Bossy Bully: A Sweet Billionaire Boss Romance (Sweet Bossy Millionaires Book 1) Read online

  Justin sighs again. “I did a lot of thinking last night. And, I realized something.”

  Just then, Jett opens his eyes. All the way. And looks at the ceiling before his head lolls toward me and his forehead scrunches as if he recognizes that I’m there. I crouch down by the bed and see him looking at me full-on.

  “How are you?” I whisper.

  “What?” Justin asks.

  “Nothing, I’m sorry. Go on.”

  Jett wipes a hand over his face and tries to sit. He gets about halfway, then looks at the tables on either side of his bed. “Thirsty.” He croaks the word and it hurts me that he’s so hoarse. I hold up a finger to him and head to the ensuite bathroom, hoping for a cup.

  “What’s all that noise?” Justin’s voice is higher now. “Where are you?”

  “I’m at work. I’m sorry, just trying to finish something up.”

  I find a cup and fill it, then hurry back into the bedroom. Jett’s head is tilted to the side, his eyes closed. His lips look a little parched, and I remember what Margaret said about hydration. Justin is talking, but I haven’t really heard anything he’s said.

  “Justin, can you hold on one moment, please?”

  “Really, Lora?”

  “I’m sorry. Just one second.” I set the phone on the nightstand and pat Jett’s cheek. His eyes barely open. “Hey, let me help you take a drink. Can you open your mouth?”

  Jett’s eyes roll to mine and I swear he’s drunk, even though I know that he’s not. His lips part just enough that I get the rim of the glass between them. Supporting his head with one hand, I tip the glass and get a little bit of water into him. He bats at the cup and slinks back down in the bed. Just like that, he’s out again.

  I run a hand over my mouth and set down the cup. Remembering the call, I grab my phone. “Justin?”

  He’s hung up.

  I can’t help but feel certainty in that, like it’s the last time.

  Chapter Nine: Jett

  I have no idea where I am.

  With a groan, I sit up and rub my eyes. My head is groggy, and it threatens to topple me. I can’t see clearly; my stomach rolls and I have the sensation of slowly spinning in a circle. Blinking hard, my vision slowly comes into focus. I’m in my room. Daylight is streaming in.

  Where is Lora?

  I groan again and lie back against the pillows. I’d dreamed that she was here. It’s the oddest thing because it seemed so real. As if she were sitting in my grandmother’s chair next to my bed, wiping my face with a warm cloth. Urging me to drink water. Feeding me… soup?

  Wait.

  I sit up and look to the bedside table. There’s a glass of juice there, some water and a mug with a tea bag hanging out of it. Some of those little circle soup crackers. There’s a face cloth, and some chap stick. All the things one might need during an illness. Or, an extended bout of sleep.

  “Oh, God.” So, it happened. I don’t remember crawling into my bed, and I have no idea how long I’ve been out. Pressing my fingers to my closed eyes, it comes back to me in fractured bits. My arm around someone as I’m led to the restroom. Brushing my teeth? Someone changing my… oh, no. I raise the covers and see I’m wearing a pair of pajama pants I had stashed in the back of my drawer because they’re uncomfortable. I would have never willingly put them on. Someone put them on me. I’m fairly certain I’d been naked when I went to bed.

  Was it Lora? Why do I feel as if it was her?

  My face heats up as I consider she put pants on my naked body. I was so out of it; I had no idea. Which means, she could have helped me in other ways that I don’t recall. But, why her? Was she really here, or is it all in my head?

  Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I give myself a moment and then stand. My thighs and calves ache with the work of holding me upright and my pulse picks up over just how long I’ve been asleep. Last time, I wasted nearly two weeks in bed and recall virtually none of it. I knew there was a chance of it happening again. My physicians had said the risk was higher in times of high stress. I knew I was under strain, but it appears I’d ignored just how much. Feeling like I can walk, I cross my room and go down the stairs. I need my cellphone, to check the date and time and see how much I’ve missed. What’s happened at work since I’ve been out? My heart starts racing now. There was so much on the table, so much to be done and I’d abandoned all of it.

