Chapter 24
Aubrey
The entire morning, I can’t focus. HR is meeting with us this afternoon, and until we disclose our relationship, I can’t risk getting caught doing anything other than work-related tasks with Jamie.
He’s supposed to come to my office in fifteen minutes, and to ensure I don’t do something stupid, I’ll need a buffer.
Could you be at my office in thirty?
Isaac replies with a thumbs up reaction, no follow-up text. I shouldn’t be surprised, he’s not supposed to start work at the UN until next week and is likely bored out of his mind. Or he just assumes it’s an excuse to see Olivia.
I busy myself with emails while I wait for Isaac and Jamie.
Five minutes later, one of my assistants, Mary, pings me that Isaac is here, and I would put money on how he was probably already in Olivia’s office when I texted him.
I let Mary know to send him in, and he enters with a bit more swagger than I’d expect from a man who has nothing to do today.
“Have a little fun with my bestie?” I tease, not looking up from my computer.
“Have a little fun with my former social media manager?” he counters, but I don’t indulge him with a reply. He settles into one of the chairs opposite my desk. “What was so important I had to leave a meeting?”
I quirk an eyebrow and finally glance up. “Did that meeting involve your tongue and her cunt?”
“Anyway…” Isaac adjusts his glasses, and I love how easy it is to call him out. “Why am I here?”
“Are you aware of why Jamie moved to California?”
“Yes, because I resigned.”
“Oh for fuck’s sake.” I roll my eyes, and it isn’t even performative. “Not everything is about you. The real reason.”
“He has family here.”
I’m careful with my words as I admit, “Yes and the man he believes is his dad has a press conference today. I told him we could watch it together.”
“That doesn’t explain why I’m here.”
“Seriously?” I groan. “You’re not an idiot. You know Jamie and I had spent time together while Olivia and I were in Ottawa. We’ve decided to explore what that might mean, but I need—”
Isaac barks out a laugh. “A chaperone? What are you afraid of? He’s professional and wouldn’t jeopardize your job or his.”
“Maybe he wouldn’t, but I need to be honest with you. We had dinner last night.”
“Just dinner?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but maybe, perhaps, we did more than dinner.”
“Does Livy know?”
“No,” I quietly admit. “Until we speak with HR, I want to ensure everything is platonic.”
“Good luck with that,” he chuckles. “When is your ultrasound?”
“What does that have to do with Jamie?”
“Because he knows when it is.”
I freeze. “What do you mean he knows when it is?”
“Your calendar is public, and let’s be honest, you haven’t missed more than five days since you started working for Livy. Your day is blocked off next Monday morning.”
“That could be anything…”
“Or it’s a doctor’s appointment. Why do you think he moved here this week?”
“I don’t know. I wasn’t part of the hiring process,” I remind. “Also, he didn’t know I was pregnant until yesterday. All of this is a coincidence.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“No,” I grumble. “So, what, he moved here early because of my ultrasound?”
“You could be correct that it’s all a coincidence.
” Isaac smirks and adjusts his glasses again.
“But we both know he isn’t just here to connect with his father, he’s here for you.
Also, he could’ve worked with me at the UN, but the jobs in communication and media relations require a lot of travel.
Being part of Livy’s team, he’ll also travel, but with the one person he hasn’t shut up about since the summit. ”
There’s a chime on the computer alerting me that Jamie’s outside. At seeing his name, there’s a shiver up my spine, and goosebumps erupt on my arms. The memory of this morning skates across my mind, and I’m just glad no one would be able to tell through my padded bra the effect he has on me.
Isaac gets the door, and Jamie enters, looking like a million bucks in his dark gray suit. The sooner we talk to HR, the better. If it wasn’t for Isaac being here, I’m not sure I’d be able to keep my hands to myself.
“I didn’t know Isaac would be joining us.” Jamie lifts a paper bag as an offering, then tells Isaac, “I would’ve brought you lunch too.”
