TO BITE WITH LOVE

THE ASSISTANT

CHAPTER #14

THE ASSISTANT

JADE’S POV:

I couldn’t get out of that room fast enough. I felt like I was suffocating, and there was something about the two businessmen, Dimitri and Aleksander that disturbed my very core. It felt as though I had met them before, in fact, I was sure I had. Had I seen them at the party? Everything in my memory was so hazy, I didn’t have a clear recollection of much of that night, hell, I couldn’t remember the end of it. I still had not gotten over the fact that I had slept with someone, or at least believed I had. My mind was racing, everything felt wrong, and to top it off, I had just sold my legacy, my father’s company. It had been much more difficult than I had ever imagined it would have been.

I nearly ran to my office, and I had never been so thankful that I had given the entire staff the day off. A paid three-day weekend, but it gave me the solace I so desperately needed to wrap my head around the fact that I would never be coming back to this place. I didn’t bother to close my door once inside, and sat down in my ivory leather office chair, resting my head down on my desk. Everything seemed so surreal. How was I going to make it going forward? I felt the tears forming, and I didn’t try to stop them. Everything hurt, my heart felt like it was going to break.

I sat there for a few minutes when I felt eyes resting upon me. A familiar scent lingered into my nostrils, although I couldn't place it. Nonetheless, I raised my head and turned around quickly to see the most mesmerizing silver eyes I had ever seen staring back at me. It was Aleksander, the man who just purchased my father’s company. I didn’t have time to react, because within a second, he was kneeling beside me, wiping my tears from my cheeks with his fingertips. His hands were like ice, but an electric shock tingled throughout my skin from his soft caress.

“Why are you crying little one?” he asked, the concern in his voice was genuine and he searched my eyes with intent interest. I sucked back my bottom lip, and although I wanted to pull away from him, I did not. What was wrong with me? I finally shook my head and leaned back in my chair, and away from his touch.

“Nothing that concerns you.” I sniffed and took a deep breath. “I, um, left the workers list, their schedules, matrix, financials and everything else I could think of for you in the main office.” I refused to call it my father’s office, acknowledging that would break me. The incredibly handsome man tipped his head with concern, then rose and sat upon my desk, staring down at me, unwavered.

“From what I have seen of you today, you have left nothing to chance, and I am sure your brief will be incredibly helpful.” I sniffed and examined his face carefully. How old was this man? Oh my god was he incredible, he took my breath away. I forced myself to look away and spun my chair away from him.

“Yes, I was hoping that it would be helpful.” I answered, a purge of guilt riddled through my mind as a glimpse of him holding me, kissing away my tears glimmered into my mind. What was wrong with me! I needed to get out of here, away from him. I wasn’t thinking straight. I stood quickly and reached back for my clutch sitting on my desk, I needed to go and pick up my car anyway. Best to leave this chapter of my life and quickly, however as I reached back for the clutch, I felt an ice-cold hand capture my wrist. I froze and held my breath, what was wrong with me!

“There is no need to flee.” The businessman said softly as he stood behind me. There was a hesitation between us, for some odd reason, I wanted him to touch me, to wrap his arms around me and tell me everything was alright with the world. I closed my eyes, fighting off the tears, I could feel the emotions overpowering me and just as I was about to break out in hysterical crying, the businessman swung me around in his arms and wrapped me tightly in his embrace.

“Cry away little one.” He murmured gently, and those soothing words released a cascade of tears I had never in my life experienced. As the tears streamed down my face and onto his shirt, I reached up and clawed his shoulders, holding onto him for dear life while I wept. The man held me, for I am not sure how long while I released all the emotions and pain I had been holding since my father’s death. He said nothing, and despite his touch being cold, it ignited a fire within me, and I felt safe and comforted in his embrace. I never wanted him to let me go,

After an undisclosed amount of time, the final sob was released and I felt weak and tired and had it not been for his strong arms, I believe I would have fallen to my knees helplessly. As if on que, the stranger slowly backed me to my small sofa, the rich ivory angora welcoming me into the cushions as the man slid in beside me. For the first time in many moments, he removed his hands from me and examined my face carefully, as I wiped my cheek with the back of my hand. After a second, he smiled warmly at me.

“Do you feel better?” I paused and looked at him blankly and thought for a moment.

