"He's got blond hair and green eyes. He looks nothing like you." Jamie bit her lips seductively. "You've got the tall, dark and handsome stereotype down perfectly."
"Not my looks, my attitude, my cockiness. He knows what he wants and he goes after it. He did a great job all throughout the interview process this past spring. I'm excited to have him on board, but I'd almost rather have him with me than you." He rubbed her shoulder as he studied her. "One more thing, but don't get upset."
She stiffened at his words. Why did people always preface something that was utterly upsetting by asking the one getting the information to not get upset? It was like it was damned to happen now.
"I'll try. What's up?" She turned a little, pressing her knees against his thigh and sliding her hand onto his leg.
"I'm only seeing you, and I want us to be exclusive..."
"But?"
"But, I don't want us to come out at the office just yet. I know it's ridiculous, but I read somewhere that younger, single CEOs have more respect and earning potential. Let's just keep us on the down low until we're sure that we're ready to make the step of declaring ourselves to be a couple. That sound okay?"
A fiery arrow of rejection shot through her. Had he really just said that?
"Um... yeah. I guess." She shrugged and got up, moving to the back of the ship to look out at the water. Crying was out.
"Great. I knew you would understand." He wrapped his arms around her from behind and pressed his lips to the side of her neck.
Understand?
Not in the slightest.
Chapter 4
Jamie wanted to cry, or maybe tear Alex’s head off and toss it in the water rushing past them. He assumed she would be okay with keeping their relationship a secret? Part of her understood the impact around the office and the talk around the water cooler would be about them. But still...
A part of her—a big part—felt that he was simply too embarrassed to show her off in public. Just like her parents, just like Stephen, Alex didn’t want the stigma associated with dating someone slightly bigger. She was what? A size eight now? Maybe a six in some clothing lines. It didn’t matter she’d gone down a few sizes. Alex was embarrassed and he couldn’t admit it out loud.
The boat ride wasn’t something quiet and romantic. It was something sneaky and hidden. No one was around to see them. He could get his fill of her and not have to admit it to anyone.
Around mid-afternoon, she faked her stomach hurting and they went back into the dock. Alex tried to care for her, but she would have little of it. He wanted to keep them a secret which felt wrong. Jamie couldn’t shake the thought that after so many years of having her mother leave her at home because she didn't want to be seen with an 'over-weight' kid, she was right back where she started.
She spent Sunday in the bed, wondering what the fuck she was doing with her life and indulging in ice cream and vodka to sooth her sad soul. Alex stopped by in the morning, looking ready for a game of golf. He offered to make her something to eat, but she ejected him from the room using the bargaining chip that she didn’t want to make him sick too.
How something so great as him taking her out on the boat had turned into such a nightmare was beyond her. Why the hell couldn't he have just wanted to tell her that she was good enough in the bed, but not in public later that day? He could have told her on the way home and left the boat ride to be something fun and uncomplicated, but no.
"Asshole," she murmured against her pillow as the sun rose on Monday morning. She wasn't sure at all what she was going to do about him, but rolling around with him in the sheets was out for the next day or two. She needed to first convince herself that she wasn't a nasty blob that no one wanted to be seen with. Alex was right about one thing... she had lost some weight and because of it felt a hundred times better.
Maybe his request was just selfish or ignorance, but either way, it stung in places that she was working to heal. He could take a backseat for the rest of the week. She ignored the inner voice that she was being silly and she should consider his position. His position? Didn’t the guy have enough money and respect? Sheeesh!
After lamenting about life for far too long, Jamie finally dragged herself from the sheets and got dressed for work. Needing to look extra pretty, she took her time straightening her long blond hair and putting on her make-up to go from okay to bombshell. Her white blouse was silky and accented her large breasts and thinning waist. A slimming black shirt and red heels made the outfit perfect. She sprayed on Alex's favorite perfume and walked to the car with very little drive to go into the office for the day.
Maybe turning her attention to both the investor conference and the cute intern in the office would help. She wasn't interested in the slightest, but making a new friend out of someone who appeared to want the world and be actively going after it was never a bad bet.