Boss with Benefits_An Office Romance Read online

  “Seth?”

  Alisha had those almond-shaped eyes of hers turned to me expectantly.

  “Yeah?”

  “I said, toast or cereal?”

  We were in the kitchen now, with an open cupboard door showcasing a woeful two boxes of cereal.

  “Neither,” I said, shutting the cupboard door curtly, “I’m going to make breakfast.”

  “You are?” Alisha asked, at the same time as my own thoughts asked the same thing.

  Just then, Christian raced in, his dino PJs rippling as he shrieked to a stop right in front of me.

  “Seth!”

  He turned his unkempt bed head to Alisha.

  “Why didn’t you tell me he was sleeping over?”

  She returned his irritated scowl with a gently chiding smile. “I’m sorry, Christian. Would you have preferred I asked your permission?”

  “No, but—we could’ve had pizza again.”

  Alisha and I chuckled at that. When Christian asked, “What’s for breakfast?” the pit growing in my stomach swelled two sizes.

  “Well,” Alisha said, shooting me a sidelong glance, “Seth said he’d—”

  “Yep, I’m making breakfast. Eggs, bacon, and pancakes!”

  Christian flopped at the kitchen table, putting his feet up on the wooden chair next to his. “Good, I’m starving.”

  “Okay, great,” I said, with more confidence than I felt, “Here goes nothing.”

  After Alisha helped me locate the necessary eggs, bacon, pancake batter, milk and other cooking supplies, I set to work. It wasn’t before long before my weak confidence had completely evaporated.

  “Seriously?” Christian asked, in a dismayed tone when I set the plate of charred bacon on the table.

  “What can I say?” I said, faking an easy grin, “Remember when I said things aren’t always better when you’re rich?”

  Christian surveyed the pyramid of bacon that was burnt to a black crisp with a grave nod.

  “You weren’t kidding.”

  When I returned to the oven for the pancakes, Alisha was there waiting for me.

  “When was the last time you made breakfast for yourself?” she asked.

  Clearly, she’d spotted the deformed half-gooey half-burnt monstrosities that were my pancakes.

  I sighed, “So long that I can’t actually remember.”

  “Right, okay, I’m going to fix this,” Alisha said.

  Grabbing the handle of the green frying pan, she marched to the corner of the kitchen to dump its contents where it belonged—in the garbage.

  As Alisha set to work cooking a new batch of bacon and pancakes herself, and I caught Christian’s eye and winked.

  “And that’s how you get your mom to cook instead of having to do it yourself.”

  We cracked up at that one. Alisha turned to us with a dangerous glare.

  “Okay, funny boys. Joke’s on you because now we’re going to have a cooking lesson.”

  Christian and I groaned.

  But there was no stopping Alisha. She took my wrist by one hand and Christian’s by the other and tugged us over to the yellow antique-looking stove.

  “My stove may be old, but burning bacon only happens if you don’t watch it,” she said, with a pointed look at me.

  “So Christian,” she continued, turning to him, “Your job will be to watch the bacon. When it starts looking too crispy, you can either flip it or take it and put it on this,” she gestured to a glass plate on the countertop beside it.

  “Fine,” Christian said with a sigh.

  Now Alisha turned her attention to the green frying pan beside the bacon-filled one. It had three perfectly spherical mounds of pancake batter on it.

  “Same thing goes for the pancakes, though you do have to be a bit more careful there. I’d check them every so often by using the spatula to lift them. So, Seth,” she said, thrusting a spatula at me, “that will be your job.”

  And so, we stood there on our grim watch, Christian and I staring our bacon and pancakes down with a dedicated ferocity. It paid off, too. The sixth time I checked my pancakes, they were ready to be flipped, while Christian’s careful watching resulted in bacon that wasn’t just edible, but delicious.

  Seated around the table, chowing down the yummy fruit of our labors, again I caught sight of Alisha looking tired as hell. As soon as the idea came to me, I said it.

  “You need a vacation.”

  Swallowing the last of her pancake, Alisha chuckled. “Yeah, tell me about it.”

