The Billionaire's Assistant: An Alpha Billionaire Romance Box Set

by Sarah J. Brooks

  “Not any more of a hot head than you, Blake.”

  “That’s right,” Blake said with a pointed finger. “Takes one to know one. Kenny’s going to stay with you too, just so you won’t be alone.”

  “Thanks.”

  Nothing too exceptional, or so I thought. I doubted I would ever meet David Jackson, let alone spend the entire evening with him.

  Just as Kenny left and I was locking up the office, a car sped and slid into the parking lot. My eyes shot open, and I didn’t know, for a moment, if I was being mugged or just the victim of a prank. I turned around, staring helplessly at the black Lamborghini Veneno, almost instinctively knowing this man did not belong in a mid-level real estate business.

  “Well, hey!” David said, his cowboy-hat-wearing head popping out from the window and smiling like a movie star.

  “Hey … uh, we’re just closing.”

  “Sorry to alarm you, ma’am. I didn’t mean to enter the lot so abruptly. I was just afraid I came too late.”

  “Oh, well you did …” I tried to say, but indeed, talking over David’s loud voice was no easy feat.

  “It was a whale of a time finding this little place from the freeway. I passed it once, almost damn near drove to Oklahoma.” He laughed.

  I stared in helplessness as he got out of his car—his car with giant wing-opening doors, I should point out. He was dressed in a black suit and white collared shirt, although he took his coat off upon emerging from his seat. His car looked futuristic, not just out of place in the quiet suburb of Colleyville.

  He was also gorgeous. Baby-faced but with a hulking body of thirty-year-old muscle. His golden brown hair was medium length and wavy, and with a day’s worth of stubble. His eyes were bright green and his smile just a bit too cynical for his own good. Like he knew every person was just going to tell him NO but he didn’t care ... because every person was just dying to say Yes to David Jackson.

  “Anyway, I figured I could drop by, and we could see the property …”

  He looked me up and down and shook his head. “Damn, Miss, excuse me for saying you are plenty beautiful. I almost forgot what I was saying.”

  “Umm thanks,” I said, getting even more nervous. “I really can’t show you the property. We’re closed.”

  He nodded. “I understand. I sped in here like a goddamn kid high on candy and am talking like a fool. I don’t blame you for being scared. Hell, I wouldn’t trust a damn soul if I were in your shoes. But here’s the deal. I got to see that property tonight. But I understand it’s not polite for a man to accompany a woman alone. How about I call a police escort over, and two fine boys or girls in blue can accompany us?”

  “Well … I don’t think you can just ask for that …”

  “Oh, you might be surprised at what I can ask for, sugar pie.”

  He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. After a moment, he charmed the listener into seeing things his way.

  “Hey, Chief. Sorry to bother you so late. But I have an appointment to see a property I’m thinking of buying. There’s only one woman here, and she doesn’t want to take me there alone. So I figure you can send a boy in blue and maybe a policewoman along with him, so we can both have some, as they say, peace of mind.”

  I shook my head slowly, assuming the police were not just going to …

  “By the way, I’m David Jackson. Nice to meet you.”

  Within minutes, Mister Jackson got his wish. I think it’s safe to say it wasn’t just his charm that helped David get his way. His name obviously meant something … and I was clueless about who this charming and obviously rich man really was.

  David waited for the police to arrive and then went over and explained the situation. I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, but I saw the two policemen laughing with him by the end of the conversation. Who was this guy?

  “All right, sugar. So here’s what’s going to happen. I need you to drive me over to that property Blake was talking about. I want to see it, even if it’s just the exterior. These fine police officers are going to escort us, just so we all keep things clean and legal. More importantly, I want you to feel comfortable. Because I won’t want some snot-nosed reporter writing that David Jackson pushes women around. No sir.”

  “Well …”

  “And if you prefer, you can ride with me, or you can ride with the cops. Either way, I’m going to have to insist you help a brother out. Blake made an appointment with me, and I expect an honorable man to keep his appointments.”

