by Lexy Timms
The words died on her lips as she spotted Alex on the other side. Her smile disappeared. “You!” Glaring, she swung open the door and poked him in the chest, hard. “Where the hell have you been?” She stepped forward and poked his muscular pec again. “I was worried about you. Gina was worried about you! You had a freakin’ important meeting today and your ass was nowhere to be found. Do you realize—”
“I know,” Alex cut her off, his eyes running down and then slowly up her. He swallowed hard before meeting her glaring eyes. “May I come in?”
“You have some serious explaining to do,” Jamie grumbled. She crossed her arms over her chest and stomped back into her apartment.
Alex looked around the apartment with a smirk. “One would think you moved in yesterday,” he joked. “You have absolutely no decorations here at all.”
“I don’t entertain guests so it’s never been an issue.” Jamie flipped her hand and marched over to the counter to finish her ridiculously expensive whisky that tasted like shit. She poured herself another glass, purposely not offering Alex one. “I come here to sleep. It doesn’t matter what the walls look like when I’m snoring.” She shook her head and pointed a finger at him. “You’re redirecting. Where’ve you been?”
Alex sat down on her couch. “I needed to get away for a few days,” he said simply as he spread an arm over the back of the couch and crossed an ankle over his knee. “Sort some things out. I went to the Hamptons.”
The freakin’ Hamptons? Really? “Why didn’t you tell anyone?” Jamie walked over to the freezer and grabbed two more pieces of ice for her drink. “You could’ve been murdered for all I—we—knew.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, trying not to smile as he watched her. Jamie could see the corners of his mouth twitching and it infuriated her. “It was unfair of me. I just—”
“Needed to get away. I know.” Jamie took in Alex’s appearance and realized for once it was not immaculate. He smelled of perfume and there was a very distinctive lipstick smear on his collar. Anger washed through her again. “With a girl, apparently,” she snapped.
Alex had the grace to look embarrassed. “That’s none of your business.” He sighed. “I needed some… company.”
“Yeah, that’s apparent.” Jamie swallowed a large gulp of her drink, it burned something fierce as it ran down her throat. She refused to cough. “You reek of cheap perfume. So, unless you have a habit of cross-dressing, it is my business when you walk into my apartment.”
“You’ve no right to be upset with me about wanting some… some companionship,” Alex snapped.
Companionship? What the hell? Are we living in the 1800s? “I don’t care! Have sex with some bimbo, Alex. Fuck ten of them, I don’t care!” Her face heated up. “But I do care when you take off and don’t bother to answer calls. I don’t own a billion-dollar company but you can kiss my ass if you think leaving me in charge of it isn’t going to have any catastrophic effects!” Take that ass-hat! “So help me, if you fire me because—”
“Your job was never in any danger, Jamie,” Alex cut her off and smiled faintly at her, but it never came close to reaching his eyes. “I take full responsibility for the meeting being bombed.”
Jamie raised an eyebrow. “You think it went that badly?”
“They are always tough sells, Jamie. Don’t be too hard on yourself. I’m not even sure I could have gotten the million.”
“You really don’t think you could have?” It made her feel better that even he wasn’t sure he could seal the deal. Wait… did he say just a million. She took another slug of her drink. She felt light headed. Maybe the drink was starting to hit her. She suddenly wanted to giggle.
“No.” He shook his head and sighed, suddenly looking exhausted. “We’ll just get more investors. It’s okay.”
“We’re going to need more investors?”
“Hell yes. Our clients made it clear they want at least a million dollars in investors, not my money, if they commit. You didn’t get a million dollars, did you?”
“No,” Jamie admitted and dropped her head. She quickly snapped it back up and smirked. “I got two.”
For a second he stared at her, confused, and then his face broke into a grin. “You got two million?”
Jamie nodded, feeling giddy from the drink. She leaned back against the counter. “I can be very persuasive.” She laughed.
He watched her with raised eyebrows, his eyes roaming down her hungrily. “You got that right.”
