The Billionaires: The Bosses

by Calista Fox

  She said, “We all have to agree that there will be zero weirdness amongst us if this doesn’t work.”

  “This being the three of us.”

  “Yes. And the same goes for the show. If it doesn’t launch the way you and Christian are so convinced it will, I don’t want it to affect us personally.”

  Rory set aside his spatula and cupped her face in his hands. “Zero weirdness, I promise. But don’t go planning for imminent failure for either enterprise. These are one-day-at-a-time endeavors. Lots of intricate nuances to consider and wade through. Both take an open mind, a thick skin, and some creativity. Okay?” He kissed her forehead.

  “Okay.” She flashed her pearly whites again. “I hear you.”

  “Good. Now, about the library—”

  “Rory.” She stepped out of his reach. “I haven’t signed the contract yet and that means I have no check in hand. Still need to make ends meet, you know? So after breakfast and a wardrobe change, I’m going to work at the library.”

  “Fine. I know better than to argue with you. But at least give your notice to the gelato stand. I’m concerned about you being so easily accessible when news starts to break of your involvement with the show. I don’t want you getting swarmed in Central Park.”

  “That’s a good point. I’m only there ten hours a week, anyway. No biggie to bow out.”

  “You do realize Christian is planning press releases and promo to get a buzz going about the show? Your name and face are going to be everywhere, babe. People will recognize you on the street. Even follow you into the bathroom from time to time.” He shuddered.

  That’d been a bizarre reality to accept the first few times it’d happened to him. Especially since it’d been female fans following him into the john. And they hadn’t stopped talking, either. So he’d whipped it out and figured as long as they weren’t snapping photos it wasn’t an issue. If they were offended, they only had themselves to blame. Unfortunately, none of them had been. So perhaps not the best strategy to employ …

  Bayli said, “No worries. I’ve had a stalker or two in my time. I can handle it.”

  “That’s good to hear,” came another female voice.

  Rory’s head snapped up and he shot a look over Bayli’s head toward Lily Madison as she strutted through the apartment. He fought the scowl. She was a bit too pretentious and overly done up in that Dynasty way for his liking. But she was efficient and took good care of business affairs. Too bad she was a woman willing to do whatever necessary to get her hooks into Christian.

  Bayli quickly tugged Christian’s shirt around her body, wrapping her arms about her waist to secure the material, and turned to the unexpected intruder.

  Rory said, “Doesn’t the doorman typically announce you?”

  “Not when Christian knows I’m on my way over. I have paperwork for him to sign.” She held up a slim dark-brown leather portfolio. “Besides, he doesn’t usually have company so early in the morning. That I’m aware of.” Her smile was a tight, forced one as her gaze landed on Bayli.

  “We also have business with Christian,” Rory simply said.

  “So it would appear.” Lily seemed to take a few moments to get her bearings. Then she squared her shoulders and said, “I’m Lily Madison. Christian’s assistant.”

  “Oh, how nice to meet you,” Bayli said congenially. “Bayli Styles.”

  “Bayli Styles.” Lily’s eyes widened as she said the name. “The plot thickens.”

  “I’m sorry?” Bayli spared a glance at Rory, who merely shrugged.

  Lily explained, “I just immediately assumed you were the woman in the YouTube video with Rory—given the hair color and the fact that you’re here with him this morning … not fully clothed. But apparently you’re more than just Rory’s new flame. You’re the model Christian selected for the relaunch of the cooking show. I recognize your name from some messages that have come in from your agent.”

  Bayli’s chin hitched. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I am that Bayli Styles. It all happened rather quickly.”

  “Indeed.” Lily shifted her weight from one six-inch stiletto to another.

  Rory asked her, “What did you mean when you told Bayli it was good she’d had a stalker or two in her time?”