  “Damn it!” I hurry down the stairs, palming the wall to steady myself. I’m on the last step when I realize someone is in the house.

  I pause, hearing a noise from the kitchen. I’m about to call out when my mother appears, holding a mug with a tea bag. She startles when she sees me, and then a big smile crosses her face. “Jett! Thank goodness.”

  “How long have I been out?”

  “Only three days this time. It’s Wednesday.”

  I run my weekly calendar through my mind. I had several meetings, a phone conference, and I was supposed to do a walkthrough of vacant waterfront property… today. That’s today. Spinning to the hallway table, I grab my phone and check the time. I can still make it if I hurry. “All of my appointments,” I say as I head to the stairs. “Everything is going to fall apart.”

  “I took care of it.”

  Her words stop me in my tracks. “You, what?”

  “I took care of your appointments. What I wasn’t able to be helpful with, I rescheduled. Lora also helped. She’s been amazing.”

  “I have to get dressed.” My legs are wobbly, my body suddenly weak. My mother rushes over much faster than I ever expected and grabs my arm. She leads me to a chair, and I allow it only because I feel like I can’t hold myself up.

  “My darling, you haven’t eaten anything aside from crackers and chicken broth in three days. You need to give your body time to recover.”

  I run my hands through my hair. “I can’t. I have a property meeting at two today.”

  “Curtis is going to go in your place. Everything is arranged.”

  “Not acceptable. I’m awake. I’m fine, and I’ll go.”

  She kneels down to me and looks up into my face, her hand on my arm. “Jett Henry Calder listen to me. Perhaps it’s time to do as your doctors suggest and think about treatment.”

  This is a hot button topic and she knows it, yet I don’t have the energy to be angry that she brought it up. To be fair, I’ve never told her why I don’t want to try medication and biofeedback therapy. She doesn’t know that I need to suffer to remind myself that I’m alive, and my best friend is not, and that he’s dead because of me.

  “I’m not ready to try their snake oil.”

  She makes an exasperated sound. “You’re being dramatic. Snake oil. I’m being serious, honey.”

  “And so am I. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get to the office.”

  “Jett—”

  “No!” I put my hand up. I don’t want to hear her reasons that I should rest and take it easy. I have a billion-dollar business to oversee. Me, and no one else. “I won’t have Curtis screwing things up. I’m going; that’s final. I promise I’ll eat something on the way.”

  Rising from my chair, I ignore her strained look. I don’t know what it means, anyway. I’m sure she’s angry at me, disappointed, whatever. I don’t care. I don’t need any of that right now.

  She gets to her feet and sighs. “Lora made some turkey sandwiches on whole wheat with arugula. I’ll get one for you.”

  A tingle goes down my spine. “Was she here while I was sleeping?”

  “Oh, yes. She was.”

  “Why?”

  Margaret tilts her head as if she doesn’t understand the question. That’s normally my department. “What do you mean, why? Because she cares about you.”

  “Because she felt obligated.”

  “Compelled, Jett. She felt compelled. There’s a difference.”

  I still don’t understand. “She’s my employee. She’s not family; we’re not friends. The only reason she would be here at a time like that is
from obligation. Or, because she might get something out of it.”

  My mother crosses her arms and she doesn’t look impressed. “Is that what you think of Lora? That she’s using you in some way?”

  I scoff. “Isn’t she? Isn’t everyone? People don’t like me for the person that I am, Margaret. They like me for my position.”

  “I like you.” Margaret catches my gaze and holds me with an iron grip. “I love you, and so does your family. We all know that it’s hard for you to see that, to feel that, but don’t ever forget it. And don’t ever think that you are alone.”

  I don’t respond because I don’t know how or what I should say. I go upstairs and take a hot shower. Instead of refreshing me, it only makes me feel weaker. My legs tremble by the time that I’m done. I don’t bother styling my hair; I just brush the top back with my fingers as it dries and let it be. Instead of a suit, I put on a dress shirt and pants, light brown Italian leather shoes, and a tie. It’s the most casual thing I’ve ever worn to the office, but the weight of a suit jacket right now seems suffocating. Brushing my teeth twice doesn’t even make them feel clean, so I gargle with mouthwash until my gums burn.

