The Boss Too: Billionaire Romance (13 page)

Jamie shook her head and then smiled. “Thanks for taking me out. I’ll see you next week. My treat next time.”

Her dad chuckled. “Then I’m definitely ordering dessert.”

After they parted company, Jamie managed to hold it together until she got into the elevator in her office building. Then she started to cry. She loved her family. She cried harder than she had in a long time. She didn’t even know that the elevator doors had opened until she felt someone’s strong arms around her, comforting her, rubbing her back and holding her close. She buried her head in the stranger’s chest, just thankful someone was willing to hold her. It felt good, even though she knew she would be embarrassed soon enough.

“Tell me what’s wrong,” Alex murmured.

Her head shot up in surprise. She stepped back quickly. “Sorry, I didn’t realize—”

Alex pressed the emergency stop button. “Tell me what’s wrong so I can make it better. Is it Stephen?”

She wiped her eyes. “Nothing’s wrong,” she said. “Everything is perfectly right.”

“Then why are you crying?” He handed her a handkerchief from his suit pocket.

She accepted it and blew her nose. “My father’s proud of me,” she said, and then started crying again. He pulled her even tighter to his body and she breathed in the scent of him. He smelled like pine. “He actually said he was proud of me today. We went out for lunch. He’s not mad at me at all.”

He smiled and rested his chin on the top of her head. “Good,” he murmured. “I’m glad.”

She hiccupped. “It was so out of the blue that he asked me out for lunch. I still can’t believe he did. And then he said that he was proud of me.” She felt the tears welling up again.

“How could he not be?” He smiled at her.

She inhaled a deep breath and stared down at her hands. “Thanks. Sorry about the crying. I don’t usually do that.” She went to hand him his expensive handkerchief back.

“Keep it.” He laughed and scrunched his nose. It made his face look adorably cute.

Jamie giggled and stuffed it in her pocket. “I’ll buy you a new one.”

“I think I can afford to lose one.” He chuckled, probably happy to see she wasn’t crying anymore and then pressed the emergency stop button again for them to go up.

Jamie bit her lip when she realized that they had been stopped for over twenty minutes. “Oh no,” she said. “We stopped the elevator for that long?”

“It’s okay,” Alex said. “It’s my private elevator to my office. Only you and I use it, remember?”

She nodded and smiled. “Right,” she said. “Still, wouldn’t people notice?”

“Maybe, but it doesn’t matter,” Alex said. “We weren’t doing anything indecent, and even if we were, it would be none of their business.” He hesitated momentarily when he said indecent.

Jamie felt her cheeks warm. “I can’t exactly blame them for thinking that we are sleeping together. I mean, we have in the past.”

“Yes. But it is still none of their business.” Alex frowned. “Anything I, or you, do outside of the office doesn’t affect our professional lives. We still work together well.”

“Then why don’t you want to have a real relationship with me?” Jamie blurted out. Then she flushed. “Sorry,” she said. “You don’t have to answer that.”

His cheeks reddened. “No, it’s okay,” he said. “I haven’t been fair to you, Jamie. I know that. You deserve an explanation.”

Jamie stared at the floor. She really wished she hadn’t said anything. She didn’t think she wanted to know. She didn’t want to hear him say that she wasn’t worth his time.

“I don’t deserve you,” he said. “Truly. Jamie, I’ve never been in a real relationship. Not one that was equal or committed. Emotional attachments are complicated for me…” He shook his head. “You deserve better than that, Jamie. You deserve so much better than a workaholic who can’t do much more than provide material goods. And it’s been incredibly wrong of me to play with your heart like I have been, and there truly is no excuse for it.” She saw the regret in his eyes as well as the longing and anguish. “You deserve someone who can actually take care of you.”

The elevator opened and Alex quickly turned and walked out before she could even say anything. She wanted to tell him he was wrong. He had done so much more for her than anyone else had and he sure as hell wasn’t a bad guy. She went to her desk, uncertain. It was so obvious to her that everything he had just said simply wasn’t true. He was making excuses.
Would it kill him to be straightforward with me and tell me he just doesn’t like me that way?
She turned to her work, slightly annoyed. More than anything, she wanted to believe Alex’s story, but she knew it was bullshit.

