by Lexy Timms
"Just follow the schedule and send them in when I let you know that we're ready." Jamie smoothed her shoulder-length blond hair. "Anything in my teeth?"
Kristen shook her head. "Nope, and that blue shirt looks good on you. Says that you're large and in charge."
"Large?" Jamie lifted her eyebrow. The poor girl in front of her had no way of knowing that she'd been struggling with her weight most of her life.
"It's just a saying. You look great, but obviously you know that." Kristen gave her a warm smile. "It's not like Alex would date anyone who wasn't a complete bombshell, right?"
"Right." Jamie forced herself to ignore the sickness swirling in her stomach. She was no bombshell. Maybe shrapnel from a fall-out, but that was about it. She walked to Alex's office and knocked on the door before poking her head in. "You ready?"
"Was it horrible?" He moved around his desk and motioned for her to close the door.
"What? The press? No. I just invited the three we're speaking with to join me and left the rest salivating." She reached up and brushed her fingers along the dark jacket he wore. "You look great."
"They aren't the only ones salivating for you." He leaned down and brushed his lips by hers. "Sorry I was pissy earlier. I'm a little concerned about what these guys will be asking today. I want to be honest and open, but I'm not playing into anyone’s games."
"I agree. Just stick to the script. We already went over acceptable topics and responses this past weekend. Just stick to those and you'll be fine. If you start to divert, I'll clear my throat." She kissed him once more. "Let's get this over with."
He stopped her by grabbing her wrist as she walked away. "Hey. I love you. I'm glad you're here with me."
"Me too. Stop being sweet or I'll strip you down and make them wait longer than appropriate while I show you just how much you make me salivate."
He growled but released her.
They made a good couple. Him an alpha billionaire with a heart, and her... his personal assistant.
Don't start that again.
Chapter 2
"Ms. Wynn, you're up first." Jamie gave the woman a warm smile and moved back as she walked in.
"Alex Reid. Nice to meet you." Alex extended his hand as Jamie watched him from behind the petite woman.
"The pleasure is all mine," the woman chuckled as if a little nervous. "I'm quite surprised that this is our first meeting. You've been the city's most eligible bachelor for some time. You're just a hard man to get a hold of."
"Well, I'm far more interested in running my company than talking about myself." Alex pulled out a chair after shaking the woman's hand. "Please have a seat and make yourself comfortable."
"Sounds great." The woman sat down and glanced over her shoulder. "I'll take a coffee please."
Jamie nodded and stopped in her tracks to sit down with Alex and Ms. Wynn. "Of course."
Alex's brows pulled tight as he shook his head. "Get Kristen to get it, and join us."
"It's fine. I don't mind." Jamie winked at him as Ms. Wynn pulled out a pad of paper and tapped the table.
"Time is money. Let's get started."
Jamie slipped out of the room and walked to the coffee bar, not quite thrilled with the way the woman addressed her. She didn't need any help to feel like the smallest person in the room. She was already there.
"Hey. You're still alive and in one piece." Paul glanced over at her as he hit his palm against the vending machine.
"Did you expect something different?" She moved over to it and bumped it with her hip. His chips fell to the bottom.
"Yes. It's all in the hip, huh?" He smirked and got them out, opening the bag and offering her one.
"Depends on the size of your hips." She waved him off and worked on getting a fresh cup of coffee, seeing that the last person who'd grabbed a cup didn't make another pot. Alex wasn't going to be thrilled with her absence, and yet to tell the woman from People magazine that she wasn't the go-fetch-it-girl was a little much.
"Who's in there with the boss man right now?" Paul popped a chip into his mouth and leaned against the counter.
"The lady from People." Jamie let out a soft huff and shoved a cup under the dripping spout as the machine hissed.
"Are you nervous?"
"About what? I'm not being interviewed." She glanced over at him as he held up his hand and wiggled his ring finger.
