Page 53 of Under the Mistletoe
“Please, call me Donovan.”
“Thank you for the new kitchenette and the meals. They come in handy at two in the morning when my lunchtime rolls around. Not many cafés are open at that hour.” He grins, and it’s then I think about it. How the facilities I had in place before were subpar, and I wonder what else around here isn’t up to a standard that I thought.
“Something we should’ve rectified for you and your team sooner.”
“We all appreciate it. Well, except for my waistline… My wife tells me I need to watch my cholesterol…” Frank pats his stomach and I grin. I like this old guy. Genuine. Honest. Humorous.
“She sounds like a smart woman.” I nod at him and his eyes light up. Like the mere thought of his wife makes him the happiest man on earth, a feeling I’m starting to understand.
“We should go. Gordon is out front,” Jessica tells me.
“Have a good night you two…” Frank nods to us both.
“Thanks, Frank, see you in the morning.” Jessica gives him a warm smile, and I see him bask in it. I know, Frank… I know… “You want me to cook up some pasta again? Or we can get takeout?”
I grin at her as we step outside, this domesticated situation one that I’ve wanted for far too long.
“Anything you want…”
Donovan, is it true that you’re sleeping with your employees now?
Donovan, would your father have approved…
Donovan, is this serious?
I stop short, the media unexpected, especially with such intrusive questions. Jessica stumbles a little, the media pack getting too close.
“Donovan?” Jessica’s voice is unsure, slightly panicked as I see a group of men with cameras merge around her, cutting us off from each other.
“Back off.” I’m pissed now, no doubt the image of me splashed around tomorrow will clearly show a face full of anger.
“Step back. Everybody, step back.” A loud voice breaks through, and I see Frank stepping out and pushing people away from Jessica. I reach out and grab her as Frank helps us get to the car, where Gordon rushes to get us safely inside.
Frank closes our door, and we pull away from the curb quickly, the camera flashes following our car until we’re out of sight.
“You alright, sir?” Gordon looks back in distress.
“Jessica?” I’m panicked as my hands roam over her, her hair wild, her cheeks flushed, her eyes wide. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
That pack was fucking crazy. I’ve never had a mob like that before, not even at Fashion Week and certainly never at the entrance to my own fucking building.
“I’m okay… I’m okay…” she pants out, almost like she’s trying to assure herself.
“Did they touch you?” My jaw is locked tight. I have no idea who they all were, but if the photos are published tomorrow, I’ll know exactly what media outlet to go after.
“A little, but I’m okay.” She pulls off her coat, and I notice a red welt covering her upper arm where someone physically grabbed her. I seethe at the sight.
“Are you okay? Are the usually like that after a board meeting?” She looks up at me, concern in her eyes, but I’m pissed.
“Never. Never had that before. They came out of nowhere, like they were all lying in wait for us.” I run my hands over her hair, still ensuring she’s in one piece.
“I have no idea how they would know we were leaving together or what time we were exiting…” She frowns, thinking about it.
“It must be a very fucking slow news day. But don’t worry. I’ll fix it. It won’t happen again.” I’m adamant as I pull out my phone and send a text to the head of security.
“Thank God for Frank,” she says on a heavy breath, and I pause.
“He’ll be getting one very large raise, I can assure you.” I nod, knowing if it wasn’t for him barging through the throes of the media, we would probably still be stuck back there. Either that, or I would’ve gone apeshit.
