Copyright 2016 by Blue Sky Books - All rights reserved.
In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.
Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.
Sucker for the Boss
New Adult Romance Collection
By: Blue Sky Books
Table of Contents
Sucker for the Boss
A Taboo Vengeance
Dreams from her youth
Mr Learner
Mr Giovanni The Teacher
The Exchange Student
The Baseball Rock Star
The Perfect Touchdown
Schooling the Boxing Champ
Taken by the Bad Boy Biker
The Nameless Rider
Stay away from the Babysitter.
Camping With My Dad's Boss
My Stepbrother, The Football Star
Bad Crush for My Dad's Best Friend
The Babysitter he couldn't resist
The Football Rock Star
The Hockey Rock Star
Mr. Tabor The Doctor
Mr. Jackson The Teacher
A Hockeyer
The Basketball Rock Star
Mr Lance The New Teacher
The College Rockstar
Keeping it a Secret
Tempted by the Football Star
Taken by Her Dad's Boss
Hard as Steel
Stay Away from Best Friend's Father
Taken by Her Dad's Best Friend
The Object of the Babysitter's Desire
Forbidden Touch
Hunter’s Catch
Taboo in Thailand
Sucker for the Boss
The first thing that Lauret noticed about Jacob Goodwin, her new boss was that he looked extremely young. At least young for his age, or was she distracted by the ripping muscles on his arms, his tanned torso and those piercing blue-green eyes? It was hard to tell the difference. The sun was blazing and Lauret’s eyes were squinted, and the beautiful infinity pool that Jacob was pulling himself out of looked enticing. She wished she could simply strip off her clothes and jump in, but she knew she couldn’t, her college days as a wild teenager were over. She was a twenty-two year old adult and there were certain rules of propriety that she needed to maintain if she wanted to climb the professional ladder successfully.
When she’d received the phone call, a week ago, with the job offer of taking up the position as Jacob Goodwin’s personal assistant, Lauret was thrilled. She knew he had a reputation of being a hard sell, a self made millionaire and a brilliant real estate mogul. She had thought this was what she needed, to be in a grinding job and be bent into shape and learn from the best. In college Lauret had been one of the wild ones, she partied hard, got into trouble often and dated more boys than she had kept a track of. Now that she was out in the real world, she knew that she had to leave her past behind. What she hadn’t predicted however was that her new boss would set her skin ablaze, from first sight.
He was standing by one of the deck chairs now, wrapping a bright blue towel around his angular waist. She could feel his eyes on her, even though she was trying hard to not look at him. When he started walking towards her, Lauret began fidgeting with the strap of her new leather purse. The last thing she wanted to do was stare awkwardly at him.
“You must be Lauret Page.” His voice was deep and soothing, an older man’s voice. He had stretched out his hand towards her and she finally looked up to meet his eye. She shook his hand with a smile.
“At your service.” She said, trying to maintain as casual a tone as possible.
“Wow. That’s a strong handshake. Martin told me he had hired a brilliant PA for me, he didn’t mention how absolutely stunning you are as well.” Jacob had a lingering smile on his face and Lauret couldn’t tell if he was making a joke or if he was serious. She didn’t want him to think that she wouldn’t be good at her job. Too many professors in her college had assumed the same thing about her and had been completely mistaken. Lauren straightened her spine and held up her head higher and threw him a curt smile.
“Martin was right. I am a brilliant PA.” She said and Jacob gave a short laugh.
“You can relax. I was just paying you a compliment. The last thing I want is to drive away another PA. Mind you, they all left, including the three male ones I’ve had because they were not up for the job.” Jacob was drying his hair, those dark bluish-black curls of his, with a smaller towel that had been strung around his neck.
“I can assure you that I will try my best to make sure that you are satisfied with my work.” Lauren kept the smile plastered on her face, while she stood facing him, trying to not pay attention to the way the drops of water on his body trickled down the ridges of his muscles.
“I’m pleased to hear that.” He said and studied her from her head to toe. “First things first,” he continued, while his eyes looked over her attire, “find Martin and tell him you need a new wardrobe. He’ll know what to do.” Lauret was surprised to hear it but she nodded anyway. She had bought a pair of new black pants, a couple of formal blouses and a pencil skirt, assuming that would be enough for the job. Clearly, Jacob had other plans.
“And then, I’d like you to get to work. Martin will show you to my office and I want you to start going through all my files, they are arranged in alphabetical order already. What I want you to do is spend the next two days learning all you can about all my fifty-three clients.” He was looking at her intently, judging her every facial expression, probably looking out for any sign of weakness. Lauret gave him her widest smile and nodded her head again.
“I’ll get to work immediately Mr. Goodwin.” She said and was about to turn around. He caught her hand suddenly to stop her in her track and she felt a sudden electric buzz, like she had been shocked by a naked wire. Just his touch was enough to make her feel a bolt.
“And when I quiz you about my clients day after tomorrow, you should pass the test with flying colors. Only consider yourself hired after that. Do you understand?” His eyes were piercing into hers and Lauret was now finding it increasingly difficult to maintain that smile on her face. She nodded her head gently.
