Accidentally Yours

Norah Quinn drained the last her coffee and waved a goodbye to the very patient barista who had opened the coffeehouse for her a half hour early.

“Interview,” she had croaked, putting on her most beguiling expression. Geoff had rolled his eyes and opened the door.

“Only for you, Quinn.”

“I’ll give you my first born. Instant is fine.”

Geoff looked her up and down, taking in the dark gray power suit that was only a little creased from where Norah had dragged it from the back of her wardrobe. Norah’s dark, tumbling hair was pulled into a messy bun at the nape of her neck and was already escaping its clip.

“You’re unusually smart this morning, Miss Quinn.”

Norah sighed and checked her watch. “Like, I said, interview.” She named the media company and Geoff whistled. “Very nice.”

Norah swallowed a too hot sip of coffee and coughed violently. “I had to beg and scrape to get it. According to the very uppity woman I spoke to, Mr. Harrington isn’t in town much longer so it’s in a half hour or never. Also, he’s all about experience so my Summa Cum Laude from Harvard means nothing to him.”

Geoff pushed another cup of coffee to her. “You’ll do fine.” He didn’t think he ought to mention the large spot of coffee that had landed on her shirt. You couldn’t see it unless she moved. Norah waved the coffee away.

“Only got enough for one.”

Geoff pushed it back. “On the house — can I get you something to eat?”

Norah smiled at him gratefully. “Thank you but no. I need to get across town — and it’s the bike race thing today so I need all the time I can get.”

“You go get ‘em, killer.”

 

Ten minutes later and seventeen blocks later, Norah skidded to a halt, breathless. Somewhere, somehow she’d taken a wrong turn. She pulled out her phone to check the directions, cursing softly under her breath. She turned and then the world went haywire. Screeching brakes, screeching tires and all the air in her lungs seemed to disappear. The Mercedes that had almost hit her seemed like it had grown out of all proportion, towered above her until she realized she was lying on the ground. Her head spun as a man, a very tall, dark man sprung from the car and bent over her. He was talking but she couldn’t quite understand what he was saying. All she could see was the vivid green of his eyes, ringed with the darkest lashes, the beautiful classical angles of his man, his maleness. She must be dead. Damn, and she wasn’t even a believer but if this was what angels looked like then…

“Hey, space cakes? I don’t think she can understand me. Let’s just get to a doctor.”

Not an angel then. Norah fought the dark spots that were crowding in at the corners of her eyes.

“No…I’m fine, just let me down.” He had her in his arms by them and was moving towards the death car.

“No way, baby girl. I’m not having a million dollar lawsuit on my hands.”

Norah felt a jolt of anger. “I’m fine, I just got shocked, is all. Let me down, I’m all good, I have to go.”

The angel — no, definitely not an angel, more like a pain in the butt — ignored her and Norah thought up a million ways to kick and bite her way free, or to cuss him out. Instead, she did the most humiliating thing possible.

She fainted.

***

Norah opened her eyes and stared up an unfamiliar ceiling. By the smell filling her nostrils and the mechanical beep and the irritating i.v. line in her arm, she guessed the angel/ass had brought her to the hospital. She raised her head and groaned. Yep, this wasn’t the local emergency room. A private room and nurses in exquisitely fitted uniforms, the hushed, serene atmosphere.

Shoot. There goes next month’s rent…and the next…and the next…

Someone cleared his throat and she started, her head whipping around to see her annoying savior, sitting in a very plush armchair in the corner of the room. He was dressed in a beautiful dark gray suit, a dusky blue shirt which made his green eyes pop and the angles of his face were softened by his smile. Gorgeous….Norah shook herself and glared at him.

“You nearly killed me.”

He chuckled. “Technically, you ran out in front of me. Too busy texting — or sexting — maybe. Oh, the youth of today.” He shook his head somberly but his eyes twinkled with merriment.

Norah gaped at him. Sexting? But she felt a flush climb up her face as he gazed at her, his eyes dropping to her mouth in a way that made her pulse quicken. A weird fluttering feeling stole into her belly. He stood and approached and suddenly she felt panicky. He sat on the edge of the bed and touched a finger to her burning cheek.

“Hi,” he said softly. Oh that voice, deep and resonant, soft and sure, “I’m Jay.”

She swallowed. “Norah.”

He smiled and she was lost. “Hello, Norah.” His face was so close to hers, she could see the dark blue rings around his green eyes. They dropped to her mouth again and Norah could feel her heart beating too fast. Surely he wasn’t about to kiss her? In the split second after the first thought, she realized she had already made her decision. Let it happen.

“Hello, you two, sorry if I’m interrupting.”

The doctor beamed at them both as he barreled into the room. Jay stepped away and sat back down in the armchair as Norah silently invented new and gruesome ways to murder the doctor. Also, the way Jay was smirking behind the doctor’s back infuriated her. She glared at him.

“Doctor,” her voice was gratifyingly steady, “I’m terribly sorry to have wasted your time. I just got a little light-headed is all.”

The doctor smiled at her. “No trouble, Miss…?” He looked down at the notes. “Miss Quinn.”

Norah frowned. “How did you know…”

The doctor nodded at Jay who beamed cheekily at her. “I gave admission all your details, darling.”

“But…”

“When I paid the fees, darling.”

That shut her up. Jay met her gaze with an amused look as the doctor told her to take care of herself and eat some breakfast the next time. Norah thanked him and swung her legs off the bed. Jay offered her his hand. It was big, and warm and dry and felt as if it were made to fit hers. Damn it. The doctor said his goodbyes and Jay handed her bag to her. It was only then she remembered and she sat back down on the bed, dropped her bag and buried her face in her hands.

Jay sat down beside her and when she looked up, his glorious face was creased with concern.

“What is it? Should I get the doctor back?”

She shook her head and to her annoyance, her eyes filled at his kindness. “No, it’s okay…it’s just…oh, darn it.”

“What?”

“I was on my way to an interview. An important one and…”

Jay whipped out his phone. “We’ll just reschedule, I’m sure…”

She put out a hand to stop him. “No. Believe me, it won’t make any difference.” The woman at the company already hated her. She would love this. Oh, damn it, damn it.

