The Billionaire Boss (2 page)

Chapter Three

January was full of nerves as she walked toward the office of Ariel Cunningham. She wondered what she should say when she reached his office.
Good afternoon, Mr. Cunningham. Hello. You wanted to see me, sir.

One question looped through her mind.
Why does he want to see me?
January sighed.
Don’t be silly. Why are you making it such a big deal?

She made it a big deal because it didn't seem as if he'd asked to see any of the other temps. Still, she didn’t want to kid herself and think Ariel Cunningham was interested in
her
.

She was greeted by an older looking woman with warm gray eyes. She smiled. “Are you January?”

“Yes.”

“Mary. Nice to meet you.”

January smiled.

“Just go to the door and knock twice. He's expecting you.”

“Okay.” January made her way to the imposing door and knocked twice. She heard a muffled voice say, “Come in.”

When she opened the door, January tried not to let awe show on her face. She was amazed by the size of Ariel's office. And unlike the cold room where orientation had been held, the temperature in his office was comfortable.

He stood as she walked toward him. A massive oak desk separated them. She was sure the desk alone was worth more than all the furniture inside her apartment.

“Please have a seat.”  His demeanour was warmer somehow, and she tried not to stare at his oceanic-colored eyes. She sat down and then Ariel followed. “You might be wondering why I wanted to see you,” he began. “I noticed something on your application.”

January hoped that whatever he’d noticed stood out in a good way.

“You like pottery?”

January nodded. “Yes.”

“My mother’s taking up the hobby. How long have you been doing it?”

“I've been doing it since I was twelve, and I also took a weeklong class in New York City.”

Ariel asked a few questions about pottery and told her he wanted to get his mother a gift. “She’s semiretired and is really into this craft thing. Where can I buy her some great materials?”

January told him about two spots in The District. Ariel wrote down the names and wondered aloud if he should pick up the hobby in order to understand the terminology. “I’m good with my hands and I like to work on things that are pliable.”

Though he was talking about modelling clay, January’s nipples hardened. She was glad she wore a good supporting bra because the fabric of her blouse was thin. She imagined Ariel's hand running over her body, touching her, stroking her, bending her into any position she wanted. She couldn't believe she was so turned on because of one man's words.

January could’ve sat and talked about pottery for the rest of the day—just to be in Ariel’s company.

Don’t be ridiculous. All the man’s probably interested is pottery
. She didn’t see someone her own age making an offhand comment and having the same tantalizing effect on her.

Knock. Knock.

Someone was at the door. January was sure she saw a look of annoyance cross Ariel's face. He sighed. “I've got a meeting to attend.”

January took that as a cue and stood.

Ariel walked from behind his desk and came toward her. She stood up less than a foot away from him. He was much taller than she and the close-up view of such a gorgeous man made her knees wobbly. He had a devastating effect on her and January felt if Ariel got any closer, if he only touched her, she would melt with desire.

She lowered her eyelids.

Ariel's hand went to the small of her back as he escorted her to the door. When he opened it, they were greeted by a leggy blonde who wore a tight white dress.

January immediately wanted to slam the door shut. The woman’s eyes went straight to Ariel, her smile bright. “Hello.” She glanced at January and her eyes shifted to Ariel’s hand at the small of January’s back. The smile grew tense. 

“Michelle, it's nice to see you.”

“You too, as always,” Michelle said, all bubbly.

Ariel turned to January. “See you tomorrow.”

“Okay,” January said before exiting the office.

Once outside, January tried not to lean against the closed door. She felt embarrassed that she wished she was the woman inside; she was the one with Ariel’s undivided attention.

She didn’t believe in one-night stands, but Ariel Cunningham was the type of man that any woman would consider changing a firm
no
into a
maybe
. January couldn’t believe she was already looking forward to another day at work.

Chapter Four

As January gathered her things at the end of the day, she noticed a few of the people from the orientation session huddled together. She stole glances at them as she fished a stick of gum out of her pocketbook. 

“I don't think we’ve officially introduced ourselves. I’m Dominic.”

January turned to face surfer dude from orientation.

Dominic stretched out his hand and they shook hands. “What year are you at university?

“I'm going to be a junior.”

“Me too.” Dominic smiled. “I'm a French major.”

“Really?” January put the strap of the bag over her shoulder. “What are you going to do with that degree?”

