Chapter 1
It had been a month since Christine's wedding. Business was booming for Alex, another large investor had joined his portfolio, which kept him—and Jamie busy—but building the future took time, energy and effort.
Jamie leaned back in her large leather chair and let out a sigh. It had been more than a week since they'd slept together and honestly, she was diving deeper into a rather foul mood that seemed to have a hold of her. Sex was a part of who she was, a release that kept her balanced and on point in other areas of her life. And after finding the perfect partner in Alex, she wasn't willing to let many more days go by before she reminded him of her need.
"Actually. Right now would be good." She stood and smoothed her black skirt down over the curve of her back before walking out in the hall.
Gina glanced up and smiled. "We still on for drinks tomorrow night?"
Alex’s secretary had become one of Jamie's favorite people. Their 'private happy hours' had become a current staple in Jamie's life. After being raised in a home where she was never good enough, and nothing was right about her, Gina had become a welcomed reprieve. The woman left Jamie feeling centered and good about herself.
"Absolutely." Jamie glanced toward Alex’s closed door. "He in a bad mood this morning? I haven't had the pleasure of seeing him just yet."
"He's a little edgy, but you know we have our investment conference coming up. He's always a little moody this time of the year." She stared at Jamie with a silly grin on her face. “Though he has been happier than normal lately.”
Jamie tried to ignore Gina’s comment and not blush at the same time. It was nearly impossible. "It has been busy. I've been working overtime for the last week, trying to get his speaking points and agenda notes together." She shrugged and walked to the door, pressing her ear to it. "Anyone in there or is he on the phone?" She had checked his appointments that were linked to her tablet but that didn’t mean there wasn’t someone in the office she hadn’t heard walk in from her office.
"Nope and nope. Get on in there and see if you can't blast a ray of sunshine up his ass." Gina chuckled.
Jamie couldn't help but smile. "Here goes nothing." She knocked once and walked in.
Alex stood, his back to her, his hands pressed to the desktop space behind him. His shoulders stiffened, but he didn't move, which most likely meant he was reading.
"Just me," she whispered softly, not wanting to scare him. She locked the door behind her, which seemed to get his attention.
He turned and slipped his hands into his slacks pockets, which bunched his black jacket around his hip. "Morning. Don't you look lovely?" His dark eyebrow lifted as he pursed his lips.
The week had been hard on him, as had the last month. They'd been passing each other at the house more than anything. A few nights of quick love making and they were back to running the race. He moved one hand to the front of his jacket, unbuttoning it and giving her a tight smile. "What can I do for you, Jamie? I have a meeting in forty-five minutes I need to prepare for." He turned back and picked up his notes, scanning them as he let out a long sigh. "I'm ready for this shit to be done."
"I know you are." She moved forward and stopped just before him. Timid she hesitated a moment before need took over her shyness. She slid her hands around his waist and pressed her palms against his hard abs. "Just sit down and review your notes. I just want to see you."
He glanced up from the notes in his hands and then dropped them on the desk, slipping his fingers of one hand into her hair, and pulling her toward him. Jamie closed her eyes, the image of his handsome face seared into her memory. Dark features and a perfectly trimmed goatee that left him with a bad boy appeal.
His lips were soft, his tongue warm and wet as he pressed it against her own. She opened up for him and groaned at the taste of peppermint on his tongue.