Sophie says nothing. I pull up in front of her school and look over at her. “I’m on your side in this. I know I’ve been lax and haven’t been paying attention to you. I promise I’ll do better.”
“Right,” she says sarcastically. Shit, most of my talk didn’t get through to her. “Have a nice day at work.” She gets out and shuts the door hard, just short of slamming it.
I sigh. With all the good things going on, I guess everything in life can’t be perfect.
And that's how I’m going to bring the Franklin division back to profitability within two quarters,” I say. It feels a little strange to be doing a presentation when most of the board of directors aren’t even in the room. “By shifting focus toward the emerging biotech markets and out of the old markets, things are going to turn around.”
“What about layoffs?” one of the members asks. They don’t have the power they used to have, but they still have advisory and speaking rights in meetings like this.
“Thanks for asking,” I reply. I hit the button on my laser pointer and continue. “I’ve spoken with the union representative for the non-salaried employees, as well with various senior management. By limiting new hires and encouraging an accelerated retirement program for workers who are reaching that age, Franklin will reach appropriate manpower levels within one fiscal year. We might need to shift some workers to different departments and trim a little fat, but our losses should be less than 1% of employees, and even with severance packages, we’ll reach all of our transition goals.
“The fact is, we need a strong workforce at Franklin. While cutting the workforce with broad-scale layoffs might have the corporate shareholders happy for the next quarter, we’d be shooting ourselves in the foot if we do. We need to have happy, experienced workers in key positions. We owe it to the employees who stayed with Franklin through this transition to make sure we do everything we can to take care of them. If we do that, they’ll work their asses off for us because they’ll be working their asses off for each other.”
I can see nods and even a few smiles as I continue, and by the end of my presentation, I’ve done what I thought would be the impossible a month ago—make both sides of the Franklin merger happy with the changes we’re going to make. Corporate is happy that I’m turning around a non-profitable division, and the Franklin people are happy I’m not going all slash and burn around here.
There are several more speakers, but I zone them out as I go over my notes. When it’s all over, I’m pulled to the side by Tom Powers as I walk out of the room.
“Jake,” the white-haired man says, clasping a firm hand on my shoulder. Over the past month, we’ve had meetings, as he’s preparing for his retirement and the handing over of Franklin to me. “I’ve never witnessed such fire and passion.”
Falling in love will do that to you, I think to myself. I’m not ashamed to admit it now. I’m in love with Roxy. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way about another human being. “Thank you, Tom. I’ll do my best to fill your shoes.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that,” he says, smiling. “You’ve done a phenomenal job with the division since starting here. But I have to say, I was getting a little bit worried for a second. You stumbled there for a week, and I had doubts, especially with your . . . other business. But you’ve pulled it out remarkably.”
I smile, relieved. “Thank you, sir.”
He grins. “I’m leaving this place in good hands. Thank you, it’s an honor.”
He offers his hand, and I shake it. “It’s an honor for me as well, sir. So I guess I’m still invited to your retirement party on Friday?”
Tom laughs, nodding. The party’s been Elena’s big project this past week other than helping me with this presentation, and she’s even roped herself an assistant, Hannah. “Of course. Just don’t let me see your back while I’ve got the knife for my cake.”
I laugh and head down the hall back to my office. It’s a little after quitting time, and I feel a slight pang in my chest when I don’t see Roxy, but I understand. She’s busy, and she’s gone home. No reason for me to stay either.
I head downstairs and get in my car. It’s early, but I figure I can stop by Club Jasmine on my way home and see how things are going. Nathan’s really enjoyed being hands-on with it, although Andre’s doing a great job as our assistant manager. And of course, Nathan will want to show me the new numbers after Roxy’s most recent performance.
I don’t even get in the door before Nathan’s coming across, grinning ear to ear. “Yo, man, what did I tell you? The exec called. He wants to see Roxy’s show live.”
I stop, a stupid grin on my face. “You serious?”
Nathan nods, laughing. “Hell yeah, man! Looks like we’re gonna have a star on our hands.”