  I leveled a significant look at her. “Seriously though, we’re taking a vacation.”

  “COOL!” Christian yelled.

  Alisha turned to him. “Not you. Your principal called and said, family emergency or not, if you miss any more school, they’re suspending you.”

  Christian eyed her, dumbfounded. “So, they’re going to punish me for missing school, by letting me miss more school?”

  Alisha stood up. “I mean it, Christian. If that happens, then it won’t just be fun and games here. You’ll be grounded, and that means no Xbox.”

  Christian’s jaw dropped, and he stood up, too. “Whoa, whoa, okay Mom.”

  “I’ll bring that bike of mine over later this week,” I told him as he headed away.

  Christian paused, his face brightening. Then, he snuck a look at Alisha’s still-displeased face and hurried off.

  When she sat back down, she sighed. “Going on a vacation isn’t a bad idea, but I really don’t think now is the time. Nana’s recovery is likely to be long, arduous, and filled with back-to-back appointments; I’ll need all the time off I can get.”

  My gaze traced the dark bags under Alisha’s eyes. Impulsively, my hand grabbed hers.

  “I meant what I said. If you keep overworking yourself like this, you’re going to get sick—or worse. I’ll hire private round-the-clock care for Nana. You already work too hard, I’m not going to let you push yourself harder.”

  The expression in Alisha’s eyes was wavering between gratitude and defiance. “And if I refuse?”

  Slowly, I moved forward, lacing my arms around her waist tightly.

  “Let’s not go there,” I breathed into her ear.

  Alisha paused. My heart was beating so loud, I wondered if she could hear it.

  Finally, she smiled.

  “Fine, we don’t have to argue about it now. I’ll take a few days off. But I thought you would’ve had to get back to work. Whatever happened with the acquisition?”

  “Oh that,” I said, releasing her with a wave of my hand, “Reynolds got it, the bastards. Ah well, there will be other acquisitions.”

  Now Alisha’s lips were pressed together with a solemn expression. “Seth, I’m so sorry you lost out. If—”

  I shook my head.

  “Don’t even go there. There will be other acquisitions. This was more important.”

  Alisha’s face was shining.

  “Besides,” I said, “I haven’t taken a vacation in almost ten years. I’m a bit overdue.”

  Both of us chuckled at that. After dropping Christian off at school, we went and checked on Nana. She was still quite groggy from the anesthesia and pain meds, so we didn’t say long.

  While we were there, we were informed that due to her age, the severity of her injuries, the risk of infection, and the outbreak of influenza currently prevalent in the area, doctors were recommending she have no visitors at least for a few days. As an alternative for their high-risk patients, they were providing equipment for Skype visits on a regular schedule.

  Upset at first, Alisha quickly accepted it as for the best, especially after seeing how pale and confused Nana appeared.

  Aside from concern for Nana, the next few days were a whirlwind of happiness. After Christian left for school, Alisha and I lazed around, making love and watching movies. She made me watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and I made her watch Blade Runner. Half of the movies were spent curled-up, kissing, and smiling stupidly at each other. That nig
ht, before Christian escaped to his Xbox, Alisha sat him down, and we all played Sorry. It was a simple, fun game, and by the end of it, I actually wanted to play another round or two. The next day, I surprised Alisha by taking her to a phone store, for us to choose a new one for her together. After she chose an exact replica of her old one, we went to the spa. There, on our backs after the attendants covered our faces with a natural goo they assured us was organic, naturally sourced, and incredibly toxin-reducing, Alisha and I made faces at each other, like the blue-faced aliens we resembled. In the sauna, we draped our steamy bodies over each other and reveled in the balmy luxury. That night, I watched Alisha for a few minutes after she’d fallen asleep. As I did, the question repeated itself in my head. Is this what having a family is like?

  But I made no mention of it, nor the excited swirl of feelings that were growing in me every additional day I spent with Alisha. No, I did as she had asked, simply enjoying the days for what they were: the happiest days of my life. After all, scaring Alisha off with a big proclamation was the last thing I wanted to do now we were finally spending some quality time together.

