“This is a brand-new iPhone,” she told me as I raised a brow at her.
“Yes, of course. Only the best for my staff,” I assured her smoothly as she blushed. “There are plugs at your desk that you can use to charge them and that should be done by the end of the day. I’m certain that you won’t need them right away but after that, I might call if needed.”
She nodded, and I wondered how compliant she was in bed. I’d love to strip her naked and worship those curves, making her cry out as she surrendered to me. Fuck me. She made me want her in so many ways, but Soledad was my assistant. Beyond that, she had a daughter though I didn’t know how old. She looked too young to have anything close to a teenager, so she must have a little girl.
I needed to regain control of myself.
“Why don’t you come get some coffee with me and then you can familiarize yourself with everything at your desk. I’ll introduce you to the team after lunch.” I offered as she nodded with a shy smile. I told her to set the boxes down and I’d close the door before leading her to the spacious break room. There were three fridges for people’s food and drinks and I told her that she should label everything. There had been a few instances where lunches disappeared. I showed her the coffee in the corner, both single cup as well as large pots. I liked to offer a variety of options for my staff and we all ran on caffeine. There was also a large selection of teas for her to choose from. Soledad made a cup in one of the single cup machines and I chatted about the company as she fixed it with cream and sugar.
I allowed her to lead the way back to the office, taking in her juicy ass as she walked in front of me. This woman was gorgeous, and I wondered how I was going to keep my hands away from her. She walked back int
o my office to grab the devices to charge before excusing herself to go to her desk. I told her to keep the door open and I’d let her know if I needed anything.
Soledad sat down and busied herself at the large desk as I watched her for a moment. I turned my attention to emails and replied to the important ones as I finished my coffee. Soledad knew that she was free to schedule any meetings for me after checking my calendar, but I’d give her a little time before that happened.
I was set to have lunch with Brent and he walked by her desk before shaking his head at me. “Really, Alex?”
“What? You know how great her resume was.” I reminded him as he smirked. While I was all dark hair and blue eyes, Brent was the opposite. He was tall and worked out as much as I did but offered bright green eyes and spiked blonde hair. We were a good team when we went out, but he was more into that then I was these days.
“There’s a bit more to her that’s great as well. Those tits are incredible,” he murmured as something dark washed through my veins. Was that jealousy or me being protective? Fuck. This wasn’t like me at all.
“Enough. She’s my assistant,” I grumbled as Brent gaped at me.
“Huh.” Brent left it at that as we stood to leave. Soledad wasn’t at her desk and I wondered if he drove her away with his aggressive words. I hoped that she hadn’t heard any of it since I didn’t want any trouble with the lawyers, nor did I want him anywhere near her. Brent had a large group of women that he could reach out to, if needed. So did I, for that matter. “So, what about that girl last night?”
I glanced up to see Soledad leaving the bathroom and close enough to hear him. She looked at the ground but the pink tone to her cheeks suggested to me that she heard everything. “I left her place right after. I don’t even remember too much about her at all.” I kept my words low as Brent watched Soledad disappear into the break room. “You know how we both feel about bar girls.”
“She was hot, Alex, he reminded me as I shrugged. “You had a lot to drink though. That’s unusual on a school night. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. We had to celebrate Caleb’s birthday.” I offered as I led the way to my favorite deli. The water I’d been drinking helped me some today, but I needed a large cup of vitamin water and some real food. We ordered and took a seat at a small table. I sipped the drink gratefully as Brent checked his phone for a moment. “I suppose it would be nice if he thought about those of us that worked in the morning.”
“Caleb doesn’t give a shit. He has zero responsibilities,” Brent said as I nodded in agreement. In all reality, neither of us needed to work but we enjoyed it. “He’s probably still in bed.”
“Fucker,” I muttered before chuckling. I could go to my loft apartment and sleep tonight. I’d be just fine, but I enjoyed grumbling sometimes. A girl brought us our sandwiches and we unwrapped them, discussing the upcoming housewarming party a friend was having this upcoming weekend. Brent was more enthused about it than I was, though I’d attend. I just felt like I needed more in life, which was a joke. I worked long hours and had no time for anything that resembled a relationship. I told myself it was my mother reminding me that I wasn’t getting any younger and that she needed grandchildren. My sister Alli was just twenty-two and finishing college, so there wasn’t the same rush with her.
I didn’t think that either of us had any potential to be a good parent. Mom was amazing with us and making sure that we had all the attention we needed since my step-dad worked long hours flying private planes for clients. He flew a lot of sports figures and actors, but I didn’t ask too many questions. I knew what was required for my own clients and he took excellent care of Mom. That was what mattered the most, since I moved out to go to college and then bought the loft when I came back.
We headed back to the office as I sipped my refill, thinking ahead to my night watching whatever game was on, as I dozed on the couch.
Chapter Three
Soledad
I spoke to a few people on my first day and even more throughout the week. The team I joined was amazing, creative, and loads of fun. I hadn’t let loose with friends in a few years and this was nice. It was still work but I enjoyed it, feeling fulfilled by the time the weekend rolled around.
The only time I was nervous was when I was near my boss. I’d love to blame it on that fact alone, but he was a force to be reckoned with. Alexander was gorgeous and confident. He was the textbook alpha male which I never thought I’d be attracted to again after Keith. I felt like a teenager again when I was around him, taking in his alluring blue eyes. He had soft, tousled hair and I could see how much he worked out under those slacks that he wore. They were made for him with the way they fit.
Alexander was perfect, and he’d never want someone like me. I was a hot mess that made myself look put together for work and knew what I was doing with the team. Around a man like that, I was lost. I thought I saw him watching me sometimes but brushed it off as just a boss keeping an eye on his new assistant.
I got paid two weeks after I started the job and wanted to cry when I saw the amount of the check. With the money I’d traveled here with, I’d be able to move into an apartment soon. I spent my lunches at work looking at places since I didn’t want Lindsay to get her hopes up.
I was eating a bowl of soup that was left over from dinner as I searched one day, hoping that my spotty credit wouldn’t be a problem. There were some cute places in town but anything too close to the office was too expensive. I was also worried about being close to Rosie, so she could watch Lindsay with ease.
It was hard being an adult much less a mother sometimes.
I was looking at an apartment site when Alexander walked past the desk one day. He glanced over and read the page, leaning over as I breathed in his peppermint and woodsy scent slowly. He was all man and that scent made me feel things I thought were buried years ago. “Are you looking for an apartment?” He asked as I nibbled on my lip with a nod. His eyes scanned the selections and he frowned. “Those are terrible. You need somewhere safe, Soledad.” He reached for a piece of paper and scribbled something down before handing it to me. “I have a friend that has a complex a couple blocks from here. She owes me a favor.”
She. Of course, it was a woman.