  “Oh.” Lily seemed to come around from whatever thoughts she’d been momentarily lost in. Which Rory could easily deduce were centered around Bayli being half-naked in Christian’s apartment. Rory knew all about his friend’s occasional sleepovers with Lily. She said, “I guess neither of you has read the comments on the video. Some not so pleasant. But, hey, that’s showbiz. Haters are gonna hate, according to Taylor Swift, right?”

  Rory draped an arm around Bayli’s shoulders out of instinct. A peculiar protectiveness? The need to comfort her? Though she really didn’t look fazed by Lily’s news.

  Bayli said, “I’ve collected some crazies along the way. Nothing too worrisome. I changed my e-mail once, but other than that, I’m not exactly noteworthy enough to hate on. At least, not for any length of time.”

  Rory said, “That’ll change, honey. But, so far, no one actually knows it’s Bayli associated with me, right?” He directed the question to Lily.

  “That’d be my guess. I mean, of the comments I perused for PR purposes I didn’t see an actual mention of her name. And there isn’t a clear shot of her in that video. Like I said, I just put it all together because the pieces were laid out in front of me. But once the PR and marketing materials roll out, then sure, the dots will be connected by the masses. And, Rory, you really do have a huge following—”

  “I’m heeding the warning,” he assured her. To Bayli, he said, “Definitely no more work in Central Park. The library’s safe enough, I’m sure. But we should invest in bodyguards for you.”

  “Bodyguards!” She jumped out of his semi-embrace. “Rory St. James, I am not going to be shadowed by retired Secret Servicemen when all I’m doing is a cooking show. I’m not the celebrity—you are! Do you have bodyguards?”

  “No,” he scoffed. “I’m not afraid of the women who follow me into the men’s room. And I know martial arts.”

  “It’s not a bad idea, Miss Styles. Or may I call you Bayli?”

  “Bayli’s fine,” she told Lily. “And … please, both of you. You’re suddenly making a big deal out of nothing. I haven’t even signed the contract, for God’s sake.” Her head whipped in Rory’s direction. “And don’t you dare mention any of this to Christian. Not a word, Rory. Don’t stress him out over nothing.”

  Rory rubbed his jaw. He knew better than to keep anything from Christian. That was how they’d stayed such close friends over the past decade. But Rory also knew that Christian would pretty much come apart at the seams if there were already fans creating a backlash against Bayli—all because of that goddamn YouTube video.

  It was Rory’s fault, and he knew it. He’d told himself it was a bad move to kiss her at the market. But he hadn’t been able to stop himself. Hadn’t regretted it, either. Until now.

  Though … it was one video and so there were evidently some comments that might be a little snarky toward Bayli. Once the show launched and audiences and fans got sucked in with that contagious smile and rich, good-natured laugh of hers, the haters wouldn’t be hating anymore. They’d adore her. Totally fall for her the way Rory was.

  Whoa. Wait.

  Rewind.

  Fall for her?

  Rory’s brow furrowed.

  He was falling for Bayli Styles? The woman he’d kicked outside his kitchen. The woman he wouldn’t hire as a hostess in his restaurant. The woman who loved to push his buttons and playfully mock him at every turn.

  A woman unlike any he’d ever met before.

  A woman Christian was equally smitten with, he had no doubt.

  Bayli captivated them both. And it wasn’t a fleeting desire they each held for her.

  Rory might not have been well versed in love and romance, but he wasn’t a total dolt. He recognized something significa
nt when it came his way. And last night when she’d asked if what they’d experienced with her was the norm for them, both he and Christian had been in agreement.

  It was not.

  Something to ponder. But not at the moment, because Rory needed to finish the omelets and Bayli had to get to the library.

  So Rory told Lily, “Christian was on the phone last I heard. That means he’s in his study.”

  Rory turned back to the stove and resumed his cooking.

  Lily said, “I’ll just drop these off and be on my way. Nice to meet you, Bayli. If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to call Christian’s office. I’m happy to help in any way.”

  “That’s very kind of you, thanks. And nice to meet you, too.”

  Lily left them, and Bayli went about exploring the kitchen, collecting three plates, glasses, and flatware.