  “Well … this is not usually how we do things.”

  “Well, I’m not a ‘usual’ type of guy, ma’am,” he said with a smile. “But I have an obscene amount of money riding on this purchase, and I need to know what I need to know.”

  An awkward moment passed.

  “Are you a real estate agent, hon?”

  “Yes, sir. Assistant.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Alicia Johnson.”

  “Beautiful name, hon. Pretty sure I’ve told you my name ten times now, so we have what you might call a small bit of trust established. Okay, so here’s the deal. I need you to do your job tonight and show me that property.”

  He stared into my eyes, and I took a gulp.

  “Do your job, and I know you’re going to do just fine. Now I insist you drive with those police officers just so you don’t lose any sleep over our meeting. You’re not in any kind of trouble, and I have no dishonorable intentions. Above all else, I prefer women to think of me as a southern gentleman.”

  “All right,” I said reluctantly, my heart racing just at the idea of doing a full presentation, let alone entertaining a man like David Jackson.

  “Fantastic!” he bellowed, motioning to the police officers. “Let’s get this dog and pony show started.”

  I couldn’t believe what was happening. I kept halfway expecting to be kidnapped or taken hostage or something … but I spent the entire ride protected by two police officers.

  They weren’t talking much except to ask if I was feeling okay. After a few beats of silence, I had to ask …

  “Do you all know David Jackson?”

  “I’ve heard his name,” said the officer who was driving. “Very rich man. They do tend to want things their own particular way, don’t they?”

  “Ah, okay. I figured it was something like that. I just felt nervous about driving with someone I hardly knew. I wasn’t sure you did police escorts …”

  “Well,” said the female officer, “only for prominent individuals.”

  “You mean … you’re escorting for him?”

  “Pretty much,” she said with a smirk.

  “Oh wow. I guess I feel a little silly then.”

  “Not at all,” she replied. “Better safe than sorry. Besides …”

  She looked back behind her to see David’s car catching up. “Just because a man’s well off doesn’t mean he’s good company.”

  When we arrived at the property, an old abandoned warehouse but with a huge lot of land, both concrete and grass, the police officers opted to wait in the car. David motioned for me to meet him at the entrance.

  “I’m sorry but the keys …”

  “No worries, I’m primarily interested in the lot. Might find some use for the warehouse, but not much. I don’t anticipate much being on the inside that’s salvageable; am I right?”

  “Yes, sir. What you see is what you get.”

  “Ain’t that what life teaches us?” he said with a smile. He wasted no time in checking out the sides of the buildings and looking up to its ceiling. He wandered to the side, then the other side, then all the way to the back. I hurried to keep up with his pace, barely able to “sell” the building at all. He looked like he knew exactly what he wanted.

  “Yep … yep …” he said to himself, eying the place, answering his own silent questions. He paid close attention to the grassy lands, sizing up the area and distance. He didn’t seem too interested in the concrete or in ren
ovating the old warehouse, that’s for sure.

  “It sure has lots of space. And that’s a good thing, don’t you think?”

  I laughed.

  “What?” he said, sending me a teasing smile. “I need lots of space. It’s good for my business.”

  “I understand.”

  “Size is important to me. How about to you? Does size matter to you?”

  I laughed but quickly clammed up. I was not having this bizarre conversation, not on such a night that was already too weird.

  “What I most want, Alicia is a clean lot that I can level off. My main concern was with the terrain. But from what I can tell, it’s going to be an easy project. Not a lot of high and low places.”

  He looked at me and smiled. “Well, come on, sell it to me a little bit! You want credit for this transaction, don’t you?”

  “Of course, sir. Sorry, I just … am a little tired. We’ve been officially closed for two hours now. You caught me off guard.”

  “Hell, in my business there is no ‘Closed.’ All hours, every day.”

  “And what business is that, Mister Jackson?”

