Millionaire Romance: In Love With My Boss - A Contemporary Romance (Millionaire Romance, Contemporary Romance, Comedy Romance Book 1) (2 page)

With a wistful sigh, she turned from the mirror and walked from her bathroom into the living room where the potential new partner’s information had been laid out. His name was Andrew Wiles. James hadn’t given her any information as to other candidates for the slot. From what she could tell from the man’s track record, based on credentials and experience alone, he seemed like he would make a killer presence to the company face.

He had worked on big name accounts in the past and had even sat on a few private corporation boards, a thought that lingered with Jennifer as she reviewed his credentials. His previous work labeled him qualified for whatever James was planning, but the real question was whether or not they would
click
as a partner. Not just between James, but her as well.

Jennifer eyed the thin wrap of watch around her wrist. It was show time. There was nothing like showing up thirty minutes early to give the illusion to a candidate that you were waiting specifically for them. She grabbed the keys to her Continental Bentley and scooped the candidate’s files into her nicely manicured hands. If anything, dinner would be glamourous and the evening fun.

Twenty minutes later found her relinquishing her vehicle to the valet outside of Shanghai Terrance, mere blocks from Lake Michigan on E Superior Street in downtown Chicago. She was shown to the table within minutes of the reserved time and immediately requested a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, 2009.

Jennifer relaxed against the plush cushions of the small loveseat. The atmosphere of the Terrance was incredible and at night, it was beyond stunning. With a breathtaking view of the John Hancock shining against the dimming sky with random offices lit, the Terrance captured a mood and atmosphere was that was fit for lovers and businessmen alike. Jennifer smirked at the thought and lifted the crystal glass to her lips for a drink.

She’d exercise self-control and only have one smooth glass before the candidate arrived. Afterward, she’d leave it full during the interview and finish off whatever remained once the men departed to go their separate ways.

Crossing her legs, Jennifer drew her right arm into her lap and considered the time. Fifteen till seven. Taking a deep breath, she let her shoulders rise and fall accordingly. She closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of the Chinese cuisine floating through the atmosphere.

She didn’t think James would show up exactly at the start of their reservation—that’s what she was for—but she did expect him to arrive before their guest. At this rate, if the candidate were any sort of professional, he’d be coming within the next five minutes.

After another deep drag of the Chicago air, Jennifer opened her eyes and scanned the room. With reservations for an outside table, she wouldn’t have the luxury to see the potential first. Instead, he’d get his first glimpse of the back of her head before he’d be graced with a full front view of her body. She wondered briefly what he would look like? Was he older than Melone? Younger? Would she even like him?

Jennifer forced herself to keep calm. She had been the front “man” in a deal setting many times before. If there was anything she learned from being at James’s side throughout the years, it was that the other team couldn’t see her sweat, and that included masking her curiosity. She glanced at her watch again and pressed her lips together with a tart sigh. It was getting closer to game time, and there was still no sign of James.

“Andrew Wiles, Miss.” It was a soft, pleasant voice to her right that spoke. Jennifer turned, spotting the maître d’. Behind him was another man, taller, lean and at ease within the tailored Canali European cut suit that clung to his body. She tried to take the man’s frame in within that short second but reigned in her eyes, and faced the maître d’.

Jennifer nodded in approval and he bowed out for his leave. “Andrew,” Jennifer spoke his name softly, “please take a seat,” she used her left hand to direct him to the soft love seat opposite the candlelit table in between them. She watched him as he moved. Definitely about the same age, or a bit younger. He was fit and seemed tall, possibly taller than James. Their eyes connected just before he sat down. They were intense pools of darkness. She couldn’t look away.

His lips stretched into a smile and he leaned over the table, extending a hand. Jennifer looked down at it, hesitating a moment before she finally took hold of him. His skin was warm, yet his skin soft. Andrew raised her hand to his lips, keeping his eyes locked on hers. He kissed the back of her palm.

“It’s a pleasure, Ms. Rhodes,” he said softly, releasing her hand. Jennifer’s brows pinched together. “I know all about
you
,” his gaze was piercing.

