Adam walked in the front door, and he immediately could tell that something was wrong. Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to explain everything to him.
“Adam, it’s better this way.” His hands had roughly grabbed Kaylee’s.
“I just don’t understand!”
“I know you don’t, and truthfully, I don’t either. I should be happy with you. Anyone would be because you are an amazing guy.” Kaylee lied slightly, hoping that it would make it easier for her to leave. If she told him the truth, that she was starting to become afraid of him, she did not know how he would react.
“Then why are you doing this?”
“Because I’m not happy here. And because of that I can’t love you like you deserve.” After attempting to explain herself, Kaylee felt like she wasn’t getting through to Adam, and she called her father to come and pick her up. By the tone of her voice her father knew immediately that something was wrong. When Kaylee’s father got there, he escorted her out of Adam’s apartment. Kaylee could hear the loud crashes of furniture coming from Adam’s apartment as they left, and her father ushered her down the stairs quickly.
In a small town, everybody knows everybody else’s business. Within a day, all of their neighbors knew that Kaylee had broken things off with Adam, but they didn’t know why. Kaylee quickly became the topic of all the gossip. Apparently Adam was the most eligible bachelor in town and breaking his heart was unforgivable, so it wasn’t just Adam’s heart that she had broken, everybody seemed to suffer.
Even weeks later, they were still talking about it. Carol Winters, the Reverend’s wife, mentioned it on Sunday at church. “I had your dress all sketched out. Kaylee, why’d you do that to Adam? All he ever did was make you happy.”
Kaylee always bit her tongue. If only they townspeople knew how Adam really was. Kaylee’s response would always be the same, “I know. I don’t deserve him, so I let him go.”
The loud speaker at the bus station crackled to life.
“Three thirty bus departing for New York City is now boarding,” a nasal voice said. Finally, my life is really about to begin.
3
Kaylee
Kaylee’s struggled to push her suitcase into the overhead bin of the bus. The air around her smelled hot and stale, and slightly of cigarette smoke. Kaylee slid into the seat next to the window and tried to take deep breaths to calm her beating heart. Am I crazy for doing this? She had somehow managed to line up a tiny apartment in Brooklyn that she had found while searching online. The apartment listing was actually how her mother had found out that she was planning on leaving after Kaylee had mistakenly left print outs on her desk.
“So this is your big plan?” her mother’s voice hit a new octave as she stormed into the living room where Kaylee was reading, the papers clutched in her shaking fist. Kaylee glanced over at her and felt all the blood rush from her face. She had been planning on telling her parents her plans over dinner that night. Kaylee felt like she had been punched in the gut. This was not going according to plan.
Kaylee put her book down and slowly stood up from the couch. “Mom,” she said gently. “Calm down. I was planning on telling you about it this evening –“
Kaylee’s mom cut her off quickly. “I don’t understand what you are doing here Kaylee. You have a wonderful life here with Adam and then all of the sudden you break things off with him and now you want to move to New York?” Kaylee hated that she could never explain to her mom what had happened between her and Adam, but Kaylee and her father agreed that it was for the best that she didn’t know. If Kaylee’s mother knew what happened, then the whole town would know about it shortly thereafter.
“Mom I know you won’t understand, but I am not happy here. I wasn’t happy with Adam. I need to go out into the world and find myself.”
Kaylee could see the anger pouring off of her mother in waves. She threw her hands up in frustration and stormed out of the living room without another word leaving Kaylee alone. Kaylee’s father came home later that evening, and Kaylee explained everything to him. His lips pressed into a hard line and she couldn’t tell if he was angry or if he was worried. Finally, after a few moments of silence, he told her that he would take care of things for her and he disappeared with her mother into their bedroom. From Kaylee’s room she could hear them faintly arguing throughout the night. Kaylee hated that she was the cause of all the drama, but her mind was made up.
Kaylee felt the bus engine rattle to life and butterflies exploded in her stomach. A large smile spread across her face. She was finally doing what she was supposed to. Kaylee reached down to the backpack at her feet and pulled out her laptop. Luckily the bus was equipped with wifi so Kaylee was able to check her emails.
Kaylee’s nerves kicked up again as she opened up her email. Kaylee’s father had told her that he sent her resume over to his cousin that worked at a real estate development firm in New York called GO Enterprises. Kaylee had worked hard to finish up her course schedule at the community college and she was able to graduate with a degree in business, all while working for the small relator in town. Kaylee knew that applying for a job as an assistant at this firm was a long shot but she had to at least put herself out there and give it a try. Kaylee was thankful that her father was able to help her out in some way.
Kaylee tapped her fingers impatiently on her keyboard as her email slowly loaded. Kaylee nearly jumped out of her seat when she saw and email in her inbox from GO Enterprises.
Hi Kaylee,
My name is Sandy Johnson and I am the hiring manager for GO Enterprises. Your resume came across my desk for our assistant position, and we would love to set up a meeting with you. Are you available on Monday the 20th at 10:00 AM?
Look forward to meeting you,
Sandy
Kaylee could barely contain the yelp of excitement that threatened to escape her lips. GO Enterprises wanted to meet her! The big New York development firm was interested in the small town girl from Angie, Louisiana! Maybe this whole moving to New York thing wasn’t so crazy after all.