Jay was still watching her with those heavenly eyes. “Norah? Are you sure I can’t call someone for you?”

No-one. There was no-one. She didn’t trust herself to speak so just shook her head, the lump settling in the back of her throat. She closed her eyes and felt his arm wrap around her shoulder.

“Come on. I’m taking to you to lunch.”

She opened her eyes and glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s nine a.m.”

Jay shrugged good-naturedly. “Brunch then. I can’t call it breakfast because unlike some people, I ate this morning.”

Nope. No way. Nope. “Okay.”

 

She was aware of the lust-filled glances of the female staff — and some male staff — to the tall god walking beside her. She could only imagine they looked at Jay then at her and shook their heads in disbelief. He’s not mine, she wanted to yell, he’s just a loaner. That made her grin to herself and she was still smiling when Jay’s driver pulled up at one of the city’s most exclusive restaurants.

“Something funny?” His voice was amused and she grinned at him and told him what she was thinking. He laughed.

“A loaner, huh? Well, we’ll see about that.”

Her stomach dropped, desire flash-burned over her skin, and she could feel her face coloring. Jay got out of the car and helped her out, and kept her hand in his as they walked into the restaurant.

 

She really was lovely, he thought, that dark olive skin that colored a deep rose when she was embarrassed, the deep brown of her large eyes, the wayward dark hair, half-clipped up, half tumbling down her back. Jay McKittridge was used to beautiful women — his position as one of the city’s — hell, the world’s — most eligible billionaires guaranteed him ready access to the A list of gorgeous women but this girl…she had what he thought was starting to become extinct — a personality. And she also possessed something else he found irresistible…

She had absolutely no idea who he was.

Jay signaled to a waiter, greeted him with a smile. Norah watched in silence, nodded when he asked if he could order for them both. Clearly she was overwhelmed and as the waiter moved away, she started to chew her lip.

“Mr…”

“Jay.”

She grinned then. “Your name is Jay Jay? Did your parents hate you?”

“Funny girl. What were you asking?”

She took a deep breath in. “Look, thank you. I really appreciate you taking care of me. I will pay you back for the doctor’s fees, it just might take a while.”

Jay waved a hand. “Don’t be silly, it’s my pleasure. After all, I nearly ran you down, didn’t I?”

She half-smiled. “No, I…”

“Norah,” he leaned forward and put his hand over hers. “I mean it. It’s my pleasure.” God, just a little closer and he could brush his lips against that rosebud mouth, inhale her fresh, clean scent, the scent that had driven him almost out of his mind the last couple of hours. He held her gaze then as the waiter appeared with their drinks, he sat back.

“Tell me about this interview.”

Norah shrugged. “It was a long-shot anyhow. Marshall Harrington likes experience over qualifications. I have the qualification but…”

“May I ask…how old are you?”

She didn’t appear to mind the question. “Twenty-four. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Harvard Business School last year. I’ve been looking for the right position ever since.”

Jay looked askance. “Summa Cum Laude and you’re having trouble? Jeez…” He shook his head, disbelieving. What the hell were graduates supposed to do to get the experience? “That’s ridiculous.”

She raised her glass of orange juice to him. “Amen.”

Their food arrived and he was gratified to see she enjoyed his choice — smoked salmon with such light scrambled eggs and truffle that they were like air.

“Oh,’ she said after a few minutes of eating, “this is truly heavenly, thank you.”

“My pleasure. Norah?”

“Yes?” She said, grinning with her mouth full. She was utterly adorable, he thought with a smile.

“Will you have dinner with me?”

***

Later, at home, she went over what had happened and cursed herself out for being so stupid. It was just dinner…and she’d said no. She’d been polite, thanked him for the doctor’s fees and brunch but said it really wasn’t a good idea. Now as she sat alone in her tiny studio apartment, staring blankly at an old black and white movie on the tiny portable television set, she repeated one word to herself.

Idiot.

The disappointment in his eyes when she’d turned him down, however gently, had made her cringe inwardly. How ungrateful could she be? And yet…her feminist side yelled at her for thinking she owed him something…and her feminine shouted at her that he was, without a doubt the most beautiful man she’d ever seen.

Like I said…idiot.

She should have been thinking of what she could do career-wise after missing the Harrington interview. She pulled her laptop over and, chewing her lip, typed Jay’s name into Google.

And immediately wished she’d hadn’t. How the hell did she not know about this guy? James ‘Jay’ Whitney McKittridge III, thirty-seven, single (unbelievably) and the billionaire CEO of America’s largest media corporation, JWM.

“Jay Double-U Em…” Norah intoned to herself. “Freakin’ Jay Double-U Em.” She was suddenly glad she hadn’t gotten to the interview with Harrington that morning. If she was so out of touch that she didn’t know who Harrington’s biggest competition was… Embarrassment mixed with confusion — she’d told Jay who her interview was with so why hadn’t he admitted who he was? Maybe he assumed she did know who he was and…

“God.” She said out loud. Did he think she was hinting at a job? Oh god, no…She might never see him again but she hated to think that he would think that about her. She picked up a pillow from the couch and screamed into it. Why? Why me? Why do I have to be such a doofus?

She didn’t realize the doorbell was buzzing until she took her face out of the pillow. She threw it across the room and skittered over to the door and yanked it open.

James Whitney McKittridge III grinned at her. “I’m really bad at taking no for an answer.” He said and Norah, her mind a confusion of embarrassment, mortification, attraction and amusement, chose amusement and burst out laughing.

***

Jay took Norah to a local place, quiet, non-assuming. As he ordered their drinks, she studied him, his elegance, his sheer machismo set every nerve ending in her skin alive. Goddamn, it was that feeling all over again. When she’d agreed to a date with him, she’d made a promise to herself. Just drinks. Nothing else. Just a polite drink and then home. Alone, she told herself sternly

But then, as soon as he’d offered her a hand out of the cab and their skin had touched, albeit briefly, electricity had surged through her and when he gave a sharp, almost inaudible, intake of breath, she knew he felt it too.

Here, on mutual territory, she no longer felt overwhelmed by him and his status. He was dressed in simple jeans and t-shirt, just like the rest of us mortals, Norah grinned to herself.