He chuckled. “I see you have your doubts as to the feasibility of my long-term employment prospects with a French degree.”

She arched an eyebrow, wondering what he was getting at.

Dominic crossed his arms, a playful expression on his face. “Well, join the line. My parents are standing at the front of it.”

She laughed. “Well, you know, these days it does it matter what degree you have. Competition is stiff.”

“Speaking of stiff. I take it the boss doesn’t like compliments around here.”

January arched an eyebrow. “Careful. We know there are cameras. What if the place’s bugged?”

Dominic laughed. “I like you,” he said playfully. “Anyway, a group of us are heading to the bar. Do you want to come?”

January thought about it for a few seconds. She could go home, take a shower, and spend the rest of the afternoon fantasizing about Ariel Cunningham. Or she could use the opportunity to do a little networking outside of the office—it might come in handy in the long run.

"Sure."

Dominic smiled. “Great!"

January wondered if he was attracted to her. He was fairly good-looking but not up to Ariel Cunningham standards.
Do you now have to compare every man to him? Get a grip, chica
. She followed Dominic toward the group, then they made their way to the bar.

There was an artificial camaraderie between the group. Maybe because everyone was the nice fish in the pond of Logis Apps Ltd. January got the sense she and Dominic would get along well. It’ll be great to know another familiar face on campus.

They sat at a table and ordered drinks.

“So what are you studying?” Dominic asked. “I forgot to actually listen to you talk earlier, forgive me. The whole parental disapproval of my academic choices is something I like to vent about.”

Melodramatic much?
 

"I’m a communications major, public relations to be specific.”

He nodded.

The music was loud. January sipped Sprite since she wasn’t much of a drinker. There was casual talk amongst those at the table, about their first day at the job. All but two of them had passed the typing test. Eventually, the conversation splintered off.

“Do you think it’s too soon to decide if I love or hate working there?” Dominic asked.

I love it
. "I'm not sure."

“I'm not so sure the boss likes me.”

January tried to think of something to say but a familiar tall footballer’s sudden presence distracted her. She watched as her ex-boyfriend made his way from the bartender to a corner table where a woman sat. He’d shaved his hair into a Mohawk and wore his usual gold chain.

January's eyes narrowed.

Dominic leaned toward her. “Know him?

She quickly turned to see that he’d been watching her. January glanced at the other three people sitting at the table, engrossed in a conversation of their own. Still, she lowered her voice. “Let’s just say we had a bad breakup.” She wasn’t sure why she’d told Dominic this, but since they’d left the office he hadn’t tried flirting with her. January gauged, despite his compliment, there wasn’t any romantic interest—at least she hoped.

“Uh-huh.”

Though he didn’t ask, January could tell Dominic wanted to know more.

“Let me tell you how this jackass broke up with me. We were at a bar actually, karaoke night. We went there with a group of friends just to hang out. Anyway, he…”

January and Dominic glanced at her ex-boyfriend, who hadn’t seemed to have seen her.

“Gets up on stage and sings Mario's ‘Break up.’” She wasn’t sure if Dominic knew the R&B song, but when his eyes grew wide, she realized that he did.

“No shit.”

“Yes. So I get up and sing TLC's ‘No Scrubs,’” because his car was in the garage at the time. He always drove fast and crashed it. Anyway, you will not believe this.”

Dominic leaned in and January felt like she was talking to an old friend. For a second she hesitated, but what harm can a story about an old ex do? “He gets up.”

“Again?” Dominic laughed.

January nodded. “He sings Jason Derulo’s ‘Ridin’ Solo.’”

Dominic shook his head. “I think when you break up to music you know that you’ve officially broken up.”

January nodded. “When our relationship ended in public, I knew there was nothing left to be said in private.”

Dominic sighed. "As cliché as it sounds—it’s true, ‘Every door closed leads to a new beginning.’”

***

The next morning January stood in front of her mirror, examining her appearance from head to toe. Her shoulder length hair had a few more curls, thanks to a large barrel curling iron. The makeup was more pronounced, with black eyeliner instead of the dark brown she’d worn the day before, and her lips looked lush covered in cinnamon brown lipstick.

Her outfit of choice was a cream-colored pantsuit. The jacket cinched at the waist and flattered January’s Coke-bottle shape. It was one of her favorite suits.

