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

by Tolhouse, Audrey

  Jennifer swallowed. Did that mean marriage? He said he wanted to start things off slowly. He couldn’t be talking about marriage.

  “I want to get to know you, Jennifer. Your likes, dislikes. Everything that makes you you.” That last part took her breath away. He leaned towards her, pushing his lips into hers, but only for a moment. When he pulled away, he continued, “I just need to know you want the same thing.”

  As if waiting for a break in their conversation, at the end of his words, the side door joining James’s room to the conference area opened. Andrew pulled further away from Jennifer, but he wasn’t rushed. James frowned, looking at Andrew and then Jennifer. Surely he must have seen the way Andrew had pulled back from her. The fact that they were doing more than talking would have been apparent, but aside from his bunched brow, James said nothing. He cleared his throat and nodded to Jennifer.

  “How’s the presentation coming?”

  “Great,” her voice struggled to be heard, most of it jammed in the depths of her throat. “I’m about five slides away from having the thing ready to be run through.”

  James’s face lit up. “Really?”

  Jennifer smiled and glanced towards Andrew. “Yes. We make a great team.”

  Andrew let his eyes linger on Jennifer, contentment lounging lazily on his face, as he swiveled in the chair towards James.

  “Two is definitely better than one. Should we get some lunch?”

  Jennifer and James agreed. She had been in the conference room since a bit past eight in the morning and was looking forward to the opportunity to stretch her legs. Standing, she took a moment to stretch and glanced at James. He was watching her.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Something Great

  LUNCH WAS ENTIRELY uneventful. They ate at the Bistro connected to the hotel and talked about nothing in particular. James and Andrew sat across from each other while she was the odd one out without a person to sit opposite her. They discussed the presentation and the high points of Rocket Panda that they felt best highlighted the company’s consulting work for them, and the effects thereof. They shared a beer together and then afterward, it was billed to the room, and they retreated upstairs.

  James and Andrew began to look over the completed sections of the presentation while Jennifer finished. Once she was done, James began to give a practice speech taking points of critique from Andrew and Jennifer. After several more hours had passed, they gave Jennifer leave for a break. She practically skipped out the door.

  As the day began to dwindle to an end, she felt her stomach begin to knot with the excitement of the meeting with Seogen. Their retainer would be an initial million to overhaul the different office locations the medium-sized company managed throughout ten different states in the Midwest. They were looking to go global and wanted to hire the Melone Group to help them achieve this.

  Their million dollar retainer was likely to run out within six months with the amount of work they were expecting if Seogen signed. It was just the type of work that would help them create a few new offices of their own. The idea of being a part of such a monumental time in the company excited Jennifer to the core. This is what James had been working towards all those years ago. And to think, she helped him get there.

  It wasn’t wishful thinking. She wasn’t just an assistant who made reservations, confirmed appointments, and sent death threats when the boss was unhappy. Her work directly affected how much more productive and efficient James was. Also, while she had never seen it before, after Andrew brought it to her attention, she knew it couldn’t be denied. The power James had given her in order to do her job had made him even more successful.

  Once Jennifer started appearing with him at meetings and during phone conferences, their ready-to-buy prospects seemed to double within a time span of a month full of female CEOs for their small businesses that needed help expanding their current brands to take better control of the market they served. Could that have been directly related to Jennifer? She had to think that yes, it was.

  She strolled through the hallways leisurely, opting for the stairs instead of the elevator. The sounds were muted to her ears as she thought about the coming meeting. It didn’t take long for her mind to sidetrack to Andrew. She could hardly believe that it was less than a week ago that she was sitting in front of him, completely flustered about James’s absence and then his jerk move to skip town to Jersey.

  She had been so upset that she had even been rude to him. She wanted nothing to do with him other than to stew and wait for Melone to return so that she could give him a piece of her mind. In truth, even if he hadn’t planned on marrying Katie, he wasn’t likely to come back to an earful from Jennifer. She just wasn’t that type of woman.

  Although, she hadn’t expected him to apologize. He was an alpha male through and through. Perhaps that’s what she found attractive about Melone. He just seemed so sure of what he wanted; men like that were easy to flock towards. They were charismatic, charming, had great bodies and great smiles. And the way he always told her she was his angel, she was certain that perhaps he might hold feelings for her. But maybe she had just wanted to be needed like all women want to feel.

  Her job as his assistant gave her that feeling. Every time he cooed that she was a life saver, again and again, made her feel like he needed her. And perhaps that was true, but just not in his personal life. Apparently, he had that under control with Katie, or maybe not, but either way; she had never been invited into it. If he really needed her in his life, wouldn’t he have let her in?

  Jennifer claimed a seat at the short bar within the Bistro and requested a $40 smooth glass of Chardonnay. When she thought of Andrew, she felt herself smiling. Was it possible to feel so strongly for someone she had just met? She just loved the way he seemed to hold her with his words and his eyes like she was the only woman that mattered. Was that possible or was it really only the stuff of movies?