“Something funny?” He was back and smiling down at her. She accepted the drink he offered, sipped it as he took the seat next to her.

“I was just thinking, despite being — what was it — Forbes’ Most Eligible Billionaire this year and last year…you seem almost normal.”

Jay smiled. “Is that a compliment or…?”

She grinned wickedly. “It’s whatever you think it is.”

He pretended to consider. “Then I’m going to take it as a compliment. But please,” he intoned dryly, “stop throwing yourself at me. It’s embarrassing.”

Norah giggled. “And clearly, you’re a loon. Forbes Most Eligible Loon.”

Jay inclined his head. “Thas’ me Ma’am.”

They both laughed and Norah was amazed how easy it was to be here with him.

“I wanted to thank you for coming out with me tonight, for letting me apologize in person. You know, for almost killing you this morning.”

Norah bit back a twang of disappointment. Was that all this was? An apology? Get a grip, she told herself, what did you expect? “You’re welcome. More than welcome, you paid my medical bills (not that I needed medical help) and bought me lunch.”

“Brunch,” he corrected, grinning, “and yeah, next time, eat some cereal, would you?”

She flushed but knew he was joking. He chucked her cheek with the back of his hand and her skin flamed at his touch.

“Anyway,” he continued, “I do have another motive.”

Her insides flipped and a pulse began to beat deep in her belly. “Oh yes?” She kept her tone light and he smiled.

“A proposition. My company has a graduate program, a fast track system for candidates just like you with a great package attached. Marshall Harrington is a fool. Summa Cum Laude from Harvard? Yes, please. I’d really like you to come in and see if it’s something you’d be interested in. No pressure, I just want to make up for making you miss the interview this morning.’

Norah blinked. “So this is a job interview?”

Jay smiled, shrugging good-naturedly. “To be honest, I’ve always felt that the company should be the one being interviewed. You’re clearly very intelligent, you’re very personable, you have great integrity. Say yes.”

Norah stared at him for a long time trying to figure him out then a slow smile spread across her face. “Really?”

He nodded, grinning. “One hundred percent.”

“Then, yes. Thank you so much, Jay, that’s beyond kind.”

He shook his head. “It’s not kindness, it’s business. Companies should be banging down your door. Their loss will be our gain. It’s a win-win.”

She had to admit it was tempting…beyond tempting. Plus you’d get to see Jay every day…shut up. She grinned at him.

“I admit, I’m excited at the opportunity.”

“Good,” he said, edging closer, “But there is just one thing…”

He was doing that intense thing again with his gaze. She felt her limbs liquefy.

“What’s that?” Her voice was scratchy. Jay’s face was close, she breathed in his cologne, fresh linen and wood. He smiled, his eyes crinkling.

“I’m not your boss yet,”

And then he kissed her.

***

“What graduate program?” Sloan Farmer looked at him, her pale gray eyes glittering with annoyance. “Jesus, Jay, what now? Another one of your pet projects that ends up costing me money?”

Jay looked at her coolly. “Technically, it’s still your dad’s money, Sloan, but no. We’ve been talking about doing something like this for years — why are you surprised?”

Sloan sighed and sat back in her chair. She and Jay had grown up, running around in the corridors of this magnificent office building, getting under the feet of their fathers. They’d come to love the workplace as much as their homes but somewhere along the way, Sloan had lost the joy in her life. When Jay’s father had died so suddenly, Jay had taken over his position, still only a few years out of college himself and Sloan had lost her playmate. When her own father had taken a step back from the business, early on-set Alzheimer’s taking its toll, Sloan had felt like she’d had to run to catch up. Now, though, she’d finally gotten the Board’s respect and she and Jay had taken their company to successes their fathers could have only dreamed of. They were about to launch their own television company, the workload was insane and now this. Sloan rubbed her eyes.

‘Jay…why now? We have so much on, we’re working every hour.” But she could see his mind was made up. What was the point of arguing? She sighed. “Okay then, I’ll ask Marnie to seek out some candidates for interview.”

Jay smiled. “No need. We have the ideal candidate already. Harvard graduate…”

“Jay, for the love of God, we need to…”

“Summa Cum Laude, business major”

“Still, there’s a proper way to…”

“Poached from Marshall Harrington.”

Damn it. He knew how to shut her up. Sloan loathed Marshall Harrington more than anyone; he was an overrated hack as far as she was concerned. She knew she was beaten. Her shoulders slumped and she threw up her hands.

“Fine, fine.”

Jay grinned that face-splitting, devastating smile of his. “Good. Because she’ll be here in an hour.”

***

Norah fiddled with the hem of her blouse, wishing she had the money to buy a new one. She had very few clothes to begin with and finding something appropriate for an interview was made worse by the fact her only suit had come off the worse in the accident with Jay. Now, though, she was more concerned by seeing him again and not wanting to finish that amazing, limb-shattering kiss.

She closed her eyes, reliving it now; the way his mouth moved against hers, firm, his soft lips shaping themselves around hers, his fingers sliding into her hair, holding her so tenderly yet she was never more aware of his strength, the feral man underneath. The kiss had gone on too long, until, oxygen deprived, she’d broken away, gasping.

“We shouldn’t have done that.”

Jay had smiled and she could help but touch his handsome face, smoothing her thumbs over the big cheekbones, the strong jaw. His green eyes were locked onto hers and she knew if he kissed again, now, in this moment, the night would end in his bed.

And she couldn’t risk it. Her body was yelling, screaming at her to let it happen but there was too much at stake. He’d offered her a lifeline with the job and a one-night stand — however tempting — couldn’t compare.

“Norah?” God, that voice. She opened her eyes and her body reacted without thinking, sending shivers of pleasure down her spine. Damn it, he was even better the second — or was it third? — time around. Jay smiled down at her. “Hey, you. Ready to get started?”

In a daze, she walked beside him to his office. It was a huge glass cube with stunning views over the city.

“Wow.” She went to the window and looked out. “How’d you get any work done? Look at that view.”

“I have a better view now.”

She turned to see him watching her, amused but with a fire in his eyes that was unmistakable. She tried to put a disapproving face. “Mr. McKittridge…there are workplace harassment laws, you know.” Her grin gave her away.

