Protected By Her Controlling Boss

Chapter 5

When Angela opened the door to let Jameson in, her voice caught in her throat. Jameson was standing before her wearing jeans, a white pearl snap, and a pair of worn cowboy boots that looked like he had owned them for years. His rolled-up sleeves showed off his muscular forearms, and he was carrying a leather travel bag. The image starkly contrasted the cold and distant attorney she'd met last night.

Jameson smirked at her reaction; she was just too cute. She began to step back to hold the door open for him, but he stepped forward so that they faced each other in the doorway, mere centimeters apart. She felt her breath hitch, basking in the warmth he gave off so close to her. As Angela tried to shrink back against the door frame to put more room between them, Jameson leaned in ever so slightly.

"Good afternoon, Angie. Sleep well, " Jameson spoke softly to keep her parents from hearing him. He chuckled at her flustered look. When he walked into the house, and Angela had a moment to breathe, she could smell a cologne on him that was unfamiliar to her. Somehow, it was uniquely 'him.'

"Hello, Mr. Rose. Please come in." Per her mother's instructions, Angela had worn a pair of dainty flats that balanced out her full skirt and silk blouse, always trying to make her a proper lady. Jameson watched her skirt sway as she walked to the breakfast nook. Everything from her glossy dark hair to her dusty rose-colored lips made him want to put down his bag and take her into his arms right there and then. Now, it was Jameson's turn to sigh as he held himself back.

"Can I get you anything, sir?"

"Just some coffee, please." Jameson set his bag on the table and resisted sounding out a soft groan when she had called him 'sir.' This was going to be much more challenging than he realized. While Angela was making coffee, Jameson pulled out a few documents and asked, "I have something for your parents to sign as well. Are they in at the moment?"

"They're in my father's study. I'll settle your coffee, then ask them to join us. "

For 20 minutes, the people at the table were strictly business. Aside from any necessary clarifications, the shuffle of paper and the scratch of pens was all that could be heard. First, Jameson had Angela sign an official employment offer listing the benefits she'd receive as a full-time employee, including an excellent bonus and retirement package. Everything looked legitimate, from the job description to the remuneration, and she had no complaints. In fact, aside from the move to Texas, Angela felt that this opportunity to manage the law firm might be what she needed to fully utilize her skills and education.

The next document Jameson presented to the Grantham family was about Angela's room and board situation. This document was just a draft since Jameson still needed somewhere to live. However, intending to put everything above board was enough to quash Angela's worry about living with a man she barely knew. The agreement didn't need signatures at this time; it was just for Angela to have on hand until the official arrangement could be finalized.

The final document, to her parent's surprise, was for them. It stated that while Angela was employed by Jameson, they could not ask her for financial support nor request that she leave at a moment's notice. Angela had the standard two weeks paid leave she could use as she pleased, but her family could not insist she just picks up and leaves at any time. Angela was shocked to see how much Jameson was considering her needs but covering up in the formality her parents needed to be convinced. What was he trying to do? Was this for her, or did he really just not what her parents to impact his business? Jameson didn't seem surprised at all when the two parents signed the contract. They needed his money to survive, and he needed Angela.

As soon as everything was signed and everyone had copies, Jameson left for the airport. Angela didn't quite understand what he meant about it taking time to get around Houston, but supposed he knew what he was talking about. Janice wasted no time in celebrating her restored wealth. She went on and on about how Angelica was getting married to Christian, and now they didn't have to move. Angela, tired of her mother's antics, escaped to her room to change into something to run in. She needed the time alone with her thoughts. Everything might seem okay now, but it had still only been a day since her entire life had changed.

A month later, Angela was sitting on her bed reviewing some reference materials Jameson had sent over to her about the process of registering a business with the state when the doorbell rang. Since her parents were out for some golf something or other, Angela didn't care; she was surprised to find it was the postman with a piece of certified mail for her. She signed the green receipt and thanked the gentleman before taking the envelope to her room. Inside, she found an updated draft of the document regarding her room and board and a letter from Jameson. It seemed Jameson had found a large home with excellent security in a part of Houston called the Museum District. The letter included details about having her own covered parking and gate key. From reading the actual agreement, Angela surmised that she'd have her own private entry and space she could choose to lock him out of, which was comforting. Her experience with men was limited, to say the least, and the idea of living with one like Jameson had her on edge. She wasn't sure if what she felt was nervousness or excitement and really hoped it wasn't the latter.

Angela's phone buzzed on her nightstand. Picking it up, she realized that she had missed a call from Jameson while she was answering the door. Angela didn't want him to think she was avoiding him, so she called him back without hesitating.

"Well, well, Angela, you called me back. I thought I'd have to wait to talk to you this evening." Jameson said with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Hello, Mr. Rose. Why would you think that?"

