Chapter 18
Jessica
I stretch out in bed, my limbs deliciously sore.
The blinds are open, the bright morning light striking through the room, almost blinding me and bringing me crashing back to reality.
Looking out, I see the sky blue, the sun high.
The snow has stopped and mostly melted away, and the trees are now back to their normal green. We’ll be flying home today.
As I snuggle back into the warm, soft sheets that are wrapped haphazardly around me, I feel Donovan’s hot, naked body resting against mine. His arm is heavy where it’s draped across my waist, and I stare at the ceiling, thinking over the last twenty-four hours.
I can’t believe I slept with my boss. I can’t believe the city's most eligible billionaire is lying next to me, naked. If anyone had told me that this was my future, I would’ve laughed in their face because this is so not me.
I’m the smart girl. The quiet girl, a hard worker, somewhat reserved.
The kind of girl who prefers a quiet night in to a busy night out.
Yet here I am. Tangled in the sheets with the one man I shouldn’t be.
I can't believe we crossed the line. Four times last night.
Once we landed in bed after he made a meal out of me, he reached for me throughout the night, and I reached for him.
“I can hear you thinking…” His hands move over my bare torso, his fingers caressing my skin like he wants to trace every last cell on my body.
“Mmmmmm,” is all I say, because what is there to say? That I’m starting to freak out? What does it all mean? Have I lost my mind and now my job, most certainly my reputation?
“Talk to me.” He moves a little, looking at me, waiting for my next move.
“What do we do now?” I ask carefully. I have no idea what he’s thinking. Is this just sex? Is this casual? It doesn’t feel casual, but I’m not sure he even dates seriously. Is this the start of something, or is my mind just a mess?
“Well…” He blows out a breath. “We need to speak to HR.”
I turn my head quickly, looking at him, my brow furrowed.
“HR?” My heart hammers. This is it. I’m going to lose my job. The one job I really, really love.
“Yeah, well, I don’t know about you, but I thought last night was fucking fantastic.
And I want to do it again. Over and over and over again.
I also want to take you out—dinner, drinks, shopping, art galleries, the theater…
I want to spend time with you outside of the confines of my office.
But we need to get things sorted from a work perspective.
I want to ensure you’re protected and that we do everything above board and I want us to both do that with clear heads, not from a postcoital, blissed-out perspective. ”
“Oh…” I nod. It makes sense, and relief fills me instantly that I can keep my job, and maybe, just maybe, keep him too.
“We should get up, shower, get back in the jet, and head home. We need to keep clear of each other over the weekend, because I know the media will be onto it. Both of us here, together, snowed in… I also want you to have some space. I don’t want you to feel like you have to choose between me and your job.
If you decide that this isn’t what you want…
if I’m not what you want… I need you to know that your job is not in jeopardy at all.
You are my best employee. That won't change. On Monday, after we’ve had time to clear our heads, I’ll have the HR directors come to my office.
No matter what happens, we need to declare that something did happen, and it needs to be recorded that it was consensual.
Does that work for you? Or…” He waits, looking a little nervous as he watches me.
“That works…” I turn my body to face him as we both lie on the pillow, looking at each other.
His hand molds to the dip in my waist, and I lift my hand and cup his cheek, relishing how he smiles at my touch.
He’s always handsome, but lying here, his hair ruffled a little, his usually stressful face softened, I feel like I’m getting to see the real Donovan.
“You’re very handsome first thing in the morning.” I grin before rolling my lips.
“Just in the morning or…?”
I laugh. “No. all the time,” I add as he lifts his hand, his fingers trailing across my face.
“You look radiant without your glasses. I didn’t realize you had freckles… Your glasses always hide them,” he says in awe.
“Hmmm, I hated them as a kid.”
“How could you hate something so beautiful?”
The intent way he’s looking at my cheeks has me as amused as it does confused. “What are you doing?”
His smile is instant. “Counting.”
“Counting what?”
“Counting your freckles… Might keep us in bed for days…”
I huff another laugh.
Days. That would be nice. But we have work. York Enterprises is one of the busiest companies I’ve ever worked for.
“Everyone is going to have an opinion. The office gossip will go into overdrive.” I’m almost scared to step into the office on Monday.
“If they all value their jobs, they will leave you alone.”
I grin as he grumbles.
“The media will be insufferable.”
His jaw tics. “I’ll take care of that… Maybe you can start staying at my place? You know, during the week…”
My breath catches, butterflies going wild in my belly. “You want me in your space?”