  While they hiked the side of the mountain, he was so careful to help her over soft mud. In the beginning, he offered complete support of turning around once she began to complain about the dirt. Somehow he remained so sweet and graceful with her although she was adamant about seeing the waterfall. If it hadn’t been for him, she definitely wouldn’t have been able to behold that hidden beauty. The trail was beyond difficult and pushed her past the realm of her physical capabilities, but with Andrew at her side, she had managed.

  Jennifer received her glass of wine and sipped. The liquid was cold, sweet and fruity. As it slid across her tongue, she felt her insides tingle. She had wondered briefly if such a thing between her and Andrew might cause issues while they worked, but so far, Andrew seemed capable of being very professional. She liked that. She didn’t feel like she had anything to hide from James, because she didn’t, right? She was just his assistant and could see whoever she wanted to see. Then again, if their something ended up not working out, would Andrew leave the partnership?

  She remembered that he never gave an answer to why he reconsidered the partnership. Was it possible that he did it to get close to her? Jennifer wasn’t sure how that thought made her feel. She tipped the glass into her mouth and drank more wine. When she lowered her glass, the smile was still there.

  “You seem incredibly happy today.”

  Jennifer nodded. It was James. He slid into a chair next to her. The bartender wasn’t in sight.

  “Today’s a good day,” she replied, glancing towards Melone. He was truly a beautiful man and a great guy. He used to play the games the other wealthy men his age did, but he had mostly cut all that out when he met Katie. He wasn’t exactly the full playboy type but the first year she worked with him, he had gone through four women. That seemed like a lot. Katie was different, though. He changed for her. What a great woman she must have been to curb a heart crusher like Melone.

  “I think you’re right about that. You’re done for the rest of the day.”

  Jennifer’s eyes widened. “Thank you,” she said quickly. “Wh
at a great day!”

  Melone laughed. “I want you to be on your A game for Carnal and Seogen tomorrow.”

  She gasped. “I get to go to Seogen?”

  Smiling, James looked at her. “You’ve worked just as hard on this as the rest of us. I don’t see why not.”

  Jennifer looked away, face somber. “Wow. That’s a great honor.” She turned to James. “Thank you. I mean it.”

  “I should be saying thank you to you,” he signaled the bartender as he rounded the bin and connected eyes. “Scotch on the rocks,” he shouted before turning back to Jennifer. “There’s something I’ve wanted to talk with you about. I’ve been thinking about it a lot.”

  Jennifer perked up. “I’m listening.”

  “I can’t thank you enough for stepping in for me.” He smiled. “Like a real angel. I needed you earlier this week, and you really pulled through.”

  Her cheeks flushed. That’s the type of talked that turned her insides to mush. Only this time, her face just glowed. He meant it as a friendly guy. Melone wasn’t the jerk-type, although he could act like one.

  “You pay me for this,” she said pleasantly. Perhaps it wasn’t the best way to take his compliment, but she didn’t know what else to say.

  James shook his head. “I don’t pay you for that.” His tone seemed to change. Jennifer’s face turned serious.

  “I’ve been thinking a lot about what I did and I want you to know that I feel terrible.”

  She blinked. Didn’t he already apologize once for it?

  “I want to make it up to you somehow, so I’ve had accounting review your salary. I want to give you a raise.”

  Her eyes widened. “But you already pay me—”

  “I know,” he interjected. “I want to give you an extra twelve grand a year,” he paused, “and get another assistant to handle the busy work so you can commit yourself full-time to contracts, presentations, speeches and proposals.”

  Her mouth was agape. James smiled. “I want you to know how much your work means to me here. Do you think it’d help?”

  She would have screamed her answer, but she was still speechless. A new assistant to handle all her menial phone calls and appointments would cut her time in half. She might even have time to start racing again.

  James laughed at her silence, taking it for an answer to his question. He picked up the short glass the bartender had handed to him with a square of napkin and took a sip. Over time, Jennifer’s breath returned to her.

  “James, what you’re doing is incredible,” she at length. If this was his surprise, it was great!

  He glanced at her, and then looked again, holding the gaze. “You’ve earned it. I want to do this regardless of what happens tomorrow.” Jennifer could only smile in response. “I was going to wait until after the Seogen meeting to tell you but,” he shrugged, “guess I couldn’t wait that long. Surprise, Angel.”

  Jennifer was beaming ear to ear. She lifted her glass and finished the wine, finding herself skimming the room for Andrew. She thought it a bit weird that James would approach her first if he had finished speaking with Andrew upstairs while she had been on her break. She had a bit of an itching to see him again and tell him the good news. That raise would mean a definite ability for her to pursue her designer bags idea. It also meant that when she was ready, she could leave James to pursue ventures of her own. That thought made her feel weird. She shook the feeling off.

  “Where’s Andrew?” Jennifer asked when she couldn’t find him among the scattered patrons of The Bistro.

  James fell silent for a moment, so silent that Jennifer turned to him. She couldn’t read his expression. She decided to repeat her question. James nodded and took a drink, a noticeably longer one. When he finished, he sat it down and took a moment to swallow the liquid. Nearly half the cup was gone.

  “If you don’t know where he is that’s fine. I was just curious,” Jennifer said, growing towards awkwardness.