“I understand completely Mr. Goodwin.” She said and he slowly took his hand away from hers. She gave him one last smile, turned on her heels and headed back into the house where Martin, Jacob’s housekeeper and part-time secretary was waiting for her in the kitchen. Lauret could feel her heart beating in her ears, her palms had grown sweaty and she had never felt this warm. Inside the house it was cooler but she didn’t feel any better. Meeting Jacob Goodwin had been harder than any other job interview she had ever been a part of. Not only was he a straight shooter, a man who had high standards; but she was devastatingly attracted to him. The fact that he was out of bounds, that she was trying to change her ways with men; all contributed to making the experience worse. She was fighting hard against her own natural personality, it had taken all the strength she could muster to not bite her lips, flip her hair and teasingly lean in towards him and brush his arm. She knew she couldn’t flirt with him.
“How did it go?” Martin asked her, when she found him in the kitchen.
“He asked me to talk to you about a new wardrobe and then show me to his study. I have to go through his client files and prepare for a quiz.” Lauren tried to act natural but her guards were down now, and she knew that Martin could see how she was actually feeling, nervous and battle-stricken.
“Don’t worry Lauret. You’ll be fine.
” Martin came over to pat her on her shoulder. He was a sixty-year-old man who spoke with a British accent and immediately put her at ease, he reminded her of a friendly kindly uncle and somebody she could definitely rely on. He also seemed to know Jacob better than anybody else.
“I’ll arrange for Mr. Goodwin’s personal designer to come over and take your measurements this evening. He’ll have your new wardrobe ready in a week.” Martin said with an encouraging smile on his face as he started walking out of the kitchen.
“I’ll show you to Mr. Goodwin’s study now and you can begin with your research.” He added and Lauret followed him out.
Jacob’s study was huge, bigger than anybody’s personal office that she had ever been in. Oak paneled and filled with rows of books, Martin showed her the large wooden cabinet where all the client files were stored. Fifty-three, fat files, bursting with information. Lauret and Martin exchanged looks and he smiled again.
“Best of luck I suppose.” He said and patted her on her back again.
“Thanks Martin.” Lauret said and tried to smile back. “It looks like I’ll be in here a long time.” She sighed and Martin laughed.
“Looks like it. I’ll arrange for some food to be brought up to you in a few hours. Ring that bell on his desk if you need anything. After you’re done for the day I’ll show you to your bedroom.” Martin said and started to walk out of the room.
“Thanks for all the help Martin. You’ve been great.” Lauret said while taking off the jacket from her shoulders.
“It’s been my pleasure Lauret. I have a feeling you’ll be good for him and he will be thanking me profusely for hiring you.” He said and walked out of the room, shutting the door of the office close behind him.
Lauret looked around the room and sighed again. The files from the open cabinet door stared back at her. She took in a deep breath and reminded herself; this was what she needed to do to make sure that her future at Jacob Goodwin’s firm was secure.
*****
It was eleven at night when Lauret finally decided to call it a day. She had taken her dinner at the office, on the carpeted floor, with Jacob’s files strewn around her. Her only interruption had been a few hours before, when Jacob’s designer had been shown in to take her measurements. By now she had let down her hair from the tight bun she had fashioned it to in the morning, her jacket was thrown over her shoulder and she could barely keep her eyes open.
As Lauret made her way to the kitchen, she could hear loud voices and laughter from the living room when she passed it. She caught a glimpse of Jacob, in tailored pants and a neat white shirt, cradling a glass of champagne. He was standing above a couch where two glamorous women in tiny cocktail dresses were sitting and staring up towards him as he spoke. Another man with a similar champagne glass was standing a few feet away, laughing at Jacob’s jokes. Lauret was staring as she slowly passed the open door to the living room and tried to quickly look away when Jacob suddenly looked up. But their eyes met. He was in the middle of saying something but he stopped and smiled widely.
“Lauret. Come on in and let me introduce you.” His voice boomed out and she had no choice but to walk into the opulent room draped with thick maroon curtains on the windows. She tried her best to smile, but she was tired and sleepy. She didn’t have the energy anymore to put up a social front.
“Ladies and Jack,” Jacob said with a laugh, “This is my new PA, Lauret Page.” He held his arm out towards her as she walked towards him.
“What a curious name. Hello, Lauret Page.” One of the women looked up at her and smiled. She seemed to be not much older than Lauret herself, but clearly belonged to an entirely different social standing. Her blonde hair was styled in soft ringlets and they fell on her bare shoulders. She was wearing a short pink cocktail dress and her long legs were crossed. She had a champagne glass in her hand which was now nearly empty and she held out her hand towards Lauret and she shook it.
“I’m Esmerelda. Jack’s sister.” She said with a soft sophisticated voice and Lauret immediately felt out of place. A sudden pang of jealousy pricked her soul but she tried to ignore it. She had noticed the way Esmerelda looked at Jacob, the adoration in her eyes, the forced smile she had put on her face to greet Jacob’s new personal assistant.
“Hi. I’m Jack. Jacob and I have been friends since college.” The other man came forward and shook Lauret’s hand as well. He in fact looked much older than Jacob, age appropriate, in his late thirties.
