Nova
Nova
N ova was getting ready to clean up her desk and get ready to head home. Well, not her home, but Alex’s she straightened her workspace and grabbed her purse and cell phone from her desk drawer, hoping that Alex would be ready to head home too. She was beat and knew that once she laid down, she wouldn’t get back up until her alarm clock went off in the morning.
She looked up to find a very handsome, tall man stepping off of the private elevators that led to Alex’s office. “Can I help you?” she asked.
“I’m here to see Alex,” the man said. “He’s expecting me.”
“And you are?” she asked.
“His brother, Rod,” the man said. “You must be Nova, his new assistant.”
“I am,” she said. She wasn’t sure how much Alex had told his brother about her—other than the fact that she was his new assistant. “It’s good to meet you, Rod.”
“You too, Nova,” he said. “You know, I always thought that my brother was the luckiest bastard on the planet but hiring you as his assistant was a stroke of genius. You’re even prettier than he said you are,” Rod said.
“Um, thank you,” she said. “You are very sweet.”
“No,” Alex said, stepping out of his office, “he’s not sweet at all. Be careful with this one.” Alex pointed to his brother and Rod rolled his eyes at him.
“Oh, don’t be jealous,” Rod said.
“I am not jealous,” Alex insisted. Nova wanted to giggle at the way that he was pouting. All he had to do was stomp his food and he’d have the whole routine down pat.
“Okay, whatever you say, bro,” Rod teased. She could tell that he liked to take the “poke the bear” approach when it came to his older brother and Alex played right into his hands.
“I’m not jealous,” Alex shouted. “Just come get the files from my office and leave Nova alone. I don’t have time for this—whatever it is between the two of you. I have a dinner meeting tonight.” This was the first Nova had heard of the meeting and she quickly pulled up his calendar on her computer screen.
“I don’t have anything down for you for tonight, Alex,” she said.
“It’s with a new client,” he said back over his shoulder as he followed Rod into his office. “I just made the appointment. I’m having one of my security guards take you home tonight and he’ll stay with you there until I get home.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,” she called back to him as he basically shut the door on her protests. She wouldn’t let him dictate where she was going to be and who she’d be with. As soon as Rod left, she planned on marching into Alex’s office to let him know just that.
She sat fuming at her desk for about fifteen minutes until Rod walked back out of Alex’s office. “It was good to meet you, Nova,” he said.
“You too, Rod,” she said.
He headed to the elevator and turned back to her. “Do me a favor and go easy on him. You really have gotten under his skin, and while I enjoy giving him shit, he just needs a little understanding right now.” Nova wasn’t sure what to say. She nodded and smiled at him, and Rod did the same back. She watched as he got into the elevator and waited for the doors to close before she got up and headed into Alex’s office.
“We need to talk,” she said. Alex spun around and she instantly regretted her statement. He looked pissed off and if she could just slink out of his office, unnoticed, she would have.
“I’m not in much of a talking mood,” Alex shouted. “Come here, Nova,” he ordered. She wasn’t sure if walking across his office to stand in front of him was a good idea or not, but she did as he commanded. Nova stood in front of him and looked up into his piercing blue eyes. Even when he was angry, she knew that she was safe with him. She felt it to her core—Alex would never hurt her the way Simon had. Trusting him was easy.
“Were you trying to make me jealous?” he asked.
“What—no!” she insisted. Sure, she had flirted back with Rod. His brother was a tease, and she knew the score, but she didn’t mean anything by the flirting. “I was just being friendly,” she said.
“That wasn’t friendly, honey,” he said. “That was flirting with my brother, and I didn’t like it,” he said.
She pouted out her lip and looked up at him through her lashes. “What will you do about it, Alex?” she asked. She was sure that she knew where he was heading with all of this, and she had to admit, she was completely for it. She wanted him, all of him, and this was Alex at his best.
“Don’t play with me, Nova,” he growled.
“But what if I want to play with you, Alex?” she asked reaching for the waistband of his trousers.