Swallowing back the unease rising within her gut, Jennifer smirked. “
All
about me?” She challenged.

“You’ve been with James Melone for five years, right?” It wasn’t really a question. “You’re his personal assistant and he entrusts everything to you.” He smiled coolly, accepting the wine that a passing waiter stopped to pour into his empty crystal glass. “I think it’s telling of a man, the type of people he allows himself to do business with,” with an assured nod, he paused to sip the wine. “That’s good,” his voice was dark and rugged, like cut earth from the side of a cliff. Her skin crawled with heat.

It was true that she had been to many a meeting with James, but never was her role so extensive that it would suffice a man to research her status within the company. Jennifer tried to blink her shock away.

“It would seem you do know a bit about me,” she cleared her throat. “I didn’t think that my presence during business negotiations was of interest to anyone.”

“Maybe not to some,” Andrew said with a slow exhale of breath. “But I certainly believe it’s important to know
every
one I might be working closely with.” Another snake of a grin slithered onto his lips. “I can assure you that your clients are aware of the clout and decision authority you have on their contracts.”

Jennifer was smiling before she even realized she had glanced away. She was unsure of how to handle the direct praise. With effort, she cleared her throat with a wimpy cough, taking brief solace as a patch of hair dropped into her eyes. She was here to help interview. Not receive compliments.

Pushing the hair from her face, Jennifer began to shake her dangling foot. It was a terrible nervous habit, but it helped to still the uneasiness blossoming within her gut. She met Andrew’s dark eyes. “Flattery won’t get you brownie points, Mr. Wiles.”

A deep laugh erupted from his chest. He shook his head. “Not even a little bit?” A spark ignited in his eye.

They shared a chuckle this time. As the moment passed, Jennifer continued, “My position with Melone isn’t as prominent as you say.”

Andrew frowned. “It most definitely is, Ms. Rhodes,” he nodded with assurance. “To win female clients, Melone has to assure female board members that he’s comfortable working with women in positions of power.”

Jennifer felt her heart sinking. A bright smile remained plastered to her face. All this time she thought James had valued her intellect, wit, and charming breath of fresh air and perspective to the scene. She had never considered that having included her so deeply within the company was just another profitable business move for himself. Then again, that was something James Melone would do. He was a shark—a business shark, and he sealed the deal every time, all the time. She sighed, her ego deflated.

“Speaking of Melone, will he be joining us this evening?” Andrew raised the glass to his lips, tasting the smooth liquid one more time. He stopped and stared at the wine for a moment.

Jennifer looked at her watch. 7:07. James was beyond officially late. More heat rushed Jennifer’s face. She slipped a hand into her Givenchy clutch bag.

Her phone had a 7-inch screen as a necessary for reviewing documents, project evaluations, and proposals. She swiped at the large screen with the pad of her thumb. No message, no email—nothing. She bit her lip as her eyes darted quickly to Andrew.

“He should be,” she said with a smile. They couldn’t order the food until Melone arrived. Jennifer eyed the folder to her left. She could always waste a few more minutes until he appeared.

Grabbing the folder, Jennifer placed it into her lap. She flipped through Andrew’s resume and portfolio composite, whistling and exaggerating her expressions. Andrew chuckled at the show.

She had done her homework like a good girl and had read the information twice, and conducted a thorough search of his work on the internet. As far as his credentials were concerned, he was a prime candidate for sure. She had no idea what James had in mind as far as a buy-in into the company though; he hadn’t shared that with her.

“You’re resume and experience is beyond outstanding,” Jennifer began, closing the folder. She didn’t even think she actually read anything that time, but she was sure it must have filled at least another minute. She leaned forward and balanced the folder on the edge of the table.

“I can see why James is interested in you as a partner.”

James smirked. “Is that what he told you?”

Jennifer paused. She felt like she must have missed something. James thought it was incredibly funny. She couldn’t tell if he was smiling at her or the situation. The confusion gave way to anger. She bit her lip and decided to continue.

“You have extensive experience helping small businesses achieve incredible revenue streams.” She uncrossed her legs, her eyes steady with James. “What’s your interest with us?”