“Yeah, actually.” I responded after a quick ponder. He smiled a little more boldly and gently reached forward and took one of my hands in his.

“I can see how much this company means to you. You don’t have to leave it. I could use your help.” The handsome businessman relayed to me. He appeared serious, holding my hand so gently, and lightly caressing the bridge with his thumb. Ordinarily I would have pulled my hand away, however I found myself staring at our entwined hands. This simple action folded all my anxiety away, I felt more relieved and calmer, content, his touch just felt right to me. I wanted to tell this stranger no, I wanted to go back to my apartment and wallow in self-pity and remorse honestly, however his simple touch held me here like a casting chain on a ship.

“And what would I do?” I heard myself respond without thinking. What was I doing? I couldn’t seriously entertain this. Aleksander looked as though he wanted to ravish me at any minute. His gaze was so intense, I felt my heart fluttering like a schoolgirl. However, he pulled his hands away and stood, drawing his hand through his raven black hair, pacing to my desk and back, as though he was in deep thought. After a moment, he faced me once again and met my eyes. Oh, my goodness, I could get lost in those silver orbs of his, the man took my breath away.

“Ms. Colón, my organization has grown tremendously over the past few years. I find myself juggling things too close to the water if you get my drift.” He paused for a moment before he continued, “I could really use a personal assistant. A person who was savvy, not easily intimidated, and professional. Pay would be excellent, and I would give you a large say in what transpires over your father’s company. You could help me make it even better, grow it and merge it into my enterprise seamlessly.” I stood with my mouth agape, he wanted to higher me as his personal assistant?

I fidgeted with my hands and sucked my lower lip nervously. Everything was frenzied in my head; I couldn’t focus, and I felt myself beginning to panic. I had planned on staying in Miami only long enough to get my things in order and then travel, and then decide what I wanted to do with my life. The past month, the only thing keeping me together was my father’s company, and now this man, this incredible, handsome man owned it with a single swipe of the pen. But if I accepted his offer, I would still be able to be a part of this. Did I want that? As if he comprehended my internal struggle, Aleksander reached forward and gently took my hand in his, and once again, as soon as he touched me, explosive sparks gilded within me.

“If you need time to consider my offer, I understand. I can have Dimitri send you a formal offer if you would prefer…” he began speaking and I noticed that he almost appeared slightly disheveled by my hesitation. Instinctually I raised my fingers and gently placed my small hand over his mouth to stop his babbling.

“No, it’s ok.” I whispered, dropping my eyes as he looked deeply into mine. The intimacy of me placing my small hand over his lips caused me to shiver, I would never act so bold. “I will work with you.” I replied before I could even process what I was saying. After a moment, the tall gentleman straightened his shoulders and nodded much more conservatively.

“Excellent, I look very forward to working with you Ms. Colón. Let’s meet here, tomorrow, 8:30am and we can begin the restructuring.” I swore I caught a glint in his eye and a partial smile, although he was doing everything in his power to keep this professional. I cordially smiled and bowed my head momentarily. Why did I feel as though I had just turned my entire life upside down? I sighed, and stood, finally able to break away from this exotic stranger. I paced back over to my desk and retrieved my clutch, as I had intended to do much earlier, yet was stopped. I turned and faced the pale, tall gentleman, butterflies began swirling in my stomach. Why was I feeling like this!

Aleksander rocked back on his heels and slid his hands into the pockets of his black Armani suit, lowering his beautiful silver eyes to the floor. Was he feeling as uneasy as I was? The tension between us was not bad, the discomfort stemmed from feelings I was not familiar with. This overwhelming desire to be close to this stranger, to touch him, it was as if my body craved him. We stood a moment in silence, both of us casting our eyes down in one of the most uncomfortable pauses of time.

“Well, I need to go and pick up my car from the shop.” I informed Alesander, clasping the clutch tightly to my chest as it would protect me in some way. The stranger, my new boss, dare say business associate lifted his gaze to me, with a intrigued eyebrow raise.

“I would be happy to give you a lift?” his comment was phrased like a question and I couldn’t help but curl my lips up in a modest smile. This man was way to eager to give a strange woman a lift to an auto shop, but amusement overtook any caution and I nodded politely.

“Yes, yes that would be nice.”