“I’m sorry. Are we keeping you up past your bedtime?”
She meets my gaze and her eyes spark with the fire I hoped was under the surface. “It’s not past my bedtime. As a matter of fact, I can go all night if need be.” She crosses her legs, flashing the lacy tops of her stockings, and leans back into the sofa.
Leo chokes back a laugh. He shoots me a knowing look as if to say, I think you’ve met your match. “Five it is,” he says with a chuckle and dials the restaurant.
Over the next few hours, we make short work of her spreadsheets. Leo has a lot of questions, but Rose is quick to fill in the blanks. She starts to relax again now that we are on familiar ground. Her quick wit and wry humor are back.
The break for dinner is exactly what I need to recharge. Even though Rose and I have been working closely for weeks, I realize that this is the first time all three of us have worked together for any period of time. And I can’t help but notice how well the three of us worked. It’s nice—this working relationship we have going on, but of course, my mind wanders back to the bedroom. Would it work just as well?
As the night goes on, Rose moves to the sofa, spreading out her work on the coffee table. Leo is next to her, leaning over a spreadsheet. It’s so easy to imagine the two in a more intimate setting. It’s easy to imagine myself right there with them.
I go over and sit down on the other side of Rose, and that spark of a thought catches fire in my mind. I can see her taking and giving, playing off both of us as if it had already happened.
“Thank you for all your hard work this week,” I say and squeeze her hand. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“It was my pleasure,” Rose says, looking away.
There’s a sadness coloring her voice, and I’m a bit confused by the change in mood. Just a few moments ago, she’d been relaxed and joking. But now she is withdrawing right before my eyes. I shoot Leo a look. He shrugs, just as confused as I am.
“I’m glad I was able to help you come to a deal. I hope the board’s counteroffer is acceptable,” she says, glancing over to the corner. “I should pack up my desk and move my things back to my cubicle.”
I almost smile at her words. She thinks this is the end of things. Little does she know, we’re just getting started.
“You’ve been a big part of this, and even if we come to an agreement, I’m going to need you for another month. I’ve really enjoyed working with you,” I say, tossing a hand over the back of the sofa.
“I have, too,” she says, a pink blush coloring those cheeks.
God! Does she even know what that blush does to me?
“I don’t know if Asher has mentioned this, but we’d like you to head up the transition team,” Leo says, setting the papers down and leaning back. “We were lucky to have you on this deal. You saved us from walking away. And if things go the way we want, this acquisition is going to make us a lot of money.”
“I didn’t—” Rose blushes again, then shakes her head. “I was just doing my job.”
“You did a lot more, and you know it,” I lean in and say.
This cat and mouse with her is killing me. If we’d met her out at a club or event, I wouldn’t hesitate to find out. But she isn’t just some girl we picked up. Rose is an employee, and I have to tread carefully. But damn, I want to lean in and taste her, make her moan as I devour those plump lips.
“Asher,” she says on an exhale, “what’s going on here? Why did you really ask me to work on this project?”
“I asked you to work on this project because of your expertise,” I say without hesitation. “And what’s going on? I’m just telling you how much I appreciate working with you.”
“Why?”
Leo, picking up on the electric current, leans in too. “Because,” he says and brushes a knuckle down her bare arm, leaving gooseflesh in his wake. “You’re special. Rose, would you like to—”
Leo’s words are cut short by the ringing of the phone. The heady sexual tension pops, and it’s back to work.
6
Leo
I check my watch. It’s already past one in the morning. Rose is curled up on the sofa, fast asleep. Our conference call ended hours ago. Asher and I have been going over our notes, but the sale is pretty much a done deal. And it’s mostly because of Rose. She was able to fill in the missing pieces that we just weren’t seeing.
But that’s not why I feel like I’m on top of the world. No, it has everything to do with the woman quietly snoring in the corner. Fuck, she even does that cute. Tonight I saw it. That spark of attraction I knew would be there. Not just for Asher or myself, but for both of us.
I’ve always been good at reading people—a useful skill for a foster kid. And the second I ran into Rose in that hallway, I knew she was the woman I was looking for. The woman who would fit perfectly with Asher and me. She’s not just a quick fuck. Rose is the kind of woman we can build a life with. After years of focusing on our company, I’m ready for that.
Of course, Asher doesn’t think it’s possible. He can’t believe a woman would want both of us for longer than a few weeks. And with his screwed up family, I can understand where he’s coming from, but I know deep down he’s wrong. Rose is perfect. And tonight I saw it firsthand.
I nudge Asher, who’s looking over the email Ling Takei sent over an hour ago. “I think we’ve worn out our girl. We should call it a night.”
Asher glances over and yawns. “I didn’t intend to stay this late.”
“I know,” I say and pull out my cell. “I’ll call the car service, and we can drop her off at home. She shouldn’t be driving this late.”
Asher laughs. “Good luck. I’ve tried to get her to let me call the car service for her, but she insists on driving. She’s pretty stubborn.”
He has a look. Admiration? Interest? I’m not sure, but I know there’s something there. If I can get him on board, he’ll see that Rose is different.
