The Billionaire Boss (3 page)

Chapter Six

January noticed that when Heather called in sick again, he didn't seem particularly bothered. She wondered whether it was because he was sympathetic to the trials of pregnant women or if, maybe, he wanted to spend more time with her.

She toyed with asking Mary when Heather would be off on her maternity leave, but didn’t want to seem anxious to replace the woman. So far, Mary and January had gotten along well. The older woman, with her gray hair and plump figure, had even complimented her on her prompt response and attention to detail.

“Those attributes are so critical to what we do here,” she’d said.

“Well, I aim to please.”

Mary had simply smiled. “I don't know many temps who work like you do. This new generation doesn’t like filing.”

They’d been sorting through some documents. January had stayed late, though she hadn’t been asked, in order to copy and scan files for the woman. She’d overheard Ariel give her a last minute instruction and seen her sigh—the job couldn’t be refused. They’d left work after 7:00 p.m., and January was certain that wouldn’t have been the case if Mary had tackled it alone.

At noon, Mary promptly got up and began to organize the papers on her desk. January's desk was across from hers, outside Ariel’s office.

She was happy to be closer to him.

Ring. Ring.

Mary glanced over at January, who looked at the caller ID on the phone.
It’s Ariel.

January picked up the receiver. “Hello.”

“Did Mary mention we’ll be going to lunch today?”

“No."

“Today's her birthday. We have a tradition where I take her out for lunch. Since Heather’s not here, you should come.”

“Okay.” She said it slowly, feeling heady from the invitation.

“Great. I’ll be out in five minutes.”

The phone went dead

“I didn't know today was your birthday.” January smiled. "Happy birthday.”

“Thanks. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. I take it Ariel told you--you’re joining us for lunch?”

January nodded.

Mary smiled. “Good.” She lowered her voice. “Don’t take it the wrong way that I didn’t tell you. It’s better that Ariel invited you.”

January waved it off. “It’s no big deal.”

Mary twisted her mouth. “I think you’ll do fine here. You’re not like some of our past temps—pushy.”

January arched an eyebrow.

“It’s not just our company, that’s a hot commodity around here.”

***

Ariel, Mary, and January made their way inside the sleek Greek restaurant. As they neared the hostess, Ariel placed his hand on the small of January’s back. She felt a shiver run down her spine.

I wish it were just you and I here.

The hostess checked the database for the reservation.

“Looked who the cat dragged in,” a robust voice said. “Mr. Cunningham ,  do I have to come to the Mayweather to see you?”

January turned and was surprised to see a tall well-built man, around Ariel’s age, smiling at them. His voice had sounded older than the man looked.

“Scotty, I know it's been a while,” Ariel said.

“As can be expected, I suppose.”

Ariel smiled, but January read
tension
. “It's nice to see you.”

“It’s just a group of three?” Scotty stood as if he was waiting for something.

Ariel didn’t miss a beat. “Would you like to join us?”

“Certainly.”

As an elegant-looking waiter escorted them to a table, January tried to decipher if the man was a friend of Ariel’s. Something in their banter was off, despite Ariel asking Scotty to join them.

They ordered drinks.

January listened as Ariel and Scotty talked about software products. Finally, Ariel said, “These lovely women didn’t come to hear us talk all afternoon, especially the birthday girl.”

“Which one?” Scotty’s green eyes pierced through January. She felt her cheeks get warm. He wasn’t as handsome as Ariel, but he had an unnerving sexual energy.

“Mary.” Ariel frowned and nodded toward his secretary.

“Well, you know I like to talk about our industry’s products. But if you say so, Ariel. It's hard to set up a meeting with you these days.”

“I’ll put you on the calendar.”

“How about next week Friday? I’m out of town from tomorrow.”

Way to put pressure on the man.
January sensed that, like Ariel, Scotty was a man used to getting his way. But he didn’t have the light touch Ariel had. Scotty was obvious, like a bulldozer.

“Mary will check my availability and get back to you.”

Scotty raised an eyebrow. “Just make it happen. I’d appreciate it.”

Ariel nodded, his expression purposefully blank.

“And what do you do?” January asked, trying to ease the growing tension.

Scotty’s intense gaze fell her way again. “I’m a software consultant.”

January nodded, though she wasn’t sure what a software consultant did.

Scotty leaned in. “Is it Mrs. or Miss?”

“I don't think she’s your type.”

"Really?" Scott smiled snidely. “How would you know what's her type?”

Mary looked like she wanted to sink into the chair. And January found that she was enjoying the attention somewhat. Ariel had a controlled expression on his face.

Scotty backed down. “Never mind.”

Soon lunch came. Now, Mary and Ariel did most of the talking, while Scotty interjected with antidotes here and there. He was friendly and comical.

January tried not to laugh at the debonair man's jokes. She cut into her salmon as she talked, a smile on her face. When she looked up, Ariel was watching her.  He turned away. Somehow, Scotty seemed to get under Ariel’s skin.

It was the first time that January realized Ariel Cunningham was not as invincible as she’d thought.

Chapter Seven

That evening, Ariel stood looking out his floor-to-ceiling window. His thoughts were on January. He didn’t like Scotty eyeing her.   

The bastard hadn’t changed. Ariel remembered their Harvard days, how Scotty had gone after

Ariel's college sweetheart before the pain from their breakup had mended. She'd rebuffed Scotty, to his dismay.

