Page 13 of The Billionaire's Desire

I sat back, nibbling on my lip. I knew that Carlton had done a helluva job keeping his family drama under wraps, so she didn’t know the true gravity of that statement.

“He knew how to make this a fun place to work,” she continued. “But he also knew how to put in the work himself. There was no sitting back and letting the grunts do the heavy lifting. He was there alongside the team, building contacts and the Whitmore brand.”

“So the consummate professional.” Like Jacob.

“Yes, but at the same time no,” she answered. “He knew everyone’s name, asked about kids and grandparents and didn’t bitch if people had to take off for family emergencies. He made us work--but he cared about us.” She must have noticed the dumbfounded O my lips were holding because she quickly added, “But Jacob is amazing too. We all know it. He’s the one that took us to the next level. There would be no Whitmore and Creighton without him.”

I almost told her to relax. I wasn’t gonna run and tattle that she liked Carlton more. I was genuinely surprised that he knew anyone’s name other than his own though. He was a philanderer, a cheat, and a horrible father. I guess he wasn't Lucifer, but the fact that he made everyone’s family but his own a priority made my chest tighten with disgust.

****

I knocked on Jacob's door, waiting until I heard the rumble of 'come in' before I stepped inside. I could tell from the way his expression shifted from business to something intimately ours that he was expecting someone else.

He put down his pen, flipping the folder closed. "Since when do you knock?"

I saw the playful spark in his eyes and put my hand on my hip. "I knock." I bit my lip, barely able to get that lie out with a straight face. "Sometimes."

As much flack as I gave Jacob for allowing me my professional autonomy, I knew I had a bad habit of not extending him the same courtesy. Considering we'd put all three x's in XXX in multiple locations in the building, I figured we should at least keep up appearances when it came to certain things. I might not be able to stop the dirty thoughts from racing through my mind and even acting on them a time or three, but if Natasha wasn't at her post, I could at least knock before barging in.

"I thought we could go down to the Kent meeting together."

His brow furrowed before he gave me a sheepish look. "Mia Kent...that's right, it's happening in--" He glanced at his Rolex. "--Fifteen minutes."

I gave him an understanding smile. I knew all too well that Jacob was behind. Before us, a forty hour work week was rare. He burned the midnight oil, the very definition of a hands-on CEO. I hated that my conversation with Missy popped in my head. Tales of another Whitmore who lived for this company and gave it everything. It was just a reminder of all the ways Carlton fell short. Jacob made time for me and still managed to run a profitable enterprise.

"If you need to finish some things up, I'll just see you downstairs."

"Actually, I'm gonna sit this one out."

I knew stranger things happened. The boss sitting in on the preliminary meeting for new clients was more a courtesy than anything else, but my eyes still rounded in surprise. "Are you swamped? Maybe I can help."

He studied me for a moment then beckoned me with a finger. The smallest gesture and I already felt a stirring inside of me. Images of that same finger sinking.

Thrusting.

But when I perched on the desk beside him, he kept his gaze in G-rated territory.

"I appreciate the offer, but I know you've been looking forward to this case. Watching old Carolina, California reruns."

Carolina, California was the TV show that put Mia on the map. She played a small town girl who was discovered humming in the grocery store and signed on the spot and whisked to California to sing in a rock band.

"It was just research," I said unconvincingly.

"Right," he winked. "That's why I caught you singing along? Strictly research and all of that?"

"That's right." I said, blushing with embarrassment. The lyrics were slightly cutesy and rhyme-y because of the intended audience, but catchy nonetheless. And there was just something about Mia. She had this pull. Charisma. That spark dimmed lately with all of her hijinks, clothing malfunctions, and the choice of company she kept, but she still had it--and we'd make sure she didn't become another example of why child stars were destined to be adult disasters.

"It's about more than helping a client that desperately needs it," I said, looking at the folders Jacob had accumulated. "And sure, I like her music a little more than I probably should. I can't put my finger on why I’m so invested, but I really want her to turn things around."

Jacob gave me a curious look. “Maybe you see her as a little sister?”

I was an only child. My mother smothered me with every ounce of attention and love she could spare and while my father wasn't as affectionate, I knew that it was more his own rearing, being the quiet, strong, emotionally under wraps man of the house, than a lack of love.

I didn't know anything about a sibling bond. I knew how close Megan was with her sister and how crazy they drove one another, but they had a connection that put drama on pause if one was in need. It seemed bizarre that I already felt tied to Mia, responsible for helping her when we hadn't even met.

I was probably the last person that needed to be working on her case. She needed someone that was all business and wouldn't let the mushy gushy cloud their judgment. I hated to admit it, but Missy seemed perfectly suited to run things.

"What if I helped you?" I pointed at his mountain of projects. "We could put our heads together and put a dent in this."

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