Who's the Boss Now (Managing the Bosses Series, #3) (2 page)

"Actually. Right now would be good." She stood and smoothed her black skirt down over the curve of her back before walking out in the hall.

Gina glanced up and smiled. "We still on for drinks tomorrow night?"

Alex’s secretary had become one of Jamie's favorite people. Their 'private happy hours' had become a current staple in Jamie's life. After being raised in a home where she was never good enough, and nothing was right about her, Gina had become a welcomed reprieve. The woman left Jamie feeling centered and good about herself.

"Absolutely." Jamie glanced toward Alex’s closed door. "He in a bad mood this morning? I haven't had the pleasure of seeing him just yet."

"He's a little edgy, but you know we have our investment conference coming up. He's always a little moody this time of the year." She stared at Jamie with a silly grin on her face. “Though he has been happier than normal lately.”

Jamie tried to ignore Gina’s comment and not blush at the same time. It was nearly impossible. "It has been busy. I've been working overtime for the last week, trying to get his speaking points and agenda notes together." She shrugged and walked to the door, pressing her ear to it. "Anyone in there or is he on the phone?" She had checked his appointments that were linked to her tablet but that didn’t mean there wasn’t someone in the office she hadn’t heard walk in from her office.

"Nope and nope. Get on in there and see if you can't blast a ray of sunshine up his ass." Gina chuckled.

Jamie couldn't help but smile. "Here goes nothing." She knocked once and walked in.

Alex stood, his back to her, his hands pressed to the desktop space behind him. His shoulders stiffened, but he didn't move, which most likely meant he was reading.

"Just me," she whispered softly, not wanting to scare him. She locked the door behind her, which seemed to get his attention.

He turned and slipped his hands into his slacks pockets, which bunched his black jacket around his hip. "Morning. Don't you look lovely?" His dark eyebrow lifted as he pursed his lips.

The week had been hard on him, as had the last month. They'd been passing each other at the house more than anything. A few nights of quick love making and they were back to running the race. He moved one hand to the front of his jacket, unbuttoning it and giving her a tight smile. "What can I do for you, Jamie? I have a meeting in forty-five minutes I need to prepare for." He turned back and picked up his notes, scanning them as he let out a long sigh. "I'm ready for this shit to be done."

"I know you are." She moved forward and stopped just before him. Timid she hesitated a moment before need took over her shyness. She slid her hands around his waist and pressed her palms against his hard abs. "Just sit down and review your notes. I just want to see you."

He glanced up from the notes in his hands and then dropped them on the desk, slipping his fingers of one hand into her hair, and pulling her toward him. Jamie closed her eyes, the image of his handsome face seared into her memory. Dark features and a perfectly trimmed goatee that left him with a bad boy appeal.

His lips were soft, his tongue warm and wet as he pressed it against her own. She opened up for him and groaned at the taste of peppermint on his tongue.

Strong fingers pressed into her hip before sliding back to play with her curves. It had been too long, and the kiss quickly turned from 'good morning' into 'I need you so damn bad'.

He broke it, breathless and eyes wide. "Damn! I should cancel this meeting."

"You can't." She ran her fingers along his jaw line as his hand moved from her hair to her breast, squeezing softly.

"I need you." He moved down, pressing his lips to her neck and dragging them up until the delicious warmth of his breath hit her ear. "Tell me you need me too."

"So bad," she mumbled and pushed at his chest. "Ten minutes. Or five, I’ll take five. You read over your notes and let me take what I need from you.

He nodded, grinning wickedly as he worked on his pants and watched her with interest. "You're so damn beautiful. Why haven't we slept in each other's arms this week?" He tugged his pants over his hips, his body already hardened and quite proud in its erect state. He dropped the expensive slacks onto his chair and stroked himself once as she tugged her panties down.

Warmth filled her at the thought of offering herself to him. There hadn't been a man in her past who had thrilled her more, nor left her panting for another encounter. "I don't know, but it's not going to fly anymore. I'm so far beyond needy, it's embarrassing." She turned and lifted her shirt as his hands clasped onto her thighs.

