Who's the Boss Now (Managing the Bosses Series, #3) (5 page)

Alex glanced toward Jamie. "Gina has our tickets. We leave tomorrow just before lunch. We can work in the morning if you have things that need to get done."

"I'm sorry. Where are we going?" She pressed her hands to her hips.

"We're headed to Philadelphia." His lips pursed into a tight line, which meant he wasn't willing to talk about it. "I'll give you the details later. We’ve a long day ahead of us. You're meeting with our investors from Smith and Co. at eleven for me?"

"Yes, Sir." She let her hand slid down her thigh, not caring too much for his eyes following her every move. She was supposed to be angry with him, but seeing him in his navy blue suit and white tie against his dark skin left her hungry for the high only he could provide. She needed medication. One minute she wanted him and the next killing him seemed to be the right answer.

Must be love. Sounds like love.

"Good. Call if you need me." He glanced over at Paul. "You find someone down the hall if you need help."

Paul nodded as a smirk lifted his lip. "I understand, Mr. Reid. I'll not bother Jamie. I promise."

"Good." Alex lingered in the doorway for a minute more before turning and walking out.

Jamie let out a growl and dropped down in her chair. He could have just cut across the room to his office. That obviously was going to be a no-go while Paul was in here. She had a feeling Alex was going to be pushing the construction to get done faster now. She worked to get her computer on as Paul moved to stand in front of her desk. His hands were in his pockets and his boyish good looks accented by the cute smile on his mouth.

"How long have you guys been dating?" He lifted his eyebrow.

"What? We're not dating." She shrugged and glanced down to the floor, trying to find the on button for her power chord.

"Right. Keeping it on the down low, I take it." He chuckled and walked back to his desk. "I might be young, but you learn guy code as a boy if you’re raised right."

"Guy code?" She sat back up and glanced over at him. "I'm a girl, so clue me in."

"You're a woman, and the boss man just put me in my place because whether you know it or not... you're his woman." He shrugged and shot her a sexy grin. "I'm jealous already."

"Stop it. You're incorrigible." She laughed as her cheeks heated.

"Just have eyes to see." He glanced over and winked.

Was this guy for real? Jamie shook her head and dove into her list of things that had to be done that day. Alex wanted to her to go home with him? It wasn't something she expected to do, but whatever he had in mind, she was all in. It's not like she had much choice in the matter anyway. Besides, seeing Alex's brother Mark would be good. They'd had a rough start, but after getting to know each other a little better, a friendship had begun. Alex might not like his brother, but maybe that would change over time.

It better. He promised his dying father that it would.

Not following through on the promise wasn't something she would want to live with. She couldn't imagine Alex wanting to either.

J
amie drove home in silence after work, not wanting the radio to interrupt her internal meanderings. She wanted a long work out session and maybe a swim before having to meet up with Alex. His text from earlier in the day said that he wanted to get together for dinner up at his house. She figured they would be cooking together, which she felt would lead to the feeling of intimacy.

They would make love half the night if she left things up to him, but she had some decisions to make. The conversation with her father that morning had re-solidified in her mind that where she didn't feel deserving of a good man, she was. Was Alex that guy?

He certainly seemed like it, and yet him wanting to hide their relationship left her questioning everything. A night of making love with him would only complicate things farther, and yet she needed time in his arms. It was the desire to be loved, to be wanted, to finally be accepted by someone who appeared to be great.

She growled at her indecision and parked the car before moving quickly into her small space and changing into her work-out clothes. Walking back toward the gym, she thought back on the conversation with Paul.

It was nice to know Alex had deemed her as his own, and had forced that thought on the new intern, who was a little too friendly and confidently ballsy. But why make it known and yet not allow anyone to know? It made no damn sense at all.

She walked into the gym and started to work through the various machines that would give her a full-body workout. Turning up her music, she lost herself in the moment, not thinking about Alex or her family. For the upcoming hour, it was just about her.