"Yeah, you are. You're soon to be Mrs. Alex Reid. He's been listed as the city's—"
"Most eligible bachelor. I'm aware. I might gag if I hear it one more time. It's getting old." She pulled the coffee cup out a little more forcefully as she meant to. It sloshed, spilling hot liquid on her fingers. "Damn it!"
"Oh shit. Let me help." He moved up to grab a napkin and started to blot at her fingers.
"I'm good. Really. Just get another cup ready. Alex is going to shit bricks if I don't get back in there soon." She walked over to the sink and ran cold water over her scalded fingers.
"Are they golden bricks?" Paul lifted his eyebrow and chuckled. "Just kidding. You know the guy is my idol. He's at the top of his career, has a great future, huge bank account, is brilliant, and has a beautiful woman."
Jamie started to snap at the poor guy for making Alex seem like the high and mighty guy he was until she realized his last comment was directed at her.
"Thanks. I feel like a frog today, but whatever." She shook her hand and let out a sigh. "I'm supportive of him. He's everything I want, but I hate being reminded that I'm the charity case girlfriend."
"Love doesn't look at money or worth. It's blind to that crap." Paul rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me for a minute that you're questioning how he feels about you. Look at that rock on your finger. That's not just showing off, Jamie."
Kristen walked in and tapped the counter. "Hey. He just poked his head out asking for you. Hurry up."
"Oh yeah. Sorry." She grabbed the coffee and walked toward Alex's office, trying to put her insecurities to bed. There was no place for them in her day or her life anymore. She and Alex would be getting married as soon as they set a date. They were living together, had a puppy together, and were continuing to build Reid Enterprises together. There was nothing to be concerned with.
Jamie opened the door to his office and walked in, getting a look from him as Ms. Wynn glanced over her shoulder.
"Oh good. There you are. We were just starting to talk a little about Alex's relationship with you. Come over and tell me a little bit about your past. I think we're going to run a story on Alex's rise to the top and how even though he has become this icon, he's still interested in the common and ordinary." She took the coffee and motioned for Jamie to sit down. "It's almost like a Cinderella story. The prince marrying a commoner. We just love it. Readers will love it."
"Now, Milla, I'm a commoner too. We all are." Alex tilted his head and grabbed the attention of the reporter. "Jamie’s most likely far more refined than I am. She's from a functional family and is honestly quite brilliant. I think we should be looking at a different Disney story. Perhaps Aladdin. Isn't that the one where the princess falls for a pauper who's trying to own the world?"
Milla laughed as Jamie tried to settle her nerves. "I love your humility, Alex. Is there nothing that we can crucify you on?"
"He's one of a kind." Jamie sat down and leaned back, crossing her legs as Alex turned his attention toward her.
"Jamie came to work for me as my personal assistant, and honestly I've never been more pleased. Our friendship turned into a relationship over time, and she stole my heart. I hadn't planned on ever being an eligible bachelor. I've always wanted to be a husband, a father..."
"So the two of you are getting married and then how long will it be before kids come into the picture?" Milla's eyebrows lifted as a smile played on her lips.
"A while," Jamie responded as Alex said, "Hopefully soon."
"A house divided. Interesting." Milla picked up her pen and tablet and scribbled a few things down.
A
lex cleared his throat. "We have a lot left to discuss, but one thing is for sure. This woman here has my heart."
"And tell me more about her. Where’s she from? Does she have a similar story as yours? A rags to riches story?" Milla kept her attention on Alex.
His phone buzzed, and he stood. "Ask her yourself, Milla. She's an open book much like I am. I need to grab this. Give me five minutes. I apologize."
The woman nodded and scribbled something down on the paper. Jamie expected her to turn and start asking questions, but she didn't. She wrote a few more things and then checked her phone. She sent Alex a quick text.
Okay. Coast is clear.
Alex walked back in and stopped by the table. "All good, or did you have anything else?"
"I was just going to ask about the situation that hit the tabloids with your secretary and one of your largest shareholders. Can you expand on what happened, or add some color to the reports that we released?" She stood and shuffled from one foot to the other.