There was no way Alex Reid was unsure about himself. And there was no way in hell he couldn’t be a good partner to someone he really cared for.

By the time she finished for the day, Jamie had worked herself into a rage thinking about Alex. Why the hell was he giving her bullshit excuses? Did he think she was too delicate to handle the truth? Screw him! She deserved to have something great and if he couldn’t see she was something amazing for him, he could kiss her arse!

She headed into the parking garage and stomped toward her car.

Alex was there, about to get into his. He looked up and his eyes widened when he saw her marching toward him.

Before he could say anything she slapped him across the face. “You son of a bitch!” She shook her hand from the sting vibrating off it. “How dare you make up a bullshit excuse like that! If you don’t want me, fine! Then say that! Don’t say that I deserve better and you’re not capable of love because we both know that’s not true. You seriously are a fucking asshole, you know that? You’re no better than Stephen.” She turned to walk away and spun around again. “You were right about one thing: you never should have played with my heart because now I’m in love with you and there’s nothing I can do about it! What is wrong with you? Do you get some kick out of ripping women’s hearts out and stomping on them? Damn it, Alex. I hate you!”

He didn’t say anything, which just angered her more. Alex lifted his hand to the cheek she slapped. Redness formed in the shape of angry fingers against his skin. He rubbed it tenderly. “So, which is it Jamie? Do you love me? Or do you hate me? Make up your mind.”

Jamie snorted in disgust. She crossed her arms, refusing to answer him.

“I never denied the fact that I’m an asshole,” Alex said. “But I am
not
as bad as Stephen. I never kicked you out of your home or belittled your body like he did, and I certainly didn’t assault you.”

“You belittled me in a different way, you let me beg you to touch me and then said it was wrong after the fact.” Her voice cracked, and much to her mortification a tear slid down her cheek. Alex stepped forward as if to comfort her but Jamie flinched back and he stopped suddenly, raw pain in his eyes.

“I never meant to hurt you,” he said hoarsely. “I never did. Hell, Jamie, I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone in my entire life.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “But I meant it when I said I don’t deserve you. I could never deserve someone as generous and as sweet as you.”

“Stop lying!” she shouted.

He shook his head slowly, never taking his eyes off her face. “I’m not,” he whispered. “I don’t know how to do a relationship. I’ve never been in love. I stopped myself from loving a long time ago so I wouldn’t get hurt. I don’t know if I’m even capable of starting again after all these years, and the last thing I want to do is hurt you, Jamie. I tried so hard,” his voice cracked. “You have to believe me.”

She shook her head. “How could I? All you’ve ever done is hurt me.”

“That was never my intention.”

She shook her head, tears streaming down her face, now. “It doesn’t matter, I don’t care what you say,” she said. “Not anymore. It’s all lies anyway.”

She turned to go but he grabbed her arm, pulling her back. “No,” he said harshly. “That’s not true. I never lied to you about anything. I care about you more than anything else. How can I prove that to you?”

“You can’t. Not anymore.”

Before she could resist, he pulled her close to him and gently wiped away her tears. He barely touched her skin as he did and he rested his other arm against his car instead of holding her tightly like he usually did, as if he was giving her every chance to escape. “There must be some way,” he said, pleading. “I wish more than anything I could promise you the world, but I can’t. I don’t want you thinking I used you and felt nothing for you because it’s not true. Please, Jamie. Tell me how I can make it up to you.”

She shook her head, trying to keep herself from crying out or reaching for him. If she touched him or moved slightly, her lips would be on his and her body would make her mind forget why it was hurting. She couldn’t do it, though. She would just be torturing herself more.

“I can’t do this, Alex.” She turned to leave, and then froze when she heard voices from around the corner. A group of employees were chatting and laughing. She recognized Gina’s voice among them.

Alex heard it as well. He opened the back door of his car. “Get in. My windows are tinted. They won’t even know we’re here.”