Andrew opened his mouth to speak, but Jennifer quickly raised a finger to cut him off. She reached into her clutch bag to grasp at her buzzing phone. With a quick flick of her thumb, she answered and shot her eyes towards Andrew. “Please excuse me, Mr. Wiles,” she stood from the table and retreated towards the doors leading to the inside dining tables. Raising the phone to her ear, her voice because a hard, rumbled growl. “Where the hell are you?”

There was silence on the other end for a moment before an answer came to her. “Katie and I are through. She’s been cheating on me.”

Chapter Three

Change of Plans

THE FACT THAT the news didn’t upset Jennifer
should
have bothered her a bit; albeit that bit was buried beneath a rush of feelings and fantasies at the potential future. For a moment, all Jennifer could do was stare into the distance at the news with a smile creeping onto her face. James’s voice brought her back to reality.

“Is Andrew there?”

Jennifer flipped back into business mode. “Yes. When will you arrive?”

“I’m not going to.”

 Her stomach dropped within her. She clutched her gut and put her back to the tables enjoying the Chicago night.

“You have to,” was all she could manage in a strained gasp.

“No. I’m leaving. I’m taking a trip to Jersey.”

Jennifer squeezed her eyes shut, knowing the room would start to spin if she didn’t. She felt for the open doors between the outside deck and the soft ambiance of the indoor glow.

She needed something to keep her steady. Her mind raced with possibilities and settled on nothing. They had a flight to Denver on Thursday and the Benefit tomorrow night. His presence was desperately needed, and more than anything, she knew he was hurting. She couldn’t console him if he were in Jersey, running away. Not to mention that Jersey could only mean one thing: Melony Richards.

Forcing her breath to calm, Jennifer felt her insides moving to tranquility. She brought her voice back to an even level ad began to speak calmly.

“James, just breathe.” He tried to interrupt, but she continued to talk to him, “You can’t make decisions while you feel this way.” She exhaled, happy that she had been able to calm herself down. After silence, James spoke.

“Are you done with that?” His voice was hard and angled. Frowning, Jennifer started to begin to say more, but James continued, this time with a softer voice, “I know you, Jennifer. You can do this. She’s been cheating on me. I don’t know how long—I don’t care. I already bought my ticket. I’m sorry to drop this on you. You’ll have to step in.”

The anger was back. Jennifer’s hands started to shake. She wanted to say more, but she knew that tone all too well, the tone that reminded her that he still paid her salary to tell her what to do.

“What the hell do you expect me to do?” She said through clenched teeth.

After another pause, James answered. “He’s qualified. I know he is. How is he? Do you like him?”

Jennifer tried to blink back tears of frustration. She looked up at the sky, trying to take the advice she had just given and took big gulps of forced air into her lungs. Hanging low through the Terrance were meticulously placed Chinese lanterns. Their warm glow blurred as she sought to latch her eyes onto something. She found the anchor by settling on the John Hancock beacon.

The blurs and swirls slowed and then stopped. After several more seconds, Jennifer looked towards her table. Andrew was finishing the rest of his glass. Once the last of the wine fell into his mouth, he leaned forward to set the cup down. As he sat back, leaning against the loveseat, he turned his eyes to her. They locked, and neither looked away.

“I think I could like him,” she said softly into the phone.

“Then tell him he’ll have a test run in the partnership. See what he knows about our clients in Aurora. Get him a ticket and still plan to leave Wednesday,” there a moment of brief silence before he added, “And take him to the benefit.”

“Your speech,” her words were strained, but even she heard the silent plea and beg within her vocals for him to reconsider. There was another pause.

“You give it.” The line went dead.

Jennifer’s jaw tightened and locked. She clenched the phone in her head, looking away from Andrew, aware that he still looked in her direction. He couldn’t know that anything was wrong; but, he could likely already guess that things weren’t going according as planned.

She put her back to him again, facing the clear glass doors of the establishment. A few waiters glanced at her but, knowing who she was, kept their distance. She hadn’t caused a scene, and the ambiance was still perfect with soft music in the background and a gentle hum of voices from other guest and patrons.