Kaylee quickly responded to Sandy’s email and shut her laptop and leaned her head back into her seat and let out a sigh of relief.
* * *
Kaylee straightened her black pencil skirt for what felt like the fifth time as she waited in a large lobby for the elevator. It was her first day of work at GO Enterprises. Butterflies fluttered around in her stomach as the elevator doors opened. Kaylee quickly pressed the button for the 8th floor, leaned against the wall and took a deep breath.
Kaylee still couldn’t believe that she had actually gotten the job. The whole interview process felt like a whirlwind, but she had somehow made it through.
The doors of the elevator opened to reveal a large elaborate lobby and Kaylee held her breath as she walked up to the receptionist’s desk and smiled brightly at her.
“Hi, I’m Kaylee Matthews. I’m supposed to start today.” The receptionist looked up at Kaylee with an annoyed look on her face. She had long blonde hair that was pulled to the side and a headset that she spoke into.
“GO Enterprises, can you hold?” She pushed the hold button and pulled the headset off her ears, as she pointed to a large white couch. “Wait over there; someone will be by to help you in a moment.” Before Kaylee could thank her she, her headset was back on and she was asking someone else to hold. Guess things are busy around here.
Kaylee held her hands tightly in front of her to prevent them from shaking as she walked over to the couch. Kaylee had made the right decision in coming to New York, one annoyed receptionist on her first day isn’t going to throw everything off track.
Kaylee closed her eyes for a moment and tried to concentrate on her breath. She heard the sound of the elevator doors opening as more people walked into the lobby. Kaylee opened her eyes and her breath caught in my throat as the handsomest man she had ever seen exited the elevator.
4
Kaylee
As he walked into the lobby
area, all eyes were on him. Someone shouted, “He’s here,” as he walked closer to the receptionist’s desk. Like a gust of wind, everyone changed direction. It was like a headmaster inspecting the school on the first day back after the holidays. Kaylee gulped as she understood that this must be her new boss Grayson Owens.
While on the bus to New York, Kaylee done some research on GO Enterprises before her interview. Grayson was the face of the company, he was in his early 30’s, haven been given this company by his father two years ago. Since Grayson had taken over, he had brought the company from a small real estate developer to one of the largest development firms in New York City with plans to expand to include acquisitions all over the world. The first thing Kaylee had noticed about Grayson through her searches was that he was unbelievably good looking. He had dark brown wavy hair and a strong jawline. His eyes were a bright blue and he towered over everyone at 6’4” with an athletic frame. The pictures of Grayson she had seen in the magazines did not do him justice. He was mouth wateringly handsome in real life. Every article she had read also commented on just how ruthless a business man he truly was.
Grayson took his job very seriously and would apparently stop at nothing to get what he wanted. During Kaylee’s interview process, even though she would be his assistant, she never actually got to meet him. Kaylee had found it odd that Grayson wouldn’t interview her himself, however, once she had met with everyone and they explained just how busy his schedule was, Kaylee started to understand why she would be meeting him on her first day here.
Everyone in the office tried to look busy, shooting sneaky looks at Grayson whenever they could. Kaylee stood up slowly from the couch as he passed her. He glanced in her direction and gave me a small smile. Kaylee felt her cheeks flush and she quickly glanced down at her feet, hoping that he hadn’t noticed. Once she had composed herself, Kaylee glanced back up at Grayson, to see him standing at the reception desk. Man, those pants look good on him.
Kaylee slowly sank back down to the couch, but she couldn’t seem to take her eyes off of Grayson. Everything about him was perfect. From his wide shoulders, to the hint of stubble that ran along his jawline. Kaylee shook herself slightly and forced her gaze away from him and it fell on the man standing next to him that she suddenly realized she recognized. Jackson Michaels, the SVP of GO Enterprises, and also the man who had hired her.
Jackson was quite good looking as well, with brown eyes and matching hair that was neatly slicked back on his head. He was shorter than Grayson, but still easily towered over Kaylee’s small frame. Kaylee knew that Jackson wasn’t her type, Kaylee liked a man’s man. Something about Jackson also made her extremely anxious. During her interview process Kaylee noticed that Jackson spoke incredibly fast and walked with a similar of pace. Jackson and Grayson suddenly turned to face Kaylee and she felt her heart rate pick up.
Grayson wore a grey suit, with a white shirt and light colored tie. Kaylee wasn’t an expert on male clothing, but the match was astounding and unique. Kaylee could tell it was expensive by the way the jacket was tailored, fitted, but not too tight. Perfect. His bright blue eyes caught Kaylee’s and he did not break his gaze as he and Jackson walked towards her.
A chill that Kaylee never had experienced ran through her body. Kaylee felt a heat build between her thighs and her heart rate picked up even faster. She stood up from the couch slowly and adjusted her skirt once more. She was thankful that she had worn the outfit that she had chosen, the black pencil skirt and red top made her feel sexy, even if she wasn’t showing much skin, and feeling sexy always helped to boost Kaylee’s confidence. When Grayson looked at Kaylee the way he was, she needed all the confidence she could get.