By the time she was done, she was drenched in sweat and gasping for air. It felt incredible. A high like sex with Alex might feel like.

"Speaking of," she grumbled and walked into the elaborate shower in the locker room. She wanted a night with her man, and if having to talk him through her feelings being hurt, or prove to him why he was being an ass without having to actually come out and say it was the charge, she was all for it.

Dinner, a movie and sex sounded like a great night. Going back to Philadelphia not so much, but she could take the good with the bad.

––––––––

S
he had just finished braiding her long wet hair when her phone buzzed. She hit the talk button and leaned over, spreading a light coating of pink lip gloss on her mouth.

"Hey."

"Hey, baby. When are you coming up here?"

"Ten minutes. I just got out of the shower."

"And you didn't think to invite me?" The pout in his voice was almost cute. Almost.

"Nope. I worked out and tried to decide if I wanted to spend the night curled up with a good book about a man that showed off his woman, or have dinner with a handsome bachelor."

"Jamie." His voice softened.

"I'll be up shortly." She pressed the button to end the call.

A growled left her as she turned her head slightly, studying herself in the mirror. The weight loss had been good for her face, having slimmed it out nicely, but like most women, another flaw popped up in its place. "I thought you weren't going to say anything. Needy bitch." She shook her head and walked to the bedroom to get dressed.

A simply white dress with sandals, sexy lace panties and a bracelet or two and she was out the door. It was a beautiful evening, the sun having just begun its descent in the far end of the sky.

She couldn't help but stop and enjoy the majesty of it as it sunk down lower and lower. The large wraparound porch on the back of Alex's mansion was her favorite part of the whole place. It reminded her of something out of the Victorian era. Entrancing and filled with beauty.

The door opened behind her and she glanced back, giving Alex a warm smile.

"Were you waiting for an invitation? You're cordially invited to come in and make my night exceedingly better than it could ever be without you." He wrapped his arms around her and pressed a soft kiss just below her ear.

"I was coming in. I just love it out here. It feels great and the sun almost looks close enough to reach from up here." She smiled and leaned against him, loving the strong feel of his arms locked around her.

"I upset you. Forgive me." He brushed his nose up the column of her neck. "We can tell the world about us if you want to. I'm just trying to figure everything out from a personal and business perspective. Life gets a little complicated when the spotlight shines on you. I hate it."

"It's okay.” She’d stressed about for a couple of days and now she was telling him it was fine?
Idiot
. “Just old demons I'm going to fight my whole life, I guess." She turned in his arms and slid her hands up his chest. His cream-colored oxford sweater looked damn good on him. She knew it would look better off.

"I never want to be a part of making you feel like you aren't everything that you are." He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. "You're far beyond anything I deserve. I'm thrilled that you even decided to give me a chance, Jamie."

She lifted to her toes and pressed her lips tightly to his. Her tongue slid past the opening of his lips and dove into his mouth. He groaned low in his chest and sucked on her offering as his hands moved down to her lower back, squeezing tightly.

"Let's make dinner before we decide to just eat each other," she mumbled against his lips as she kissed him in between the words.

"Not sure I agree with that. To hell with dinner." He smiled and kissed her again.

Jamie moved back and turned, walking to the back door and pausing. "What’re we having? Do we need to run and pick a few things up?"

"No. I had the pantry stocked earlier today. I was thinking seafood linguine. I know how to make a killer butter sauce if you're up for it." He moved in behind her and ran his fingers over the curve of her rear.

"I thought you were just lecturing me on a donut earlier. Was that you or someone else?"

"I was just worried about your tummy from you being sick." He popped her butt. "Don't turn me into the villain. I'll never be that to you."

"Then yes, I'm down for pasta. Do you have the stuff to make a big green salad?"

"Sure, I do. You get started on that, and I'll work on the pasta. We’ll show Murray we know how to cook." He winked and pushed the door open beside her and walked in. The large expanse of his living room was welcoming and smelled of leather and cologne.