  Friday night, we went to the movies. Tucked between Christian and Alisha, both their fast-asleep heads flopped on my shoulder, I couldn’t describe the feeling I had looking at them. It was something so big and grand that it made my heart hurt.

  The weekend whipped by, I played video games with Christian, took a nice long bath with Alisha, and helped Alisha and Christian talk to Nana on Skype each day. Sunday came around, and Christian was still fast asleep when I rolled the twenty-one-speed bike in his room and leaned it onto his bed. I was only halfway out the door, however, when his eyes snapped open.

  “No way!”

  I turned to him with a grin. “Yes way! You wanna try it out now?”

  Never had I seen anyone leap out of the bed so fast. Christian and I were almost at the door when Alisha stopped us. Hands on her hips, still clad in her PJs, she did not look impressed.

  “Christian, you’re going to ride that thing without breakfast? In your dino PJs?”

  Christian let her put a jacket on him, while I used the extra time to get out my own bike. Then, Christian and I took off down the street, circling up and down the block. That night, Alisha joined us on her own bike, all of us riding down the nature path behind her house. The trail was nearly empty, leaving space for Christian to zoom off.

  “I think he might enjoy that bike too much,” I admitted with a grin as he disappeared around a corner.

  Alisha shrugged. “Anything that gets him out of the house and away from that Xbox. I swear, everything Todd does end up doing does more harm than good, though maybe that was his intention all along.” She frowned. “Forget it. I’m doing that rambling thing again.”

  As we passed by a grove of spruce trees, I put my hand on her arm.

  “You’re cute when you ramble.”

  Alisha blushed, lowering her gaze.

  “In all seriousness, though, you were right about the break,” she said, “These few days off have done me a world of good. I feel more awake and energetic than I have in months.”

  My gaze flicked to her face. Alisha wasn’t exaggerating. Not only did her freckled face wear the same easy expression she had on the swings, but the change was noticeable even in her eyes. They were alert, interested, and taking in the scenery with a lively eagerness that was endearing to watch.

  “I can’t thank you enough,” she was saying, “And I know before that I said I didn’t want you making any speeches, that I just wanted to enjoy this moment for what it is, but I really am thankful.” A frown crossed her face. “I just feel like, you’ve done so much for me, and I, well—”

  I put my hand on her shoulder. “Alisha. If I started going on about all you’ve done for me, we’d be biking until the sun came up and Christian finally wheeled back to find us.”

  She smiled softly. “Seriously though. You missed out on that acquisition because of me. And now you’re taking off all this work to support me. I just wish there was something I could do for you, too.”

  “Hey, you know what? There is something.”

  Her rosy face brightened even more as her gaze found mine. “Oh yeah?”

  “Yeah. Live with me.”

  Alisha’s bike shrieked to a halt. She turned her flabbergasted face to gape at me. “What?”

  I slowed my bike to a halt, too.

  “Not for good. Sorry, I phrased that oddly. For now, as Nana heals. I’ve got tons of room for a wheelchair on the first floor and enough guest bedrooms for us and five of Christian’s friends.”

  Alisha nodded slowly, taking her time to digest what I’d said.

  “Well, bedrooms for Christian’s friends certainly won’t be necessary. And we don’t even know yet if your offer is necessary at all. Who knows; Nana may not be in a wheelchair when she gets out.”

  Alisha started pedaling again, and I did the same, though I felt she was being extremely naïve about Nana’s recovery.

  “Is it okay if I give you my answer once we see how things go for Nana and hear the prognosis and everything?” she asked me.

  I nodded. “Of course. During the last Skype call, she was still in the wheelchair, though she looked much better than she had the day we’d seen her in person.”

  “And if not, you can still visit, of course,” Alisha said.

  I snorted. “Oh yeah? How about you visit me?”

  She bit back a smile encroaching on her face. “Yeah. Yeah, we can see about that.”