He turned away from the window and went to pick up his gym bag. He needed to utilize his energy. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see January with Scotty; he didn’t want to see her with anyone else.

Chapter Eight

Shit. Please say I can get it back today.

January waited outside the auto shop to hear what the mechanic would say about her car. She’d had to shell out money she hadn’t allowed for to get it towed to the shop.

The mechanic came back outside. “I think we’ll have to keep your car overnight. Maybe longer, after I examine it further.”

January sighed. She didn’t need the hassle. For now, she was lucky the subway was a couple blocks away. She hadn’t taken it in years though and would have to spend some time studying the map to find her destination point.

DING.

The text was from Ariel.

Can you come in to work half an hour early tomorrow?

Okay.

January had never received a text from him before. She didn’t even know he had her number. And smiled at the realization that now she had his.

Can you make it an hour early instead?

She hesitated. January wasn’t sure how the time would factor in to get to work now that she’d have to take public transportation.
I might as well just tell him.
She texted back.

I’ll try my best. I’m at the auto shop now. My car conked out on me.

January thought that’d be the end of the conversation.

DING.

Which shop?

On P Street. Randy’s Auto Body Shop.

I’ll pick you.

January immediately felt her pulse increase.
You don’t have to.

I'll be there in two minutes.

Ariel’s silver Mercedes rolled up shortly afterward. He rolled down the passenger window.

January tried to stay as calm as possible.

“Hey.” Ariel leaned over and opened the passenger door as January walked his way. She felt nervous and excited at the same time.

“Hi. Thanks for the lift.”

“No sweat. I was nearby.”

“It smells like Chinese food in here.” January glanced in the backseat and saw two brown bags.

“I just picked up dinner. I live about three blocks away.” Ariel checked his rear view mirror. “Where do you live?”

January told him her street.

“Do you have a roommate?”

It was the first time he’d asked her a personal question. "I do, but she’s in Jamaica this month, visiting her family.”

Ariel glanced over at her. “Do you want to join me for dinner?”

Ariel Cunningham just asked you to have dinner with him
! January tried not to flip out. "Okay.” There was no way he would ask her to eat with him if he weren’t interested.

There was no way she’d turn the sexy billionaire down.

Ariel smiled and January had a vision of the two of them making love.

***

They sat next to each other at the dining room table, eating cashew chicken.

"This is delicious." January chewed and briefly closed her eyes. "I've never tasted cashew chicken so good before."

“I tend to go to a great place on K Street,” Ariel said, picking up a forkful of noodles. “I find that they use good quality ingredients.”

He rubbed his leg and she wanted to ask him what he was thinking.

“Would you like something to drink?”

January nodded and Ariel got up from the dining room table.

“I’ve got grape juice, lemonade, water, sodas.”

Why not wine?
January frowned. “Soda’s fine.” Maybe she’d gotten her hopes up for nothing. Maybe Ariel didn’t want to ravish her in his home.

She looked around. His place was truly amazing. January’s toes had sunk down in the plush carpeting when she’d first walked through his living room, her heels left near the front door. The furniture was tasteful yet modern.

January noticed that Ariel had a good number of paintings on the wall. He hadn’t seemed like the type who liked to collect things.

You’re full of surprises.
She’d decided this from the moment she entered his house.

She was so glad she’d mentioned that she was at the auto shop. She would’ve probably been at home watching TV if she’d had kept her mouth shut.

He returned with a can of ginger ale.

January had cleaned her plate while Ariel had only made his way halfway through the food on his plate.

“I take it you’re not a big eater.”

Ariel shifted in his chair. “I’ve just got an appetite for something else.”

Is he flirting with me? Yes.

She exhaled. January couldn’t say she’d ever been properly seduced before.

She felt blood coursing through her body. She was so attracted to this powerful man.

“Thank you for dinner.” 

He nodded.

She glanced around. “I like that portrait over there.” January had noticed the portrait from the moment she walked in. It was of a black woman dancing on the grass. Her hips seemed to sway suggestively, her hair cornrowed and neat, the sun glaring overhead.

“Thanks.  It’s a friend of mine’s handiwork.”

“Wow. You’ve got some talented friends.”

Ariel smiled. “Yeah, it’s nice to know people who are more creative than I am. It gives me perspective.”

He stood up. “Do you want to take a closer look?”

“Sure.”

January followed him to the wall where the portrait hung.

“It really is awesome.”

January admired the lines and colors used in creating the piece. The portrait looked even better up close.

“You’ve got incredibly long eyelashes.”

January turned to Ariel, who watched her with an unexpected intensity.

“Not to mention lovely brown eyes.”

January felt herself blush. “Thank you.”

Kiss me.

Ariel remained still for a moment and January was tempted to tiptoe up toward him and reach for his face.

But he moved toward her. She smelled his cologne—musky and sexy―and felt the heat of his skin before they’d even locked lips.

She closed her eyes with expectation and Ariel’s lips were soon touching hers. His tongue slipped into her mouth and January welcomed it.

She moaned with pleasure when he wrapped his strong arms around her.

Yes.

January admitted to herself that she’d wanted this from the first time she’d laid eyes on Ariel. She wanted to feel his hot body and taste his luscious lips. She was drawn to him as a moth to a flame. And for now, January didn’t care about being burned.