“Nova,” he said in warning. She didn’t care how much he protested. Nova knew what she needed to do. She undid his zipper, letting his pants hit the ground and his cock spring free. She sunk to her knees and wrapped her hands around his shaft, loving the way that Alex hissed out his breath. Everything about this man was sexy and right now, he was all hers.
“Baby,” he crooned, running his hand down her cheek to cup her jaw. “That feels so fucking good.”
“Then, this is going to feel fantastic,” she promised. She didn’t wait for him to give his permission before sucking him into the back of her throat, loving the way he took over, sliding to the back. She hummed around his cock, and he pulled back out of her mouth.
“What’s wrong?” she questioned, looking up at him. “Did you not like that?”
“I loved it, but I want inside of you,” he insisted. He helped her up from the floor and led her over to his desk. He bent her over the hard service, face down, her chest pressed against the cold wood. She could feel her nipples pebbling against her shirt as he lifted her skirt up her thighs. Nova hadn’t worn a bra or panties today and she smiled, her cheek against the desk, knowing what he was going to find.
“Hot,” he breathed, rubbing his big hand over her ass. He gave it a smack and she yelped.
“What was that for?” she breathed.
“For flirting with my brother,” he said. He smacked her other cheek and she cried out again. The heat that followed the sting of the smack made her hot. God, what was wrong with her? She never liked being spanked or anything too rough, but with Alex, she wanted all of it and so much more.
She moaned and thrust her ass back against him as if silently begging him for more. “You like that, don’t you?” he asked.
“Yes,” she hissed. “I need more, Alex,” she begged. He got to work, peppering her ass with little smacks and when he was finished, he stood back to look over his handy work.
“So pretty,” he said. “Are you ready for me, honey?” He didn’t wait for her to answer, running his fingers through her drenched pussy. She knew that he’d find her soaked and ready for whatever he had planned for her.
“Yes,” she hissed. She could feel him behind her, lining up his cock with her pussy and when he slid into her, she cried out. He felt so good, she knew that it would only be a matter of seconds before she was coming for him.
“You’re close, aren’t you?” he asked. She moaned her answer instead of giving him the words. All she wanted was to find her release and when he started pumping into her, smacking her sensitive ass with his thighs, she quickly found it.
Alex pressed her into his desk, holding her in place as he pumped in and out of her body, letting her ride out her pleasure and when he found his own release, shouting out her name and collapsing on top of her, she felt complete for the first time in a long time. Nova knew that she had never felt this way with her ex. Simon never made her feel so loved and fulfilled and that thought scared her. She and Alex had only known each other for a short time and falling for her boss was possibly the worst decision she’d ever made, but what choice did she have? Alex was quickly stealing her heart and there was nothing she could do about it.
Alex left her no choice but to follow his orders and let the security guard drive her home. He agreed to have his guard wait outside for her, but she still hated having a babysitter. Nova blamed it on the sex-filled haze that he had left her in after taking her over his desk.
He promised to be home just as soon as his client dinner was over, and Nova insisted that she’d be fine on her own for dinner when he offered to send her home some food. She was good with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in her pajamas. In fact, it was just what she needed after such a crazy day.
Her cell phone rang, and she pulled it from the pocket of her bathrobe to answer it. “Hello,” she said.
“Hey,” Evie said. “I’m at dinner and I think that there is something you should see,” she said.
“What is it?” Nova asked. Her phone chimed and she pulled it away from her ear to open the text message that Evie had just sent her. It was a picture of Alex, and he was sitting in a booth with a beautiful brunette.
Nova put the phone back up to her ear, “Who the hell is she?” she asked Evie.
“No clue,” Evie whispered. “I’m sitting two tables away, but I can’t quite hear them talking. If I get closer, Alex might spot me.” She pulled the phone away from her ear again to look the picture over once more. It looked like he was on a date with the woman—smiling at her. Charm seemed to pop off of the phone screen at her and she suddenly felt sick.
“What are you going to do?” Evie asked.
“Well, I’m going to find my shoes and purse, and then I’m coming down there,” Nova said. “Where are you?”
“We’re at the new steak house in town—Braden’s Steakhouse. You know it?” Evie asked.