Jay laughed and motioned for her to sit next to him on one of the big leather couches. “Miss Quinn, you’re going to make that difficult. Seriously, though, welcome. I’m really excited about you coming here, I think it will be great for the company, great for you.”

She smiled but her forehead creased in bemusement. “Jay…we’ve known each other for what?”

He checked his watch. “About twenty-four hours.”

She shook her head. “So how do you know I’m the right fit? In that little time?”

Jay’s smile widened. “Most interviews are a lot shorter than that.”

Norah squirmed a little, embarrassed. “I just wanted to make sure that it wasn’t because…um…”

“That you’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever met? That I’m completely entranced with you?”

She flushed, mortified. “God no…”

“Because both of those things are true.” His voice was like melting chocolate and he leaned forward, his face close to enough to hers that she could see the dark blue rings around his green irises. “But that’s not why I hired you. They’re just the reasons that I kissed you. That as soon as the work day ends, I intend to kiss you again…if you’ll let me.”

God, yes. She let a long shaky breath. “Okay then.”

Jay sat back and grinned, his finely honed face relaxing boyishly. “As long as that’s clear. Now, you want to come meet some people?”

***

Hell, she was beautiful. Sloan ducked away from the door where she’d been watching Jay introducing the girl to Sloan’s secretary, Marnie. The jolt that had hit Sloan’s stomach when she took in the long, dark, waves that nearly fell to the girl’s waist, the large soft brown eyes, the curves of her body in that cheap suit was almost agonizing. But nothing to the pain when she took in Jay’s expression, the way his hand rested on the girl’s lower back, the light in his eyes. Sloan dragged a long breath into her lungs, her teeth locking together. Jesus. So Jay was bringing his girlfriend in, giving her a job (and, she’d discovered, a very generous starter salary). Sloan’s heart hardened. There was no way she’d let all her hard work be tainted by an inexperienced gold-digger.

She heard the soft knock on her door and steeled herself before turning. The young woman stood, obviously nervous, with Jay beaming at her side.

“Sloan Farmer, meet our first member of our Graduate Program, Norah Quinn.”

Sloan noticed the confused look that Norah Quinn shot Jay when he’d said ‘first’. Sloan felt faintly amused. Just another bimbo. She held out her hand and greeted the newcomer coolly. She motioned to the chairs across the desk from her own.

“Welcome, Miss Quinn.”

“Norah.”

“Norah. So, Jay tells me we have the privilege of a Harvard graduate joining our team? Why don’t you tell me about your experience.”

Jay shot her a look which she returned evenly, daring him to argue with her. One of them needed to be a professional. Norah Quinn began talking in a low, but steady voice, detailing her time at college, the various part-time internships she’d taken on. As she listened, Sloan found herself impressed with the young woman’s commitment to her career, her obvious passion for her work.

“You did three internships at the same time? Did you sleep, at all?”

Norah Quinn grinned wryly. “Not a lot. But it was worth it.”

Sloan studied her. “Why didn’t you stay in New York? It seems to you had no end of opportunities there. Coming back to New Orleans, you had the grand choice of exactly two; us or Marshall Harrington.”

Norah’s face had shut down. “I had to come back…family reasons.” She offered nothing more and Sloan noticed that it was Jay’s turn to look confused. That was interesting. Sloan nodded between them.

“How long have you know each other?”

Norah and Jay looked at each other and grinned. “A day,” said Jay. “She tried to wreck my Mercedes by throwing herself onto the hood yesterday morning.”

Sloan watched Norah nudged him and hissed “Don’t tell her that!”. They both chuckled which made Sloan want to vomit. So they already shared private jokes. She felt her face set in distaste.

“Well, I’m sure Jay will be happy to…mentor you. I hope you’re ready, we have a huge amount of work to do.”

If she was hoping Norah Quinn would be insulted by her inference about Jay’s mentorship, she was disappointed. Norah’s eyes glittered with excitement.

“Can’t wait to get started.”

After they’d left her office — she could hear them laughing as they walked down the corridor — she felt like the butt of some joke that she didn’t know had been made. She realized the pain in her chest wasn’t because of Norah Quinn’s beauty, or her obvious intelligence and spirit. It was because Jay had never looked at her the way he looked at Norah.

Like he was falling in love.

***

The care home was serenely quiet when Norah walked through its halls much later that evening. Just the occasional murmur of conversation or the soft beep of machinery gave away that the place wasn’t deserted.

Norah, her body, her brain exhausted from the day, let herself into her mother’s room to find her mom sitting up in her chair, gazing out into the evening gloom. The window was open, a warm breeze blowing in from the Louisiana night, occasional breaths of the bayou that lay on the care home’s grounds. Her mother looked over at her with watery eyes.

“Hello, dear. Are you the new nurse?”

It never stopped being painful.

“No, Mom, it’s me. Norah, remember?”

Her mom merely smiled and nodded. “That’s a pretty name.”

Norah sat on the edge of her mom’s bed and took her hands in her own. They were cold and Norah rubbed them to warm them. Her mom went back to looking out of the window.

“How have you been, Mom?”

“I’ve been just nifty, dear. I wish my girl would come visit me but she’s always so busy, she works so hard. She’s at Harvard, you know?”

There was a reason they called it The Long Goodbye. Alzheimer’s was the cruelest joke nature could play. A lifetime of love, life, experience gone. Wiped out. Norah swallowed the lump in her throat, felt it settle in her chest. “I got a job today, Mom, a really good job. And I think I met someone. A guy.”

She told her mother all about Jay, knowing that she wouldn’t remember anything. But it felt good to talk about him, the way he’d introduced her so kindly to everyone at the office. They’d all been so welcoming — with maybe the exception of Sloan Farmer but Norah couldn’t worry about her tonight.

When she’d told her mom about Jay, staring blankly out of the window, just seeing his handsome face, his boyish smile, the feel of his hand resting on the small of her back, she jolted herself back into the present and found her mom had fallen asleep. Norah closed the window and covered her mom with a blanket then slipped out quietly.

