Alex didn't want either of them working the slide presentation for him. He wanted to do it himself. She was grateful for the fact now that she got to stand at the back of the room and fully take him in. He was brilliant and stunning, especially when he was in front of an intimidating group of people, swaying them.
She pressed her fingers to her lips as intense gratefulness rolled over her. He was a tiger, a strong, vicious businessman who could change the investment industry if he pushed hard enough. Yet, at home, he was just a man. A man who loved her so deeply that it poured off of him. He was also so fucking hot. She’d have sex with him right now, in front of everyone if he asked. Focus, Jamie. Alex was unbelievably skilled, in everything.
“Are you tearing up?” Mark leaned in and whispered in her ear.
She shook her head, slightly embarrassed as she glanced over at him. “Maybe. I love him so much. I think it overwhelms me sometimes.”
“Can you clone yourself? I want a woman to love me like that.” Mark smiled.
“No cloning. But your brother’s sexy hot as hell. No way I’m letting anyone clone him.” She fanned herself, feeling her body heat up and react to the images of Alex in her head.
Mark nodded toward the door. “You look like you could use a cool glass of water. Let's get out of here for a few minutes. I need to breathe air that isn't tainted with the smell of rich cologne and stale coffee.”
She nodded and followed him out as something fluttered inside her tummy. She stopped outside the door and pressed her hand to her stomach. “Oh my gosh. I think I just felt the baby. Or babies.”
“No way. Really?” He moved to stand in front of her and reached out, stopping just before touching her. “Can I?”
“Of course you can, silly.” She took his hand and pressed it to her stomach.
The babies, or one of them, moved around again and she glanced up at Mark. “Did you feel it?”
“I think so. I don't know.” His eyes were wide with wonder. “No, no, tell them to do it again.”
She laughed and swatted him away. “It doesn't work like that. You're so ridiculous.”
“Twins.” He sighed and walked with her to the coffee bar. “Did you ever think that you guys would have twins?”
“Not in a million years. I always thought that you had to have a history of twins in your family to expect them again.” Jamie got a bottle of water out of the refrigerator and turned to watch Mark study the soda machine.
“We have twins. My paternal grandfather was a twin.” He pushed a button and turned. “Alex didn't tell you that?”
“No. I don't think he remembered to be honest.” She took another sip as her stomach growled.
“Maybe not. He wasn't around much as a kid. At least, not after Momma died.” Mark popped the top on his soda and took a long drink. “You guys have plans tonight?”
“No, I don't think so.” She pulled her phone out as it buzzed. Christine. Great. Now what? “We can go to dinner and hang out if you want to”.” She pulled the phone up and rolled her eyes. “I gotta take this, but let's plan on dinner at someplace good tonight after we clean up from all of this stuff.”
“Alright. That sounds good.” He took another long sip of his drink and turned as Candace walked in the other entrance to the break room.
Jamie couldn't help but notice the way her eyes lit up when she saw Mark. It was interesting if nothing else. “Christine?” Jamie walked back to her office, making sure to keep her voice down.
“Hey,” her sister mumbled. “I was just sitting here thinking about everything and I needed to know if you let Stephen tape you guys... you know...”
“What?” Jamie closed the door behind her in her office and tried to think of a way to get off the phone with her delusional sister. That the bitch would have to ask such a question meant that she didn't know Jamie at all. “Of course not.”
“I just can't seem to let it go. You know, the idea that after you guys broke up, that he would keep them. Why? Why is it always about you?” Her sister's words didn't match her tone at all. Christine was far beyond depressed and needed some help. There was no way Jamie was calling her mom and dealing with her, nor her father, knowing where he was emotionally in his own life. That left her. “It's not about me. It never was. It's about making himself feel good. He's a lot like Mom, Christine. He craves attention, and whoever has to get hurt in the pr
ocess to get as much attention as he can doesn't matter to him. I’m the one getting my name dragged through the mud.”
“I just feel like if I could see the tapes, then I could stop thinking that I'm married to a manipulating, lying piece of shit.” She let out a long sigh.
“You don’t need to see the tapes.” The thought disgusted her. “I hate that you're depressed, but let’s be honest, I'm not the right person to help you out of it. You can't stand me. Call one of your friends or something. We're lucky I haven't set you off yet, but I'm sure if we keep talking about Stephen, it's coming.” Jamie ran her fingers down her face as she stopped by the windows looking over the city on the far side of her office. She pressed her forehead against the glass and prayed that the conversation would be over soon.
“Awesome. Mom's locked in her bedroom because she can't be bothered, Dad is staring at the bluebirds in the backyard, and you're not willing to talk to me. I just love this family. Forget that I called.” The phone went dead, and Jamie let out an angry growl.
Why did everything have to circle back to her crazy-ass family?
She called her father out of worry for her sister. The call went to voice mail, but she decided to leave a sweet message and had to hope that he would come out of his funk enough to make sure that Christine was okay.