She glanced down and suddenly straightened. She’d been so mad she forgot all she had on was her white blouse and black panties. She moved behind the counter, trying to hide and make it look like she had planned it. She grabbed him a crystal glass and poured him a drink.
He stood and strode over to her, staying on the other side of the counter as he reached for his glass and raised it. “You’re the very best personal assistant I’ve ever had.”
“I’m the only personal assistant you’ve ever had.” She laughed.
He took a sip and made a noise of appreciation at the back of his throat. “Even if I’ve had a hundred personal assistants, you’d still be my favorite.”
Jamie smiled. “You’re lucky I don’t want a raise, Mr. Reid.”
“You deserve a raise after this week,” Alex murmured. “I don’t even know how I can thank you.” His eyes seemed to say he knew a few ways, but wasn’t going to mention them aloud.
“You should wait until you get back to work before you start making decisions,” she said. “One good meeting doesn’t mean your company didn’t lose money when you were gone. There were plenty of things that went wrong and I’m pretty sure there are some only you can fix.” She shook her head. “Honestly, I thought everything was going to fall apart while you were gone. You would think it could run somewhat when the boss is away.”
“I don’t see why it would,” Alex said, his gaze eying her cleavage. “After all, I’m rarely away from the office.”
Jamie raised an eyebrow. “You never take vacations?” Her face heated as his eyes created a burning in her tummy way better than the whisky.
He shook his head slowly. “I’ve never felt a need to. I love my job.”
“Sure, but you must get burnt out.” She swallowed hard.
Alex shook his head. “Not at all.”
Jamie stopped herself from reminded him that he had to hire a personal assistant because he couldn’t handle it all on his own anymore. “Well, that’s impressive.” She moved around the counter. “Excuse me a moment.” She hurried to her bedroom and grabbed her cotton pj pants at the end of her bed. She couldn’t continue this conversation with no pants on. Talk about unprofessional!
She returned. “Sorry.” She knew she was blushing something fierce, her entire face, even her ears, felt like they were burning. She hurried around the couch and her foot caught on the hem of her pj bottoms. She stumbled another step before smacking down on the ground. Her arm caught the corner of the end table, instantly hurting. Shit! He’s going to think I’m falling for him.
“You okay?” Alex reached down to help her up.
“Yes. Just tripped. Stupid feet.”
As he pulled her up, Jamie’s foot got tangled again in her pants, and much to her mortification she felt them slip down to around her upper thighs. Freaking perfect!
She jerked away from him and quickly pulled up her pants. “Sorry about that.” She laughed nervously. “I’m really clumsy tonight for some reason.” Probably because I’ve dropped two sizes and I haven’t gone shopping yet. It has nothing to do with two and a half glasses of whisky. Not wayyy above my limit at all.
“You don’t have to apologize, Jamie," Alex’s voice was thick with need. He cleared his throat. “How’s your arm?”
Jamie looked at her forearm and realized she’d cut it and it was bleeding. It stung as she realized she’d done it, but she would die before she admitted it to Alex. “It’s fine,” she said. “Barely hurts.”
“It looks
pretty bad.” He stood and reached for her. “Sit down on the couch. We’d better clean it before putting a bandage on it.”
“I don’t have a first aid box,” Jamie mumbled. “I’m fine, really. Just toss me a tea-towel.”
“That’s the perk of being neighbors.” Alex smiled wryly. “I do.” He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and tapped a few things quickly before pocketing it again. “Murray’s on his way over with it now.”
“It’s fine, really.” Jamie wondered if her words were slurring. “You shouldn’t have disturbed Murray.”
“Well, I’ve already texted him.” Alex poured more whisky into her half empty glass. “You don’t want me to text him and tell him he went through the trouble of finding the kit for nothing, do you?”
Jamie bit her lip, it did hurt like a son-of-a-gun. She hated putting Murray through trouble at all. “I told you it was fine,” she repeated.