She caught the night bus back to her apartment and grabbed some cereal straight from the box as dinner. She switched on the t.v., found nothing she wanted to watch and flicked it off, sitting in the dim light of the light from the window. A hard tension had settled in her chest that way it always did when she saw her mom and she knew the only way to get rid of it was to bawl her heart out. Heartache and guilt. Heartache over her mother and guilt for feeling, the last two days, happier than she’d felt in years. Because of Jay. As her sobs subsided, she wiped her eyes and grabbed her phone. There was a message from him on it she hadn’t seen.

You rocked your first day, baby girl.

Norah smiled through the tears. All thanks to you, boss. I mean it, thank you.

A reply came back almost instantly. It was my pleasure and my good fortune, beautiful. Sleep tight, see you in the morning, J x.

She read it over and over until finally, exhausted, she fell asleep.

***

Jay McKittridge was feeling smug. Very, very smug. Sloan glanced at his face and groaned. “Just say it, whatever you are dying to say, just get it out.”

Jay flopped into the couch opposite her. “Come on, Sloan, you have to admit, Norah’s amazing.”

Sloan sighed. “She’s doing…well.”

Jay made a sarcastic noise and she shrugged. “It’s been two months, let’s not get too excited. Yes, she’s made a good start but…”

“Come on. I know you, you’re not that ungenerous. She’s completely taken the strain off us both. There’s a giant brain behind that beautiful face.”

Sloan sat back and jabbed a finger in his direction. “That. That right there is my problem. Are you sleeping with her?”

Jay had been expecting the question. No-one could have missed the chemistry between him and Norah, even when they were just discussing a business project. So far their relationship had been strictly business — friendly business, for sure, but Norah had made it clear she wanted to be judged on her merits — not as the CEO’s latest fling.

Except the more he got to know her, the more they worked on projects together, the closer they got. She could finish his sentences, know what he wanted before he asked, and their shared sense of humor — silly, irreverent— meant whenever she said goodnight, it felt like a bereavement.

“No, I’m not sleeping with her.”

Sloan looked away for a moment and he was surprised to see something in her eyes he hadn’t expected. Relief.

“Sloany…” He reverted back to his childhood name for her, wanting her to open up to him. Sloan met his gaze, something in her eyes hard and unfriendly.

“She never works late Tuesdays and Thursdays. Even if she does stay a little late, it’s never as late as other days. Odd, don’t you think?”

Jay shrugged. “I hadn’t noticed, actually.” Because every moment he was away from her was like a torture.

“Maybe you’re not the only man in her life.”

The jealousy and pain that ripped through him at her words made Jay flinch. “None of our business, Sloan.”

“Say that like you mean it, James.”

He stomped back to his office and slammed the door. He saw his secretary, Kirk, start and waved an apologetic hand at him through the glass. The thought of Norah with another man made his stomach hurt. She’d never said anything about dating someone else; in fact, they never talked about their personal lives at all. It was as if neither of them wanted to break the bubble of ‘them’ they had created with just that one kiss. God, he wanted to kiss her so badly it was painful; every time their fingers would brush, or she would lean across him to grab a pencil, anything. He would breathe in her scent and she would look at him, her cheeks pinking up and they would gaze at the other for a beat. He knew he shouldn’t pursue her but…He looked at his watch. Ten of five. She would be in the tiny office she’d seconded now, shoes off, legs tucked under her, hair spilling out of its clip messily.

He was at her door in less than a minute. “Hey, you.”

She looked up and her smile took his breath away. “Hey, boss. I was just going to call you…we have the data from the focus groups now and—”

“Have you eaten?” He interrupted her with a smile, and she blinked before shaking her head. “Good. Let’s go.”

She was about to object then shrugged. “Actually, I’m starving, thanks. But can I ask two favors first?”

“As long as neither have to do with you working late today.”

She smiled gratefully, reaching over to grab her shoes. “No…just, can I go home and change first…and can we grab something somewhere…how can I put this…not too exclusive? I need to slob out and relax.”

“You read my mind. Pizza and beer?” He held his hand up so she could high-five it. “Come on, let me grab some clothes and I’ll give you a lift home.”

***

Norah shoved the last piece of pizza crust into her mouth and sat back, chewing and moaning happily. Jay grinned at her as she rubbed her belly. “Good?”

She swallowed her mouthful and sighed. “Very. Sorry you had to witness that feeding frenzy.”

“It was rather like watching Jaws with a bucket of chum.”

She giggles. “It’s how I maintain my sylph-like figure.”

Jay’s eyes moved slowly up and down her body in a way that made her cheeks flush and her breath hitch and falter. Abruptly, the atmosphere between them changed, became charged with electricity. The pizza place was emptying out now, the evening crowd moving onto the bars and clubs. Jay slid next to her and she began to tremble at the look in his eyes. Desire.

Jay pulled her body close, his huge arms wrapped around her waist, his fingers splaying on her back, tangling in her hair.

“God, I’ve wanted to do this for so long,” he groaned and was rewarded by her arms tightening around him. His mouth covered hers hungrily, wanting to sink into her. She was breathless when they broke apart.

“Jay…”

He shook his head, locking his gaze onto hers. “Norah….don’t say anything except one word…yes or no. I want you to answer honestly and whatever your answer, I will respect that. I want to take you home, back to mine, and peel every piece of clothing from that glorious body of yours and take you to bed, kiss every inch of you, make love to you. Right now, Norah. Yes or no?”

Inside him, there was an explosion of emotion, want, desire, exhilaration as she looked up at him from beneath those thick, dark lashes, a deep pink flush in her cheeks, her lips dark crimson and sore from his kiss and said one word.

“Yes.”

***

Norah argued with herself the whole ride up in the elevator. You shouldn’t be doing this… But, the way he was kissing her, trailing his lips across her jaw down to her throat, murmuring her name, his hands cupping her face gently. She was pressed up hard against the wall of the elevator, his massive body towering over hers, his form chest hard against her breasts. Her hands were on his face then her fingers tangled in his short dark curls. A moan of desire escaped her and Jay almost growled as his kiss became fiercer.

“Norah, when you make that sound…”

Somehow, they made it out of the elevator, into his penthouse and into his bedroom. He was right about her clothes; in seconds they were on the floor and her trembling fingers were unbuttoning his shirt — trying to unbutton his shirt. She was so nervous that when Jay’s hands came up to cover hers, she looked up at him, almost teary. He smiled down at her.