“So, what do you really think of her?” I ask, sitting back in my chair.
“I can’t believe I let her intern for so long,” Asher says. “I needed her on my team four months ago. As a matter of fact, I think she’s going to do great on the Takei transition team. I’m thinking about offering her the lead.”
“I’m not talking about work,” I say. Rose makes a little snorting sound in her sleep, and I suppress a laugh. I really wish we were at home. I’d love nothing more than to crawl into bed with her and fall asleep. “I know she’s a damn fine accountant. What I really want to know is what do you think about her… with us.”
Asher glances over, and the desire is written all over his face. I’d bet good money that he’s thought about the idea on more than one occasion. But he rubs the back of his neck and shakes his head. “She works for us. We agreed a long time ago. No underage girls and no employees.”
“But she’s different, and you know it,” I say and lean back against the desk. He can deny it all he wants, but the desire is written all over his face. He might not be on the same page as me yet, but he’ll come around.
“I know she’s different, but that doesn’t change the facts,” he says with a sigh. “Actually, the fact that she’s different makes it worse. I can’t lose her as an employee just to work out my sexual frustration.”
We are both silent for a long time, sitting there watching Rose sleep. I know Asher can feel it too, the rightness. She fits like no other woman has, and maybe that’s why he is hesitant because this woman is a game changer.
“I’m not willing to give up yet. We need to see where this goes,” I insist.
With a sigh, Asher pushes away from the desk and starts to collect his things. “This is a mistake, but if this is what you want, to sleep with her—”
“It’s more than that. I’ve told you, I’m ready for someone permanent. A woman we can build a life with. Maybe even have kids someday.” I look over to where Rose is still sleeping. I can imagine her in that role: wife, mother. “You want this, too. I can
see it in the way you watch her.”
“Just because you want something doesn’t mean it’s possible.” Asher turns to face me, his expression serious. “I don’t know where you get this optimism from. Love is just a lie we tell each other to help us sleep at night. Given a choice, people will always look out for their own self-interest.”
This is the fruit of the bitter seed his parents planted so long ago. A few years ago, I might have agreed with him, but I’m older now. I have time and distance on my side. My old wounds have had time to heal. Both my adoptive parents are dead, and I never knew my birth parents. So I’ve been able to look back at my own screwed up situation with less pain.
I realize that things are different for Asher. Asher still has to deal with his parents on a regular basis. And every meeting creates a fresh cut.
However, even though I realize where these feeling are coming from, I won’t put up with his doom and gloom outlook. I want more. I want more for both of us. Even if I have to drag him along, kicking and screaming.
“That’s a load of shit, Asher. There are good people out there. Look at us. I’ve always had your back, even when it wasn’t in my best interest. You need to open up and trust.”
“That’s different.” Asher visibly relaxes, and he reaches over to squeeze my arm. “Our friendship is forged from sturdy stuff. It’s been tested, and the bonds made all the stronger.”
A silence settles over the room. And for the first time in years, I worry that I’ll have to move forward without my best friend. It’s unsettling. I can’t even imagine a life that didn’t include Asher. It has always us against the world.
“Listen,” Asher says, sensing my unease. “I’m willing to trust you. That’s enough. I’m attracted to Rose, and if you want to see where this can go, I’m willing to come along for the ride. But the second it stops working, she’s gone. Just like every other woman we’ve been with. Deal?” Asher holds out his hand for me to shake.
It’s not exactly what I’m looking for, but I reach over and take his hand anyway. “Deal.”
“This, of course, is assuming Rose will even take us up on the offer. You said it yourself; she’s not like the women we usually fuck. She’s a nice girl. I give you even odds that she quits and files a sexual harassment suit against us.”
She is a nice girl, but there’s something deeper. I see an untapped need in her eyes. Before I can answer, the phone rings. The car is waiting downstairs.
“I think you might be surprised. We’ll invite her over tomorrow and test the waters,” I say and go over to wake Rose.
“Wake up sleepy head,” I say, nudging her foot. “Time to go.”
Rose blinks up and yawns. “Did I fall asleep?”
“Just for a little bit. It’s late.”
“I shouldn’t have had that drink,” she says and arches her back, stretching her long muscles like a house cat waking up from a nap.
“Don’t worry about it. Get your stuff, and we’ll get you home.” Groggily, Rose collects her things and meets us at the elevator. And just like Asher predicted, she tries to get out of the ride.
“You don’t need to drop me off. I can drive home,” Rose insists even as her eyes slide closed again.
“It’s not a problem,” I say and slide my arm around her waist to help keep her upright. Still half-asleep, she snuggles against my chest. She fits there as if the spot was made just for her. I fight back the urge to pull her closer and kiss her. “I’ll have one of the drivers drop your car off at your house. Just give me your keys.”
Asher joins us in the elevator and takes in the scene. “Cozy.”
I can tell he’s still apprehensive about my plan, but I saw the way Rose and Asher got along. He connects with her on a personal level I’ve never seen before. And maybe that’s what’s worrying him most. That she’s the woman, who’s finally going to get under that thick skin of his. But that’s exactly what I want. For my plan to work, Asher needs a woman that will challenge him outside the bedroom as well.