Isaac waves him off. “Don’t worry about me, I already ate.”
I have to keep from laughing because there’s a very good chance Isaac’s lunch was feasting on my best friend.
Grabbing the remote to the television in the corner, I search for the channel Alejandro’s press conference is on.
The guys take a seat in the chairs opposite mine, and while I remain focused on the TV, I can feel Jamie’s eyes on me.
My entire body is hot, and a blush spreads across my chest. Jamie opens the paper bag, pulling out two chicken Caesar salads, offering me one.
“Thank you. You really didn’t need to bring me lunch,” I insist, shifting my gaze to the salad, but really just anywhere except Jamie’s gorgeous brown eyes.
“Needed to be sure you were eating. Rumor has it you and Olivia are prone to skipping meals.”
He’s not wrong, so there’s no use in arguing.
I take the salad and add the dressing, then shake the container until it’s properly combined.
The press conference begins, and I’m grateful for the distraction.
I’m not sure what Jamie thinks he’ll get out of it, but if nothing else, it’ll be good for him to see what kind of man his father is politically.
I’m only partially paying attention, devouring my salad faster than what would be deemed ladylike.
It doesn’t help that I’m always starving.
I had breakfast, but I swear this baby is eating every calorie I consume.
The press conference is brief, announcing an expansion of a few of their rail lines to reach suburbs.
I vaguely remember a meeting a few weeks ago to approve the project, but with my focus on expanding meal programs in schools statewide, I’d forgotten all about it.
As it’s wrapping up, Isaac has an alert on his phone.
He excuses himself, leaving Jamie and me alone.
With Isaac’s comments earlier playing in my head on repeat, I blurt, “Do you have plans on Monday?”
“I’ll be getting everything ready for Bakersfield.”
“Oh,” I sigh in defeat.
His boyish grin I’ve come to adore makes its appearance. “I already blocked off the morning in my calendar in case you wanted me to go to the doctor with you.”
“It’s just an ultrasound appointment.”
“It’s just your ultrasound appointment. If you want me there, I will be.”
Am I ready to have him involved with this part of my life? I chew on my lip as I consider it. If we’re really going to make this work, he needs to see what this pregnancy will entail. “I’d like you there.”
“Then I will be.” Jamie stands and rounds my desk, then cages me in with his hands gripping the armrests. “Purple looks good on you, mama. I’ll see you later.”
He kisses me, and I can’t help gripping his tie to keep him here.
Chuckling against my lips, he slips a hand between my thighs, hiking up my dress.
The material is forgiving, and I spread my legs for him.
He teases the seam of my panties, then slips two fingers inside me, making me gasp.
His playful kisses become urgent, and I swear there’s a deep rumble coming from his chest.
Curling his fingers twice, he drags them out, then brings them to his lips. “I knew you’d be wet for me.”
I grip his cock through his pants. That rumble I heard returns as a growl, and I let out a satisfied hum, unable to hide my amusement. “And I knew you’d be hard for me. That's why I asked Isaac to be here.”
Jamie leans forward, resting his forehead against mine. “I should go before I fuck you right here on this desk.”
“You should.” I cup his cheek and kiss him again, nipping at his bottom lip as we break apart.
“Do you still want me to stay with you this week?”
“Yes.” I nod a little too enthusiastically, and it earns me a laugh.
“I’ll check out of the hotel and meet you at your place after.”
I’m about to steal another kiss, but he pushes off from the chair and smoothes out his tie.
There’s an undeniable bulge in his pants, and when he also notices, he slips a hand into his slacks to adjust. This is exactly why I wanted Isaac here—there’s no way Jamie and I can be left alone without something happening.
I’ll feel a lot better about everything after we talk to human resources, because if I can’t handle being in the same room with Jamie without mauling him, it’ll only be a matter of time before we get caught.
He walks out, glancing over his shoulder once before closing the door behind him, and I can’t wipe the stupid grin off my face.