Protected By Her Controlling Boss

Chapter 4

That night, Angela tossed and turned in bed, trying to wrap her mind around the last 12 hours. Jameson only addressed her again when Janice was serving dessert.

"I plan to go to Texas to ensure my realtor finds the perfect place. He's a brilliant man, but, unfortunately, we both agreed on the best office location before finding me a place to live. Since I don't have a home there yet, it'll be some time before you can come work for me." Angela was grateful for the time to get used to the image of her living with and working for the man, but something worried her.

"Mr. Rose, if it'll be some time before I begin working for you, how will I pay bills in the meantime?" Angela glanced at her mother and continued what she had been saying, "I left my current job this afternoon."

"I have already transferred the money for the immediate issues to your parents. I'd like you to take some time to get familiar with a few laws and such regarding managing a law firm, as well as the criminal justice system in Houston. My firm will handle the legal defense of some more notorious individuals." Angela frowned at that, she might not know much about law, but she knew enough to understand that being the defense counsel in high-profile criminal cases didn't make for the best reputation around town. "Also, I'll be visiting tomorrow afternoon with a contract for you to sign. If you do not sign it, you and your parents must repay everything I've already given them." Jameson's words sent a jolt of panic through Robert and Janice. Their eyes darted to her for some sign she'll do as they wished and were relieved when she gave Jameson a slight nod.

After the conversation ended, the atmosphere was almost like a typical family dinner. When it finally came time for Jameson to leave, Angela's parents lingered around the door, giving their savior nothing but ingratiating smiles. Angela rolled her eyes at them in her mind. She knew that her parents didn't mean it. Robert might have had some sense of gratitude, but he was overwhelmed with the need for survival more than anything else. Her suspicions were confirmed the moment the door shut behind Jameson, and everything turned silent and severe. For the first time that night, her father spoke to her. "Angela, I am so sorry you have to do this for us. I never want to have to rely on you..."

Janice cut him off with a click of her tongue, "Stop apologizing to the girl, Robert. She's only doing what she should for her family. For once, she has the opportunity to be useful." Her mother's clipped tone left no room for either father or daughter to say anything else. As Janice turned to go to their room, Robert sighed and set the house alarm before leaving Angela alone in the foyer. A slight, quiet knock startled her. Pulling aside the curtains to look outside, she saw Jameson was still at the door. As Angela began to move to turn off the alarm and open the door, Jameson waved for her attention. He put a finger to his mouth, signaling her to stay quiet. Putting his phone to the window, she could see Jameson was trying to give her his phone number without her parents noticing. Angela hesitated, then nodded and gave a sign he should wait a moment. Returning to the kitchen, where she had left her phone to do all the dishes by herself now that everyone had finished eating, she grabbed her phone off the counter and returned to the door. She typed the number he was showing her into a phone and texted it, "Mr. Rose?"

Angela could hear Jameson's deep chuckle through the door and then watched him walk away, smiling at his phone. She was thoroughly confused at his behavior just now; it was so unlike his attitude throughout dinner. Angela returned to the kitchen and began to wash up as quietly as possible. It was late enough when she got to her parent's house. After dinner and conversation, it was almost midnight, and she was exhausted. It wasn't until she was in the guest room getting ready for bed that she thought to check if Jameson had messaged her. Sure enough, not only were there a few messages from Jameson but also from her friend, Krista.

Not wanting to leave Jameson on read, she read Krista's messages first.

"Hey! I heard you just up and quit your job!"

"Angela!? Text me back! What's going on?"

The last text had come in less than an hour ago with a brief, "Message me, let me know you're okay." Angela couldn't help but giggle to herself. It was just like Krista to get a little overprotective.

"Hey, Krista, I'll call you tomorrow, but I'm okay. My parents had an emergency and asked me to come home. I indeed quit my job, but I already have one lined up, so I'm okay."

As soon Angela saw the message was sent, a response from Krista popped up, "GIRL! What took soo long! Yes, we'll talk tomorrow; you had me worried!". Angela giggled again and texted her friend that she was going to bed. With another sigh piled on the day, Angela changed conversations to Jameson's messages.

"Angela, I couldn't say this in front of your parents. I know how your mother is. I want you to know everything is going to be okay."

"You looked beautiful tonight, especially when you fell (off your bed) for me."

"I can't wait to see you tomorrow."

Angela's jaw dropped. What was this? How was she to respond to this? Nothing was making sense. He had been so cold to her and only talked business with her all night. Now he was trying to be, what, charming? As she stared at her phone, wondering how or if she should respond, another message came in from him.

"Are you lying there just thinking about me, now?" Angela was shocked, but the winky face emoji he sent next made her drop her phone altogether. She pulled the covers over her head with a groan. How was she supposed to respond to him? Was he flirting with her? Unfortunately, the day was so busy and emotionally charged that Angela fell asleep before she even had a chance to formulate a response.

Jameson set down his phone on the bathroom counter and looked at himself in the mirror. He spent the last ten years unable to forget Angela, and having her so close tonight tested his patience. Inspecting his figure, he was satisfied with what he saw and hoped Angela would be, too, one day. At an even 6 feet tall, he was only slightly taller than the other men he worked with. He also chose to relieve his stress through solitary outdoor activities. Kayaking, biking, running, he loved all these things. Anything he could do outside but alone, he enjoyed. Every aspect of his life was intertwined with the concept of 'the greater good.' He chose his career with his family in mind. He did his job with a team of paralegals and office clerks. He used public transportation to get around or, instead, did use public transport until he spent time in Houston. Everyone drove in that city despite the lack of space. Still, exercising alone was his one place to be with his thoughts and out from under the weight of expectations others placed on him. Even though he was physically fit, Jameson wasn't naturally tan by any description. The moment he stripped off his button-down and undershirt, one could easily see the stark contrast between where his tan lines began and ended.

Jameson decided he needed a shower, so he grabbed a towel from the linen closet. Angela wouldn't respond to him tonight, he supposed. Once again, Jameson reminded himself to take things slow with her. He turned on the water and used his hand to adjust to the temperature before letting the shower finish heating up while he stripped out of his clothes. Jameson stepped in, facing the showerhead. He placed his hands on the tiled wall to support himself as he leaned forward. Tilting his head down, the water cascaded over his muscular body. Thinking back to the dinner with Angela and her parents, she had been so beautiful and feisty when she had gotten mad. Her brown eyes were so captivating and willful. Yet, those moments when she showed deference to him almost made him crazy. Remembering how she had called him "Mr. Rose" made his body react with such desperate need. He could feel himself getting hard at the thought of her, the way she looked when she gave into him and did as told because she wanted to and trusted him, not because he forced her. He took one hand off the wall and gripped himself. The sensation sent shocks of pleasure up his spine. f**k, he wanted her so badly. His heart rate and breathing increased in time with his movements. He stroked himself to the end of his c**k and rubbed his thumb over the tip, imagining what it'd feel like for Angela to touch him. Pre-c*m dripped from his member. The build-up was intense; his need for her was visceral, a part of his being now. He felt his release come on and made an involuntary growl as his orgasm washed over him.