Jamie crawled in before she could think better and Alex slid in beside her. They slipped down so no one could see them through the back windshield and both held their breath as the group came closer. Alex took her hand and started stroking the back of her knuckles with his thumb. She hated the fact that it comforted her.

The group of people passed and both of them slowly sat up again. Alex didn’t let go of her hand. He stared down at the seat between them, looking more ashamed than she had ever seen him before. “I’m not letting you leave like this,” he whispered. “I need to show you how much you’ve affected me. How much you mean to me.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it gently and with all the tenderness in the world. There was nothing confident or smooth about his actions. He looked more vulnerable than Jamie had ever seen him before. He looked completely genuine.

She already felt her anger and resolve crumbling and she knew she was already set up for hurt again.

Alex turned toward her and leaned down to kiss her gently on the lips. His own lips trembled against hers. He didn’t pull her close or even touch her, giving her complete freedom to turn away or leave.

Jamie was rooted to her spot. Frozen. Every molecule of her body wanted to stay where she was, kissing him just like this. She felt as if she would die if she pulled away. So she didn’t.

Alex broke away first, reluctantly. “If I keep kissing you then I’ll be tempted to take you right now. But you deserve so much more than a fucking in a car, Jamie. You deserve someone who will love you and take care of you. Someone who will always be there for you in every way you need them to be. Someone who can make love to you with all of the patience and tenderness in the world. I wish more than anything that I could deserve you, but the truth is, I don’t. I’m not that guy. I don’t know how to truly love, Jamie. And you deserve an expert in it.”

Jamie shook her head. “Everyone knows how to love if they are with the right person, Alex.” She swallowed. “I guess I’m just not the type of girl that can inspire love in someone.”

“Don’t
say
that,” he whispered hoarsely. “I’ve been trying to tell you that it’s
me
who’s to blame, not you. Any man who’s not in love with you is a fool.”

“Including you?”

“Worse,” he spat and covered his eyes as he pressed his fingers against his forehead. “Because you gave me your heart and I’m not worthy of it.”

Jamie swallowed, trying to clear the pain in her throat. Too bad she couldn’t take her heart back. “Then it’s not going to work, Alex. I can’t keep working for you with my heart shattered. I’m going to have to hand in my resignation. Sorry.”

There was a knock on Jamie’s door. She groaned and put a pillow over her head. Maybe if she just turned over and pretended she wasn’t there they would go away. Who the hell would visit her at seven in the morning? Then she remembered what day it was.
Please don’t let it be Mom.
Her dad might be cool with her not going to her sister’s wedding, but her mother would be another story, and since her sister was getting married in about five hours, then it was totally plausible that her mother had shown up on her doorstep to demand she go there.

If it was Alex knocking, then he would break down the door if she didn’t answer. She had spent half the night crying, then, when she had enough of her tears she let anger simmer through her. At least being angry was easier than being hurt and heart broken. She would talk to Alex on Monday about her job. She didn’t want to give it up, and the more she thought about things, the more confused she grew. She finally decided that if Alex wanted to keep her on, he would have to find her a place that was not at his house. She wouldn’t be at his beck and call, and when work finished at the end of the day, that would be the end until the next morning. She believed that if they set up boundaries, they would be fine. The only problem was that she wasn’t sure if it was Alex she needed to convince or herself.

She groaned and sat up as the door knocking continued. “I’m coming!” she shouted. She got up, groaning, and grabbed a light robe to put on over her nightie, which showed way more skin than she was comfortable with in front of other people. She cinched the belt tight and then stepped over the pile of books at the bottom of her bed, only to trip on her throw rug.

The knocking continued.
Whoever you are, you’re dead to me!
“Stop knocking!” she shouted as she tried to regain her balance. “I said I’m coming!”

The knocking promptly stopped.
Okay, it’s not my mother. She wouldn’t have stopped knocking.
If anything, she would have started shouting at her through the door. That meant it was either Alex or Murray.
Please, let it be Murray.

She opened the door to find Alex standing on the other side wearing black trousers, a crisp, white button down shirt, and holding two travel mugs of coffee. He smiled apologetically at her. “Hey,” he said, handing her one. “It looks like you need this.”