God, he was smoking hot. Heat rushed through her body and felt as though she was on fire as she trailed her eyes over his body. They wandered down his chiseled jawline to his strong shoulders. Kaylee could tell easily that he was built, but not overly so. Just enough to make her drool. Kaylee’s eyes moved back to his. He was still watching Kaylee, getting closer and closer to where she was standing.
He stopped in front of her and Kaley took a long deep breath as he stared at her with his blue eyes. He ran his hands through his wavy, brown hair, and for a second Kaylee wanted nothing but his hands on her body. As he drew closer to her, Kaylee realized that his eyes had a slight tinge of green to them.
“Grayson, this is Kaylee Matthews, your new assistant,” Jackson said as he looked up from his iPad. Kaylee stood still, still unable to get her eyes of Grayson.
“Grayson Owens,” he said, extending his hand for Kaylee to shake.
Kaylee was incredibly nervous, and she quickly brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear before reaching out to shake his hand. As she extended her hand, he moved in closer and, as she shook his, he whispered in her ear, “There’s no hair out of place, everything’s perfect.”
As the words escaped his mouth, he pulled back. Kaylee held her breath and closed her eyes, smelling the intoxicating cologne that he was wearing.
How could one man look so sexy and smell like it at the same time? Was that even possible?
Grayson smiled at her brightly. “Follow us. Jackson will show you were your desk is.” Kaylee nodded and urged her feet to move, following behind them as they walked past the reception desk and into the office.
The size of the office space still surprised Kaylee, like it did during her interview process. There were high ceilings and large offices lining the walls. In the middle was a cubicle farm of several desks with workers already typing away at their computers or talking on their phones.
They passed the cubicles and Kaylee let out a small sigh of relief that she wouldn’t be working in there. Kaylee followed Grayson and Jackson to the back of the atrium where she assumed Grayson’s office was. Jackson opened up a door and Grayson and Kaylee followed him into another space with floor to ceiling windows. Kaylee’s mouth opened slightly at the view of Manhattan below.
“This desk,” he pointed a small desk in front of a doorway, “is yours.” Kaylee nodded slightly. “Behind you are Grayson’s office, and I am right through the other set of doors here. Take a seat for now, Sandy will come in shortly and bring you up to speed.”
Grayson walked into his office with Jackson trailing behind him. Kaylee turned her head and watched them. Grayson stood behind his desk and looked at Kaylee. He smirked slightly and gestured towards Jackson. Jackson, realizing the door was open, quickly shut it and blocked Kaylee’s view.
Kaylee turned and sank into her chair, hot and flustered. She took a deep breath and tried to remember what Jackson had just told her to do.
5
Kaylee
“I don’t know how you can pay attention while he is talking to you,” Megan said. “He’s hot, I mean too hot.” Kaylee nodded slightly in agreement. While she agreed with Megan that Grayson was amazing to look at, she wasn’t ready to admit that to the rest of the girls in her office. Kaylee looked around the group and smiled at the group of coworkers as they all ate lunch on the ground floor of the building. Megan and Olivia were the assistants for Jackson and another SVP of GO Enterprises. They, along with Sandy, had taken Kaylee under their wings and had been teaching Kaylee the ropes of the company all morning. Kaylee was thankful that they were nice and willing to help her out. Both Megan and Olivia were close to Kaylee’s age, while Sandy was a bit past thirty. Megan was a brunette that had freckles spattered across her face and Olivia was a redhead with bright green eyes.
“You need to be careful, girl. I saw the way you were looking at him,” Megan said.
“In her defense,” Olivia replied, “I saw the way he was looking at her.”
Kaylee nodded in agreement. She couldn’t deny that it was a two-way street. She wasn’t the only one staring that was clear. His bright blue eyes flashed in her mind.
“Of course he was staring. What man can keep his eyes off those?” Megan blurted, pointing at Kaylee’s breasts.
Silence fell betwee
n them and Kaylee felt self-conscious. Megan had said it loud enough for the table next to them to hear and look over. Kaylee began to wish she was wearing a jacket. Kaylee knew that her breasts were large on her small frame, and she wasn’t naïve enough to think that no man looked at them. But was that all they saw? Olivia gave Megan a hard stare.
“That was low, Megan, and not necessary.”
“Sorry,” Megan said sheepishly. “Sometimes I don’t have a filter and I forget to warn people about it.” Kaylee’s self-consciousness faded slightly.
“Normally,” Olivia said. “He walks into the office and doesn’t look at anyone. Doesn’t even acknowledge that we’re there. Today, he couldn’t keep his eyes of her. Not just her breasts,” Olivia said, patting Kaylee’s arm reassuringly. “Although, maybe he did have a sneaky peek,” she added with a wink.
Kaylee smiled at her. Olivia had instantly made her feel better. She put a reassuring hand on Kaylee’s back.
Megan picked at the salad slightly in front of her. She looked as though she wanted to say something.
“I’m just worried. You know what happened to Emma…” Megan said, looking at Olivia, who had become silent all of a sudden.
Beauty and the Billionaire Boss: A Bad Boy Romance Page 2
