Page 42 of Boss of Her

“Allow me.” He pulled out a keycard, swiping it over the elevator controls before pressing the button for the penthouse suite.

As the doors closed and they rode the elevator up to the top floor, Jacques regaled them with the long and storied history of The Ashton Star, oblivious to their lack of enthusiasm for the subject. They already knew everything there was to know about the hotel. It made the ride in the old elevator even slower than it already was.

Finally, they reached the top floor.

“Here we are,” Jacques said, holding the doors open for them. “The penthouse suite.”

They stepped out of the elevator and into their suite. And for the second time that day, Jade’s breath was taken away.

She gazed around the room, drinking it in. The high ceilings, which made the vast suite feel even more spacious. The polished floors, covered with ornate rugs and scattered with plush vintage furniture. The tall windows, framed with pure white curtains, overlooking the Los Angeles cityscape. She could see for miles and miles.

It was no wonder Ashton had given them the penthouse suite. It was designed to impress. And Jade was definitely impressed.

“The main bedroom is through here,” Jacques said, leading them to a door and opening it up. Inside was a large four-poster bed, covered in silk sheets and soft blankets. He nodded in Jade’s direction. “There’s a pull-out bed for you, Ms. Fisher. I’m assured it’s quite comfortable, but if you’d prefer your own room—”

“That’s quite all right,” Simone said. “I like to keep my assistantclose.”

Heat rose to Jade’s skin. She turned her head, looking casually into the bedroom to hide the flush on her cheeks. Simone had to have known her words would elicit that reaction.

But Jacques didn’t seem to notice. “Here are your room keys,” he said, handing Simone two keycards. “I believe you have a reservation with Ms. Ashton for dinner at 8 p.m. downstairs. If you need anything before then, don’t hesitate to reach out.”

“Thank you, Jacques,” Simone said.

The man took that as his cue to leave. With a polite farewell, he disappeared into the elevator.

Jade let out a breath. They were finally alone. Alone in this lavish hotel room, the silk-covered bed just a room away.

But Simone only gestured to the dining table, where a bottle of wine and a gift basket had been placed carefully next to acrystal vase filled with fresh flowers and a handwritten welcome card.

“Move all this,” she said, “and set up my things on the table. We still have a few hours before we need to get ready for dinner, which gives us plenty of time to prepare. Go over that research file on Ashton and make sure you’ve memorized any talking points that are likely to come up.”

Jade nodded. “Right away.” There was always work to be done.

But her face must have betrayed her disappointment.

“Come here,” Simone said.

Jade obeyed.

“I know you’re looking forward to tonight, princess. Believe me when I say that I am too.” Simone swept her gaze down Jade’s body, amber eyes sparkling with lust. “I even bought you something to wear tonight. A dress for dinner. And a little something for afterward, for my eyes only.”

Jade bit her lip. Did that mean what she thought it did?

“Here’s what we’ll do. You’ll set up my laptop and we’ll prepare. Then you’ll put on that dress for me and we’ll go down to the restaurant. We’ll eat an exquisite meal, seal the deal with Ashton. And then,” Simone whispered, leaning in close and drawing her thumb down Jade’s cheek, “the night will be ours.”

Jade's breath caught in her chest. Simone was close enough to kiss her, her soft, inviting lips barely an inch from Jade’s own…

Simone drew back, pulling her hand away. “Let’s get started, shall we?”

Jade sighed. It was going to be a long afternoon. And an even longer evening.

CHAPTER 18

Simone knocked on the bedroom door. “Are you ready? We need to get down to dinner.”

“Almost!” Jade called. “Just give me a second.”

A minute passed. Then the door opened and Jade stepped tentatively out of the bedroom. She’d undergone a transformation, her long hair pulled up into an elaborate bun, her pale blue eyes smoky and dark, her lips a subtle red. She wore an emerald-green cocktail dress with sequins that shimmered every time she moved and a low, scooped back that followed the lines of her curves, enhancing her voluptuous figure. The fitted dress ended above her knees, but the long sleeves kept it looking elegant rather than risqué. Yet there was a subtle flirtatiousness to it, just like Jade herself.

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