“It’s okay,” he said, softly. “Don’t be scared.” He let go of her hands and pulled his shirt off over his head before gathering her to him. His large hands drifted down her back, cupping her butt, his long fingers stroking her gently. “You’re beautiful.”

Jay laughed softly and scooped her onto the bed, covering her body with his. He kissed her again, deeply, his tongue massaging hers, exploring her mouth until she was gasping for air. His hands moved lower and stroked her most sensitive parts. He pressed his lips to her throat, her collarbone then his mouth was on her breasts, tasting and sucking, making them unbelievably sensitive and tender. Jay looked up at her, his green eyes dark and heavy with desire.

“Do you want me, Norah? Because I want you, I’ve always wanted you…”

Her legs curled around his hips, seemingly of their own accord and she reached down to free him from his pants, already so ready for her. She stroked him gently, reveling in his groan of pleasure. She lifted her lips to his.

“Yes, I want you, Jay, I want you so badly.”

Jay kissed her again and he shifted so he could enter her, easing himself deep inside as she tightened her legs around him. His fingers entwined with hers as he pressed her hands down onto the bed, his gaze locked onto hers. Norah gasped as he slid inside her; his sex perfectly proportioned to his massive frame and a wave of certainty flooded through her. This is where I belong. In Jay’s arms.

She stared up at him as they made love, wanting to drink everything about his gorgeous face in; the deep green of his eyes, so intense, so fierce with passion, the finely honed features, the scattered pattern of freckles and moles on his cheek, the full mouth which molded so perfectly to her own. Jay was kissing her, rubbing his nose against hers so lovingly she wanted to cry.

“Norah…stay with me….” Norah felt her orgasm building, her skin on fire as Jay began to thrust harder, faster, deeper. She came with a long moan of pleasure as he did, shuddering together to a halt and collapsing into each other’s arms. They lay, limbs entangled, catching their breath.

 

After a while, Jay pressed his lips to hers. “Wow.”

Norah laughed, her cheeks turning scarlet. “You can say that again.”

Jay pretended to consider. “Okay, I will. Wow.”

Norah kissed him quickly, firmly. “Loon.”

He shrugged. “If you like but hey, this loon thinks that was amazing.” He let a fingertip drift down her cheek. “You kept me waiting two months, Norah Quinn.”

She smiled. “To be honest…I was beginning to think you’d lost interest.”

“You really have no idea, do you? Norah, I’ve wanted you from the first moment you threw yourself onto the hood of my car.” He grinned and was gratified by her smile.

“Those stuntwoman classes really paid off then,” she quipped and kissed him but he could see she was still unsure of him, of herself.

“What is it, Norah? Just ask.”

She drew in a deep breath. “Did you give me the job because…”

Jay smiled, having already guessed her question. “Yes.”

Norah paled and he quickly took her face in his hands. “Kidding. Do you honestly think I run a billion dollar corporation on the whim of my cajones? No, you got the job because we needed someone exactly like you; bright, motivated, articulate. And I was right. Even Sloan thinks so.”

Norah wriggled onto her side. “Sloan thinks we’re sleeping together.”

“We are.” He grinned as she rolled her eyes.

“I meant before. And we’ve only slept together once.”

Jay pushed her gently back onto the bed. “I don’t care what Sloan thinks. And we’re about to make that twice.”

She sighed happily and wound her arms around his neck. “That’s fine by me, boss.” Jay kissed her then smiled again.

“And just so you know, business talk is banned from our bed from now on.” He kissed a line from her throat, down the valley between her breasts to her belly. He traced the deep hollow of her navel with his tongue then grinned up at her. She stroked his face.

“From now on?” Her voice was, loving, intimate and he nodded, his eyes soft.

“You bet, sweetheart, because from now on, it’s you and me.”

***

Norah carried her overflowing cup of coffee to her desk. She was tired but for once it was a good feeling. She and Jay had made love for most of the night. They forgot about work, forgot about the rest of the world. The ecstasy of being together was overwhelming. When they weren’t making love, they were talking about the future. Jay told her his plan for buying a new home in the French Quarter and asked if she would come with him to look at some land. At three o’clock in the morning, famished, they made toast and sat in the kitchen, grinning at each other. When she got up to wash their plates, he had stood behind her, kissing her neck, running his hands under her robe, between her legs. She had melted at his touch and they fell to the kitchen floor, tangled limbs, laughing. She straddled him and he smiled as she took charge. She moved on top of him until Jay was helpless under her touch, his big hands circling her waist, his thumbs stroking her belly.

A knock at the door woke her from her reveries. Sloan, dressed in a short turquoise shift dress, half-smiled at her. “Morning. You get my email about the presentation this afternoon?”

“Just getting to it.” Norah looked at Sloan and smiled. “I love that color on you.”

Sloan looked surprised. “Thanks. You too, you look…” She stared at Norah and Norah was suddenly aware of the high color of her own cheeks, the glow that still shone from her eyes and knew what Sloan was seeing. Her boss’s expression seemed to shut down and Norah frowned.

“Is something wrong?”

Sloan shook her head. “No. I didn’t realize you and…never mind, none of my business.” She turned to leave then turned back. “It’s just…be careful, Norah. People are already talking and what with Jay’s reputation…”

Norah met Sloan’s gaze evenly. “I’m a big girl, Sloan. I think I can handle it.”

Sloan smiled bitterly. “You’ve known him two months. I’ve known him thirty years. That’s all.”

After she’d gone, Norah realized Sloan had managed to burst her bubble of happiness. She chewed her lips and answered her phone absentmindedly.

“Hey, beautiful.” Jay.

“Hey, yourself.”

“Are you free this evening?”

She smiled down the phone but sighed. “I can’t. Not tonight. Raincheck until tomorrow?”

There was a long pause. “What do you do every Tuesday and Thursday?”

Norah’s eyebrows shot up. “You been spying on me?”

Jay laughed, the sound warm and amused. “No, just when someone does something so regularly, it gets noticed.”

Irritation flickered through her. “Sloan. Do you get her to do your spying for you?”

“Hey now,” Jay’s tone was serious now, “No-one’s spying on you. I was just asking, is all.”

