Chapter Four
It was comforting having her so close. When she asked about apartments I had forgotten she didn’t live nearby. It was nice to see dedication from someone. Lately all the staff I’d hired were sorely lacking. It was the whole reason I worried about hiring someone so young. She seemed different than most women her age, and it was refreshing. She was also too attractive for her own good. I didn’t even think she realized that the slightest raise of her brows was a distraction to me. Normally I was better at keeping my lust in check, but something about that curvy woman had everything in me aching. I needed to do something about it before I did something stupid. Like act out the fantasy of bending her over my desk and fucking the shit out of her.
The phone ringing brought me out of my thoughts.
“Hello?”
“Are you coming to the fair this year?”
“I planned to why?”
“They just moved the date up. It’s starting tomorrow and going into the weekend.” The voice said in exasperation.
“Shit,” I said. That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. I thought I still had a couple of weeks to get ready. It was in St. Louis as usual, and I needed time to schedule everything. “Thanks for the information, Jesse.”
“Of course man, I didn’t think you’d know that it got changed.”
“Talk to you later.”
I shook my head and rubbed my temples. I needed a drink. “Miss James?”
She popped her head in and frowned. “Yes?”
“I need help.”
She came into my office and instead of sitting down she walked around behind me. When her small hands gripped my shoulders roughly I groaned. “What are you doing?”
“You’re stressed. You obviously got news that didn’t make you happy. I’m trying to help.” Then she pressed deeply and I let go of it all. Her small hands were strong and efficient and hit every tense spot. “Lean forward.”
If her damned hands didn’t feel so good I would have reminded her I was the one to give orders. I leaned forward and sighed when she continued her ministrations down my back. “Good god woman that feels good.”
“Take deep breathes and try to relax.” She was all business, and I was a little miffed that she didn’t seem to be struggling to touch me, but I was hard as hell just by her fingertips digging into my muscles. She seemed totally at ease, but I followed her instructions the best I could. The more she touched me, the more aroused I became, and the moment she stopped massaging I spun my chair and pulled her onto my lap.
She yelped and tried to climb off but I held her still. “You’re too tempting Miss James.”
She gasped when I cupped her breast through her silk shirt.
“Mr. Lockwood, this isn’t appropriate.”
“I’m aware.” I rubbed my thumb over her nipple and she squirmed and gasped again when she felt how hard I was. “That’s what your touch did to me.”
“I—it wasn’t on purpose.”
“I believe that, but that’s what happened. Now I must admit I don’t usually mix work with pleasure, but you my dear are driving me crazy.”
“I think this is a very bad idea. It’s my first day, and I didn’t mean to give you the impression I was easy. I really was just trying to help you relax.”
“I don’t think you’re easy, and I think you’re a beautiful and very capable woman.” I let her go before I did anything worse. I’d be lucky if she didn’t walk out. I was losing my damned mind. She jumped up and moved to her seat and sat down. And just like that it was over. She wasn’t affected any longer and was in her professional mode.
“Now, why are you so stressed?”
No woman my age was able to accomplish what she did in a matter of seconds. It both disappointed me and impressed me. “The fair has been moved up. It’s starting tomorrow and into the weekend, and I have no idea what the fuck I’m going to do.”
“That’s what you have me for right to help?”
“Not on your first day. I have to reschedule a million things and get ready for tomorrow tonight. I’ll be here all night at this rate.”
“Then so will I. You hired me to be your secretary, but I’m guessing you need an assistant right now. I just expect a bonus.” Then she laughed.
I wasn’t sure how she was able to do it, but I laughed and ran my hand through my hair. “So now we get to work. I can make a list of things that need rescheduled. You have my calendar. I need you to start making calls while I get set up for the next few days, oh and you’ll be coming with me.”
“On it.” Then she got up and sauntered out of the office. “Just email me your list so we don’t have to stop our flow of work please.”
It didn’t even faze me, but she had certainly taken over and bossed me around. I shouldn’t have found it amusing—but I did. For the first time someone was helping me. It made me soften even more towards her. I should have known then I was in trouble.
* * * *
Five hours later and we still hadn’t come up for air. I’d finally gotten the reservations for the hotel in St. Louis after bribing them to give me the suite I normally got.
“Miss James?”
I could hear her exasperation with the formalities, but I needed to keep some level of professionalism or I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands to myself much longer. Her scent lingered in the room, and I was having a hard time ignoring her voice as she skillfully handled all the calls with a professionalism I hadn’t expected.
“Yes, sir?” she asked and leaned in the room.
“We should eat.”
“I’m okay; I still have half a page of calls to make. You weren’t kidding with how much work you have. Do you ever freakin’ sleep?”
I chuckled. “Rarely, and it wasn’t a request about dinner it was an order. We both need to eat.”
“Then I’ll order in so we can do both.”
I glared but relented because she was right, there really was a lot more to do. “Fine, I want Chinese.”
“Sounds good, what do you want?”
I smirked. “Whatever you’re having, Angel.”
For the first time I saw a hint of something her blue eyes. She licked her lips and nodded before disappearing back into her office. Finally, I knew. She wasn’t as unaffected as she appeared. That was when I decided to hell with professionalism. I wanted her, and I was going to have her—for as long as she would let me. It had been a long time since I’d found a woman I wanted to have around, and not just for sex. She made me laugh and even under the stress I was still reasonably calm. It was her, she was truly an Angel.