  Lora was here.

  I hadn’t been dreaming it. I shift my weight as I think of her seeing me so vulnerable, lying there in my bed like a zombie. She’d touched me, taken care of me. Maybe a different kind of man would have thought it sweet, but I find it unnerving. I don’t want her seeing me like that because it can only lead to changing her idea of me. She’ll think I’m weak and vulnerable. I’m her boss and no employee should ever think of their boss that way.

  Margaret is waiting for me with a sandwich, bottle of water and my wallet. She offers to drive me to TerraLuxe, and I let her. I give her a kiss on the cheek and head inside, straight to my office, ignoring the looks my employees sneak as I walk by. My gait is slower than normal, a little shaky and it infuriates me. I cut by Lora’s office, my heart flipping when I spot her behind her desk. Rapping on her window, I ignore her look of absolute surprise and beckon her to me. She follows me into my office and shuts the door.

  “You’re here!” Her tone has a pleasant tone that I can’t place. As if she’s pleased perhaps. “How do you feel?”

  I take a seat behind my desk and don’t look at her. I can’t shake the knowledge that she saw me like that, just lying there. I wonder how much my mother told her. Nothing good could come of this.

  “Who allowed you into my home?” I bark the words. I hadn’t intended to, but there it was.

  Her smile falls and she scratches her brow. “Oh, well, your mother gave me the code so she could stay here and conduct a meeting while I checked on you. We were all worried when you didn’t come in.”

  I power up my laptop and check my cell. I have so many missed calls and text messages that my anxiety shoots to maximum. I put my phone down so I can breathe. “Yes, well. I’m fine now so let’s get to work.”

  “Let me know what you need.”

  “What do you think I need, Lora? Fill me in on what I missed.”

  “Of course.”

  She won’t make eye contact with me, and I recall that it’s not unusual for her. But this seems different than basic discomfort. I feel as if I’ve disappointed her in some way and she’s avoiding me to keep her emotions in check. I realize that I didn’t thank her for helping me. She leaves and returns with some paperwork and her laptop. She takes a seat and crosses one leg over the other. She’s wearing a nice heel today with a strap over her ankle that makes her legs look incredible. Her black suit isn’t anything special, but the way she has her hair pulled back in a neat ponytail and the gold flower pin on her lapel make her unique.

  One of a kind.

  Unlike any woman I’ve ever known.

  Why her simple dress suddenly seems special to me, I have no idea. I can’t look away from her or the curling tendril falling over her temple.

  She begins to speak but my mind is drawn to the shadowy memories of her in my bedroom, sitting next to me. She was on the phone with someone at one point and her voice hadn’t sounded happy. She’d leaned over the bed to put a warm cloth to my face. She’d lifted the covers around me, tucking me in. I’d smelled her faint perfume and coconut shampoo even in my sleep.

  “Mr. Calder?”

  Her voice wrapped around my name snaps me to attention. Our eyes lock and it seems as if the last bit of strength I have in me fades away. Just, melts. I lean into my desk and she jumps to her feet. “Are you okay? You’re really pale. Jett, look at me.”

  I do and I don’t want to stop. “It’s nothing. I haven’t eaten yet.” I suddenly regret not eating the sandwich Margaret gave me. “I just need coffee.”

  “I’ll get it for you.”

  She disappears again and returns with a green-colored muffin and a cup of coffee. “It’s pistachio, but the carbs will do you some good. Eat a little.”

  “Where did this come from?”

  “I brought them. I’ve been bringing treats for the staff each morning. I hope that’s alright.”

  She nudges me to eat and I take a small bite. The flavor is buttery and rich and possibly the best thing I’ve had in a while. “As long as you’re not expecting company money to pay for them—” I let my voice trail off. This isn’t what I want to say. “It’s fine, Lora. I’m sure the staff appreciate it.”

  “It’s settled. You’re eating a pistachio muffin every morning.” She grins.

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re being nice to me.”