"My secretary was truly coerced into helping a jealous shareholder try to take my firm down from the inside out. The information can be obtained through the government website on corporate responsibility for public companies. We pressed charges only because we had to. We were being implicated in several tax situations due to the discrepancies created by their disloyalty and dishonesty. I really have nothing more to say on the matter." Alex ran his hand through his chestnut hair and glanced down at Jamie, who sat quietly as nothing more than an observer. "Do you have anything to add, Jamie?"
"Nope. You said it perfectly." She gave a sweet smile, though her insides were tied in knots. She wanted to get out of the way and let Alex have his time with the press. She wasn't in the spotlight, and where that wasn't at all a problem, she certainly didn't enjoy being made to feel like she was part of the clean-up crew after the big event that was Alex Reid.
"We're going with the Cinderella story, if you're okay with that." Milla stood up and kept her attention on Alex. It wasn’t really a question. "It's going to sell in the magazine, and both of you will be represented as the great people you are."
"I'm fine with it. Come, let me show you out." Alex touched the back of the woman's shoulder as they walked from his office.
Jamie let out a short exhale and got up, walking to the window.
The door closed, and she glanced over her shoulder to see Alex standing just inside of it, looking at his phone. "Our stocks have shot up twenty percent because the world thinks something is going on just outside our building today. I guess they're expecting some type of large announcement thanks to these reporters crowding the sidewalk."
He chuckled and walked toward her, slipping his phone into his pocket and pulling her into a hug. "What's going on? You didn't say much of anything during that interview. And don't think I didn't notice that you disappeared for most of it. Don't like reporters?"
"I was just helping out by getting the coffee. The pot was empty." She shrugged and snuggled against his chest. "I really think you'd do better to take these next two on your own. I was going to finish typing your report that you wanted sent out today. I can add some charts and graphics, maybe put that new logo on the file that you were-"
"You're changing the subject." His eyebrow lifted as he pressed his forehead to hers. "What's going on? Don't think I don't know you well enough to know something is happening in that brilliant head of yours."
"Nothing, baby. I promise." She slid her hands up his strong chest. "I'm just ready to get the day started. I have a million things I want to get done."
"And you will get them done. I have to work late tonight. Just stay up here with me." He brushed his hands over the top of her rear. "We can mess around a little later after everyone leaves. I love having you in my office. It gives me something to daydream about every time I walk in here." He smirked.
"As lovely as that sounds, you know I'm trying to stick to a workout schedule. I want to get down about ten more pounds before we get married. Speaking of, we need to set a date." She wrapped her arms around his neck and locked eyes with him, loving how impossibly handsome he was. Breathtaking was more the word.
"You don't need to lose any weight. You look incredible. It's only my opinion that should matter, right?" He leaned down and nipped at her lips. "You're already smoking hot, Jamie. Stop worrying about your looks. I adore the way you look only slightly less than how much I enjoy how you feel."
She closed her eyes and lifted up on her toes, pressing her lips to his. The kiss was soft, loving, until his fingers slipped into her hair and he beckoned her to open her mouth to him. She tilted her head slightly and groaned as his tongue slid deep into her mouth, probing and exploring her in a way that left her panting for more.
"Stop worrying about all of this stuff. You're perfect, baby. I've told you that a million times." He nipped at her lips again and moved back, working to hide his erection.
"Okay. I am honestly excited for you to tell the world about us. I just wish I was showier." She shrugged and pulled from his hold before walking to the door.
"Showy? What does that even mean?" He turned, and she paused by the door, looking back.
"You know. Beautiful and model-like. These people are going to fall out of their chairs when they realize that you're a prince, marrying a common housewife." She shrugged and ignored the need to cry. She wasn't juvenile and she knew it. The problem was pushing her feelings aside as if his words were enough. "I'll check in later."
"Jamie. That's ridiculous. Get over here." He walked toward her, but she pulled the door open and forced herself to clear it up.
"Mr. Tanger, you're up next." She opened the door and ignored Alex as he stopped beside her.
