said slowly, grinding my words. “I like this job even if you think it’s below me, I like my co-workers, I like the environment and I do fine in school, thank you very much. So no, I’m not sure I’m going to quit even if Daddy’s rolling in it now.”
And I had to admit to myself, I didn’t want to quit because I knew that’s what Chris would want me to do. Suddenly stubborn, I didn’t care what the big man wanted, I wanted to do my own thing, spread my wi
ngs and fly a little.
Sensing my feeling of rage, my mom backed off instantly.
“Of course, honey,” she said gently. “Of course. We’ll talk about it more in two weeks when we come up. Take care, okay baby? Don’t work too hard and we’ll see you soon, okay? Bye, honey.”
And with a sigh, I hung up, relieved yet angry as well. Because even though I’d left the big man, it seemed that his actions, his thoughts, still permeated every corner of my life. My parents’ financial situation, my financial situation, heck, even my unpacking, were filled with memories of him, his actions, his choices, his words, his decisions. I was irritated and angry, but also suddenly sad. Because I desperately missed the big man, wanted to feel his arms around me, his big form holding me tight … but all I had were memories now.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Lindy
I walked into the restaurant. School had started with more of a whimper than a bang, and the whole cycle had begun again, classes, clubs, events, everything in a swirling whir. Because although I was going through the motions, I was distracted. I was still thinking of Mr. Jones, dreaming of the big man and nothing had succeeded in pulling me away just yet, my thoughts and memories filled with him, his voice, his touch, those big hands holding me close.
But now it was parents’ weekend and I’d forced myself to be alert, giving myself a small pep talk while getting ready.
“Act happy,” I told myself sternly. “Brenda and Jim are gonna be over the moon with happiness, and you’ve got to act happy too, don’t spoil their celebratory mood.”
Because they were splurging. Instead of going to a local pizza joint or grabbing a burger at Little Mo’s, my parents had made a reservation at Bistecca Formaia, a fancy white-table place near campus. In our previous life, it would have been wildly out of our budget, but with my dad’s new salary my parents wanted to enjoy life a little, savor the finer things with the extra disposable income.
So I smoothed down my purple dress, taking a deep breath before pushing open the restaurant door. I was wearing an outfit that Chris had bought me, and in fact there was a matching amethyst bracelet but I could hardly parade that around without attracting my parents’ attention. So instead, I’d stuck with the dress and matching heels, swinging a purse over my shoulder before heading out the door.
And as I made my way towards the back, I caught sight of my parents. Oh right, there were Brenda and Jim, solid, upstanding middle-class citizens, my mom with her grey hair in a bun, my dad’s face a little flushed from a pre-dinner drink.
But suddenly my steps came to a halt. Because seated right there at the booth with them was Mr. Jones, his muscular form dominating, impossible to miss, seizing the eye. Oh god, what was he doing here? This was like a nightmare come to life, an episode of the Twilight Zone where ghosts from the past come to haunt you. I almost swung on my heel, ready to duck out, but my mom caught sight of me and it was too late.
“Hi honey!” she sang, waving. “We’ve been waiting for you, we came a little early and ordered a couple appetizers. Come and say hello! You remember Daddy’s boss, Christopher Jones, don’t you?”
I almost choked as I approached, my face growing beet red, my knees wobbling. What was he doing here? At my college? In my space, with my parents no less?
But the big man was smooth, standing to tower over all of us, his frame outfitted in a perfectly-cut suit.
“Hello Lindy,” he said smoothly. “We’ve met before, at your parents’ anniversary party, I believe.”
And I almost choked then. His dick had been in me so many times, making my body scream and tremble, give it up over and over again, and yet we were going through this farce of “oh, how nice to meet you.”
But I had to act normal otherwise my parents would suspect, so I managed a weak smile and nod.
“Hi,” I mumbled, looking away. “Nice to see you again.”
But suddenly my eyes snapped up, meeting his, challenging. I had nothing to be embarrassed about, I’d kept my part of the deal so why was he here, on my territory?
And seeing the flare in my eyes, the big man’s gaze grew warm, even hot on my body, his eyes running up and down my curvy figure. Oh god, I knew he recognized the dress. Chris had pulled it off me after dinner one night, and fuck, I’d put on a few pounds so it was even tighter than before, my boobs out to there with the curve of my ass highlighted by the stretchy material.
Mr. Jones eyes flamed once more before going smooth, cool again. But I knew he was affected from the slight flare of his nostrils, the tenseness in his throat, signs that only I’d notice.
“So nice to see you again,” he rumbled, that voice like amber whiskey. “I hear you’re a sophomore at Evergreen?”
I nodded and forced myself to smile like nothing was the matter.
