Page 45 of Beauty and the Boss Man

Chapter Eighteen

Aiden

“You know, eventually, we are going to have to go to some more of those seminars?” Romy asks me as we lounge on the beach.

“I know. But not today.”

“I just feel bad that you brought me here, and because of me, you’re missing out on a wealth of knowledge.” She talks with her hands for emphasis. “I’m a bad influence on you.”

“Romy, it was my idea to play hooky today—not yours.”

She interrupts, “Because you felt like it’s what I wanted.”

She’s cute when she gets all flustered.

“Romy, calm down. There weren’t any classes that interested me today. It’s alright, I promise.”

“Okay,” she snaps her mouth shut but immediately opens it again. “I’m just saying that I feel bad that you spent a ton of money to bring us here, and I don’t want it to go to waste.”

“Exactly. I spent the money, so I get to choose what I do or don’t want to go to. Now, will you please drop it? We are supposed to be relaxing.”

She leans back in her chair, adjusting the bun on top of her head. “You’re right,” she agrees.

We’re quiet for a little while before she says, “It’s beautiful out here, isn’t it?”

“It sure is.” When I say the words, my eyes aren’t staring at the beach or the ocean. My gaze is fixed firmly on Romy.

I find myself staring at her constantly. She’s fucking gorgeous, and I just can’t seem to get enough.

Last night, when we were talking about Jane, she surprised me. Although Jane cheated on me, I still feel like I mostly come off as the bad guy. People assume that she had a legitimate reason to cheat because I wasn’t giving her what she needed.

I’ve been guilty of thinking that myself plenty of times. I’ve beat myself up for years.

But when I told Romy, she stood in my corner and backed me up.

I guess she’s always been backing me up in her own unique way. As I said before, my business wouldn’t be what it is today if it weren’t for Romy being in my corner and keeping me on track.

I remember when I first hired Romy. She spent her first month following every command I gave her—never questioning me. When she came to me asking if we could have a meeting, I was surprised. I was even more so when she came prepared with a presentation on how to streamline some of our systems.

The mousy girl I’d hired the month before was replaced with a woman who had a head full of ideas and was beyond excited to share them with me. After that day, I let her take over most of the day-to-day tasks around the office. She seemed to like having more responsibility, and I liked not handling any of the bullshit.

She truly has no idea how much easier she makes my life.

I still call her my assistant, but the truth is that she’s been much more than that for years. I wonder if maybe it’s time to step up and give her a better job title—something more fitting for how much she truly brings to the table.

And when she told me about everything she went through with her parents, it made me even more in awe of all that she does.

I’m not too proud to admit that I wouldn’t be where I am today without my incredibly supportive parents. I couldn’t have come as far as I have without them.

Although Romy didn’t start her own business, she’s built a new life without anyone’s help. That takes some big brass ones.

My eyes glance over at her. She’s leaned back in the blue lounge chair, eyes closed as the sun beats down on her. Her hair is pulled into a loose bun on top of her head, but a few wild strands blow around in the breeze.

My gaze can’t help but move down to drink in her curves, which are on full display thanks to her tiny swimsuit.

The pink fabric barely does enough to contain her ample breasts, and I feel my cock stirring to life as it yearns to slide between the two peaks while she stares up at me with those beautiful eyes.

I need to stop thinking dirty thoughts before I’m sporting a full-on boner.

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