Looking good, Jan.
The outfit accentuated her positive attributes, including her C cup breasts and shapely hips, but the cut wasn’t overtly sexy. It was the look she was going for and she hoped that her first day with Ariel wouldn’t be an exception. She wanted to spend time with him every day.

How? You’re doing data entry work.

January tossed the question aside. She’d know what was up with Ariel Cunningham by the end of the day.

Chapter Five

Ariel saw his opportunity to get to know January better when Heather called in sick. She was eight months pregnant with her second kid. Ariel noticed that she’d seemed more tired throughout this pregnancy. In some ways, he was relieved she would soon start maternity leave as she was due the following month.

He knew January had received his instructions when there was a knock at his door. Just twice. Ariel hated when people knocked at his door too much.

“Come in.”

The door opened softly and January stepped through. Ariel had to catch his breath. She looked stunning in her pantsuit. The color only highlighted the beauty of her flawless skin.

Ariel smiled at her and appreciated that she smiled back.

He cleared his throat once.

“My assistant’s out sick today and the other departments can’t spare anyone. You’re aware that Logis Apps will soon be public?”

January nodded.

“I’ll like for you to assist me today.” He wanted January to do more than
assist
him, and Ariel tried to focus on what he was saying instead of on her nubile body. “Either Mary or I will give you instructions but you are to report to me after a task is completed.”

"Okay."

“Do you have a notepad and pen?”

January raised her hands slightly. “Sorry, I…”

Ariel raised his hands to stop her. “Any time you come to my office, please have something to write with.”

“Yes, sir.”

Sir.
He felt older than he was. “You can call me Ariel, no more of this ‘sir.’”

“Yes, Ariel.”
His name from January’s mouth had an unexpected effect on him. Ariel felt heat rushing through his body straight down to his penis. He was glad to be sitting.

She’s not a hundred percent comfortable around you. “
Please have a seat.”

As January walked toward his desk, Ariel took out a notepad and pen, then handed it to her.

"I'd like you to type a memo to staff and draft a letter to my board of directors."  He told her the contents of each document—staff would be congratulated for a job well done and credited for Logis Apps’s exponential growth. The letter to the board would highlight the company’s increase in revenue and the way forward.

She looked uncertain. "Is something the matter?” He looked at her closely.

She shook her head at first. When Ariel didn’t speak, she glanced away. “It's just that when I draft these documents, I want it to be perfect.”

He could’ve easily written both documents himself, but Ariel wanted to test January’s communication skills. If she showed promise, he could go through with his plan when Heather went on maternity leave.

He tried to reassure her. “I know that you want to do a good job. Remember that people are people…don't think ‘well, it's just staff,’ or get nervous because you’re writing to millionaires when you write the letter to the board. The important thing is crafting a message that makes them feel connected to this company.”

January nodded.

Ariel leaned forward. “What degree are you pursuing?”

“Public relations.”

"Hmm. Well you know a PR specialist must be comfortable communicating and be able to respond to any crisis in a way that makes the client look great. It’s about benefiting your client.”

January nodded.

Ariel picked up the pencil on his desk and tapped it against the shiny brown surface. “It boils down to this, January. Commitment. I want people at my company who are committed to doing a good job. Who are committed to being the best they can be when they walk through these doors.”

“I understand, si….Ariel.”

He smiled. “Good.” Ariel dropped the pencil. He wanted to see what she was capable of, and the sooner the better. "You have one hour to complete the documents,” he said dismissively.  He’d be seriously bummed if she wasn’t up to par. “I know you will do a great job.”  Ariel turned to the computer and tapped on his keyboard, and January slipped out the door as quietly as she’d come in.

He was impressed. She’d been nervous for nothing.

Ariel kept January busy as there was always lots of work to do when one ran a successful company. But he didn’t anticipate that she’d make his work harder as he found it difficult to concentrate on business matters with January’s hot body in and out of his office. By the time she left, Ariel knew he’d have to work later than usual. He was only halfway through his work.

He stood looking out the floor-to-ceiling window, into the blackness of night.

It was a good day
. Ariel cracked his knuckles. He couldn’t stop thinking about January and had loved the vibrant energy she'd brought to his office.

Ariel had a feeling he hadn't had in a long time—
curiosity.

Would she be interested
?  But the question was immediately pushed aside. The last thing he needed before his company went public was to be distracted by a temp.