  “Which seating area should I set?” she asked. “The island, the breakfast nook, the formal dining table?”

  “How about the table on the terrace?”

  “Right. Even better.” She grabbed some napkins and disappeared outside.

  Rory finished prepping the food while some of what Lily had said festered in his brain and in his gut. What if his fans actually did take a disliking to Bayli, strictly because they’d know she was more than just a cohost?

  What sort of problems might that bring on for the show? For her?

  He rubbed the back of his neck as a knot of tension formed.

  Damn him for kissing her on the street.

  Talk about a stupid, impulsive, selfish move that just might come back to bite them all in the butt.

  * * *

  Christian was just disconnecting a call when Lily entered his study at the back of the apartment. She crossed the room with long, confident strides, which always astounded Christian given the skyscraping heels she wore.

  Lily set the portfolio she carried on his desk and filled him in on a few corporate issues. Then she said, “So, I’ve met Miss Styles. She mentioned contracts for the cooking show. That was what was in the packet I gave you from the Polenski Agency, right?”

  “Yes.” He flipped open the leather folder and retrieved the documents inside.

  Lily asked, “And she’s going to be some sort of cohost on the show with Rory?”

  “Actually, she’s going to provide commentary on local culture and flavor—travel-documentary style, with flair—and then, yes, she’ll host the cooking portion as Rory and a local up-and-coming chef provide the demo. She’ll interact with the chefs and the audience. It ought to be a very informative and engaging hour. She’s extremely charismatic.”

  “I can see that.”

  Christian glanced up from his paperwork. “Lily…”

  “You didn’t even audition anyone, Christian. That’s not like you to do something so spontaneous when it comes to business.”

  “I didn’t need to audition anyone, Lil. I saw her at work—live and in person. She’s sensational. She’ll be perfect for this role.”

  “But if you were thinking of going in this direction…,” Lily said, then let out a long breath.

  Christian recognized the disappointment in her tone. He asked, “Is there something wrong with this direction?”

  “I’d just think that you would consider all the options. I mean … You could have even given me the chance to audition.”

  He stared at her a moment. Lily wasn’t one to get wrapped around the axle about anything, really. She was paid extremely well, had a very elegant lifestyle, could get into the best of restaurants around the globe because of Christian’s and Rory’s names, enjoyed the freedom of being able to take a half day off here and there to spend at the spa—and still get paid. There were plenty of other fringe benefits she took advantage of, though sleeping with Christian was one perk he had to take off the table now.

  Despite that, Lily had a pretty cushy existence with his company. It’d never occurred to him that she might want to be involved with the cooking show. He knew for a fact Lily Madison had never connected the stove in her apartment to the gas line and instead used it to store paper and toner for her laser printer.

  So Christian closed the folder and gave her his full attention. “Why are you interested in auditioning, Lil?”

  “It’d be nice to get out from behind my desk and step in front of the cameras. Who wouldn’t want that?”

  “You’ve never mentioned anything like this before. I thought you liked being my assistant.”

  “I love being your assistant,” she was quick to say. “But with this traveling cooking show, you’re going to be out of the office more now than ever, Christian. You’ll need me less and I’ll hardly see you.” Panic tinged her voice.

  This was a facet of Lily he’d never seen before. But Christian could understand that his new plans might throw her. He said, “Look, Lil. I’m going to be on the road more, initially, that’s true. But business still needs to be taken care of, and I need you managing the office the way you always have. I can’t do any of this without you.”

  “There are a million assistants in the world who can do what I do, Christian.” Now she sounded exasperated, borderline agitated.

  “No.” He grinned, hoping to placate her. “Not the way you handle everything, Lil. I need you to continue doing what you do best.”

  “Sit behind a desk.”

  He sighed. “If it’s more travel you want, I’ll figure something out, all right? I don’t want to lose you, Lil. You’re invaluable to the company.”

