Chapter Twenty Five
JAKE
I read the email twice, feeling victorious.
We’d just gotten an offer for the sale of Whitley Advertising, and it was massively better than anything they’d received before I took over two months ago.
This was good. It was a sign that the market was starting to see the company’s real value.
I’d struck four huge deals with clients in my time here and demanded up-front payment. That helped with the cash-flow issue.
Would my grandfather agree to sell? That was another story altogether. I knew how he felt about the businesses. But this was a start, and I was proud of this marker.
I didn’t reply to the email. I didn't want to seem eager. Besides, it was six o’clock, and I had better things to do.
Natalie asked me to drop by. I'd promised I’d make her first evening after work memorable, and I intended to keep my word. The sooner I could start it, the better.
Maddox’s company wasn’t too far away. I'd given Cal the evening off, so I drove myself.
When I arrived, I parked the car opposite the entrance to the building and called Natalie.
She answered right away. “Hey, are you here?”
“Yes. Don't tell me he's overworking you on the first day already. I’ll have a word with him.”
“No, that’s not it. It’s just that a couple of us are hanging out, and they asked if I want to stay too. I figured it might help me fit in with my colleagues. You’re welcome to join us. Nick and Leo are here. I’d love for you to be here too.”
Before meeting Natalie, I would’ve flat-out said no. An evening with my half brothers sounded like the last thing I wanted to do. But maybe this wasn’t such a bad thing, especially since my girl was there.
"I’m coming upstairs. Where is it?”
“It’s the second floor.”
When I stepped out of the elevator, my first thought was that I'd gotten off at the wrong floor and walked into a frat party.
Then I realized there were offices all around here, and some people were even wearing suits.
That didn't stop them from playing… was that Ping-Pong?
In the middle of the room? There were several games happening at the same time.
"What's this?" I asked as Natalie came over to me, smiling from ear to ear.
"It's a Ping-Pong tournament. They’re testing the concept of in-office tournaments before pitching it to clients.”
I looked around, stunned. "A Ping-Pong tournament in an office?"
"Yes, Jake," Maddox said, appearing out of nowhere. "Some like to do team-building activities in the office."
"Yeah. Rumor has it you've got yours eating dinner at the office. Makes sense,” Nick said.
"We don't believe that, though," Leo added. "Or should we?"
I couldn't help myself from laughing. I didn't know what was more comical, that they’d believe that about me or that they wouldn't.
“This”—I pointed to the tables—“is not how I run things, that’s all.”
"You're welcome to give it a try," Maddox said, motioning at me with the racket.
"No, thanks. I'm good with watching."
Nick gave Leo five bucks. "You win."
"What's that?" I asked.
"We bet on if you would like to join us or not. I have too much faith in you, it seems," Nick said.
"Or I too little," Leo replied. "It's all a matter of perspective."
"Hey, don't annoy him," Natalie said, "or he'll never show his face around here."
"My thoughts exactly," I said, putting an arm around her shoulders.
Typically, I wouldn't show public displays of affection at her place of work, but looking around, I saw there were several other couples, and this was after work hours anyway.
I assumed that meant every employee could bring their better half if they wanted to.
"Okay. It's my turn with my team," Natalie said, rushing off to play a game.
"She already has a team?"
"Don't sound so stunned. She's a social butterfly," Maddox said. "I think this job is going to be great for her.”
“She’s got many talents,” Nick said.
"I agree." Apparently making friends with her coworkers within one day was one of those talents. I was very proud of her.
I looked at Nick and Leo. "So, you two drop by often?"
"We'll be here for most of the Ping-Pong tournament," Nick agreed. "We also host events at our offices, and Maddox is welcome too. I'm surprised Gabe couldn't make it tonight. He usually joins us."
"Are you playing?" I asked Maddox.
"No. I'm just making sure no one crashes and burns."
We all watched Natalie play. The silence was awkward. I usually didn't care, but I was here, and I was determined to make an effort.
Natalie looked at me, winking. She smiled, glancing between us.