  I nodded, feigning a friendly aloofness. Although, really, my mind was made up—Alisha would be coming to my place whether she liked it or not.

  Chapter 38

  Alisha

  Today was the day. As Seth drove us to the hospital, I tried steadying my breath.

  She’s going to be fine, I told myself, although I only half-believed it.

  This morning, a representative had shown up at the house. First, they’d explained that Nana was wheelchair-bound and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. They’d then gone on to make an inspection of my house, marching from room to room with a clipboard and a furiously scribbling pen. The conclusion that the short brisk redhead had come to was less-than-promising. Navigating a wheelchair through here would be difficult at best with the narrow hallways and sharp corners, not to mention the harrowing saggy staircase. As she spoke in her low nasal voice, I had to suppress my urge to glare at Seth. The way he was trying to hold back his smile, I would’ve sworn he’d hired the uncongenial woman himself to tell us the dire diagnosis. However, I couldn’t help but see the truth of the woman’s words myself. My place and Nana’s recovery weren’t a good fit; there was no denying it.

  Anyway, now we were headed to pick Nana up, and, truth be told, she probably wouldn’t be all that upset about having to stay in what was basically a palace by our standards.

  When we got to the waiting room, Nana was ready and waiting with a nurse by the door. Immediately, Christian and I raced up to her, covering her in hugs and kisses. Her gaze, however, went to Seth, who had lingered behind a few paces.

  “You are a good man, Mr. Jackson,” she said in a low voice full of feeling. “A good man.”

  Seth strode up and clasped her hand warmly. “You’re sweet. I’m just glad I could help.”

  She smiled, “And is this true what I heard about Christian’s—”

  “Shhh!” I warned her, but it was too late.

  “About my what?” he asked, his gaze going from Seth to Nana, and back to Seth again.

  “You’ll see,” was all Seth would divulge as we made our way back to his SUV. Getting Nana settled and her wheelchair loaded in the back was no small task, but once that was done, we were good to go.

  We had only just pulled up to Seth’s driveway when our gasping filled the car.

  “So that is your house?” Christian asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

  “Nah,” Seth said, with an easy shrug, swiping his
Ray Bans off his face. “This is just my cottage.”

  Chuckling, he opened the back door for Christian.

  “Yes, this is my house, buddy.”

  “Cool!” Christian said as he advanced, his neck still craned to take in the massive structure.

  Nana was similarly flabbergasted at the sight of the towering mansion. With a lofty white façade and thick white pillars, the place looked more like a temple than a house.

  “So this—this is where I’ll be staying?”

  Seth pushed her wheelchair to the door, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Yep, we’ve got a room set up and everything.”

  I was glad he was ahead of me as I shut the SUV doors, so he couldn’t see the tears in my eyes. Brushing the wetness away and taking a deep breath, I regained my composure. Once I reached the front doors and stepped inside, however, I lost it again.

  Unbelievable—that’s what Seth’s house was. The soaring vaulted ceiling, the blue and white marble walls, the Grecian blue stone vases, it didn’t look real. No, it looked like something out of a home catalog or some picture you saw on the internet—and yet, here we were.

  “Nice, eh?” Seth said, with an easy carelessness that was almost laughable.

  “I… uh,” I shook my head. “Don’t know what to say. This is, by far, the most spectacular house I’ve ever been in.”

  I swallowed thickly, blinking back the returning tears. Seth had seen me cry enough already, I damn sure wasn’t going to cry now.

  Seth grabbed my hand and then Christian’s.

  “Wait until you guys see Christian’s room.”

  I wheeled Nana while we set off down the blue and white rippled stone hallway. Seth was first to duck in the room; then, he gestured us in after him.

  “I just gave Helen instructions over the phone, so I could’ve easily overlooked something. Just let me know.”

  Christian and I had settled into a stunned silence. To suggest that anything in the room could have been less than perfect was laughable. It was literally a twelve-year-old boy’s dream come true. From the huge flat screen TV wall to the car bed to the wall decked out with super soakers, there was literally nothing that wasn’t perfect as it was.