“Jamie, you’re in pain. It’s obvious. And I don’t want that.” His professional facade slipped to show the hunger underneath. However, in the blink of an eye, it was back in place. “I need you at the top of your game during work.”
“Of course.” Jamie wished she could control her own facial expressions as well as Alex controlled his. She was sure her attraction to him was plain as day right now. Idiot, he was out with another woman. He’s already over you, if he even had any feelings for you in the first place. He didn’t even need to get over you, there was nothing to get over. When are you ever going to learn? Jamie clenched her jaw. She should know better than to fall for the boss when things were officially over between the two of them.
Alex handed her a glass and a tea-towel before he sat down across from her. “I don’t wish to intrude on anything, but can I ask you something personal?”
She nodded and took a quick sip of her drink to try to calm the sudden butterflies bashing away in her belly.
“Is it possible you’re a bit clumsier because you’ve lost weight and now wearing a couple sizes too big?”
Jamie flushed. That was his personal question? Was it that obvious? She should take offense to him asking her a thing like that, but he didn’t look mocking or teasing in any way. He just looked concerned. Which made her feel bad about herself without the ability to be mad at him. “I just haven’t had time to go shopping. Been a bit of a busy week.” She winced, hating that she was trying to make it sound like it was his fault she hadn’t gone.
“How about tomorrow I take you shopping?” Alex grinned, as if he was all pleased with himself. “During lunch. You can buy anything you want and I’ll pay for it all.”
“That’s a very generous offer, but hardly appropriate for a boss and personal assistant,” Jamie said. “Besides, wouldn’t your new girlfriend be ticked with you taking another woman shopping?” Even though all he has to do is show her a picture of me and assure her size-four skinny butt that he doesn’t do pity dating. Shit! I am drunk. She put her hand over her mouth, refusing to let any more stupid stuff come out of it.
“I was in the Hamptons with a close friend of mine,” Alex said. “You actually met her briefly when I ran into you on your birthday. Do you remember Annette?”
Oh boy, do I remember. “That lipstick on your collar says more than friends.” Jamie smacked her hand over her mouth.
Alex chuckled. “Touché.”
“Take it from me: she would mind if you take me shopping. Besides, we don’t need any more rumors being spread around the office about how close we are.”
A dangerous glint sparked in Alex’s eyes. “Believe me, there won’t be any more rumors spread about our relationship. As for Annette, I know she won’t mind. She’s already back in New Jersey and on a date with another friend with benefits right now.” He raised an eyebrow at her and then leaned back in his seat and smirked at her triumphantly. “It’s totally appropriate to take your personal assistant shopping when it’s work related.” His grin widened. “After all, you’re going to need appropriate clothes to go with the new responsibilities you have in the company.”
“New responsibilities?”
“Yes,” he nodded. “I believe I’ve underestimated you, and I plan to fix that as soon as possible. Don’t worry, Ms. Connors, you’ll also get a pay raise as well. A very fair one. After the business brunch I’m hosting in a couple days, we’ll start planning. I think your schedule showed you have plans with your sister.” He checked his iPhone. “Yup. You’re busy, but there’s still a pay raise in your future.”
Jamie smiled and leaned back on the couch. She winced as her cut pressed against the towel. As much as she liked the sound of a pay raise, it was the compliment she really liked. She spoke as a knock at the door let them know Murray had brought the first aid box. “Sounds good, Mr. Reid. I believe you can take me shopping, then.”
He motioned for her to stay seated as he stood to answer the door. “Let’s not have you fall again.”
She nodded and enjoyed the view as he walked away.
He talked quietly at the door with Murray and then thanked him before closing the door. He came back a moment later and knelt down in front of Jamie.
She smiled and realized she was drunk. There were two gorgeously sexy bosses in front of her. Wouldn’t it be fun to take the two of them to bed? One for her mouth, one for her—she giggled at the image in her head.
“Something funny?” Alex asked as he reached for the tea-towel.
