An Arrangement of Love (4 page)

“Chase.”

“Sorry.” I curtsied like an idiot.
Why did I do that?
“Sorry, Chase.”

“You look exquisite.” He gestured toward the chair next to him. “Please sit down. Your hair is beautiful.”

“Thank you.”
Of course he loves my hair.

“When you’re with me, I want you to look this way.”

I averted my eyes to the balcony so he wouldn’t see the edge of annoyance in my face.
Who was he to say what and how I looked?
My salary popped back into my head.
For $185,000, he could use me as a dress-up doll, determining my hair and clothes to his delight.

“I’m a man who demands more from his assistants than he should. Are you okay with that?”

“For now I am.” The words blurted out of my mouth before I could edit them. A chuckle came from him. I relaxed my worry just a little.
At least he has a sense of humor.

“Hmmm,” he murmured.

I directed my attention back to him.
Hmmm?

He sported an amused expression. “I’ll only take it as far as you’ll let me.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Meaning?”

“If you let me, I’d ruin you for any other man.” He adjusted his jacket with a swagger, reminiscent of the bad boys I steered clear from in South End.

I don’t think we’re talking about hair and clothes anymore.

He targeted me with those green eyes that shimmered in the dim club lighting. He licked his lips. The movement caught me off guard. Heat swirled in places it shouldn’t have, being that it was in reaction to my boss and not an eligible man.

He can’t mean this in a sexual way. Calm down.

“I think the music messed up what you’re trying to tell me.” I leaned in closer to him.

“It didn’t. You heard me.”

“I don’t think I did.”

“You did.”

I exhaled. “Can you please repeat yourself.”

“The next time I say that, your legs will be open in front of me.”

Alarmed, my jaw lost its control. My mouth opened.
He just came on to me, and with no restraint at all.
Lust glittered over his eyes as he planted his view on my cleavage and then allowed his concentration to linger to my thighs.

“Do you have anything to say, Ms. Montgomery?”

“I-I’m not interested. You’re my boss,” I pointed out. “You have a fiancée and—”

“I didn’t ask you to state my biography.” His aroused expression shifted to a scowl. “And my engagement with my fiancée is not what it seems.”

I shook my head. “I’ll be your assistant. Nothing else.”

“Sex with me is not the job,” he corrected. “But it’s definitely something I would like to explore with you.”

I breathed in and out.
Stand your ground. Make this clear from the beginning. And whatever you do, don’t piss yourself.
I swallowed a gulp of nervousness. “I’m so sorry, but it’s not going to happen.”

“Why not?” He motioned for a waiter.

“I’m not interested.”

“Yes you are.”

“I don’t have sex with my boss or even co-workers.”

The waiter appeared in front of us and offered me a glass of pink champagne.

“Thank you.” I took the glass with shaking fingers, waited for the guy to leave, and cleared my throat. “If you expect me to have sex with you, then I quit right now.”

“You can’t quit. You need this job as much as I need you to fill it.” He finished his glass. “More to the point, sex with you is not a necessity. It’s a personal desire.”

I turned away, scared to glance at him. It reminded me of those paranormal romances where if the heroine stared too long in the vampire’s eyes she would be captured against her will.

“I won’t require you to have sex with me,” he said.

I cringed at his crude response and swallowed my drink to have something to do besides grimace. The champagne slid down my throat and warmed my stomach. The thunderous booming from the music substituted further conversation.

I’ll have to deal with this mess for a month while I apply to other jobs.
Six figures. Of course it’s too good to be true. He wants an executive assistant in the office and his bed.

Everything had a cost in the end. He’d seen my background, knew I was a nobody, and figured he could treat me any way he wanted.
Were my other classmates going through this?
I doubted it. They came from rich families and had their careers planned out well before they started high school. Most of their families owned successful businesses. The ones that didn’t possessed major contacts in politics or big industries.
Would Chase have tried this mess with a girl from a powerful family? No way.
I gripped my glass hard and hoped it wouldn’t shatter into pieces.

How dare he get my hopes up high and then shove them back down.