“Yes, I’m a sophomore,” I said inanely, parroting him. “And I love it, Evergreen is such an amazing place.”
Mr. Jones’s eyes darkened then, perhaps with the memory of my confidences, how I’d told him I didn’t find the classes fulfilling at all, how all the kids were juvenile teens and I didn’t have much in common with them. But this wasn’t the place to hash it out, so we both turned when my mom clucked.
“Lindy, we’re so excited to see you,” she chirped happily. “When Daddy told Mr. Jones that we were coming up to see you, he offered to take us in his helicopter to avoid traffic. Isn’t that so nice? It would have taken hours to drive up otherwise.”
I almost swallowed a golf ball then. A helicopter?
And the big man nodded smoothly.
“I always have a ride ready and I was coming up for business anyways, so why not? Figured I’d give you nice folks a ride.”
Business, schmisness, I was sure there was no such thing and it was all a farce. But I forced myself to smile again and ask sweetly, “Oh, and what do you do up here? I thought United Electric was a local contractor, Long Island jobs only.”
The big man smiled at my attempted barb.
“Most of our jobs are local, that’s true,” rumbled the big man, sitting back. “But I’m meeting with the governor and some local politicians, I want the company to start getting some state-owned contracts, so I’m here to press the flesh, do what a CEO’s gotta do,” he drawled.
And I gritted my teeth, trying look calm. Of course he had a perfectly good reason, I was in over my head and should have stopped right there. But I wanted to trip him up so badly that I tried again, went in for a second bite of the apple.
“And you know the governor personally?” I asked in a deceptively gentle tone. “Like you and he are friends?” That was unlikely. I knew Chris was rich, but knowing the governor? That was another level of wealth.
Mr. Jones just shook his head.
“You’re right, I’m not on a first name basis with the governor himself,” he said smoothly, “but I do know his chief of staff. Corey and I were buddies back in business school, so I always drop by to play a round of golf, catch up when I’m in town.”
And I bit my lip then. What the hell was wrong with me? Why was I even attempting to spar with the big man when I knew I’d lose? I was out of my league and my attempts to foil Chris had come up empty … so far. But before I could go in for round three, my mom interrupted.
“That’s so wonderful Mr. Jones,” she said excitedly. “But can we order now? You know Jim and I read all about Bistecca’s prime rib, I heard you have to get it medium rare. Their menu’s on-line, you know, we can hardly wait to taste test it.”
And gratefully, I turned to my menu, staring at it blindly as my parents chit-chatted with the big man. I figured I could wing it through the rest of the meal, eat quietly and excuse myself early except that there was no such thing.
“Lindy,” said my dad, interrupting my thoughts. “Did you hear Mr. Jones just now? He said he has a meeting tomorrow and needs someone to take notes for him, his secretary’s sick. We thought you could go in her place.”
I gaped a little before snapping back
to my senses.
“No, no, I have class, I’m so sorry, I can’t,” I made excuses quickly, looking between my parents’ expectant faces and my lover’s knowing one. God, I didn’t know if I wanted to slap Chris or kiss him right then.
But my dad frowned at me.
“Now Lindy, I know you’re a fancy college girl now, but we’re humble folk and you’re not too good to take notes at a meeting. Please assist Mr. Jones tomorrow,” my dad said sternly, “He was kind enough to make this trip, save us hours in traffic.”
And I was about to refuse again, about to stubbornly shake my head no when I caught my mom’s pleading gaze. Brenda was begging me without saying a word, her eyes droopy and sad, her mouth pursed into a downwards line that broke my heart. So I sighed, and found myself agreeing.
“Okay,” I said shortly, none to gracious. “But what time? I have class.”
“Your call,” said Mr. Jones smoothly, his eyes twinkling at me. “We haven’t decided a meeting time yet, so whenever works for you.”
Damn it. I was hoping to argue that I had a midterm and couldn’t possibly make it, but the big man had caught me again.
“Fine,” I said shortly, “Nine thirty okay?”
The alpha male just smirked at me.
“Perfect,” he rumbled. “I’ll let my associate know.”
And as we turned back to dinner, I had a sudden impression that I was a fly in a web … and I’d been caught by a spider with no hope of getting out.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Lindy
I walked into the hotel, grumpy already. Where was this meeting? I was going to take notes in the background and then disappear without a word, Mr. Jones wasn’t getting a second more of my time than necessary.
So with my mouth pressed into a firm line, I went up to reception.
“Hi, I’m here for the meeting with United Electric?” I asked. Hopefully that wasn’t too vague.
Pregnant By My Boss: A Bad Boy Secret Baby Romance Compilation Page 97
