Page 46 of Under the Mistletoe
“I’m your uncle. It’s my job to worry. But it’s also my job to trust you. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders. A strong heart. If this feels right to you, then we’ve got your back. We always will.”
My eyes water at the feeling of warmth I have from them. Whatever happens with HR on Monday and what comes after, I’ll have them in my corner.
Which is good, because I have a feeling my life is about to change.
19
Donovan
I’ve been here since six a.m., had three coffees and an entire bag of chocolate coffee beans, and am pacing my office like I'm running a marathon. I did what I said. I left her alone for the weekend. I didn’t call or text, even though I really wanted to. I thought of nothing else but her from the moment she left me at the tarmac when we returned. I didn’t even wash my business shirt, the one she wore, the one that still smells like her. I’m turning into the very man I never thought I would become. Completely smitten, borderline obsessed, and having no real idea what the hell I’m doing.
Yet I know, without a doubt, she’s the girl for me. And it isn’t just the amazing sex or the fact that she’s one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met. She’s kind, considerate, thoughtful, smart. She’s so unassuming yet confident. I have no idea where she’s been or why I haven’t found her before now, but there isn’t a part of me that wants to miss this opportunity to see what we could become.
We suit each other on every level. We’re compatible, and I feel completely unsure about how to navigate it all. So, as promised, I gave her space. I want her to make the decision of us being together without being clouded by my thoughts and affection. I’m her boss, and that comes with a power imbalance that, regardless of what I say or do, can have an effect. So she needs a clear head. We both do.
“Jay Jay is here to see you.” Ashley's voice sounds like lemon as she interrupts me from my thoughts. My heart stutters, and when I look past Ashley and see Jessica, I feel like I can breathe again for the first time all weekend.
I stand, antsy. I’m nervous. Love was never something that was meant to find me. But I now realize it may be working its way into me a little and I have no idea what to do about it.
“Thank you, Ashley. And call Mark and Susan from HR. I want them up here now.” I dismiss her, but not before I see a gleam in her eyes. No doubt, she thinks I’m terminating Jessica. I’ve noticed the way she looks at her. I’ve had my people keep their ears to the ground around here, and Ashley’s name comes up time and time again as being someone who’s busy talking to others around the office and in the staff kitchens. I might need a new assistant sometime soon.
Jessica walks into my office and my eyes land on the woman I can’t wait to get my hands on. As Ashley closes the door, I wait for Jessica to look at me, knowing as soon as she does, I’ll have my answer. She loves her work. She’s proud of her achievements and she should be. So if she doesn’t want me, I would understand. It would be hard, but I would do it for her. But I really want her to want me as well.
My heart thuds so hard I think I’m going to have a fucking heart attack. Is this what people go through? Is this why they call it heartbreak?
“Jessica.” I swallow, and she looks at me, pushes her glasses up, and smiles.
“Good morning.”
My shoulders lower instantly at the sound of her sweet voice, and I bite the inside of my cheeks so a full smile doesn’t bloom. I’ve missed her. I have no idea what the next few weeks will look like, but if Lake Placid showed me anything, we are going to have a lot of fun together.
“Good morning…” I take a small step toward her.
“I got you a refill… Thought you might need it.” She hands over a small box as her eyes look down at my desk. I follow her gaze, spotting the empty crystal bowl on my desk, and when I open the box, I see my favorite chocolate coffee beans inside.
I don’t really get gifts. Sure, I get the corporate gift boxes at times, but when my parents died, there was no one else who really spent time and money buying me something they thought I wanted. I know it’s just coffee beans, but like last time, they are my favorite brand.
“Looks like I was right,” she says, making me chuckle. She knew I’d be pacing and munching on those coffee beans all morning until the bowl was empty.
I swallow, thinking back to my conversation with Bentley, about his wife always bringing him lemon slices. This is the second time she has gotten me these, and my heart swells even more. She notices the little things. She notices what I like, right down to the same brand.
“Thank you.” I smile. Placing the box on my desk, I take another step toward her.
“So you have HR coming?” Her hands find her hips as she looks at me.
“I’m making an adjustment to your contract.”
Her brow furrows. “An adjustment?”
“I’m removing the no fraternization clause. I’m having both Susan and Mark come up here so that we can officially disclose our relationship to HR. Susan will speak to you separately because I want you to be honest and not feel like you have to say or do anything you don’t want to. Like I said in Lake Placid, if this is not something you want, your job won't be in jeopardy. It’s entirely your call, but you need to know I'm all in.”
“All in?”
“All in. You, me, work and play. I want you to be mine in every sense of the word. I want you in my bed, I want you in my office, in my boardrooms, in my meetings. I want to bring you coffee on Saturdays at the sprinkler shop and talk to your uncle. I want to spend the holidays with you. I’ve never done it before, never had a relationship like this. Everything else I’ve had has been casual, so I want you to go easy on me. I won't always get it right.” I take a breath, my vulnerability rushing out. She looks at me, dumbfounded, and my heart races, wondering if she's going to slap me or scream at me. Have I lost her?
“You really want me?” Her eyes are glassy, and I swallow hard, needing her in my arms.
“More than anything.”