“And this is Ruby, my wife.” He continued and stretched out his arm in the direction of the other woman who was seated beside Esmerelda.
“Hello, Lauret. Lovely to meet you.” The older woman said with a smile. She was dressed smartly as well, in a short white satin cocktail dress with her red curls held up in a stylish chignon. Clearly, Lauret thought, Jacob threw very posh cocktail parties, even for his close group of friends. Lauret was more used to pizza and a football game with her best friends and she was a little star struck by the glamor of this gathering.
“Has Jacob kept you busy all day and night? You poor thing.” Esmerelda said and pouted her lips towards Jacob who only smiled at her.
“I’ve enjoyed it. It’s my first day anyway.” Lauret said, avoiding Jacob’s eyes which were now on her.
“We’ve got an ambitious one this time, haven’t we.” Esmerelda said and sipped from her glass, emptying it.
“Ezzy, darling, please behave yourself.” Jacob said with a laugh and then turned to Lauret.
“Ignore her Lauret. How have you been getting on?” He asked her and she could feel her heart racing again. Just having his eyes on her made her uncomfortable. She wanted to run her fingers through his dark curls, graze his jaw with her lips, and she wanted to do it all in front of Esmerelda, who was now glaring at the two of them.
“Yes, Lauret. Do you think you’ll be able to handle Jacob? Keep up with his harsh demands?” Esmerelda cut in before Lauret could answer and cackled loudly.
“Ezzy, no more champagne for you tonight. In fact, we should be getting home Jacob. It’s a school night.” Jack said and walked over to where his sister was sitting.
“Don’t be such a bore Jack. You and Ruby can head on home if you want. I want to spend some more time with Jacob.” Esmerelda pouted at Jacob again but he only smiled, digging his hand deep into the pocket of his pants.
“Well, you can’t drive tonight so we’ll have to drop you to your house Ezzy.” Ruby interjected this time, and stood up from her seat. Esmerelda rolled her eyes and fixed them on Lauret. Her eyes had grown droopy and she wasn’t smiling anymore.
“Jacob can drop me home. Won’t you Jacob?” She bit down on her lip and smiled at Jacob.
“I have to be up early tomorrow Ezzy, my darling. It might be a better idea if your brother dropped you home tonight. We’ll do it some other day, maybe next weekend?” Jacob went over to Esmerelda’s side and gently gripped her bare arm. Lauret felt that pang of jealousy again, the sight of the casual familiarity between the two of them made her angry. She had barely met Jacob twelve hours ago, but she couldn’t help but feel protective about him, couldn’t help but feel like he shouldn’t be looking at any other woman the way he looked at her. How did he look at her? Like he would look at any other employee? Like he looked at Martin.
Esmerelda had slowly stood up with the support of Jacob. She was leaning on him now, and had placed her head on his shoulder. Lauret looked away, tried to fix her attention on trying to observe the decor of the living room instead. She couldn’t bear to look at Esmerelda and how beautiful she was and how close she was to Jacob.
“C’mon honey. Let's get you home.” Jack said and started to pull her away from Jacob, but she clung on to him, her hands gripped his arm and she was biting down on her lip.
“This weekend then Jacob. We’ll make a date of it.” She said and Jacob gave a short laugh.
“This weekend. I look forward to it.” He said and placed a small quick kiss on her forehead before Jack pul
led her away. Ruby and Jack said goodbyes and walked out of the living room with Esmerelda between them. She had her head turned towards Jacob as she walked out. It seemed like she was trying to communicate something with her eyes.
“Sorry about that. Ezzy always gets a little drunk at my house and then somebody has to take her home.” Jacob said with a laugh and turned to face Lauret again.
“They all seem very nice. You’ve all been friends for a long time I suppose.” Lauret said, for the lack of anything better that she could say. She was uncomfortable, especially now that they were alone. She could smell the expensive cologne he was wearing, his big strong hands holding the glass made her belly ache. She wanted those hands to touch her again, she wanted to feel his breath on her lips.
“Yes. Jack and I have been friends since college. Since Ezzy was barely a teenager. Ruby and Jack married five years ago, so I know her since then.” He sat down on the couch, where Esmerelda was sitting while Lauret remained standing. She wanted to ask him if he was in love with Esmerelda, the way she was in love with him, that much was obvious to anybody paying attention. Instead, she changed the topic.
“I’ve gone through the first twenty clients and it’s been going well. I’ll definitely be ready for your quiz by day after morning.” She said and straightened her back, adding a professional tone to her voice as she spoke to him.
“That’s good.” He said and sipped from his glass. Jacob was looking at her, up at her, his eyes traveling over her body as he sat and looked. Lauret could feel herself blushing and in an attempt to hide it, she turned around quickly.
“Goodnight Mr. Goodwin. I’ll look for Martin to show me to my room.” She said as she hurried towards the door.
“Oh don’t bother him. I’ll show you to your bedroom.” She heard him say and froze near the door. That was the last thing she wanted. To be alone in a bedroom with Jacob Goodwin.
Sucker for the Boss Page 1