Jamie took it, not in a position to turn down free coffee. She sipped it. Pumpkin spice latte, her favorite. He must have had Murray make it special because it was out of season. “What do you want?” she asked, sighing as she moved aside so he could come in.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said, sitting down on her couch, all confident and oozing sex appeal. “I think you should go to your sister’s wedding.”

“Alex, I’m not going.” She moved to stand in front of him after closing the door. “I don’t want to see them. And besides, I have nothing to wear.” That wasn’t exactly true, though. The red dress in the back of her closet tempted her every day. She was sure she could fit into it now.

“I know you don’t want to go right now,” Alex said. “But some things you just have to go to. I know you will regret it for the rest of your life if you don’t go. Just like I would have regretted it if I didn’t go see my father during those last few days. You helped me then and, despite my mistakes and you wanting to resign, I’m going to help you now.” The determination on his face told her he wasn’t going to accept no.

She smiled. He was playing her game. And she knew, deep down, that he was right. “You didn’t have to wake me up so early, you know,” she muttered. “It’s not for several more hours and there’s no way in hell I’m showing up early to help out.”

“No, of course not!” Alex grinned. “You want to re-establish relations with your family, not resume your role as their slave, Cinderella. How about your chariot driver takes you out for a nice breakfast before we go to the wedding?”

Driver? “You’re coming?”

He hesitated before answering. “I owe you. Big time. Plus, you need someone in your corner who isn’t scared of your mother.”

She smiled. “Thank you, Alex.”

He watched her and for a moment, he let down his guard completely, showing all of the desire and happiness in his expression as well as something else that Jamie wouldn’t let herself acknowledge. “I’m not perfect. I’m sorry I’ve disappointed you so many times, but I’m going to be there for you like you were for me.”

She blushed and sipped her coffee, not sure what to say.

Alex didn’t seem to mind. He drank his own as well, watching her. Studying her. She felt her body warm up to his gaze. She still had feelings for him. It was impossible not to. And suddenly, the wedding didn’t seem like the worst thing in the world if he was going with her. She had the weekend, on Monday they could talk business and her moving out, or moving on.

“So, when are we leaving for breakfast?” Jamie asked.

“Now? Whenever you want,” Alex said. “I didn’t make a reservation on purpose so you have plenty of time to get ready at your leisure.”

She giggled. “You don’t need reservations for breakfast. You hit a local dive and dig in.”

“Okay,” he said. “You choose the place.”

Her stomach growled, as if controlled by him. She ignored his cocky smile. “Give me five minutes.”

“Jamie?”

“Yeah?”

“Maybe you should take your time getting ready and change for the wedding. I can just wait here for you.”

She pressed her eyebrows together. “Why?” She imagined bacon grease dripping on her dress, or egg yolk.

He cleared his throat and fiddled with the top button of his shirt. “I might have made reservations. Take your time.”

She hesitated and watched him. Alex was up to something. Instinct told her to do as he asked. She nodded slowly. “Okay.”

She left him in the living room and hopped into the bathroom for a shower. She took her time, shaving her legs and enjoying the hot water to wake her up. She blow dried her hair and styled it, debating if she should wear the red dress or just go in a work outfit. As she did her makeup, she put it on to go with the red dress. Then decided she would wear a plain yellow one she’d bought as a backup. Towel around her, she peeked out into the living room and saw the back of Alex’s head. She moved to her wardrobe and reached for the yellow cotton sundress before glancing at that red dress. It hung there, incredibly sexy and perfect for the wedding and warm weather. What did she have to lose wearing it? The little devil on her shoulder told her to do it. Even the little angel on the other side encouraged her.
Screw it! I’m freakin’ wearing it!

She took it off the hanger and snipped off the tags before slipping it on. She sucked in her tummy and zipped it up. She turned to the full-length mirror and grinned. The dress wasn’t too snug. It fit her perfectly. She stared at herself in the mirror and twirled around. She looked like a sexy, badass princess. All she needed was the garter and a little gun.
Damn, Jamie, you can clean up nicely! Show Alex what he’s missing out on! Do it!