She hesitated, closing her eyes. “I’m…I’m not ready to share that with you just yet.”

“I see.”

She hated the hurt in his voice. “It’s nothing you should worry about, Jay, just something personal.

“Is there someone else?”

She gaped down the phone. “Well, if that’s what you think of me…”

“Wait, wait, wait, how did we end up arguing? Look, forget it, I’m sorry. Of course, I trust you to tell me if…well, we’re getting heavy here.”

She sighed, rubbing her face. “Hey, no, I’m sorry. Over-sensitive. Sloan just…well, she let me know just how little time we’ve know each other and I think it got to me. Especially after last night. I’m probably just tired.”

She heard Jay’s soft laugh and felt the tension drain from her. “Best night of my life,” he said softly. “I’d like to tire you out again some night soon.”

She glanced at her clock, figuring out something in her head. “I can come over later but it will be late — I mean, past eleven.”

His laugh, this time, was pure filthy anticipation. “Don’t break that promise, beautiful. I’ll be waiting.”

 

Outside Norah’s office, Sloan Farmer smiled to herself. She knew what she had to do now she knew that Norah was hiding something from her new lover. Sloan’s best friend. The man she’d been in love with for thirty years. Norah Quinn wasn’t going to take Sloan’s future away from her. She’d see to that.

Sloan walked quickly back to her office and shut the door. She flicked through the contacts on her phone until she found the one she wanted and pressed the call button. A few seconds later, she smiled as she spoke into the phone.

“Derek? It’s Sloan Farmer…listen, I wonder if you do something for me…?”

***

Norah kissed her mother’s temple softly and crept out of the room. Her mother was even more distant than ever, talking about Norah’s father as if he was still alive and young and coming to court her. Norah had let her talk, fascinated about her parent’s life before she had come along. They had been older first-time parents, late in their forties and she always felt unconnected to that part of their lives. This evening, her mother had been reliving their honeymoon and the first home they’d had.

“Of course,” said her mother blithely, “Our families were at us to start a family. I kept telling them, neither of us wants children, but of course, they never believed us. But we showed them.”

The hurt that ripped through Norah at her mother’s words made her stomach clenched and she winced, only smoothing out her expression when her mother looked at her. It was like the disease had wiped Norah’s existence from the planet.

Now, walking out of the care facility, Norah let a few tears come. The doctor she’d talked to earlier had said the lucid periods were becoming fewer and fewer. The mother she’d loved and been loved by was gone.

Norah walked quickly to the cab she’d ordered, needing now to get to Jay, get away from the feeling that she no longer mattered. She didn’t notice the dark sedan with the blacked out windows parked across the street.

***

Jay saw her reddened eyes but said nothing, just took her in his arms, bending his head to kiss her. “Hey, beautiful.”

She sank into the kiss and then laughed as he lifted her off her feet and spun her around.

“I ordered pizza,” he hitched her legs around him and walked toward the bedroom, “for midnight…this is why I love the city.”

“Midnight, huh?” She was smiling genuinely now, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He dropped her onto the bed and peeled his t-shirt off in one smooth move. Norah reached up to run her hands over his taut stomach. “Now, this is worth coming home to,” she said then flushed when she realized what she had said. Jay put her hand over his heart, covering it with his large, warm palm. “Damn right,” he said softly, “welcome home, beautiful.”

Norah stood and kissed him. He was right but it wasn’t the apartment that felt like home, it was him. She felt so safe in his arms, so protected, so cared for. There was a deep need in her that, until Jay, she didn’t know was there.

They made love slowly, exploring the other’s body as if it was the first time and later, when the pizza came, they ate in bed, watching reruns of Friends and sharing jokes. They fell asleep in each other’s arms just before 2 a.m. sated and happy.

***

“My mother has Alzheimer’s. That’s where I am Tuesday and Thursday evenings. She doesn’t recognize me anymore.” It was out and she drew in a deep breath and waited.

Jay put his cup of coffee down and reached across the breakfast bar to take her hand. “I’m sorry, Norah, that’s….damn, there’s no words for how awful it must have been for you.”

Norah nodded, the knot of tension in her still taut. Jay gave her a small smile. “Is that what you were afraid to tell me?”

She nodded. “I don’t know why. I would still rather keep it between you and I. I guess I didn’t want it to be a factor on how you felt about me or think of me.”

Jay looked confused. “Why would it?”

She shrugged in defeat. “Like I said, I don’t know.” She was silent for a moment. “I guess I was afraid that you’d feel sorry for me.”

“Norah Quinn, do you have such little faith in me? You seem to think that I’ve been somehow doing you a favor all this time. I totally have Machiavellian reasons for everything — I’m in love with you.”

That floored her and she gaped at him. The easy way he just dropped it into the conversation. Something that big. “Jay…”

“I love you.”

“Please, Jay…”

“I love you.”

His green eyes were twinkling merrily and suddenly she felt the weight lift from her body and she started smiling through her tears. “Oh, god, Jay, I love you so much…”

He pulled her into his arms and kissed so passionately she thought she might pass out.

They were both very, very late for work.

***

Sloan glanced over at Jay, who was bent over his work, concentrating hard but with a small smile playing around his mouth. It was September, and JWM were about to launch their cable channel. Sloan had to admit — without Norah Quinn working her pert little butt off for the last six months, they wouldn’t be here now. Norah had more than proven herself but still…Sloan hadn’t missed the lust-filled looks between Jay and Norah, the brushing of hands as they passed in the hallways, the fact they left work together — and came to work together. Jealousy churned and writhed inside of her as she witnessed their happiness and now she was about to see the results of her plotting.

Sloan casually picked up the remote control and flick on the flat-screen on the office wall. Jay glanced up, at her and she shrugged. “Just want to hear some white noise. Do you mind?”

Jay shrugged in his easy-going way. “Have at it.” He ignored the t.v. and went back to reading. Sloan flicked through the channels for a few minutes before choosing one and sliding a sideways glance at Jay. She gave a gasp. “Jay…look.”

She nodded to the screen. A picture of Norah was on the screen. Jay grabbed the remote control and turned the sound up.

Seems the new woman in the billionaire hottie’s life is a Harvard grad but some say she has an agenda all of her own.

