Who's the Boss Now (Managing the Bosses Series, #3) (4 page)

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"S
o, where are we going?" Jamie asked and reached over for Alex's hand as they drove through the city. Hopefully her surprise had little to do with the office or work and more to do with them. So much of Alex's persona was created due to his success, and a lot of their relationship was based around their work lives. Hopefully today was a different are of interest.

"To the harbor. I thought it might be nice to have a day out on the water. Spring’s almost gone and summer’s headed this way. It's supposed to be beautiful today, and I want time with my arms around you." He squeezed her hand. "I got a private chef to join us on the boat.” He laughed. “Yeah, it’s Murray. Mm is available to cook for us.” He winked. “What do you think? Food, great company and a little dancing if you feel up to it?"

"The horizontal mambo?" She gave him a cheeky grin and loved the sound of his laugh. He was breathtakingly gorgeous, but his personality only made him more attractive. He had every reason to be a jerk as most men in his position were, and yet he held himself to a higher standard most days. He was giving and had been so good to her through her situation with her family over the last few months.

"I'm always down for making love to the most beautiful woman in New York." He tugged his hand from hers and parked the car. "You ready for a day of relaxation?"

"Yes. We both need this." She got out and walked around the car.

Alex was in the backseat, getting a basket and a few things out. She took the basket and held it up.

"What's in here?"

"Your favorite wine, some fruits that I know you like and..." he took the basket and opened it, tugging a handful of white tulips from it. "... Your favorite flowers."

"Oh Alex. I love them." She took them and lifted them to her face as her heart lit on fire. "You didn't have to do all of this. Lying by the pool with you would have been enough."

"I wanted to. We've had a long couple of weeks since the wedding. Getting away from the house and everyone seemed like a great way to focus a little more on each other." He walked onto the small yacht and sat the basket down before turning and offering her a hand.

The Murray must have been below deck, because Alex started the boat and pulled them out while Jamie lounged just beside him. Between the sun and the wind, everything that was bothering her dissipated for the time being.

"So have you met our summer intern?" His deep voice called her from her reverie, and she nodded.

"Yes. I haven't had the chance to talk to him much, but I think he's going to be sharing my office until the construction is all done."

"Hmmm... not sure I'm okay with that." He smirked and tugged one of the sails free before sitting down next to her. He slid his strong arm behind her and pulled her close, kissing the side of her face before touching her cheek and pulling her in for a long kiss.

She broke it a moment later. "Why? Seems like the sensible option. I'm rarely in my office anyway. I'll just make sure to lock up any sensitive information."'

"It's not the information I'm worried about, silly woman. It's you. Any man with a working libido would want to wine and dine you. You're beautiful." He kissed her once more.

"He's a kid, Alex, and I'm not interested in anyone but you."

"If he's a kid, then you are too." He chuckled. "Besides, the guy reminds me far too much of myself when I was his age."

"He's got blond hair and green eyes. He looks nothing like you." Jamie bit her lips seductively. "You've got the tall, dark and handsome stereotype down perfectly."

"Not my looks, my attitude, my cockiness. He knows what he wants and he goes after it. He did a great job all throughout the interview process this past spring. I'm excited to have him on board, but I'd almost rather have him with me than you." He rubbed her shoulder as he studied her. "One more thing, but don't get upset."

She stiffened at his words. Why did people always preface something that was utterly upsetting by asking the one getting the information to not get upset? It was like it was damned to happen now.

"I'll try. What's up?" She turned a little, pressing her knees against his thigh and sliding her hand onto his leg.

"I'm only seeing you, and I want us to be exclusive..."

"But?"

"But, I don't want us to come out at the office just yet. I know it's ridiculous, but I read somewhere that younger, single CEOs have more respect and earning potential. Let's just keep us on the down low until we're sure that we're ready to make the step of declaring ourselves to be a couple. That sound okay?"

A fiery arrow of rejection shot through her. Had he really just said that?

"Um... yeah. I guess." She shrugged and got up, moving to the back of the ship to look out at the water. Crying was out.