  “Restoring antiques. Vehicles, some trailers and cabins, but not much in the way of real estate. To me, that’s a whole other ball game. That’s why I was calling Blake on this one. I’ve known that shady motherfucker for at least ten years, even though he pretends not to know me, God knows why. I’ve given him at least fifty grand of business all the years I’ve known him, so you’d think he can show some gratitude.”

  “Yes, it seems that way,” I said with a headshake. Was I supposed to agree with my client or defend my boss? Tough one.

  “But hell, sending me a pretty face to close the deal was a masterful stroke of genius. I really do believe beauty sells ugly things; that’s for sure. And you Miss Alicia are quite a gem.”

  “Thank you, Mister Jackson,” I said, finally feeling semi-comfortable enough to accept a compliment.

  “You ought to just come work for me,” he said, and who knows if he was joking or not. “What’s Blake paying you anyway? A pretty face like yours can sell anything, so why waste time with two-bit real estate?”

  “Does this compliment somehow end in human trafficking?”

  “Hot damn!” David laughed. “You really know how to bargain when you’re winning, don’t you?”

  “I’m sorry,” I said with a laugh and blushing a bit. “That was inappropriate.”

  “Nope, it was my own fault. I do forget that our culture is changing so rapidly. In the old days, a man paying a woman a genuine compliment was romantic. Nowadays, it’s asking for trouble. Begging for trouble, in fact.”

  “No, no. It’s not that. I just … have a dark sense of humor. I apologize.”

  “You know what? Good for you. Don’t let those damn southerners charm you into doing anything stupid. A woman’s got to be careful nowadays.”

  “I agree …” I smiled. “And I’m glad that I could help you today. Mister Jackson. And I mean that. Thank you for the police escort … that you called for yourself.” I giggled. “I know it was mostly them doing a favor for you. But I appreciate you letting me feel safe.”

  “Always a pleasure, Miss Alicia.”

  I almost didn’t want to say goodnight. Mister Jackson was over the top, loud, and maybe even a little full of himself. But when he spoke, it was a call to attention. He made people listen. He could be a politician, I figure, or a movie star if he wanted that. I had to wonder what about the car restoration business was so appealing?

  I didn’t quite shake the unusual man from my daydreams until the next day … and just when I was ready to press on with a big workload, lo and behold who showed up, demanding my attention?

  “Blake Fields, you arrogant sumbitch,” David Jackson said as he swung the front door open and grabbed everyone’s attention.

  “Hello Mister Jackson,” Blake said.

  “Hey there, old buddy. Nice to see you; how are the kids?”

  “Well …”

  “Great, just great. Listen, it’s been fun catching up on old times. But I have business to discuss. And it’s with your star employee, Alicia Johnson right there.”

  “What? What do you …”

  “I thought you heard. Last night, when you were soaking long and hard in that bubble bath, Miss Johnson here was selling property like a demon. She persuaded me to buy that warehouse and lot on Parker Street. I didn’t want to do it, but dammit, she twisted my arm. That’s how good she is when she’s put under pressure. So let’s do it. Sold as is!”

  “Well, I thought we were going to take a look at it today …”

  “Already took a look at it. Alicia was more than hospitable last night, which is more than I can say for you. Now if I don’t make myself clear, I want Alicia handling my transaction. She sold it; you didn’t. She gets all the benefits.”

  “Well, I don’t think …”

  “Paying in cash. And paying above the market price. Well above if you catch my drift. Give what I want, Blake, and you’re going to turn over a huge profit this year.”

  “All right,” he said, shaking his head but not one to argue with a sale.

  “Good job, man. Now go get me a soda pop while Alicia draws up the contract.”

  This whole scene was so surreal. Everyone in the office was watching me in awe, watching as I placated David Jackson; a man everyone was talking about, for what I can assume was his hard-headed personality.

  David and I went through the agreements and signing. Of course, Blake was listening in, but since I was doing everything by the book, he didn’t need to interject. I’m sure he was thinking the same thing I was, and everyone in the office was: what in the hell happened between David and me? How did I pull this one off?