I shake my head and head toward the bar. “That’s amazing. When’s he coming?”
“Two weeks from Saturday,” Nathan says. “Just think about it, Jake. Roxy performing at our club, it’s so going to raise our status to have our own in-house pop star. We gotta get her signed to something ASAP. My God, the money’s going to roll in!”
I’m not sure if I like Nathan’s idea. I get it, he’s thinking about the business, and he doesn’t realize the feelings I’m having for her. If Roxy gets her big chance, I want her to be free to do what she wants. If she’s content with performing on the weekends, even better. “Two weeks? That’s great, man. We’ll have plenty of time to promote it and Roxy will have time to rehearse. She’ll be amazing.”
“Hell, she always is. By the way, is everything going okay with Sophie? I know you were stressing when you two left Saturday night. I still feel like shit that it happened. John and Andre are already going through the door staff, making damn sure we don’t fuck up like that again.”
“She’s better. She’s still sort of pissed at me, but she’s coming around I think. We’re talking some more, and I’m gonna make sure I have some more one on one time with her.”
“Yeah, well, if you need to back off here to do time with her, you do it, okay? I’ll keep the Club on lock for you, Jake.”
I nod, making up my mind. “You know, I think I might do just that. Email me the numbers if you want, but I’m gonna skip tonight.”
Roxy
“Jake seemed happy today,” Hannah says as I use my hip to bump open the door of our apartment. I stroll in and kick off my heels, immediately stretching my toes out to their widest, unsexiest stretch and padding around in what I call “Hobbit Style.”
“That’s because we’ve decided to not hide our relationship,” I announce cheerfully, walking to the kitchen, rooting around for that bottle of herbal tea I put in the fridge this morning. It always helps before I start my vocal exercises.
“What?” Hannah says, kicking off her shoes. She must have really put some oomph into her left leg, because I turn to watch as her heel lands dangerously close to Mr. Felix, but an instant later, he’s safely under the couch with his tail hanging out under the end. Hannah, however, is staring at me in shock. “What the fuck?” she asks, placing her hands on hips. “You have a lot of ‘splainin’ to do.”
I flip the cap on my tea, taking a deep swig and swirling it around my mouth before answering. “What? You had to know that I was still seeing him. After all this time, the number of times I was at the club late, all that.”
Hannah rolls her eyes. “I figured. I just didn’t want to argue with you over it. I hope it doesn’t cause a problem at the office.”
“Whatever happens, happens. It’s not like we’re gonna start screwing on his desk in his office during work hours,” I say, though thinking about it, that would be fucking hot.
“Mmmhmmm,” Hannah says, unconvinced. “I notice you added in ‘during work hours’.”
“Seriously. I just mean we’re not going to deny it if anyone asks. We don’t care who sees us.”
Hannah gives me a look. “I can smell the hormones from here. You‘d better get a grip on them.”
“Look, it
’s more than just great sex. I really care about him. He’s the first guy in a long time who’s made me feel this way. He’s more than just a big wallet with a big dick. I give zero fucks that he’s my boss.”
She gives me a neutral look. “You don’t have to convince me. I have your back no matter what. I’m just looking out for—” she says before she suddenly jumps up, looking panicked when her phone buzzes. “Oh, shit! I’ve gotta go.”
I frown, confused. “Huh?”
Hannah doesn't respond, snatching up her purse and jamming her feet into the Nikes she keeps next to the front door. She yanks open the door, and I’m still confused. “Hannah!”
Before I can move, she rushes out of the apartment, slamming the door behind her. “The fuck was wrong with her?” I mutter in puzzlement. The way she looked at her phone and rushed off was bizarre. I look over at Mr. Felix, who’s just starting to emerge from under the couch. “You got any ideas?”
He gives me a look. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Face it, Felix, be glad you’re a cat because bitches be crazy.”
I finish off my tea and rinse out the bottle. I’m just putting it in the rack when there’s a pounding on the door. I wipe my hands off. It must be Hannah. She must have forgotten something.
