Who's the Boss Now (Managing the Bosses 3)

He stood and crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm not too fond of the term, but I guess if that's what you want to call it."

"Can't be much more when you don't let your heart get involved." She glanced over at him. "Tell Mark hi for me. I'll think about your offer. I'm not too sure that I don't agree with the idea of a break."

"Then what offer are you referring to?" He spoke through clenched teeth.

"The one where you'll take care of my needs. I'm a pretty sexual creature, Alex. I like to feel a man's hands on my body, to hear him grunting my name in my ear, to feel the pressure of being laid open for him. I like to be fucked. I get cranky when I don’t get some." She shrugged and tugged the covers up, trying to show him that her body wasn’t for him. "Thanks for the offer."

"Jamie. Stop. I already have enough shit on my plate. Don't put this on me too."

"The door's over there. Lock it when you leave." She yawned and continued to ignore him. Things would work out with them, or they wouldn't. She would be beyond devastated over losing him, but he was making decisions without her, and she wasn't going to beg for anything. If the last six months of her life had taught her anything, it was that she was worth more than that. She deserved something great.

His phone vibrated again.

“Mark’s waiting for you.”

Alex stared at her, obviously torn about what to do. He inhaled and let it out slowly. "I'll see you tomorrow then." He turned and walked to the door, pausing as if he expected her to reply.

She had nothing else to say.

She waited until the door closed to turn into her blanket and press her face into the waiting softness. Her sobs wracked her body as she let all of the pain and disappointment pour out of her. How did it manage to work out that, just when she found the perfect person, job, and house, she had to lose them all?

Her phone buzzed but she ignored it, not giving a damn about who wanted to talk. It continued to buzz over and over until she jerked the covers from her face and picked it up.

"What?" Her voice was thick with emotion.

"Hey. It's Christine. Come over to Mom’s. We're making margaritas and lamenting over life. We want you with us."

Really? Of all people? Her sister and her mother wanted to spend time with her? Hell had to be freezing over.

"You guys need someone to make you feel better? Is that it?" She hated how harsh her tone was.

"No, Jamie. I've been trying to talk to you about me and Stephen for a damn week now, and Mom's just walking around mumbling about missing Dad. Look, if you don't want to come, I get it. You're the best lay and have a great job, and have a super fine man loving on you. It's fine. Forget I called."

"Wait. Where are you? Mom’s?" Jamie got up and let the blanket drop at her feet.

"Yeah. We'd love your company."

"I’m on my way. I’ve got tequila.”

Jamie walked into the front door of her mom's, after coaching herself how to act and not act all the way over. If they said one thing that hurt her feelings, she was out. She couldn't take much more in the way of being beaten down.

Alex had done enough damage in his desire to take a fuckin’ break.

"You guys in here?" Jamie called out, and walked into the kitchen to find them leaning on each other, laughing loudly. She couldn't help but smile at their silliness.

"There she is!" Christine smiled and walked over to pull Jamie into a sloppy hug. Her sister had put on a few pounds, but it actually made her look better, healthier.

"How are you, Jamie?" Her mom handed her a drink and tilted her head to the side. "Have you lost weight? You're looking good. Better. Damn fine!"

It was a compliment. She could take it at face value and move on. It was the swearing from mother’s lips that made her want to laugh. "Good. Thanks." She took the drink and leaned against the counter before tasting it. "So everyone’s lamenting over their problems, hmm?"

"Yep. Stephen has been on me to get help for my lack of creativity in the bedroom." Christine shrugged and hiccupped loudly, which caused their mom to laugh and snor

t.

Jamie chuckled, not used to seeing the two of them drunk as skunks.

"Tell him to stop complaining about it and show you a few things. He can be inventive. He's a complete whore." Jamie took a long drink of the beverage as she watched her sister digest the information.