"This conversation isn't over," he whispered through clenched teeth.
Jamie bit back the need to respond and closed the door behind the two men. She started to walk over to Kristen's desk in the far corner to lament over having to be the soon-to-be-Mrs. Reid, but stopped in her tracks.
Paul was leaning over her desk, laughing softly. The look on Kristen's pretty face said that she was enjoying his attention a little more than maybe was appropriate for the office.
Weren't she and Mark starting to talk about dating?
"Just come out for one drink. We'll have a good time. I promise." Paul moved back and slipped his hands into his pockets, smiling like a tomcat.
"I don't know. I really don't like the idea of dating anyone at work. It's kind of a policy I keep." Kristen stood up and shrugged.
Jamie turned and barreled into Mark, not seeing him there.
His strong hands gripped her shoulders. "Whoa. Watch it there, bulldozer." He smiled and released her before turning and glancing over at Paul and Kristen. His watched them for a minute before turning back to Jamie. "What's up with them?"
"No clue. Come on. Walk with me down to my office." She slipped her arm into his and turned, walking them down the hall. "Are you still trying to see her?"
"I was, kind of, I guess." He walked into her office and dropped down in the chair nearest the door. "I swear women are the biggest mystery in the universe. I'm glad I'm not married anymore, but dating is almost an equal hell. You guys say one thing and mean the other. We say what the hell we mean."
"Do you?" Jamie turned and put her hands on her hips. "If you told me that you thought I was beautiful... you'd mean it? Like you're totally, one-hundred-percent being honest that you think I'm beautiful."
"That or I'm trying to sleep with you." He shrugged. "What's your point?"
Jamie rolled her eyes and walked around to her chair, sitting down in it. "I don't have one, and if I did, you just proved it right. I’m a damn Cinderella. I need a drink."
Chapter 3
"What? Mark turned his attention to her. "Cinderella? I don't get it."
"Yeah, me either." She typed in her password and glanced over at him. "Can you grab me a copy of the paper from the bin downstairs? Would you mind? Alex mentioned something about the press b
eing here causing our stock price to rise. I want to document the occasion for him. You know he'll want to reflect on it later."
Mark stood. "Yeah, sure, but tell me something... was Paul hitting on Kristen?"
Alex's handsome younger brother ran his fingers over his chin and watched her closely. He was such a great guy from all she had seen. Why he couldn't find someone to complement his personality and love him the way he needed to be loved was beyond her.
"I think so." Jamie let out a sigh. "Are you and she dating, or was it just a few times out to dinner and that's it?"
"We're not dating, or I don't think we are." He chuckled sardonically. "Hell, I don't know. Like I said, dating is the freaking pits. I have no clue how to do this anymore."
"You'll figure it out. I think Kristen isn’t the one you'll be figuring it out with, though."
"I guess you're right." He walked to the door and paused. "It's these pants. They make me look bloated, right?"
The smirk on his handsome face left her lip turning up.
"It's all those donuts you eat in the morning." She turned back to her computer. "You look great. She's just not the one. You'll find her."
"Maybe." He walked out as his voice softened, leaving Jamie to analyze his true feelings over the matter. If there were someone she knew that she could set him up with, she'd not hesitate to do it, but she really didn't have many friends.
Gina was about it, and the woman had sworn off men after the debacle with Nicholas. The asshole deserved to rot in jail for all he'd done. Not only for his attacks against Alex, but for breaking Gina's heart. To see hope die in the older woman was almost too much. Her new job wasn't what she'd hoped it would be, but there was no way around her willingness to commit fraud and steal from Alex.
Jamie had no doubt that her guy wanted to hire his long-term secretary back and get things back to the way they used to be, but it wasn't a possibility. Trust was broken, and in business there were no real second chances.
After plowing through her e-mail, Jamie picked up the phone to listen to her messages, finally finding a groove to settle in for the day. Sex with Alex was a great way to start the day, but having the press unnerve her and remind her of her unworthiness of his attention had worked to diminish any glow she might have felt before coming into the office.