  She didn’t appear completely convinced this would all work out in her favor but didn’t push further. Except to say, “I suppose my time with you outside of business hours will become less and less as well, correct? Bayli Styles obviously spent the night here, and Rory is clearly fascinated by her. I have no doubt you are as well.”

  “Lil, you and I never discussed mutual exclusivity.”

  “No, we didn’t. I assumed the only reason for that was because Rory isn’t attracted to me. If he were … things might be different with the three of us.”

  “I can’t say for sure. But you know I adore you. And I’ve enjoyed the time we’ve spent together.”

  “But that’s all over now.”

  He stood. “Lil—”

  She raised a manicured hand to stop him. “I have plenty of work to do, Christian. I need to get back to the office.”

  She whirled around and sauntered out, leaving the lingering scent of Chanel No. 5 and a distinct chill in the air.

  Christian sighed. She was pissed. But she had to have known this day was coming. Christian had never given her the impression that they were more than part-time lovers. He’d never asked for more, never offered more. She’d been accepting of the arrangement.

  Now he’d have to figure out how to keep her happy and content as his assistant only. Finding a way for her to be involved with the show that allowed her to tag along from time to time might be paramount to proving how much he really did count on her and appreciated her hard work.

  He let the thought percolate as he left his study. Rory had breakfast ready and he and Bayli were carting out serving dishes to the patio when Christian joined them.

  As the trio sat around the table, Christian read the Wall Street Journal, Rory checked his e-mails on his iPhone, and Bayli stared out at the park with a smile on her face.

  Then she took off for home and the library. Rory headed to the restaurant. Christian went to the office.

  It was an easy transition to this new paradigm. They’d all fallen into step with one another and he found it enticing, exciting.

  Perhaps he and Rory had finally achieved just the right balance in their personal lives. And as soon as the show started to take shape, they just might end up with everything they’d always wanted.

  SEVENTEEN

  A frenzy of activity ensued. Once Bayli signed the contracts and a check was delivered to her agency, Christian dove right into setting up a traveling production crew and secured m
odes of transportation. Rory was secretive about destinations on his list but was also plotting his culinary strategy, determining ingredients he’d capitalize on and recipes to invent.

  All the while, Bayli was being “prepped.” Polished to within an inch of her life with spa treatments that went well beyond your basic massage, facial, mani/pedi. No, she was wrapped and buffed and soaked.

  She now had a full-time hairstylist who’d lopped off three inches of her hair and left it sleek and shiny with long bangs swept to one side and the ends angled in at her collarbone. A makeup artist who’d mastered neutral tones that made Bayli dewy and fresh-faced with just the right contouring of her high cheekbones and pop of her tawny eyes.

  A fashion consultant whisked her off to Barneys, Bloomingdale’s, and Bergdorf’s—oh, my! Bayli was in awe. In shock. In heaven. All at once.

  The whirlwind adventure left her with little time to catch Jewel and Scarlet up on the happenings and even less time to spend an evening with Phillip and Colin. Though Bayli squeezed in a quick meet-and-greet lunch that included Christian and Rory. Her friends were a little tongue-tied over the famous duo. Perhaps not so much that they were famous but that they were so damn good looking.

  Bayli had felt a surge of pride at Phillip and Colin fawning over her male companions. And her lovers were charming and witty, as charismatic as ever. Even Rory.

  Above that, however, she was getting pulled deeper into Christian and Rory’s world. Reveled in it. They spent most of their evenings at Christian’s apartment as they mapped out business strategies … then got tangled up with one another in bed. Mornings were fairly routine with Rory cooking, Bayli assisting, and Christian yakking on the phone. But still so exciting.

  Things were progressing nicely.

  Bayli’s name had leaked to the public and entertainment channels and bloggers before the official press releases had even been approved, and her Japanese stalker had returned, sending e-mails to her new address. She made another change but decided that was her last. She wanted to be able to hear from fans … if she ever got some who didn’t call her a whore or a flash in the pan.