“Mm-hmm… I do…” His hand caresses me so gently I almost melt right into the mattress. He raises his body then, hovering over me, his nose almost touching mine as I feel his body settle against my own.
“What are you doing?” I don’t need a mirror to know I have a wicked grin on my face.
“Mmmmm… kissing you…” he murmurs, brushing his nose against mine before our lips meet.
Right then, his cell chimes, just as mine starts ringing, and he slides back off me. The perfect bubble we had bursts. We need to get back to the city.
I sit at the back of the shop, staring at the mug of coffee Aunt Vivian made me.
The jet took just under an hour to get back, and Gordon was waiting for me on the tarmac.
I left Donovan with the promise that we would both take the weekend to think about what we are doing.
Then I went straight to my apartment, where I showered, then changed and came straight to the shop.
All the while Donovan’s burning kisses and warm touch never strayed from my mind.
Now as I sit with my thoughts around the familiar boxes of sprinkler attachments and hoses, I try to objectively look at the situation I’m in.
“Jimmy was in the shop earlier looking for you,” Uncle Bob says, and I nod. My mind is not on Jimmy at all.
“He probably wanted to have lunch,” I say absentmindedly.
“Not sure why he keeps asking when you keep saying no. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I don’t like that kid.” Uncle Bob shakes his head. I see him and Aunt Vivian share a look.
“You okay, honey?” Aunt Vivian sits next to me as Uncle Bob nervously looks on from a few feet away. I’ve been quiet today. Not myself. And they can see that. I’ve spotted them looking at each other, concern etched into their brows.
“Is it the fact that your parents will be here this week?” Uncle Bob questions. I completely forgot. Thanksgiving is this week, and my parents decided to show up for the holiday this year. Assuming they actually do turn up.
“I can come by early and help.” I look at Aunt Vivian, knowing that she has Thanksgiving under control, but each year, I arrive early and help her with the sides while Uncle Bob watches football. It’s one of my favorite holiday traditions.
“I’d love that.” She squeezes my hand, and I take a deep breath.
“It’s not my parents.” I feel slightly bad that my blood relatives haven’t even popped into my head. “It’s…” Oh God, how do I tell them? Do I tell them? “It’s a work thing…” I swallow. They know I’m lying. I’m literally the worst liar.
“Did something happen in Lake Placid?” Uncle Bob’s brow crumples.
They knew I was snowed in. I texted them as soon as I knew, not wanting them to worry if they couldn’t get a hold of me.
“Kind of.”
“You got that look on your face, kiddo.” Uncle Bob watches me carefully, and our eyes meet. I can’t hide from him.
“Well… I’m seeing someone… and that someone is my boss,” I blurt out. Aunt Vivian blinks like the words spooked her, and Uncle Bob stands to full height, like he’s ready to go to war for me.
“I’m assuming this is consensual and reciprocated?” Aunt Vivian is selective with her words.
“It is. I think we both felt it the moment we met. We’ve been fighting it for weeks, trying to remain professional. But in Lake Placid…” I trail off, and she nods.
“He’s the billionaire? With a private jet? Always in the news?” Uncle Bob confirms, knowing exactly who he is.
I nod. “That’s the one.”
“The same one who promoted you, gave you a driver so you weren’t in the city at night on your own? The guy you were in the papers with, protecting you from the cameras?” He softens, and I know he appreciated that little work perk since he’s always worried about me taking the subway.
“Yes, that’s him.”
“Well…” Aunt Vivian clears her throat, a smile tugging at her lips. “It’s unexpected… but is he treating you right? Is he kind?” Her eyes search mine.
“He is. I know his reputation is somewhat harsh and polished. He has a strong work ethic, and it’s actually one of the things I admire about him.
But he’s also protective. Ensures I’m okay and looked after.
He respects me, my thoughts, my ideas both at work and in the world,” I tell them as I feel my chest warm just thinking about him.
“Well, you don’t fall for flash or money. You fall for substance and kindness. So if you’re telling us he’s good to you… I believe you.” I look up at Uncle Bobby and my shoulders lower.
For the first time in a long time, I feel wanted. And I’m falling. I’m falling for him more than I thought was possible, and even though I’m scared to put my feelings on the line, I know deep within that I’m head over heels for this man.
“I was worried to tell you.”
“I’m your uncle. It’s my job to worry. But it’s also my job to trust you. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders. A strong heart. If this feels right to you, then we’ve got your back. We always will.”
My eyes water at the feeling of warmth I have from them. Whatever happens with HR on Monday and what comes after, I’ll have them in my corner.
Which is good, because I have a feeling my life is about to change.