"Great. I knew you would understand." He wrapped his arms around her from behind and pressed his lips to the side of her neck.

Understand?

Not in the slightest.

J
amie wanted to cry, or maybe tear Alex’s head off and toss it in the water rushing past them. He assumed she would be okay with keeping their relationship a secret? Part of her understood the impact around the office and the talk around the water cooler would be about them. But still...

A part of her—a big part—felt that he was simply too embarrassed to show her off in public. Just like her parents, just like Stephen, Alex didn’t want the stigma associated with dating someone slightly bigger. She was what? A size eight now? Maybe a six in some clothing lines. It didn’t matter she’d gone down a few sizes. Alex was embarrassed and he couldn’t admit it out loud.

The boat ride wasn’t something quiet and romantic. It was something sneaky and hidden. No one was around to see them. He could get his fill of her and not have to admit it to anyone.

Around mid-afternoon, she faked her stomach hurting and they went back into the dock. Alex tried to care for her, but she would have little of it. He wanted to keep them a secret which felt wrong. Jamie couldn’t shake the thought that after so many years of having her mother leave her at home because she didn't want to be seen with an 'over-weight' kid, she was right back where she started.

She spent Sunday in the bed, wondering what the fuck she was doing with her life and indulging in ice cream and vodka to sooth her sad soul. Alex stopped by in the morning, looking ready for a game of golf. He offered to make her something to eat, but she ejected him from the room using the bargaining chip that she didn’t want to make him sick too.

How something so great as him taking her out on the boat had turned into such a nightmare was beyond her. Why the hell couldn't he have just wanted to tell her that she was good enough in the bed, but not in public later that day? He could have told her on the way home and left the boat ride to be something fun and uncomplicated, but no.

"Asshole," she murmured against her pillow as the sun rose on Monday morning. She wasn't sure at all what she was going to do about him, but rolling around with him in the sheets was out for the next day or two. She needed to first convince herself that she wasn't a nasty blob that no one wanted to be seen with. Alex was right about one thing... she had lost some weight and because of it felt a hundred times better.

Maybe his request was just selfish or ignorance, but either way, it stung in places that she was working to heal. He could take a backseat for the rest of the week. She ignored the inner voice that she was being silly and she should consider his position. His position? Didn’t the guy have enough money and respect? Sheeesh!

After lamenting about life for far too long, Jamie finally dragged herself from the sheets and got dressed for work. Needing to look extra pretty, she took her time straightening her long blond hair and putting on her make-up to go from okay to bombshell. Her white blouse was silky and accented her large breasts and thinning waist. A slimming black shirt and red heels made the outfit perfect. She sprayed on Alex's favorite perfume and walked to the car with very little drive to go into the office for the day.

Maybe turning her attention to both the investor conference and the cute intern in the office would help. She wasn't interested in the slightest, but making a new friend out of someone who appeared to want the world and be actively going after it was never a bad bet. 

Her cell phone rang as she approached the office, and after seeing that it was her father, she parked and pressed the speaker phone button.

"Dad?"

"Hi, pumpkin. I figured I needed to call, though I'm not really even sure what to say. I assume your mother called you?"

"Yes. She called yesterday." Jamie slowly released the breath she was holding. She was much closer to her father than her mother. Then again, who wouldn't be? Her dad was the only one in their house that ever gave her positive feedback or seemed to care about her feelings.

"I should have called last week. I just... I don't know."

"It's okay, Dad. Where are you now?"

"I'm at work."

"No, where are you staying? I assume you left the house?"

"Yeah. I'm staying with your uncle, Billy. He's got a guest room that Martha was using for her crafts. They’ve two dogs, which you know tear my allergies up. I'll be looking for a place this week." His tone was neither sad, nor happy. It was a type of numbness that lead to resolution.

Jamie had been there many times herself. "You can come stay with me if you need to."

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm good. I’m not going to burden my kids. I just wanted to let you know that there isn't another woman, nor has there ever been. Your mother and I just don't see eye to eye at all anymore. I'm tired. So tired, Jamie."

