Jamie bit her lip, uncertain. She had no reason to believe he wanted anything more than non-work-related conversation while he waited for her to finish her tea. Except the last time they were in a room together when they weren’t working, they had ended up in Alex’s bedroom. And look how well that turned out. Well, it turned out well. For that night at least. The next morning was a different story.
Alex must have read her mind because he smiled at her. “I assure you, I’m not looking for… repeat performances. We both know that’s not wise.”
Jamie smiled hesitantly and nodded, ignoring the pang of disappointment she felt. “I guess I can stay for a little while.”
He smiled and sat down beside her. “Awesome! How was your father’s birthday?”
“You were at the next table. You should know.”
“Believe it or not, I had to actually work,” Alex said. “I did my best to tune out what was happening until after the business was resolved.”
“Oh, well, you can imagine.” Jamie rolled her eyes, enjoying that she could be comfortable and honest with him, and he wouldn’t judge. “Plenty of wedding talk and my father didn’t want to do anything but get back to work, even though it was his party.” She shrugged. “It was a very long evening.”
“I’m sorry your family’s so rude,” Alex said. “I have to admit, I’m glad Stephen wasn’t there. If he had been and was acting just as rude to you as he was the last time I saw him, then I’d have done something very unprofessional in front of a lot of valuable business associates.”
Jamie smiled. “You’d have turned into the Hulk?”
“Absolutely. Multiple times.”
She giggled.
“So, why does your family treat you like shit?” Alex poured some more golden liquid into his glass. He offered her some and she shook her head.
Jamie shrugged. “They aren’t that bad. They just get stressed and I’m an easy target to take it out on. I need to lose some weight and they’re just trying to help.” They had a lousy way of doing it, but they meant well.
“I don’t think so.” Alex frowned. “If you mean the fact that you don’t starve yourself because society says you should, then—”
“That’s basically it,” Jamie said, cutting him off and wishing she didn’t have to have this conversation. “I used to be skinny like Christine growing up. Mom was just as doting on me then as she is on Christine now. Then middle school hit and I didn’t handle puberty well. Neither did any of the other kids in my class, but instead of turning mean and vicious like the other girls in my class, I started indulging in comfort food. Ever since then I’ve been the one blemish on Mom’s and Christine’s perfect life and perfect family.”
“And they have never let you forget it,” Alex muttered.
She bit her lip. He did see it from their eyes and most likely agreed with them.
“That’s so cruel!” Alex slapped the granite countertop. “How can they do that? Not even—” He clenched his jaw suddenly and Jamie knew that whatever he was about to say, he wasn’t ready to say. “Not even my middle school years were that bad,” he said lamely.
“Well, I’m sure your family isn’t as bad as mine.” Jamie forced a smile, more than willing to change the subject away from her.
“Your sister and mother aren’t in the right.”
She blinked in surprise. “Thank you for being willing to fight my battle Mr. Reid, but someone as perfect as you are has never had to deal with this kind of treatment. You don’t understand.” She couldn’t blame him, he was perfect and, most likely, so was everyone in his family. “What are they like? Your family?” she asked. “Aside from a couple of photos in your house, there’s practically no sign that you even have one.”
Alex shrugged and glanced at his watch, his face becoming unreadable. “I’m afraid that’s a story for another time.” He stood and brought their glasses to the sink. “It’s getting late. But thanks for the company, Jamie.”
“Sure.” She stood abruptly, thrown by his sudden ‘get out’ attitude. He was the one who asked her to stay and suddenly it was late? She was about to leave, but she turned back at the last second. Frustration gave her false courage. “I know we never talked about that night,” she said quickly. “And I’m sure you want to forget about it. I just need—I want—to know if you actually meant what you said.” She swallowed hard, shocked she’d said the words out loud.
“About how I wanted you and how incredibly sexy you are?” He raised an eyebrow, his voice low and sexy, it sent warm sensations through her body.
“That’s, uh, not exactly—”
“Not to mention how fucking amazing you are in bed?” His calm facade melted away to show the lust he was really feeling.
Jamie went weak in the knees and had to reach out to grab the countertop to keep herself from stumbling.
Alex’s gorgeous blue eyes never left hers. “Believe me, I meant every word.” His breathing increased and he straightened to compose himself. “Jamie… I apologize for that night. The only relationship I can have with you is professional, and anything on the side would have to be with no strings. I’m not interested in anything else. I hope you know that.”
Disappointment hit Jamie like a wrecking ball. She turned away so Alex wouldn’t see the tears forming in her eyes. He might not care at all about her weight, but he wanted to use her as an office slut just like Stephen. Despite how her body was reacting to the smoldering man standing by her, she definitely had a problem with that. She swallowed hard and nodded. “I figured as much,” she said. “It makes things easier for when I tell you that I only want a strictly professional relationship from now on. After all, isn’t that why you hired me? To not be distracted?”
“Jamie—”