Chapter 21
Ethan
If you were to ask me what my real job title is, I wouldn’t say I was a property developer. I’d say I was a problem solver. And ever since I saw Jamie’s bedroom, with its musty air and water-damaged ceiling, I've been thinking about how to solve that particular problem.
But the answer is obvious.
Okay, a few weeks ago, it wouldn’t have been obvious.
Even a few days ago, I might have seen things differently.
But now?
Well, now, I don’t care about the money. There’s only one thing I care about. One person, in fact.
And that person is currently devouring the last of her pancakes. She’s dressed in leggings and a faded band t-shirt, clothes that logically shouldn’t be sexy, but are. Her hair is tied back and she’s freshly showered, with the intoxicating scent of coconut wafting from her skin.
She has syrup glistening on her lips, and every time she flicks out her pink tongue to lick it off, my cock twitches. I can’t stop imagining how much I’d enjoy seeing her lick me that way.
I love watching her eat. She brings a single-minded enjoyment to the act that makes it seem like a religious experience.
As Jamie sets her knife and fork onto her empty plate with a sigh, I shift in my seat to adjust the constriction in my pants. Then I clear my throat, turning to Rachel. “Please could you take notes,” I say. “First, we’re going to talk about holding the boxing match in the gym.”
Jamie sits back in her chair, her expression going serious.
“Listen, Ethan. I hate the idea of holding the fight in some sanitized corporate venue instead of inside the actual gym that the event is designed to save. But I understand we can’t take the risk of letting your hoity-toity friends get wet.
” She heaves a sigh. “So yeah. I guess I’ll have to agree to moving it. ”
“We’re not going to move it.” I meet her gaze. “We’re going to fix the gym’s roof before the match."
“Fix it?” She looks stunned. "But we haven’t got all the money from the ticket sales yet. And there isn’t enough time. The match is just under four weeks away.”
“I can have a team onsite by Monday.” I turn to Rachel. “Tell Petrov to inspect the building. I want a full refurbishment plan. Costs and timeline. He can report directly to me."
“Yes, sir.” Rachel writes on her tablet, taking notes.
Jamie's lips part. "A full refurbishment?"
“Once we start with the roof, we’ll be forced to replace anything that’s rotting. That’s probably everything. And there’s likely to be asbestos. It’s usually how these things go.” I don't mention her leaking bedroom, even though it’s really the thing that’s driving me.
“But… how will I pay for all that?”
"We'll get it done, then worry about the finances later."
Another thing I’m not going to tell her is that I’ll be paying for it myself. The renovation will cost much more than the match will bring in, but she doesn't need to know that.
“What do you mean we’ll worry about it later?” Her brow is creased. She’s taken her fork off her plate and is holding it with both hands, turning it over and over.
“Concentrate on one thing at a time. I’ll make sure my team finishes the work in time for the match. It’ll be tight, but I know they can do it. Your job is to make sure I’m ready to beat Miles. That’s all you need to think about.” I lift my eyebrows, waiting for her to absorb this. “Okay, Jamie?”
She nods wordlessly, her expression stunned.
“Good.” I turn back to my assistant. “Rachel, please work with Jamie, helping her with everything she needs to make the match run smoothly. Get an event planner involved if you need one to organize seating, permits, drinks, and everything else you might need."
“Yes, sir." She makes more notes.
“Wait,” Jamie says. “Rachel is already busy being your assistant. That sounds like a lot of work, and it’s not fair to ask?—”
“But Rachel’s great at organizing things,” I say. “Do you have time, Rachel? If it gets too much, Hillary can pitch in.”
Rachel nods. “I have time, Mr. Kane, and I’m happy to do it.” Her lips curl up and her cheeks flush with color. I’m fairly certain she enjoys the organizational part of her job the most. It certainly looks that way.
"I don't understand,” Jamie sounds bewildered. "Why are you doing this, Ethan?”
The reasons run through my head. It’s because I don’t want her sleeping in a moldy room. Because it’s obvious how much the gym means to her. Because seeing her happy does something to me I can’t explain.
"Because I can," is what I say out loud. I nod at Rachel. “Schedule a meeting with Jamie to go over everything that needs to be done. That’s all for now.”
“Yes, Mr. Kane.” Rachel goes out, leaving us alone.
Jamie is still fiddling with her fork. She shifts restlessly in her chair, and I’m pretty sure she wants to get up. She’s a physical person and needs to move to be able to process things.
"I have some of the ticket money already,” she says, putting the fork on the table. “Take that for now, and I’ll give you the rest as soon as it comes in.”
I shake my head. “There’ll be time to settle the financial side of it once the match is over. Right now, there’s one more thing we need to discuss.”
“Something else?” She takes the fork back off the table and squares her shoulders like she’s bracing herself.
“You can't stay in the gym during construction. They'll be taking the roof off, and it won’t be habitable."
"Oh." Her shoulders relax. “That’s okay. I can stay with Kayla."
"Or you could stay here, in my apartment.”
She lets out a startled laugh. "You want me to move in with you?"
"Temporarily." I keep my tone neutral. “There’s a guest suite down the hall. Plenty of room.”
“But—”
"It’d be more convenient for training, so we can increase our sessions. I’ll need the extra practice to win the match. Losing isn’t an option, remember.”
She studies me for a long moment, and I keep all emotion from my face. I want her here, where nobody can get to her. Not her father, nor the person sending the photos.
I want to keep her safe, and I like spending time with her. It’s win-win.
"I'll think about it," she says finally.
"Good." I stand up. She’s not the only one who needs to move. "Now, I promised you an explanation about Miles. Ready for that drive?"