“Yes,” she breathed. “It was the first place Alex took me. He’s part owner.”
“Shit, Nova,” Evie said. “I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault. I’ll be down soon,” she promised.
“Hurry, they are about halfway through their dinners already,” Evie said.
“Thanks for the head’s up, Evie,” she said.
“I’ll stick around to have your back,” she promised. Nova nodded, knowing that her best friend wouldn’t be able to see her, and ended the call. She pulled on her shoes and jacket, not bothering to even take off her robe. She slipped on her big, furry snow boots that she found in her stuff, not caring that it was too warm to be sporting them in public. Nova found her purse and pulled open the front door to find Alex’s security guard sitting in his SUV in the driveway. Shit—she had forgotten all about the babysitter that Alex had put in place to watch her. How would she give him the slip? She wouldn’t, but she’d have to lie her ass off to get him to cooperate and not tell Alex.
She crossed the driveway, his eyes on her the whole time. Sure, she looked like a crazy, homeless person, but she didn’t care. Nova knocked on his window and made a motion with her hand for him to roll down the window. “Hey,” she breathed. “I’m starving. I texted Alex and he said that you might be willing to run me to pick up my food order. I was going to have a peanut butter and jelly, but he doesn’t have any bread in the house. I put an order in at Branden’s Steakhouse, and it’s ready.”
The guy looked her over and for just a minute, she didn’t think he believed a word that she was saying to him.
“You need for me to run you to pick up your food? Why not just have it delivered?” he asked.
She slapped her palm to her forehead, “I didn’t think about that. Listen, it’s too late for delivery. I don’t mind going over on my own. I don’t want to put you out.”
The poor guy looked torn, and she still wasn’t sure that she was going to get away with it.
“No, I’ll take you over to pick up your dinner,” he said. “Mr. McTavish was pretty specific about not leaving you alone tonight until he got back from his meeting.” Yeah—meeting her ass. He was meeting with a pretty woman behind her back, and she wasn’t about to sit in his house and just let it happen.
“Thanks,” she said. She rounded the SUV and hopped into the front seat, quickly fastening her seatbelt. “Ready.” He shook his head at her and started the car.
“I just hope you don’t get me into any trouble here,” he said, backing out of her driveway. She should have felt guilty, but all she could think about was catching Alex with that bitch. Then, she’d go back to his house, pack her shit and find another safe place to lay low. She’d have to keep her job until she could find a new one, but there was no way that she’d be sleeping with her boss any longer. And if he tried to fire her, she’d go to HR. Yeah—that would serve him right too.
“I’m just running in to pick up my food,” she lied. “I’ll be super quick and like I said, Alex has already approved this little trip.” She was lying so much; her pants should be on fire. She was a horrible person, but she’d think about all of that later. Right now, she just wanted the guard to drive faster.
They finally pulled into the parking lot at the steak house, and she practically jumped out of the SUV before it even stopped moving. “Be right back,” she lied. If this went the way she thought it would, she’d end up catching a ride back with Evie.
Nova ran into the restaurant, ignoring the hostess who told her that she had to wait to be seated. She pushed past her and two waiters to find Alex sitting at the same table that he was with her at, just days before.
“What the hell is going on here?” she shouted.
“Nova,” Alex said. He stood and looked her over. “What’s wrong? Why are you here? Are you wearing your bathrobe?”
“Yes, I am, and I’m here because my best friend sent me a picture of you cheating on me with her,” she said, nodding to the woman who sat at the table watching their exchange. Evie joined them, standing beside her. It was good to know that she had Nova’s back.
“Cheating on you?” he asked. “Victoria is my client,” he said. She looked Victoria over and barked out her laugh. The woman was gorgeous and dressed to kill. If her cocktail dress was any lower, Nova would be able to see the woman’s belly button.
“I can’t believe that you’d do this to me,” she whispered. “I know that we haven’t been together very long, Alex, but I was falling in love with you. I thought that you felt the same way, but I guess that just makes me a giant fool, right?” she asked. “How could I be so stupid?” she whispered to herself.