“I can take care of myself,” she says against my chest.
“We know, Bambi,” Asher says and tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear, exposing those big brown eyes.
Her nose wrinkles and again, I have to fight the urge to laugh. She is so fucking cute.
“Fine,” she acquiesces as her eyes start to slide close again. “And don’t call me Bambi.”
Downstairs, I help Rose into the back of the limo. It’s cold for October, and after we all get settled in the back, I wrap my jacket around her. “Where to?”
She yawns and snuggles into my jacket, struggling to keep her eyes open. “318 Main. Unit 12.”
I recognize the street. It’s down by the docks in a pretty sketchy neighborhood. I know the area well. As a teen, I’d often end up down there when I was looking to get into trouble. I don’t like the idea of Rose living there. I glance over to Asher. He shrugs, obviously not as concerned, and relays the information to the driver.
My apprehension only grows when we arrive at our destination. Instead of a house or an apartment, the driver pulls into one those rundown long-term stay hotels.
“Rose. Wake up.” I nudge her, sure we somehow got the location wrong. Maybe there’s another Main Street in town. “What’s the address again?”
She blinks a few times and looks around. “Oh, we’re here already? Thanks for the ride. I’m sorry I zonked. I shouldn’t have had that drink,” she says, gathering her things. “Do you need me to come in tomorrow?”
She stops, waiting for an answer, but I’m at a loss for words. This place is worse than anything I imagined. There’s a big dude with a gun holster standing outside a room. He’s eyeing the car with suspension and rests his hand on the gun. Two guys that look like they are high are loitering in a dilapidated picnic area smoking God knows what.
“This can’t be where you live,” Asher says, looking around. “Are you sure you gave us the right address?”
“Unit 12.” She nods her head in the direction of the man with the gun. “Thanks again. Don’t worry about my car. I’ll catch a ride and pick it up from the office myself.”
Rose reaches for the door, but I stop her. “You can’t be serious. Why are you living here?” I ask, looking back to the guy with the gun, who seems very interested in the limo. “Why don’t you have an apartment? Or a house or something?”
Rose sighs and rolls her eyes. “Not everyone has the privilege of being a billionaire. I didn’t have the money to put a deposit on an apartment when I took the internship. This was an acceptable solution. It’s clean and didn’t require a deposit. Besides, I was only offered a six-month internship. I didn’t know if I’d get a full-time job, so having a place I could rent week to week made sense.”
“You’ve been working for us for ten months,” Asher says, jumping into the conversation. “Why are you still living here? Surely, we pay you enough.”
“I’ve been meaning to look for an apartment,” she says, “but I just haven’t had time.”
“Then find the time,” I say.
“Says my boss who just had me work nineteen hours today.” Rose shoves my jacket back at me and grabs her purse. “I’m exhausted, and I don’t feel like hashing over my living situation with you right now. So if you don’t mind, I’d like to go inside.”
“You can’t stay here,” Asher says, surprising us both.
“And what exactly is that supposed to mean?” Rose asks, crossing her arms.
“It means you’re coming home with us until you can find an appropriate apartment.”
“Like hell,” she says and reaches for the door. But before she can open it, the hulking man with the gun taps on the window.
I debate whether to tell the driver to leave or not, but Rose hits the button to lower the window.
The guy looks around the interior and grunts, “Is there a problem?”
“No problem,” I say and eye Asher, hoping like hell he doesn’t make a scene. This whole situation is
getting out of hand, and I don’t want to make trouble with the guy packing heat.
“Hey, Bruce. My bosses were just dropping me off,” Rose says, casually.
“Rose.” Bruce’s face lights up with a smile. “I knocked on your door earlier. I thought you were out for the night.”
“No, just a late night at work.” She opens the door to get out, but Bruce shuts it before she can.
“That’s too bad,” he says. “It would have been better if you were out for the night. You have a place to stay?”
What the fuck?
I look around the parking lot and see another two guys loitering. By the bulges under their jackets, I’d bet they are also carrying. I take a more critical look at the stoners by the pool. They are far more alert than two guys partying. Something serious was going down, and I didn’t want Rose anywhere near it.
As if reading my thoughts, Asher taps on the window to the driver. “We’ll make sure she has a place to stay.”
Bruce grunts his approval and steps back from the car.
“Ugh,” Rose exclaims and tosses up her hands. “What is everyone’s problem tonight? I’ve been living here for months and managed to survive.”
“I agree with Asher on this one. We can’t let you stay here tonight,” I say.
“You can’t let me?” she says, narrowing her eyes at me. “You do realize that neither one of you have a say.”
“Tonight, we do,” Asher says.
“Stop the car. I’m serious. Just let me out here.”
“No way. I don’t know if you noticed the gun, but I generally find it useful to listen to the guy packing heat. He says you need to be gone tonight. You’re staying gone,” Asher says with a finality to his words.
Rose pales and turns to look out the back window at the motel. “Bruce had a gun?”
Her Billionaire Bosses: A Menage Romance Page 4