"There's no need to. I was coming through town for an eleven o'clock meeting and figured now was as good a time as any to tell you once again that I'm sorry, and if you ever find yourself needing a dinner date... I'm your guy." He stood and offered his hand. "And if you decide that you're ready to start your own firm or want another place to work... call me for that reason as well. That job offer is always available."
She stood and shook his hand, offering him a warm smile. "Well, thank you on all three accounts. I have your number on speed dial."
"I like the sound of that." He winked and turned, walking toward the door before pausing and looking back over his shoulder. "Gray looks look good on you; brings out your eyes."
"Thanks." She felt a little overwhelmed with his attention locked onto her, but she held his gaze nevertheless.
He walked out and Jamie stood there, trying to sort through her feelings about the older man. No one but Alex held the keys to her heart, but it was insanely warming to think that perhaps she wasn't as revolting or unwanted as she’d believed herself to be only a few months ago.
"Here we go, pretty woman." Paul walked in and set down her cup of oatmeal. He gl
anced up at her and chuckled. "Damn. What did the old guy say?"
She blinked a few times and smiled. "What? Why?"
"Because that look on your face is dreamy. I want to learn from the best. You seem like a hard cookie to break. If he's got you looking like you’re lost in a daydream, I want in."
Jamie laughed louder. "You're incorrigible."
"You have no idea." He winked and walked to his desk, sitting down and pulling the wrapper off of his sandwich. "If you decide you want something that tastes good, I got an extra bacon, egg, and cheese."
Jamie took one look at her oatmeal and shook her head before walking toward him. "Yeah, to hell with it. I'm starving. I'll just eat a light lunch."
"You’re kidding, right? You’ve got nothing to worry about, weight-wise.” He shook his head. “You women are silly with your body-complexes.” He handed the extra sandwich to her over his shoulder, never looking away from his computer.
She was starting to like him. He could stay – for now.
Jamie was still thinking about the conversation with Nicholas when she reached the hanger for Alex's private jet. She walked on to the aircraft and nestled into a large leather chair as Alex glanced up from his across the aisle.
"Hey, beautiful. Sleep good last night?" He turned his full attention on her.
"Sure did. I'm a little sleepy now, too. Mind if I take a nap while we fly?"
"Not at all. I have several things I need to review before we get there. I assume we'll be going through the rest of the house and working out the documents for the estate to sell. Long two days coming up, with little time for work."
"Which is a blessing in disguise, I'm sure." She smiled at him and reached for a blue blanket that lay in a cubbyhole beside her. She wrapped herself up and closed her eyes, leaning back and drifting off as the plane took off, her thoughts on Alex but her dreams mixed with three men’s faces.
Chapter 7
"Hey. We're here. Let's go." Alex's voice was cold, and not at all what she wanted pulling her from the restful nap she got to take.
"Alright," she mumbled sleepily and got up, following him down the steps and waiting beside him for their luggage.
He took his and turned, walking toward a waiting limo, with stiff shoulders and an angry disposition. She grabbed her own bag and walked behind him, stifling a yawn. They got their luggage in the back and got into the car. Jamie moved closer to him and slid her hand along his thigh.
He looked down at his leg, up at her, and back out the window. No smile. No encouragement to touch him. The last time they'd been in a limo together, all hell broke loose and pleasure was king for the long ride.
"What's wrong?" she asked, squeezing his leg and pressing her lips to his shoulder.
"I don't want to do this shit. I don't want to see Mark, and honestly there's nothing here that I need to take care of."
Whoa! Talk about a one-eighty. "You promised your dad you would work on your relationship with your brother. This is just part of that promise." She moved back as his head whipped around.
"I realize that, Jamie!” he barked. “It's the only reason I'm doing it. I just don't want to. There are too many fucked up memories here. Always second-best, always first doubted." He shrugged and let out a long sigh before leaning his head back and turning away from her.
"I understand." She moved her hand and wrapped her arms around herself. "Just let me know where I can help and what I can do."
"I brought you for two reasons: One, to help me keep everything straight from a legal perspective, and the other, to simply lean on. I swear I feel like a complete failure every time I come here." He let out a long breath through his nose.