“You’re falling in love with me?” he asked. Alex reached for her hand, and she swatted him away.
“I was,” she corrected. “But I won’t love another man who cheats on me. I was already married to a man like that, and I won’t live through that again, Alex.”
“I’d never ask you to do that, honey,” he insisted. “And for the record, I’m falling in love with you too,” he said.
“Wait—how can you say something like that to me and still be out on a date with her?” she asked.
The woman stood and grabbed her purse. “I’m not his date,” she assured. “I really am here as his new client. Alex is handling my company’s business merger.”
Nova looked back up to Alex as if needing him to confirm Victoria’s story. “She’s telling the truth,” he promised. “I’ll be handling her company’s merger if she’s still willing to work with me.”
“Of course,” she agreed. “If I had a man like you, Alex, I’d storm into a restaurant in my bathrobe to steak my claim too. I don’t blame you at all, Nova,” she said.
“Thanks,” Nova squeaked.
“I’m going to head out. How about we meet at your office from now on, Alex,” Victoria offered. “That way, Nova can be there and who knows, maybe we’ll even become friends.” She leaned into Nova and whispered, “I have the same robe. You have very good taste in clothes and men.” Nova nodded and watched as the woman walked away.
“I’m so sorry,” Evie said. “I saw the two of you together and jumped to the wrong conclusion. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”
“You were just protecting your friend,” Alex said. “It’s one of the reasons why I like you, Evie. Nova needs someone like you looking out for her.”
“Thanks for understanding, Alex,” she said. “I appreciate that. She needs you—you’re good for her too.”
“Thanks, Evie,” he said, pulling her in for a hug. Nova was just trying to figure out what the hell had just happened.
Evie pulled her in for a side hug and kissed her cheek. “I’ll leave you guys alone now,” she said. “Talk soon.”
Nova nodded and turned back to Alex. “So, you love me?” he asked.
“I do,” she agreed. “You love me too?” she questioned.
“Yep,” he agreed. “Even if you are a lunatic.” She looked down at the outfit she had on and nodded. She did look pretty crazy and there was no way that she’d argue with him now that she had made a fool of herself.
“Are you angry with me?” she asked. “You know—for ruining your business meeting. Do I still have a job?”
“Of course you do, honey,” he said. “And no, I’m not angry with you. I think it was kind of sexy the way you barged in here to fight for me.”
“Actually, I barged in here to fight with you, but your version sounds better,” she said.
“Yeah, I think I like my version better too,” he agreed, causing her to giggle.
“How about we head home?” he asked.
“Um, I brought your security guard with me—he’s sitting in the parking lot waiting for me to come back out with my takeout order.”
“Let me guess, you told him that you wanted to pick up some food so that he’d drive you over here?” he asked.
“Well, he wasn’t about to let me out of his sight and go against your orders to keep an eye on me no matter what,” she said. “So, I came up with a little white lie.”
“You are very crafty,” he said. She wasn’t sure if he meant that as a compliment or not, but that was how she planned on taking it.
“Um, thank you,” she said.
He reached for her hand and led her to the front door. “I’ll relieve him and tell him to go home.”
“Don’t be mad at him,” she insisted.
“I can’t be upset with him, honey. He just bought into your crazy plan and that’s not his fault. You are pretty irresistible,” he said. “Give me just a minute.” She stood by the front door and waited for Alex to run over to the SUV and talk to his very surprised security guard. The guy looked past Alex at her, and she shrugged and waved, giving him her best, “I’m sorry” smile. The guy pulled away and Alex walked back over to her.
“Let’s go home, honey,” he said. “How about this weekend, we move the rest of your stuff over to my house?” he asked.
“Your house?” she questioned.
“Yep, and if you don’t like my house, we can pick one of the others to live in,” he offered.
“I love your house, but don’t you think it’s kind of soon for us to move in together?” she asked.
“Well, you’re practically living with me now and I’m happier than I’ve ever been,” he said. “So, how about it?”
“Yes,” she agreed. Nova was done with living her life in fear. She wanted to be with Alex, and she had to admit, she was happier than she’d ever been living with him. “I’ll move in with you.”