She breathed in deeply and walked toward the kitchen, stopping just outside of it to slip her sandals off.

"You want red or white wine?" He asked, moving up behind her and rubbing his erection against her rear. "Or are we still thinking to hell with dinner?"

She chuckled before reaching back and poking him softly in the chest. "White wine, and behave. There's lots of time to enjoy each other after we fill out bellies."

"So many naughty things I could say." He slipped his hand under her dress and brushed a warm finger along the inside of her thigh before walking past her into the kitchen.

A shiver of anticipation raced down the center of her body and urged her toward tugging him with her into the bedroom. Or living room couch. Or table. Or kitchen countertop. She didn’t care where. She pushed the thought away, knowing that cooking together, talking and then snuggling would only lead to better sex as it were. Being with him was a complete turn on. The lovemaking was just an extension of the attraction.

"Did Paul behave himself?" Alex pulled various items out of the fridge as he spoke over his shoulder.

"Of course he did, Alex. He's a professional." She worked on getting the wine bottle open, but handed it over to him as he reached for it.

"Professional woman stealer. I saw the way he looked at you today. I don't like it." He popped the top and poured them a glass as she extended empty glasses toward him.

"You're making this up. He's a perfect gentleman, and besides... he knows we're together." She handed him his glass and took a sip of hers, enjoying the bitterness of the grapes as it raced across her tongue.

"Oh yeah? Did you say something to him?" Alex lifted his eyebrow.

"No Mr. Reid. You were like a pit bull in my office this morning, spraying your scent everywhere." She slid up against him. "It was almost hot." She ran her tongue over her lower lip, enjoying his eyes follow it. “I almost had to go into your office to cool my libido down. I managed to take care of that on my own.”

Alex’s eyes grew big. “Really?” He cleared his throat. "Good! So Paul got the hint to back the fuck off." Alex shrugged, kissed her once and moved to the counter. "I still want him out of your office. Give him Jerry's office and put that old fart in there with you."

"I think Jerry’s handsome." Jamie suppressed a smile and started to work on tearing lettuce.

"Well damn... Jerry's out too." They laughed together, enjoying the silly banter than moved between them.

She finished the salad, making them each a bowl, and Alex had the pasta done and ready about the time she was finished as well.

"Let's eat outside." Jamie turned to face him, falling more in love with him as he moved around the kitchen with skill. A man that could cook was rare, and yet one that could do it and do it well stood in front of her.

"Sounds great. Grab the wine and lead the way." He picked up the tray with their salads, two empty bowls and a huge bowl of seafood linguine. The smell was divine, and her tummy rumbled in anticipation of what was to come.

Jamie picked up the wine and their glasses and walked back through the living room, making sure to breathe in deeply as she stopped at the back door. They worked together to get it open, chuckling at their own inabilities and stopping to smile up at each other shyly.

"Alex. Why’re we going back to Philadelphia? What's going on that you need to be there for?" She sat down and rearranged the bowls for them.

"The estate sale. You really don't have to go if you're too busy or don't feel up to it. I just don't want to go without you." He shrugged and poured his salad dressing. "I'm sure I'm going to run into a few old memories, and maybe I'm just being a wimp, but I want you there to help me process anything that happens."

Warmth flooded her system and she reached out, touching his hand. "I wouldn't be anywhere else."

He captured her hand and moved it to her lips, kissing her palm softly. "Good. Mark’ll be there, so promise you'll be the softness between us."

"I'll do my best." She touched his face gingerly before slipping out of his grasp and eating her dinner. The meal was exquisite, each bite only seeming to be better than the last.

They cleaned everything up and moved to the couch, snuggling up and watching an old black and white movie until late into the night. Alex loved the damn things, and though she could do without ever having to see another one, for him... she would do just about anything.

She turned as the credits rolled and snuggled down against his chest, wrapping her arms against him tightly.

"Why don't we do this every night?" He asked, brushing his lips by her forehead. "It feels so right. So good."