"I know, Daddy." Her eyes filled with tears over the weariness that begun to slip into his voice. She knew that type of tired.

"Never stay with someone who doesn't appreciate you, who doesn't cherish you just the way you are. You're a great woman and you deserve only the best. I should’ve told you that a long time ago."

"Thanks, Dad." She sniffled. "So this is it? No chance of you guys getting back together?"

"Not in my mind, but you never know. I think separating for a while will be good for us no matter what the future holds. Your mother's nitpicking has moved from cute to annoying to downright dreadful. I'm done walking out of every conversation with her and being nothing but bones. She picks the flesh and meat right off me. Best weight-loss plan I know." He laughed, but the sound fell flat.

"I love you. I'm here if you need me."

"Same here, kiddo. We'll do lunch soon. Okay?"

"Alright." Jamie hung up and leaned her head back, forcing herself not to cry. She had a lot on her plate, but it would seem her mom and dad had more.

After a few minutes of breathing in deeply and calming herself, she got out of the car and walked into the office. A stop by the kitchenette had her grabbing a large cup of coffee and snagging a donut from the unholy large box of them.

She hadn't had anything that sugary sweet in months, except for maybe the ice cream and vodka. However, the occasional called for something to help her take her mind off of it. Food always worked well.

Alex walked out of his office and down the hall, stopping in front of her as she glanced up.

"Oh, Hi, Mr. Reid." Jamie lifted the donut. "Someone brought breakfast in the kitchenette."

"You don't need that sugary shit, Jamie. It’ll make your stomach hurt worse. Go chunk it and get yourself a yogurt or a banana." The concern on his face was apparent, but his words drove remembrance into her. How many times had her mother forced her to forgo a simply delicious treat because she was too fat to indulge... even a little.

"Right," she whispered and walked into her office, closing the door behind her and jumping as someone spoke.

"Eat the donut. Eat two if it’ll make you feel better." Paul grinned as he stood in the middle of the room.

"Oh, damn. You scared me." She chuckled and took a bit bite of the treat. "I plan on eating it. I'll eat the whole box if I please." She glanced at the door connected her office to Alex’s. It was closed.

"There you go. Tell them whose boss." He laughed and turned back to setting up his laptop.

Her office was big enough to hold another temporary desk beside his if they wanted, which meant there was plenty of space for the two of them.

The door opened behind her and Gina smiled. "I'm going to leave this door open if you're okay. Mr. Reid has some weird policy about having the door opened when two people room together."

Jamie lifted her eyebrow at her friend. "When did that start? I've never heard of it."

"About three minutes ago." Gina shook her head, winked and walked out.

"Interesting," Paul mumbled, but continued to focus on his computer.

She probably needed to have that 'good suitemate' conversation with Paul, but she wasn’t in the mood right now. She would look like the crappy roommate if she popped in to tell him to not chat her ear off when she was working.

Handsome Paul could have the benefit of the doubt until it appeared she needed to say something.

"Ms. Connors.” Alex poked his head in the room. “I’ve a trip tomorrow morning that you're going to need to come on with me. You feeling better?"

"Morning, Mr. Reid." Paul turned, stood up and walked across the room to shake Alex hand.

"Good morning, Paul. I hope your new accommodations will work for the next while?" Alex glanced around the room, his eyes landing on Jamie.

"Yes, Sir. Jamie's been great to me. She's a keeper for sure." Paul glanced over at her too.

"I'm right here." She lifted her eyebrows as Paul chuckled. Alex on the other hand, didn't.

"Good. Just make sure you keep to yourself. She's my PA and I keep her insanely busy. If you need something, find a senior investor to help you. She's not your go-to in any sense of the word." Alex had turned his attention on the younger man. His expression had darkened quite a bit too.

He should just whip out his penis and urinate all over the place. That would be more effective than this long drawn-out conversation. Jamie clenched her hands into tight fists. For someone not wanting to share their relationship, this was highly annoying.