"I looked up your company," I told Maddox. "All three of yours, actually. You're doing great."
The three of them seemed surprised.
"That’s great praise coming from you," Nick said.
"It's the truth. You've done very well for yourselves."
"Not like you. You started everything from the ground up," Maddox said.
"Most of these companies were in shambles after Dad left," I said in a hard voice. "So, in many ways, I think most of you were at least trying to turn a company around, if not starting it from the ground up."
"That is true," Nick said. "Although, I didn't quite understand. By the time I took over, he'd left the company for years. How had no one taken over in the meantime who could do a great job?"
I shrugged. "I've seen it before in my line of work. When a conglomerate is centered around one person, it's very hard to replace them because they typically had a very chaotic way of doing things."
"And it seems like Dad was like that," Leo said. His voice was strained. I couldn't quite believe we were talking about our father, yet here we were. It wasn't bad. Not at all. I was starting to realize my younger brothers were right. Our half brothers were part of the family and the company.
"I have so much beginner’s luck," Natalie exclaimed, coming back to us.
"Nah, I think you're just good at it," Nick replied. "Maddox, I know you said you'd stay out of it tonight, but why don't we go and play a round? Everyone is enjoying themselves too much for us to just watch."
"Okay. Let's go," Maddox said.
"How is it going?" Natalie asked, smiling from ear to ear. "I saw the four of you talking."
"I'm glad I came up tonight."
She did a small pirouette, and her smile was different, knowing.
"Natalie, what are you up to?"
"Nothing," she said.
I was suspicious.
"Fine. I'll tell you one day, but not tonight."
"Are you ready to leave?" I asked.
"Yes. I believe someone promised me he’d take care of me tonight, and I can't wait for him to make good on that promise."
"I definitely will."
I enjoyed myself this evening, but now I was ready to be alone with Natalie and direct all my attention to her.
We headed to the hotel. I liked her house, but the hotel had perks too. Namely room service and air conditioning.
“You’re quiet,” I said on the drive. “Are you tired?”
“Honestly, yes.” Her voice sounded strained.
“Is something wrong?”
“Vince emailed me today.”
I glanced sideways at her. “What the fuck? Why?”
“Said we need to talk. I disagree. I’ll ignore him forever.”
“That’s the plan?” I tried to keep my voice calm and even.
“Why? Do you have any other ideas?”
“Yes. Tell me who the fucker is, and I’ll get him off your back.”
“Trust me, he’s not worth your time.”
“Natalie—”
“Jake!”
“Ignoring issues will not solve anything.”
“He’s not an issue. Just a nuisance. He likes to provoke me. When we worked together, I couldn’t ignore him. I had to engage because he was right there. And look where that got me. Fired. So yeah, I’m going to ignore him.”
“You said he was trying to get back with you after you were both fired.”
She frowned, twiddling her thumbs. “Yeah, he started sending me all these nice messages all of a sudden. It was weird, almost like he had a personality change. But now he’s switched back to asshole mode. His last message was very much like the Vince I knew.”
“Then you have all the more reason to—"
“Please, let’s just drop it. I hate wasting our time together on him.”
It killed me not to say more, but I obliged. For now.
“Fine.”
"I don't think I’ll ever get tired of walking inside this place and seeing everything perfectly in order," she said when we entered the suite.
Yesterday, we’d gone over to her place to choose one of the paintings. She decided on the one depicting a postmodern version of a couple dancing. I knew jack shit about art, but I liked seeing this painting hanging in here.
She took off her shoes as she came inside, and stepped on the carpet. "It’s so soft and cozy. "
I liked the things she noticed. Like what made the room cozy, not luxurious. I went up to her, putting an arm around her waist, trailing my fingers up and down her back. She parted her lips when I skimmed my fingers from the fabric of her blouse to the bare skin of her upper back.
We could always move into one of those penthouses they sell on top of hotels.
The thought popped into my mind with a refreshing energy.
Where had that come from? I swallowed hard, looking down at her.