Before losing her courage, she walked out into the living room to Alex. “I’m ready.”

His eyes widened when he stood and turned to her. His gaze darkened immediately with lust. His lips parted as he sharply took in air. “Jamie! You. Look. Amazing.”

“Thanks,” she said, staring down at the floor as heat spread all over her body from his look. She wondered if her own desire was as obvious as his. She was sure it was. Probably worse.

“Are you ready to go?” Alex asked, his voice thick with desire.

She nodded. “Yes, let’s go before I change my mind. I think I’m going to need a mimosa.”

He chuckled. “I’ve sworn off those things. They leave you with a bloody, terrible hangover.”

They walked out to a long, black limo waiting with a driver.

Her jaw dropped. “For us? For breakfast?”

“I knew you were going to hate going to your sister’s wedding, so I wanted to make it as pleasurable for you as I possibly could.” He grinned, happy to have surprised her. “I figured a limo and breakfast would be a good start. My plan is to try and make you forget you’re even going to the wedding.”

“Or we could just skip it.”

He laughed. “Nice try.”

“What about the coffee?”

“That was to get me through the door.” He grinned at her and Jamie couldn’t help but smile back. He broke his gaze away from hers, only to open the limo door for her. He helped her in by holding her hand as if he needed any excuse to touch her. She got in and relaxed against the plush seats. It was the most comfortable car seat she had ever sat on. He slid in beside her and grabbed her hand again. As soon as the door closed, the limo pulled out onto the long drive.

“Alex, can I ask you something?”

“Anything,” he said, but his face grew guarded.

“Are you doing this just because I helped you through your father’s funeral?”

He hesitated, swallowed, and then shook his head. “No,” he said finally. “I have plenty of selfish reasons as well. Some include what you said to me that day we…” He squeezed her hand but didn’t finish the sentence. “It also has to do with what you said last night. I don’t want you to quit your job. I don’t want to lose you. I may have fucked up the chance to be with you, but you are the best damn personal assistant I ever had, and I’m a businessman. I’m not going to let you go that easily. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Was he talking about his heart or her job? She couldn’t seem to see the line between the two of them. Her heart rate stuttered as she forgot to breathe. She didn’t want to hope, but she couldn’t stop herself.

They ate breakfast in a lavish restaurant by an upscale local inn in the area. While they ate, they bantered and made lighter conversation, neither mentioning relationships, romance or business. Alex kept the conversation revolving around everything, from the weather, to style trends, and sports. He played his part perfectly, keeping Jamie distracted with thoughts of the wedding.

However, his eyes travelling down her body, hesitating over her cleavage, grew distracting, and despite keeping the conversation strictly platonic, Jamie couldn’t ignore the sexual tension between them. It grew so thick she was sure that if someone tried to cut it with a knife, the blade would break clean off.  She was sure he felt the same by the way his hand lingered whenever it accidentally brushed hers and the way he held her gaze with his own intense stare.

When he held open the car door for her, Jamie’s stomach clenched tight with nerves, not just because of the wedding, but also because Alex was so close to her. Not wanting him to know what he was doing to her, she babbled nervously, “My mother is going to have a coronary when she sees this dress. I’m not sure going to the wedding is a smart idea. It’s Christine’s day.”

“And she’d want you there.” He opened the limo door and reached for her hand again. “Relax,” Alex squeezed her hand gently, “it’s going to be okay. I’m going to be at your side the entire time. You also know your father’s also on your side, even though he might not show it.”

She nodded. She couldn’t blame her father. He had to live with his wife every day. “My mother is freakin’ scary.” When Alex’s eyebrows popped up, she laughed. “You know the evil stepmother in Cinderella?”

“Jamie!!” He tried to look horrified but the corners of his mouth curled up. He joked, “She’s not
that
mean.”

“No.” She squeezed Alex’s hand tightly. “I think she’s worse.” She laughed and winked at him. She straightened her shoulders and looked straight ahead, the fun of the moment fading. “Okay. Let’s get this thing over with.”