A redhead about Norah’s age, with split ends and mean eyes, came on camera. She was real quiet, you know, I always thought she might think she was better than us but she didn’t have any family, y’know, no money. Doesn’t surprise me she’s hooked up with Jay McKittridge, you could smell the desperation on her for a mile.

GG News has discovered Ms. Quinn’s only family is a mother with Alzheimer’s who she rarely visits and has let languish in a poorly run care facility in New Orleans. Let’s hope playboy Jay has his eyes opened about his new love. Stay with GG for more on this story. Smirking, the presenter started to hum ‘Gold-digger’ making her co-presenter laugh.

Jay stood slowly. “What the hell?”

Sloan feigned shock. “What are they talking about? Jay?”

He was already heading out of the door. “I have to get to her.”

Behind him, unseen, Sloan smiled.

 

Jay ran the length of the building to get to Norah’s office but it was with a sinking heart that he saw it empty, clearly abandoned in a hurry. The flat-screen was on the same channel he’d been watching. Poppy, the intern Jay had assigned to help Norah, hovered nearly, biting her lip and shifting awkwardly from foot to foot.

“She just left,” she said in a timid voice when Jay looked at her, desperation in his eyes. “She was crying.”

Jay rode the elevator down to the lobby and ran out of the building, searching for her. Instantly a pack of paparazzi descended and he pushed his way through them, calling her name.

. Jay ran around the block, into the city searching but Norah was nowhere.

“Oh damn it, damn it…” He put his face in his hands. It was all over, It was all ruined.

Norah was gone.

***

She crashed into her apartment, not noticing how dank the air was. It had been so long since she was here, except to pick up her clothes which were now all at Jay’s apartment. The place she’d come to think of as home over the last six months.

And now….Norah sank to the floor, trying not to hyperventilate. The shock of seeing her own face on that gossip site followed by the utter, complete humiliation of being publicly labeled a gold-digger and worse, a cold-hearted daughter. She felt the eyes of her co-workers on her and she’d wanted to shout at them that none of it was true, none of it. Instead, she’d taken flight, throwing the folder she was holding onto the table and running…she’d taken the stairs in her eagerness to get away.

Because the worst thing of it wasn’t the judgment, the lies…it was that only one person knew about her mother and could have let the secret out. The people at the care facility had no idea she was dating Jay. There was only one source who knew both things…Jay himself and the pain of that betrayal was overwhelming. Why?

She’d been sitting there for an hour when she heard the intercom buzz. Looking up, she suddenly scrambled to double-lock the door and switch the lights off. She knew it was him, knew it was Jay but she couldn’t face him, not now, not yet. Even when he started shouting and banging on the door, she went into her bedroom and pulled her pillow over her ears. Eventually, the shouting stopped and all was quiet.

And that was when she let herself break.

***

Sloan had watched her best friend over the past week and didn’t recognize him. Jay was broken and it was her fault. The launch was today and her major player wasn’t in the game but more than that, Sloan felt a tremendous guilt weighing down on her. The day of the new story, she had gone home, reveling in the success of her scheme but then her father had called and asked her to come over and as she looked at him, the early stages of the disease already showing on his face, the weight of what she had done came down on her and one word kept springing to mind, keeping her up at night.

Cruel. Her father’s — Norah’s mother’s — disease was a cruelty to everyone it affected but it was a disease that hit anyone, at any time for any reason. And what she had done was spiteful, selfish and cruel. And that was something she could do something about.

“Jay, you have the speech, ready? I need to duck out for a half hour.”

He looked up, dark circles under his tired, sad eyes. “Now?”

She nodded. “It’s important. You got this.”

***

Norah opened the door with the same look in her eyes as Jay. Sloan took a deep breath as Norah moved to let her in.

“It was me,” Sloan said without hesitation. “I had you followed, I planted the news story.”

Norah stared at her for a long time. “Why?” She said eventually, her voice low and scratchy.

Sloan’s expression softened. “I was jealous. I was jealous that it wasn’t me he fell in love with. I’ve never seen him like this, Norah. I’m so sorry, so very sorry. Instead of doing this, I should have been the friend he thinks I am. I should have been a friend to you. Let me try and fix this.”

She turned and grabbed the remote to Norah’s tiny television. She flicked on and then Jay was there, on screen. Sloan saw Norah slump, her eyes fill with tears. Jay had a haunted look on his face as he spoke.

“So there you have it, the JWM channel. We’re hoping to bring original dramas, insightful documentaries, breaking news…I’m sorry.” Jay looked down. “I can’t stand here and pretend that the news stories over the past week haven’t affected me, especially not when I myself am launching a network which will report on people’s lives. One thing I can tell you — we will never resort to the kind of gutter-press antics displayed by some of our compatriots.

Norah Quinn is a highly accomplished Harvard graduate who was recruited to our company on the strengths of her resume. Without her, we wouldn’t be here today. Her mother is at one of the state’s top facilities, something which the press have conveniently overlooked. Norah herself visits her mother frequently and pays for her care herself.

My personal relationship with Norah is this: she is, without a doubt, the love of my life. Norah doesn’t care about money except when it comes to providing the best care for her mother, whom she loves very much. Norah loves without condition and I was lucky, for the best few months of my life, to have that love. I pray your disgraceful, repellent gossip hasn’t wrecked my chance to be with the woman I love.” Jay stepped off the podium to a stunned silence then people started to clap and cheer.

***

Jay moved through the guests, making small talk but feeling dead inside. The anger that had rippled through him on the podium had gone and now he wanted just to be alone.

He didn’t see Norah until he noticed the crowd parting and then all of the breath in his body left him. She was gazing at him with those beautiful, big brown eyes. He felt a rush of adrenalin and was at her side and gathering her up in his arms, not caring about the people around them. He kissed her, tasting the salty tears pouring down both their faces. When eventually they broke off, gasping for air, for a long moment, they just stared at each other, ignoring the melee of press surrounding them.

Finally, Jay, smoothing the hair away from her lovely face, smiled down at her and said two simple words. “Marry me.”

“Yes.” Her answer rang out true and clear and as the people around them began to clap and cheer, Jay kissed her again and knew he’d be kissing her for a very, very long time…

THE END