Page 29 of Billionaire's Black Assistant

“We’ve been friends since we were kids, Sheri. You were always there for me beating up the bullies I had to face right up to middle school. Then we grew older and things changed. You became the softer one that needed someone big and strong by her side,” teased Guy in a wry tone. “I’m glad for all the times I’ve been able to stand by you, but somehow, it’s no longer enough.”

“Guy,” she said in confusion, her head in a daze. Then, she burst out laughing moments later. “Jesus, you’re such a cad! I almost freaking believed you just now. Whoa, that was a good one, bro.”

“But I’m being serious here.”

“It’s okay, I know you’re trying to make me feel better. Nice morale boost, getting me to think you’ve fallen for me or something,” she said airily.

“Hey, Cocobug….”

“Don’t worry, I didn’t believe it for a second anyway,” she chuckled, warmed over hearing the pet name he hadn’t used for her since they were teens. She really did feel better, glad for the teasing which reminded her that no matter what, life was simple and you could face anything with a brave smile, knowing that with just that, you were already a winner.

“Thanks for making things seem less of a disaster,” she said seriously. “I keep wondering what I’d do without you. You know I think you’re the best don’t you?”

Sheri bit on her lip and hoped Guy couldn’t tell she was holding back tears. Damn Dean for making me this emotional!

Guy made a pause, and then suddenly said, “I can’t wait till you can make it next week. Why don’t I come for the weekend?”

“Guy, I’m not letting you take a six hour roundtrip just so you can stay a day or two, that’s not happening.” Sheri felt guilty feeling at how nice it sounded for Guy want to be here at the drop of a hat, but she couldn’t be that selfish. “Besides, you’re always the one making time to be here for me, while I haven’t done anything for you.”

“That’s okay, I wouldn’t mind making the trip at all, so long as you’ll make it worth it when I get there,” he said with heavy suggestiveness, but he only had Sheri breaking out in chuckles again.

“You really need to stop teasing, babe,” she giggled warmly.

“Babe…I like the sound of that, babe,” Guy said, but there was a trace of resignation in his voice, even as he muttered, “And for the last time, I’m not teasing!”

Sheri was still shaking her head and laughing when the call ended. She’d never have dreamed anything could seem funny to her in the sorry state she was in. But trust Guy to make her see the brighter side. It would be just like old times again when she finally made the move to L.A. and they could be close together like before.

Sheri hated the thought of running. She used to be the type to face up to her problems. But when it came to Dean Cooper, she knew she had no defenses against the pain he could bring if she let him. He could topple her whole world.

***

Dean had to get the woman he came home with to get out.

She was driving him fucking crazy. She was someone his mother had set up for him, the second daughter of a US senator, who ran her own niche clothing business. Smart and beautiful, not to mention his favorite type: brunette and slim, with just the right amount of curves to fit into his palms.

He couldn’t remember what the hell they talked about at dinner, he only remembered drinking a lot. Good thing Perry was there to drive them back to his place. The moment he walked in with his date – Beatrice or Belle or what the fuck he couldn’t remember – he knew it was a mistake.

She was crawling all over him before he could even think of the best way to make her leave. He was trying to remember to be a gentleman, after all, she was the daughter of his parents’ friends.

Dean hated that any woman he tried to be with just reminded him of his ex-assistant. No one he’d met had that exactly that same flawless skin tone, or that soft smile, or the way her voice flowed like warm silk. The way Sheri said his name was different, too, and the way she brightened his whole mood when she was around.

He still remembered the first day she started work as his assistant. He’d had nothing to do with the process and had been slightly surprised to look up and see this image he wasn’t expecting. She won him over instantly with her confidence and ready smiles. She didn’t flutter and put up the dumb girly act women cultivated when meeting him the first time. She handled her tasks, whether menial or prestigious, with well thought-out execution. And, she never acted too familiar or complacent even when they drew closer and built trust between them.

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