I’d dealt with his kind before. Ever since I was a kid, a weird man crept around, spied my defenseless situation, and tried to take advantage of me. But I always escaped them.
Survival of the fittest.
I had to be clear, maintain distance, and whatever happens, don’t tell Troy.
My fingers shook. My eyes watered. Soon I would have to be excused so I could go in a stall to mope and cry like a spineless creature.

“Jasmine?” the bastard said. And I immediately hated my name on his tongue.

What is he going to do now? Pull it out and ask me to touch it?

“I apologize for being so crass,” he finally said once the next song played.

“That’s okay,” I muttered. At least my resume was current. A few companies hadn’t called back. I could maybe contact them on Monday and see if they were still interested.

“Jasmine? Please look at me,” Chase said.

Sighing, I turned his way.

“I’m a man who’s used to immediately receiving things I desire from women as soon as I ask for it. You look upset and I didn’t want that to happen. Too many people say yes to me, so I’m a bit lazy when it comes to asking for something. I’m truly sorry. Do you forgive me?”

“Sure.” I turned back to the balcony.

“You’re lying.” He touched my arm. I moved it away.

“Jasmine, I usually don’t humble myself to say sorry to someone. Trust me when I say this. I won’t disrespect you again.”

Benny had told me I should apply to graduate school.
I’ll look at some programs tomorrow morning.
Anything was better than a spoiled rich boy who thought he could talk to me any way he pleased.
What was I supposed to do tonight? Melt in grateful appreciation that a man of his caliber wanted me, jump down on my knees, and give him a blow job?
I am your god, he’d said.
You are an asshole!
I’d had it right the first time.

“Are you planning on coming into work this Monday?” he asked. The word Monday sounded strained. I directed my attention to him. Tension etched the edge of his eyes. He tapped the arm of the chair over and over.
Definitely a nervous habit.

“Are you planning on asking me to have sex with you again?” I chewed the inside of my cheek.

“I read your record. You have no tolerance for sexual harassment.”

But that isn’t a clear yes or no.

So he knew about my complaint against the Dean of Management Studies at Harvard. I’d gathered two other students who had also been sexually harassed by the dean. We were all poor girls on an academic scholarship who worked as teaching assistants their senior years. The professor had a lot of notoriety and didn’t want anyone discovering the complaints. So he ended up paying for the rest of my and the other girls’ expenses. I still didn’t want to take away the complaint, but the girls had peer-pressured me into dropping it. As far as I knew, the entire affair had been a huge secret.
Who did Chase talk to, in order to get all of that information?

“If truth be told, I need you to be my assistant. Your resume, background, and personality are perfect for the job. You’re different too. I like that a lot. You won’t just take my crap. I somewhat like that too.” He grabbed another glass from a waiter. “I need an assistant who can stand up for herself and get the job done.”

Again, he tapped the chair with his finger. “Your background investigation surprised me. I learned that you volunteered in South End all the time, from assisting with the day care at a Baptist church to the Help Clean Up South End program. And anytime you worked summer jobs, you sent most of your money to your mom and the rest to your brothers in jail. How were you able to pay your own bills?”

“Benny Nix helped me when I really needed it.”

“You give a lot to everyone around you and ask for nothing in return.”

“Why does any of this matter to you?” I asked.

He grinned. “You make me feel selfish and lazy.”

I threw him a skeptical look.

“I’m serious. Another reason why I wanted you around is because I think you can help me be a better person.”

Yeah right.

“I’m truly sorry,” he said. “Now tell me, Ms. Jasmine Montgomery. Have I groveled enough or should I get on my knees and recite a sonnet?”

A smile widened across my face.

“That look says you would like me on my knees.” He gripped the chair. “What do you need me to do to make this right?”

He’s sorry. I think. And remember the salary.

Sighing, I raised my glass in the air and clinked his. “To a professional working relationship.”

I’ll still apply to more jobs tomorrow.

“And to a new beginning,” he added.