He lowered her onto him, taking time that they didn't have. The intense pressure of being impaled by a man of his size left her crying out.

"Fuck, Jamie," he growled and lifted his hips, pushing himself into her before she could sit back.

She cried out again and closed her eyes, leaning back and rolling her hips.

"Nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm your man. Take what you need when you need it, baby." He licked the side of her throat and brushed his fingers over her clit. "Rock against me. Come a few times and then I'll join you. Just work fast."

"Yeah," she mumbled and lifted her hips, her body fragmented over whether it was better to push forward against his fingers or back against his cock.

Alex's teeth pressed into the side of her neck as he growled low in his chest. Maybe waiting for a few days was better. It certainly made the sex more aggressive and carnal.

Heat burst from the center of her stomach, and she jerked up, not caring how she might look. Working him to work her was all that mattered. She slid her hands across his desk and bounced against him as his fingers dug into her hips, helping to lift her just before forcing her back down.

"Incredible," he panted and pushed her up, forcing her to stay bent over, but still standing. He leaned over the top of her and worked himself in and out with greater efficiency. She shuddered and bit her lip to keep from crying out as tremors of pleasure exploded inside of her. "That's one,” he huffed. “Give me another. I want it."

"Me too." She pressed her cheek to the cold marble desk top and lifted her ass a little higher in the air to give him more room to play.

His deep grunts mixed with the delicious smell of his cologne had her spinning. Greedy hands raced across her clothed body, and she felt desired, beautiful, perfect. Only Alex could seem to do that for her. The desk moved beneath her due to his powerful thrusts and she cried out, getting closer and closer to the edge of orgasm.

"So close," she mumbled against her hand.

"Good. This is just a precursor of what's to come. I'm going taste every inch of you and watch you enjoy every inch of me before I make love to your tight little body for hours. If not tonight... very soon. I need to hear you scream." His voice was low and gravelly.

That did it.

"Alex," she cried out and pushed back against him, undulating her hips the best she could as flames erupted from the center of her belly and spread down her pleasure points, leaving her lost in the moment and not caring for anything but him.

"That's it, baby." He picked up his pace and leaned over, pressing his lips to the side of her face in sexy soft kisses. "I'm gonna join you. Would you like that?"

"Yes. Fuck yes." She turned as best she could and kissed him.

His strong fingers moved around to cup her throat as he deepened the kiss and groaned into against her lips, losing himself inside of her.

Strong emotion swept over her and she forced back the burn of tears. He was everything she wanted and seemed to be right at the edge of being hers, but something held them back. He finished making love to her and stood, moving to clean himself up as he let out a long exhalation.

"I didn't realize how bad I needed you." He smiled as she stood and tugged her skirt back down.

"I did. I'm turning into a bitch and realized this morning why." She moved toward him, sliding her arms around his waist as he finished buttoning his slacks.

"Needed a good reminder that you’re every guy’s fantasy?" He wagged his eyebrows and kissed her once more.

"I don't care about every guy. Just you." She nipped at his lips before moving back and bending over to pick up her panties. She wasn’t every guy’s fantasy, but he was every girl’s. She slid her panties in the small pocket of her skirt and walked to the door. "You have ten minutes. Good luck today."

"Thanks, Jamie. I'll see you in a bit. I feel incredible now."

"You should. You are incredible." She paused by the door, watching him as he rushed around to gather his notes and check his hair in the mirror. She'd lost him again, but it was alright. Having him hold her and remind her that they were still very much together as best as they could be was enough.

Gina glanced up as Jamie walked out. "He ready to go? The meeting is in ten minutes."

"Yep. He's got his notes and he's fully prepared. Should be a win for us." Jamie moved toward the desk, pressing her arms against it and trying to act far more calm and collected than she was. A visit to the lady’s room was in order, as well as a tall glass of ice water. For someone who had become used to multiple love making sessions in a stint, her body was just getting warmed up for the long haul that wasn't happening.

"Great. I love that you can always cheer him up. We need to send your smiling face into all of the executive's offices."