She moved her arm just to the right and, giggling again, she lifted it away from him making silly circles around his hand. “Catch me if you can,” she sang.
He easily caught her wrist and leaned forward, bringing his mouth to the sensitive part of her skin where her heart beat. His warm breath teased up her forearm as his lips parted and his tongue flicked against her vein.
Her breath caught. It was the single most sensual action she had ever experienced. If he looked at her once with those bedroom eyes, she was toast. She was willing to deal with the repercussions in the morning.
Alex flipped her wrist over and Jamie imagined him doing that to her on the couch. Her pulse quickened and a soft, airy moan escaped. She watched his Adam’s apple as he swallowed hard and then bent his head to tend to her cut.
“It’s not that deep. Just long,” he whispered and opened the first aid box with his left hand. He set her hand on his knee so he could get the items out of the kit.
Jamie watched him, unable to speak. All she could do was nod, her mouth slightly hanging open.
Alex opened a packet of gauze and dabbed on top of the cut and then wiped the blood away. He took another piece and added Neosporin to it. “So it won’t get infected,” he murmured. Going through the Band-Aids, he found two longer ones and carefully put them on her skin. Not once did he look at her face.
She didn’t mind; it gave her the courage to blatantly stare at him. “Thanks.” She went to move her hand but he grabbed it.
“One more thing,” he said as he reached in his glass and pulled an ice cube out. He ran it along her skin before using the tea-towel to wipe the melted water away.
Jamie trembled and shivered from the pleasure. She swore if he ran the cube against her flesh one more time she would have an orgasm without him even reaching into her panties, which were probably wetter than the ice cube water on her skin.
Alex gently wiped one more time and tossed the towel toward the bathroom, it landed perfectly just inside the door.
Jamie watched and slowly brought her gaze back to him.
It felt like time stopped, just for a moment. She was just a girl and he was, well, definitely not just a boy, but a man. There were no job titles, no insecurities, no restrictions, no pressure, nothing, just them.
Alex’s blue eyes moved back and forth as he gazed at hers. There were tiny little flecks of brown inside the blue, hard to see unless you were that close. He didn’t move.
Jamie’s thighs trembled. Touch me, please! She was going to explode if he didn’t, or she would if he did. Seconds tic
ked by. She refused to drop her gaze and neither did he, even when she ran her tongue along her lower lip and then her teeth bit into it. She swallowed and automatically pressed her lips together.
Alex’s head bent forward and his lashes slowly lowered. Still he watched her through the thickness and his lips touched hers.
Barely.
It could have been the wind.
She swore she felt the slight roughness of the shadow of growth above his lip but she might have imagined it. She could smell his cologne mixed with ladies’ perfume deep in her nostrils, she could almost taste it. She closed her eyes and waited for his lips to demand and consume hers.
Except they didn’t.
The click of the first aid kit closing made her blink as she opened her eyes.
“I should get back to my place,” Alex said as he cleared his throat. “I’m in desperate need of a shower.”
I’ll join you. The moment had passed. Never to be felt again.
Jamie jumped up and away from him. “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.” She raised her arm. “Thanks for the fix, boss.”
He nodded and stood. “No problem. Thanks for, uh, covering me this week. It won’t happen again.”
Which part? The leaving, or the leaving her hot and panting? “Sounds like a plan.”
Alex walked to the door and hesitated just before he opened it. “We good?” he asked her, the uncertainty in his voice clear.
He needed her as his personal assistant, not a one-night stand or a girlfriend. She understood that clearly now. “We’re good.” She forced a smile. “I’ll see you in the morning at the office.”
“Definitely.” He stepped outside, only to pop his head in a split second later. “Don’t forget we’re going shopping.” He glanced down. “Sorry, pj’s won’t be included.” He laughed and quickly shut the door before the pillow she threw hit him.
The idea of shopping for nightwear with Alex was a dream that left her restless and panting long after she went to bed.