  Even I wasn’t sure. He showed up like a thunderstorm and took what he wanted, and all I really did was nod helplessly and smile. And of course, he made the wildly inappropriate comment that suggested …

  He would have taken me too.

  “What’s your phone number?” he asked blankly.

  “Well, our number is listed …”

  “No, no, no,” he replied. “Your number, Alicia. I’m dealing with you now. Remember, twenty-four seven? I want to be able to reach you if something goes wrong.”

  I looked at Blake, and he shrugged back, probably thinking I didn’t deserve his support since I didn’t follow protocol.

  “Sure … I’ll write it on the back of this form.”

  “Strictly business, I assure you,” he said with a wink.

  David Jackson eventually left but not before strutting his way out of the office and trash talking like a wrestler on TV—I guess that was just his way. What could Blake and the rest of my co-workers do? I was thrust into the spotlight, and they couldn’t well fire me for making the company’s biggest sale of the year.

  Blake and I almost fainted in the same spot when we saw the bonus check David wrote for him and for me. When a rich man is satisfied, they sure let you know.

  And I could only wonder if David got his money’s worth out of me yet.

  **

  Chapter 2

  “Alicia’s Big Sale Part II”

  “Hello?”

  “Well, well, Miss Alicia Johnson. It’s Jackson. How are you this afternoon?”

  “I’m fine! How are you, Mister Jackson?”

  “I’m just great. Not to worry, everything’s going great. No buyer’s remorse whatsoever.”

  “That’s good to hear because we made a contract.”

  He laughed hard. Call me crazy … but David seemed to laugh more when I actually spoke honestly, rudely, rather than sweet talked him.

  “You are nippier than Christmas morning, Alicia.”

  “Oh, you can take it,” I said, finally relaxing and flirting with him a little bit.

  “Sure I can. That’s what I tell everyone, don’t dish unless you can take it. And hey, speaking of dishes and taking orders … listen, the reason why I’m calling is b
ecause I want to go get something to eat.”

  “Just ate.”

  “Not tonight, cutie pie. I’m booked. But I figure since tomorrow is Saturday, we could both go out to Starr Steak House.”

  He was asking me out! I hardly knew how to respond, except to make a bunch of stuttering noises. I had to say no … I just had to.

  “Oh…well, I don’t think that restaurant is very easy to get into. You have to book like a week in advance …”

  “You leave that part up to me, angel.”

  I could hear his smile over the phone. The man just didn’t take no for an answer, least of all from the owner of some high-priced restaurant. Everything, everyone, was beneath him!

  “Well, uh … I don’t think it’s appropriate given our business relation …”

  “Darling, our business is finished. We never have to talk business again for the rest of our lives. But I believe I made it clear to you that I thought you were drop dead gorgeous. And you didn’t seem to chase me off with a stick. So that tells me you think I’m reasonably attractive. Maybe a bit full of myself, but still cute and adorable. Right?

  I laughed. “Well …”

  “But you’re probably going to say no because you’re scared.”

  “I’m not scared,” I laughed. “I just …”

  “Well sugar, you either think I’m a cool guy, or you think I’m a loser. So if you don’t want to go out, if you have something better to do on Saturday night, just tell me now. But if you got no good reason to say no, then make a pappy happy and say yes.”

  “I just uh … I don’t think a relationship would work between us.”

  “Geez Louise!” He laughed. “How about we slow down just a bit? No one’s asking for a relationship. Just dinner. No strings attached. As a matter of fact, I would be insulted if you slept with me on the first date because it’s reckless behavior.”

  I laughed. “Okay … but … can we not tell Blake about this?”

  “I don’t even know who that is, ma’am. I’ll pick you up at six-thirty p.m. Now don’t be late because I’m pulling some strings to get us bumped to the front, but they only do things on time, you see.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of being late, Mister Jackson.”