"Um, no." Jamie laughed and turned as Alex rushed out.

"I'll be back in two hours. Tell Mr. Barnes I'm running a bit late if I happen to," he barked out his commands to Gina and walked out the door, never giving Jamie another glance.

She understood the need to be discrete, but not acknowledging her at all left her feeling a little cold. She usually went to the meetings with him, now he preferred her to stay at the office or manage something else. How long did he expect her to be his woman and yet not let anyone know about it? If she was good enough to prance around in front of his family and hers as his girl, then why not at work?

"Will do," Gina responded to Alex before tapping the desk in front of Jamie. "You okay?"

"Just thinking about how crazy life can be at times."

"Yes it can. I want to hear all about it tomorrow night over liquor. Especially the juicy parts."

Jamie chuckled and walked down the hall, calling over her shoulder. "I wish I had more of those to share."

"Oh I'm sure you do, girl."

Between Gina's laughter and Alex's loving, the day was sure to be good. Needing more of both, but settling for what she got, Jamie turned on her laptop and dove into her to-do's.

A
lex had to work late and suggested she head home early saying there was no use both of them being in the office. Still trying to adjust to this new work situation and how they were supposed to act, Jamie just nodded and headed back. She took a long swim in the pool, then ate the incredible dinner Murray had prepared before settling down with a romance novel she had in one of the boxes still unpacked in her bedroom closet. Funny how reading about love made it seem all the more possible to have herself.

She woke the next morning disappointed to be on her own. She checked her phone but there were no messages from Alex. Hoping to see him in the main house, but doubting it seriously. His promise of a long night of teasing and love making obviously had to be put on hold. The poor guy had probably bitten off almost more than he could chew at the office. If he wasn't finding time to eat, sleep or exercise, he certainly didn't have time for her.

Some part of knowing that if they did get together her life would resemble a lot of lonely nights left her wondering if she were making the right decision. Maybe she should just let him go and find someone better suited for his needs and she could find someone better suited for hers.

"Good luck with that," she mumbled under her breath as she walked out in the cool spring day. Summer was nearly here, and they lived in the perfect neighborhood for jogging. She'd have to see if Alex could spare an hour in the morning or late at night to join her. Exercise wasn't being used to lose weight anymore, but more for an outlet for stress. She felt the need to still lose a few pounds, but between her job, her oddball relationship with Alex and her family still nagging her when they promised not to, losing weight came in dead last for her attention. She shuddered at the thought of running with Alex. It would be a waste of his time. She’d never move fast enough for him.

She drove the long way into the office, not really having anything to do until nine that morning. Surely there would be a pile of messages to return and a few notes from Alex on items he wanted her to research or dig into, but her first meeting wasn't until later.

She swung into the local coffee shop and picked up something for herself, Alex and Gina. The hope was to brighten everyone's day, and where Gina would enjoy the coffee, Alex was sure to be busy to stop and have it while it was hot. Regardless, it didn’t stop her from getting him something.

The office was quiet when she walked in, which was a little surprising. She set the coffee for Alex and Gina on their respective desks, then made her way to her own office.

A chorus of happy birthday caught her by surprise. Whose birthday was it?

She took a tentative sip of her drink, finding it perfect after the twenty-minute drive into the office. She hadn't remembered seeing anyone's name on the birthday list, but knowing that she was the face of their CEO, she walked down the hall and moved into the breakroom.

"Jamie! This is Paul. He's going to be interning with us this summer. It's his first day, but it's also his birthday." Gina beamed as she touched the shoulder of the handsome young guy next to her.

"Fantastic!" Jamie walked toward him, extending her hand. "Nice to meet you, Paul. I'm Mr. Reid's PA. Jamie Connors."

"Lucky Mr. Reid." The intern smiled and shook her hand with a firm handshake.

"Yep. I work hard for my pay." She gave him a professional smile and moved back to stand beside Gina as the rest of the staff cut the cake and served it up. She held up her hand refusing. Too much sugar in the morning would leave her feeling like shit for the rest of the day.