“What did you forget, your pocket rocket?” I ask, about to grill her on her odd behavior, swinging open the door. It’s not Hannah, and my breath catches in my throat. There, standing in his suit, looking hot as hell with a happy smirk on his face, is Jake.
“What are you doing here?” I rasp. Never mind the fact that I was thinking about dropping by the club to see him so we could roll around a little bit in the back. It’s the first time he’s come to my place unannounced. I guess I should expect more things like this since we’re officially ‘out’, but I just wasn’t expecting it after Hannah’s weirdness.
“I brought this for you,” he says, “Caymus Special Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a very special wine for a very special person.”
I take the bottle from his hand, looking at it. I know the winery. My stepfather has some, and I’m shocked that Jake just dropped a few hundred dollars for a bottle of wine. “Thank you, but what’s the occasion?”
Jake grins silently for a moment, drawing it out. Just when he’s starting to really get me anxious, his handsome face breaks off into a huge grin. He steps in and grabs me in a big hug, swinging me around before setting me down. “That record executive is coming to see your show in two weeks. How’s that for an occasion?”
I gawk, nearly dropping the bottle of wine between my shock and the huge hug. “You’re shitting me!”
Jake shakes his head, stepping inside and closing my front door behind him. “Nope, just came from the club where Nathan told me face to face.”
I manage to set the bottle down, glad that Hannah and I have a table next to our front door, before I let out a squeal of happiness and jump into Jake’s arms, kissing him hungrily. “You amazing, wonderful fucking man! You did this for me!”
Jake kisses me back. His tongue is hot in my mouth as we stumble toward the couch. I can hear Mr. Felix run out. I guess he knows what’s going to happen, but I don’t care. Jake picks me up in his arms, and I wrap my legs around his waist.
“No, you did this all yourself,” he says as his hand cups my ass and squeezes. His fingers slide lower, and I can feel the tip of his middle finger sliding lower and lower. “You have the talent and the heart. I only gave you the canvas to paint your masterpiece on.”
“You’re a poet yourself,” I smirk, gasping when his finger comes to rest on the edge of my pussy. “Mmm . . . and your canvas is my body.”
“My Angel,” Jake growls, sitting down on the couch, letting me straddle his lap. I can feel the bulge of his cock pressing into me through his suit pants, and I can’t take it anymore.
“I fucking want you,” I snarl, yanking his tie down and ripping his shirt open. “Now!”
I’m torn between trying to get his pants open and the hungry, passionate kisses we’re exchanging, but my body is burning, needing him. I don’t know where the fuck Hannah went, but right now, I don’t care if she walks in while I’m impaled on Jake’s cock!
“Come on,” I growl in frustration, fumbling with his belt buckle. “Get them the fuck off!”
Jake chuckles, grabbing my wrists before I rip his pants open. “Damn, you’re acting even more cock hungry than the night we first met.”
I growl demonically, staring into his eyes. “You ain’t seen nothing yet. Your Angel’s gone. Just a cock hungry devilslut is left.”
“Bring it the fuck on!” Jake moans into my lips, his hands getting his belt open and his pants undone. I can see it in his eyes. Tonight, I’m going to get exactly what I want, when I want it, and oh, my God, what I need is—
Bang! The front door to the apartment flies open just as I wrap my fingers around Jake’s cock through his boxers, about to pull it out.
“Good lord, I ain't seen something like that since Johnny came back from Vietnam and we got to get down and busy for the first time in a year,” a familiar voice says. I jerk my head up to see my grandmother, Ivy Jo, smirking. “You could club a baby seal with that thing!”
I feel like I’ve been punched in the chest. I can hear Mindy’s unmistakable voice calling out, “Grandma, cover your eyes!”
Jake jumps off the couch and pulls his pants up. I rise to my feet in shock, my eyes going wide with recognition at the women in front of me and the barking dog at their feet.
“Mama?” I whisper in horror. “What are you doing here?”
Layla and Rita couldn't be here,” Mom says, sitting on the couch and gesturing at me, “but they send their regards.”
I nod, still half numb. I'm not thrilled that my cousin and aunt didn’t come, especially Aunt Rita, but I’ll live. If I can live through my grandmother seeing me about to yank my boyfriend’s boxers off, Rita not being here is small potatoes.