"Well, you normally don't call me, so I wasn't sure I'd get a call back from you. I had thought about texting you my news, but I didn't want your mother to see it." Angela could understand what he meant. Though the couple had been texting back and forth more and more recently, she still kept him at a distance, much to his chagrin. Jameson, for his part, wanted Angela to feel comfortable coming to him, so he didn't push her even though this distance between them did cause him an ounce of distress.

"What did you want to tell me, Mr. Rose?" Angela was still being polite to him.

"Angela, listen, I only asked you to call me Mr. Rose in public for professional reasons. You can just call me Jameson when we're in less formal settings." He hoped explicitly telling her this would make her more comfortable.

"Well, then, Jim -" Angela had started to say something, but Jameson cut her off.

"And don't go calling me 'Jimmy' now. You know I've always hated that nickname!" This made Angela laugh. A beautiful, clear, light-hearted laugh that made Jameson's heart clench. Every time he thought she couldn't take him off guard, she surprised him with something new. Now, he was fascinated with how her little laugh made his entire body feel indescribable.

"Okay, okay, " Angela giggled again. "What did you want to tell me, Jameson?"

Shaking from his revere, Jameson responded, "You should have gotten a certified letter with the new living agreement and key card for the gate. Keep in mind that only you and I have key cards, and any other visitors will need to use the keypad to request entry to the property. It's just like if you were living in a gated apartment complex, but it's just one house."

"Oh, right! I just received it, that's why I missed your call. I was signing for it just now. Everything looks too good to be true. You should know that I won't need the parking spot, though. I don't need a car and enjoy walking everywhere." With that, it was Jameson's turn to laugh.

"Angie, no. In Houston, you will need a car, and it'll get way too hot to walk everywhere. I was lucky enough to find a place within walking distance of a few places, but even to go a few blocks over to the Menil... you'd need to use a bike, at least. It's a different culture there completely when it comes to transportation. Almost no one takes the bus unless it's to commute into the city or around downtown. Secondly, the light rail can take you to a few places very quickly, but you have no basis of comparison for what traffic will be like on Kirby or 59 at the end of the work day." Angela frowned.

"I don't really like driving, though, Jameson. Also, what's the Menil? Is that a restaurant or?" He loved hearing her say his name and was unable to hide the smile from his voice.

"Trust me, Angela. Once you get here and get your bearings, you'll be a certified professional driver. However, if you still don't want to, we'll look into alternative methods of transportation for you. As far as the Menil, it's an art collection that's free to the public. You really should check it out when you get here. OH! And the Rothko chapel. They are amazing places. I can't wait to show you." Jameson let out a slight cough. He was embarrassed that he had allowed his excitement to get to him. He couldn't wait to show his favorite places to her. After all, when his family moved to Dallas when Jameson was a teenager, he'd explored almost every inch of the state. From West Columbia to Nacogdoches across the hill country and Big Bend. Even up to Amarillo, Jameson loved everything about Texas, but Houston was his city, and he was going to share it with her.

"Well, let me get there, and we'll see. If it gets as hot as you say it will, I might need a new wardrobe."

"Let me put it to you this way, Angie. One Christmas day, it was eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Leave all your winter coats at your parent's place." Jameson loved just being able to talk to her like this. It was the first time since they were children that he had been able to talk to her without worrying her parents would interrupt. "So, are your parents home?" The abrupt change of the conversation startled Angela.

"No, they're at some golf thingy. Why do you ask?" The apprehension was evident in her voice.

"Well, I wanted to ask you about a few things." Jameson didn't want to dive too deep into questioning, but he needed to get some answers. The first is why the hell Angela and Angelica were named so similarly but not twins. In fact, they are several years apart. It didn't make sense to him.

"What do you want to know, Jameson?" Angela had begun to absentmindedly pick at the awful yellow comforter her mom used as the foundation to decorate the guest room.

"Let's start with: why is your sister named Angelica when you're already named Angela?" There was a long bout of silence on the other end. When Angela finally spoke, the hurt was evident in her voice.

"Can we talk about this another time? It's not that I don't want to explain, but it's... I feel sad and ashamed when I think about it. Maybe another time." Jameson knew better than to push her, but he wanted real, tangible answers.

"That's fine; then why does your mom treat you so poorly, and your dad does nothing about it?" Again, there was just silence as a reply. Suddenly, Jameson could hear a door slam shut and Janice's shrill voice.

"I'm sorry, I have to go."

"Wait!" Jameson had forgotten the most important part.

"Well, what is it? I have to go, " Angela urgently replied.

"I need you to sign the living agreement and send it back to me. Once that is done, I'll arrange your flight to Houston."

"Okay, Jameson, that's fine. I'll talk to you later." Angela hung up the phone, leaving Jameson feeling a bit down. He spun his office chair to face the window and looked at the bright blue sky. Jameson sighed and ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "I need to get her away from them," Jameson thought.