  Setting the muffin aside, I rise from my seat and reach for her hand. I’m not sure who is more shocked, me or her. “You were nice to me. And I… I appreciate it.”

  I break away from her and clear my throat. Reaching for the papers she brought it, I turn the conversation back to work and it centers me. Before I realize it, it’s time to go to the property meeting. I buzz Curtis to let him know he can stay behind, but immediately second-guess that decision. I’m good at pretending, but I’m not sure I’m one hundred percent quite yet.

  Lora closes her laptop and stands. I stop her before she can leave.

  “I’d like you to come with me and take notes. We’re doing a walk-through of a development property on the oceanfront. It’s prime land, but I don’t have high hopes for it. I need you to pay close attention to the details, so I don’t miss anything.”

  She retrieves her bag before we go down to the waiting car. We don’t speak as we drive, but she sits closer to me than she did the last time we were in a car together. I enjoy that I don’t need to fill the silence between us with empty conversation. Who knows what would come out of my mouth, anyway.

  We pull into the property and I spy my cousin’s company truck leaving. So, he’s been here looking, too. As much as I don’t want to bicker with my family, it kills me that he’d contend against the company that had provided so much for his family. I know there’s nothing that I can do about his decision to go out on his own, but I also feel helpless to stop being angry at him. The property owner comes to meet us and give us a tour, and just as I suspected, it’s not worth my time. Lora stays close beside me and I feel her presence like a support beam. She takes notes on her computer while keeping one eye on me as we wander over the uneven ground. I hope my weakness doesn’t show, even though every inch of me wants to sit down.

  Before long, we’re done. I thank the property owner and we get back into the car. My stomach growls, my body begging for something to use a fuel. I give the driver directions to my favorite lunch spot.

  Lora doesn’t look at me as we drive. Her pure, flawless skin is flushed from the heat, her curls escaping the ponytail to wisp around her face. We sit nearly hip to hip in the car and she says nothing, just reviews what she typed on her laptop. I can’t stop thinking about her being there when I didn’t even know I needed her. How she cared for me when she clearly didn’t have to. I can’t think of a single person aside from Margaret who would have gone through the effort without wantin
g something in return.

  There’s more to my new assistant than I’ve given her credit for. I don’t know her well. Up until this singular moment, I had no interest in knowing more.

  The car stops and the driver opens the door for her. I come around and take her elbow in my hand, the feel of her giving me more strength than I’ve had all day. My blood pumps with something I don’t recognize… well, I do, but it’s never been like this.

  This insistent. This wanting.

  A breeze comes in off the ocean, ruffling her hair as I move closer to her. She steps into me and we don’t stop as if we’re drawn together without any control. I take her other arm in my hand and tug, bringing her body within an inch of mine. Her face tips up, those perfectly full lips parted. She watches me, blinks slowly as I cup her chin in my hand and relish the feel of her smooth skin. It’s like balm that takes the edge off. Nothing ever takes the edge off.

  I dip my head and breathe her name.

  And kiss her.

  Chapter Ten: Lora

  My breath rushes out of me as my pulse goes electric.

  Jett’s taste is full and masculine on my tongue and I can’t. Get. Enough. My body sags into him, the shocking surprise of his kiss jolting me from head to toe. My skin immediately lights with goosebumps as pleasurable little tingles race up and down my spine. This, I think, this is what a kiss is supposed to feel like.

  I don’t want it to stop. I feel his touch all the way to my toes.

  The sound of my breathing—or maybe it’s his—is loud in my head as I loop an arm around his neck and pull him closer. The sun is warm on my back, Jett’s body hard and warm on my front and I could get swept away…

  Justin.

  Oh, God.

  I break the kiss and it takes a second as we stare dazed at each other to realize what we were doing. He steps back, his eyes heavy with desire. There’s not a lick of apology in his expression and I’m thankful for that. Please don’t regret this, I pray. I know I won’t. I just can’t continue. He’s my boss, and I still have a boyfriend. We’re standing outside a busy restaurant where anyone could see us and despite all of these things, I’m disappointed that the kiss is over.