I'm just glad to see Brianna, Mom, Mindy, and Grandma all in the same place. All four women are seated on the couch wearing pleasant expressions with the exception of grandma, who is scowling murderously at Bertha, my mom’s dog. She takes her everywhere, it seems. “That’s okay, I’m sure I’ll see them,” I begin to say when furious barking and yowling interrupts me. “Shit.”
“Why the hell did we bring that furball with us, Mary Jo?” Grandma complains to my mom while Bertha chases Mr. Felix around the room. Hannah is doing her best to separate the two, but she’s giving Bertha looks that says she agrees. “We didn’t even bring the grandbabies out of the hotel room, but you bring the dog.” She rises to her feet, brandishing her wooden cane as a weapon. “I swear, I’m gonna crucify that ball of fur!”
“I’ve already told you a million times,” Mom says pleadingly. “Leah needed her sleep and the sitter didn’t want Bertha to disturb her and Rafe.”
“That’s why you should have left her at home!” Grandma growls. Instantly, her expression changes like someone flipped a switch. “Bah gawd, that cat’s beautiful. What’s his name? Reminds me of my precious Esmeralda.”
“Mr. Felix,” Hannah supplies before I can answer. She suspiciously had come back with my family and is now standing off to the side watching us, having given up trying to chase Felix and Bertha around. Felix has had enough of the canine, and he turns on her, giving her one good swipe before he jumps on top of his play tower. Grandma is entertained, at least. “Go on, Mr. Felix, box that hoe!”
“Grandma” I say with a gasp, shocked by her words. “Where’d you learn to talk like that?”
Grandma doesn’t turn her head away from the soon to emerge Animal Planet smackdown, but she at least gives me an answer. “I’m on Instagram.”
“Which reminds me,” Mindy says wryly, keeping her voice low enough that Grandma can’t hear. “I need to take her phone from her. She’s been putting up pictures she has no idea that she’s putting on there. I’m scared she’s gonna end up with a picture of her bags. And not
the grocery store kind either.” Dressed in shorts and a floral shirt, Mindy looks like she’s ready to step onto a plane for summer vacation in Hawaii, but most of all, she looks happy.
“Get ‘em, Mr. Felix!” Grandma crows, cheering them on with her cane in her hand. “WORLDSTAR! WORLDSTAR!”
“Worldstar? What the hell?” I ask.
Mindy facepalms. “Oh, God, yes. She’s on YouTube watching those damn videos, too.”
“Damn, she’s like a ninja with that cane,” Jake remarks with a chuckle, and I have to give him an apologetic sorry, my family is crazy look. He gives me a small shake of his head, and I feel myself relax just a fraction. After what they walked in on, maybe we needed this to ease the tension.
“Mama, sit down!” Mom pleads. “You’re embarrassing Roxy in front of her friends!”
“Oh, don’t stop on my account,” Hannah says with a laugh. “This is the most fun I’ve had in weeks. And it explains so much about Roxy.”
Mr. Felix lets loose a yowl that comes from the depths of his saber-toothed ancestors, and Bertha whines a little, backing up. “Hannah, please get him! I don’t want to have Bertha going to the vet.”
Muttering under her breath, Hannah walks over and grabs Mr. Felix and disappears down the hall. I hear the door shut, and Hannah comes back out, minus Felix.
Now that the commotion has died down, Grandma’s eyes fall on Jake. “So who’s this handsome young man?”
“Ladies, this is Jake Stone,” I say, blushing but still proud. “My boyfriend.” It feels good to be able to call him that. Glancing at Jake, I can see he feels the same way. “Jake, this is my mom, Mary Jo, my sister, Mindy, her best friend, Brianna, and my Grandmother, Ivy Jo.”
“It’s a pleasure,” Jake says. Getting up, he crosses over and shakes hands with each of them, giving Grandma one of his heart-melting smiles. “I see where Roxy gets both her sassiness and her beauty from. Did she get her voice from you too?”
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