I knew in this moment that it was exactly what I wanted.
To live with her, to be with her. But it was impossible.
I was due back in New York whenever I wrapped up things here.
And in her own words, she wasn't sure how long she was in Boston either. There was no point bringing this up.
"You're so quiet," she murmured. "Quiet but not broody. That's unusual for you. What are you thinking about?"
"That I love you."
She gasped. "Oh my God. You do, Jake?"
"Yes." I might not be ready to admit that I wanted us to move in together, but I didn't want to hold back my feelings.
She grinned and then did a little dance with her hips. “And I thought this day couldn't get any better.” She twirled once, like she was dancing to an imaginary song.
"What are you doing?” I asked.
"Celebrating," she replied nonchalantly before stepping right back to me, rising on her toes, and kissing one corner of my mouth, then the other one. "And I love you, Jake Whitley. I love every inch of your broody, sometimes rude ass."
I burst out laughing and held her hands, kissing her. I started out soft, wanting to savor her. I needed to. She tasted like orange juice and smiled against my mouth while I kept kissing her. She rewarded me with a deep sigh, wrapping her arms around my neck and leaning into me with her whole body.
Pulling back, she blinked. Her smile fell.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
She shrugged, biting her lower lip. "I just realized that this won't last for long."
Her words were like a punch to the gut. "I know," I said.
She smiled again, but it held a hint of sadness. "Some people change your life, even when they aren't in it forever. And I'll be honored to change yours, even if it's just a weird painting hanging over your desk. Because you are definitely taking it with you to New York."
"You've changed far more than that," I replied with a growl. It was impossible to imagine my future back in New York. I didn't want to take the painting back there. I wanted to take her. I didn’t tell her about the sales offer for Whitley Advertising. There was no point bringing it up, especially since I wasn’t sure if my grandfather wanted to sell.
"Did you apply for positions in New York too?" I asked.
"Yes, but I got rejected straight away. The competition for jobs in New York is fierce."
But that didn't mean anything. There could be openings in the future. Hell, I could make one. Not that she’d take it. But I still had to keep it in mind.
“So," she said, "how do you plan to take care of me?"
"I booked a massage room in the hotel spa," I said.
"Are you serious? I didn't even know I needed that, but it sounds amazing. Are they open at this time?"
"They are for me."
She grinned. "Okay. I’ll change into the hotel robe, and then we can go."
She was back in seconds, and it was downright amusing. I liked that she was eager. I was doing something that clearly pleased her, and that made me feel good. Taking her hand, I led her out of the room.
"You're walking me there. How gallant of you. Although, I think I'd have no problem finding it on my own."
I didn't reply, just kept walking.
I'd booked her a massage—but with a twist.
I was the twist.
I swiped the admin card to open the spa area, which was typically closed at this time in the evening, then led her to the room they'd reserved for us. City hotels didn't usually have much of a spa area, but this one was great. Soothing music filled the room, and it smelled like eucalyptus.
"Where is my masseuse?" Natalie asked.
"You're looking at him."
"Oh, I see. That's so clever of you. Do you have the appropriate training?" she teased, taking off her robe.
"I believe I do. Now climb up on the table and turn onto your stomach."
She got up and lay facedown, and my cock twitched at the sight of her perfect ass. This was going to be an exercise in self-restraint. I poured massage oil onto her back, and she shifted on the bed.
"Are you comfortable?" I asked her.
"Yes. This is so dreamy. I can't believe you bribed them into letting us be here alone."
"I didn't bribe them. I just made them a very good offer."
I started at her lower back. She hummed when I pressed at the base of her spine and then traced it back up.
I studiously avoided touching the sides of her breasts.
I was going to focus on those later. When I reached her shoulder blades, I pressed all my fingers into them before kneading her flesh. She hummed again.
Fucking hell, the sound went straight to my cock. When I moved my hands lower on her back, I pinched her right ass cheek.
She looked over her shoulder, grinning. "Just so you know, once you're done with me, I want to be your masseuse."
“Hell yes, babe.”