“Hello, Jasmine,” a woman said behind me. I turned around. A tall woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes smiled at me. A crimson dress formed around her perfect body. She extended her hand. “I’m Dawn Benson. Chase’s fiancée.”

This night just keeps getting better and better.

I stood up and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“You should put in a complaint about your yearbook pictures,” she said. “I expected a cutie, but you’re captivating.”

What does one say to that?

“Thank you...you’re also beautiful.” I tried to let go of her hand, but Dawn wouldn’t release it. Instead she gently squeezed my fingers. “Welcome to our family. I think you’re worthy. Do you?”

I paused for a minute and then responded, “Yes.”

She traced a circle on my hand with her thumb. “I’m truly excited.”

And you’re creeping me out.

“Dawn.” Chase rose and placed his arm around her shoulder. She released my hand. He flashed me a weak smile. “I’m sure Jasmine would love to go greet her friend and brother over there.”

I looked at where he was pointing. Vivian and Troy stepped off the elevator. “Oh yes. I would. If that’s okay.”

“Sure. I just wanted to see how the make-over turned out.” Chase allowed his eyes to travel down my body one last time and then said, “Consider yourself free for the rest of the evening. I will see you Monday morning, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Goodnight, Jasmine.” He grinned.

“Nice meeting you,” Dawn added.

“Also.” Chase touched my arm and I paused. “Tell your brother to come by human resources on Monday. I’ve heard it’s pretty difficult for an ex-con to get a job. However, my company always needs guards. Tell him he has a job with me if he wants it.”

Shocked, I nodded. “I really appreciate that. Thanks so much.”

“No problem,” he said. “When you join with me, you never have to worry about taking care of your family again.”

“Good. Because I definitely need the help.”

Chapter 4

“
It’s about time.”
I tapped Troy on his shoulder as we headed toward a small bar beyond the furry white couches and chairs. “I figured you both were lost.”

“It’s my first night out of jail. I had to drag Vivian on the dance floor.” Troy had taken off his tuxedo jacket and neck tie, probably before he’d parked the car. His white shirt was open and exposed some of his chest. “Vivian has some hot moves.”

She slid onto a gold leather barstool. “Your sister has been tutoring me in Dance 101.”

“Well that’s scary.” He shifted his face into a terrified look.

“Oh stop.” I hit his side. “I have skills now. I’ve learned some things since you’ve been gone.”

Gold glitter stuck to Vivian and Troy’s skin, making them sparkle in the amber light.

“I’ll believe that when I see it.” He nudged my back with his elbow.

A bartender placed napkins in front of us. “How can I help you?”

“By putting on some pants, man.” Troy twisted around and faced me. “I’ve seen enough butt naked men in jail. The last thing I want to see tonight is a naked man.”

“Sorry, you have to excuse my brother,” I told the bartender. “I’ll have a pinot noir.”

“I’ll have a rum and Coke.” Troy continued to keep his eyes on everything but the naked bartender in front of us.

“Nothing for me. I have to go to the bathroom.” Vivian jumped off her seat and strolled to the back.

Troy almost twisted his neck while he ogled Vivian’s behind. He whistled and then spotted my shocked expression. “What?”

“Vivian has a boyfriend.”

“Of course.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m just looking, no harm intended.”

“Benny’s going to have a heart attack when he finds out you’re staying at our apartment. Don’t make things more complicated.”

“Girl, that’s Viv we’re talking about.” He snorted. “I’m just amazed at how great both of you look. I remember before I went in how you had those scarecrow bodies and huge glasses. When you laughed you would snort.”

“You’re quite the charmer.”

The bartender set our drinks in front of us. I dug into my purse. The bartender raised his hand to stop me. “That’s not necessary. Mr. Stone asked your bill be sent to his account.”

“Oh.” I glanced at Chase. He watched me from his side of the lounge. I mouthed
thanks
. He nodded and returned to talking to his fiancée.

“So that’s your boss?” Troy checked where I’d been looking.

“Yes.”

“I don’t like what’s in his eyes. They were all over you when Vivian and I entered the lounge.”