  James shook his head. “I don’t know where he is. I just told him I needed to speak with you after we finished upstairs.” Jennifer nodded. He looked like he had more to say, but he grabbed the cup again instead.

  Jennifer pushed hair over her shoulders. “Is everything…okay?” She asked, watching him cautiously.

  He drained the cup this time, and the ice cubes rattled around at the bottom. With a nod, he responded, “Absolutely.” He coughed, and then looked to Jennifer. “Is there something going on between you two?”

  The question pitched Jennifer off guard. She remembered the questioning look on his face when he had finished his shower and emerged from his bedroom. She wondered what they must have looked like to him. Andrew had just finished kissing her.

  “Um,” was all Jennifer could say. She swallowed.

  James nodded. “Do you think that’s wise?” Although his question seemed like one of concern, his face seemed to suppress an emotion Jennifer had never seen before. She couldn’t answer his question and said nothing. James took a deep breath and turned from her slightly. He placed both palms on the bar run.

  Her face was burning suddenly and itching under the fire. She wanted to rip it off. His silence unnerved her.

  “Well, you’re a big girl,” he said at length. The softness of his voice confused Jennifer. She looked to him.

  “Is he bad?”

  James smirked. “Hardly. Andrew is,” he paused and with a soft sigh, he met Jennifer’s eyes. “Andrew is a good man.”

  Relief flooded her body. It must have been visible because an unnatural chuckle came from Andrew’s throat. When the silence settled around them, curiosity piqued at Jennifer’s heart.

  “Do you think that you and I could have ever…” her voice trailed as she lost the next words that she wanted to say.

  James took a moment to react. When he did, he laughed loudly, so loud that the bartender waiting on a couple near the entrance of the restaurant turned and looked in their direction.

  “Well,” he smacked his lips together and rapped his hands on the surface of the bar, “I think you and I have always been a good team. A good, professional team,” his words seemed to choke in his throat, “but, I think it has always been best that it’s stopped there, you know?” He looked at her and gave a firm nod. “You’ve always been like a great friend. A good friend I could count on.” His words gained more strength, and his tone returned to normal. Jennifer smiled. That was an excellent answer.

  “I feel the same way too,” she said with a nod, and she meant every word of it.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Oh my goodness, what?

  THE EXCITEMENT OVER the impending meeting proved too much for Jennifer. She had eaten a modest dinner with Andrew and James at a near restaurant before they turned in for the night. After a long soak in the tub, she tried to sleep, but Andrew kept her up with a phone call, the cute kind she remembered getting from her high school sweetheart.

  She was able to tell him with the deepest of sincerity that she did want to pursue something serious with him. They agreed that taking it slow was good, and yes, she accepted his angel investor offer.

  Their group meeting with Carnal went great. The company’s president was a woman who seemed to fall in love with Jennifer at first sight. It probably helped that the woman was a fan of Roland Mouret and loved the Bentley Dress with white wool crepe she wore with Alexander McQueen wedge sandals and a matching flower skull clutch.

  They planned for a follow-up teleconference meeting the following week to discuss the details of a contract. Afterward, James and Andrew ran through the presentation several more times with Jennifer critiquing crucial points. They enjoyed lunch and then prepared for the big evening dinner.

  Jennifer took a long, steaming shower and changed into yet another dress, this time a leopard lace Jacquard dress from St. John with a Saint Laurent ankle strap sandal and a clutch from the Leiber collection.

  They had a private room for dinner at the Denver Chop House with a projector screen for the m
eeting. After a relaxing dinner, the presentation began. The two top officers, a husband and wife duo, were more than delighted with the results of their work with Rocket Panda and looked forward to the same growth in their company. Needless to say, they won the contract without so much of a sweat. But they still sweated.

  It all seemed surreal, to finally witness the step that would launch Melone Group into a multimillion dollar operation, a raise, and Andrew’s angel investor offer. For the first time in her life, Jennifer felt like she was more than just the assistant to someone important. She was important herself.

  Melone requested a ticket to return to Chicago ASAP while she enjoyed another day with Andrew. They took the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak where she lost her breath, literally, at the incredible scenery and high altitude. The total trip was three hours and way less jumpy than climbing the unstable side of the mountain to the waterfall. Regardless, Jennifer decided that she wouldn’t have traded either memory.

  Once she and Andrew returned to Chicago, everything seemed to fall into place in a way no one could better ask for. Andrew was a great partner to the firm. His contacts helped establish a list of potentials to contact for the possibility of establishing a new office for the company in Colorado since two large contracts were coming from the state.

  They had been back for two weeks when Jennifer found herself at a bar taking her lunch alone near N. Michigan Ave, two blocks from their building. Andrew stayed to finish a preliminary screening with a man interested in the Colorado position. They were looking at office managers first, someone they would correspond with on a daily basis to oversee the new office’s function.

  At the bar, Jennifer pushed around several greasy potato skins. They were loaded with sour cream, parsley, bacon bits, butter, garlic, and onion. It wasn’t the type of thing to eat if she planned on keeping her feminine curves, but every once and a while she had a hard time saying no to fattening grease. Well, it happened more than every once and a while, but that was neither here nor there.