AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A slight smile crosses his face, like he’s remembering something pleasant. “Then, four years ago, I fired my PA for gross negligence.”
A muscle ticks in my cheek and I school my face into a neutral expression. Angie has worked for Uncle Bill for four years. This is about to be about her. Finally, we’re getting to it.
“I told my HR department to find me someone else. And two weeks later, a scrawny little twenty-four-year-old with too much brown hair and shoes held together with duct tape walked into my office.”
Angie. My heart clenches at the description of her. We haven’t spoken much about her upbringing. She usually changes the topic, but I know it wasn’t the easiest, and sometimes it wasn’t pleasant. She deserves better than that.
Uncle Bill snickers, looking fondly into the middle distance. “I thought HR was playing a practical joke. That they’d sent some malnourished college kid in for some reason. So, I asked her if it was a joke, and she cracked back some sarcastic remark that of course a billionaire would think someone like her coming in for a job interview was a joke, and maybe if I got the stick out of my fucking ass, I might be more comfortable.”
I blink slowly. Shit. Angie saidwhat? How the hell did she get a job as his PA?No onetalks to Uncle Bill that way. No one.Uncle Bill takes one look at my face and barks out a laugh.
“I think that must have been what my face looked like, too. After I got over my shock, instead of feeling unhappy, I realized I needed Angela Shepherd to work for me. My entire career I was surrounded by ‘yes men’. I needed someone who would call me on my shit and tell me how they saw it. I’ve never once regretted my decision to bring her onboard.”
Dropping his hands away from his mouth, Uncle Bill studies me carefully, tapping his fingernail against the table. “I think that you will be good for each other.”
I start with surprise. He… what? Did he just say what I thought he did? I thought I was going to be reamed out for sleeping with a member of staff. For sleeping withAngie. Uncle Bill watches the shock on my face with amusement.
“Uh, come again?” I ask faintly, my mouth dry.
I like Angie, I really do. And I’m enjoying thefuckout of what we’re doing. But I’m not about to jump into a relationship with someone Uncle Bill so clearly treasures. He takes one look at my face and chuckles, waving his hand in my direction.
“Relax, son. I’m not saying you should marry the girl.” He snorts as though the very idea is ridiculous. I bristle, whether for Angie, or myself, I’m not entirely sure.
“She could probably do better.” He winks at me, and now I’m definitely bristling. I’m not that bad of a catch, thank you very much.
“I’m saying….” Uncle Bill pauses, so I know his words will carry weight. “Your fling has my blessing. Angie doesn’t know how to enjoy herself on vacation. Hell, I only got her to agree to come by telling her she was actually working.”
I bite back a smirk. I can see that working. I think Angie might be a little afraid that if she lets her guard down and enjoys herself, it will come back to bite her.
“You’ll be good for her, because you can show her how to enjoy the moment, and she’ll be good for you too. After all, she’ll be the first woman of substance that you’ll have romanced. That’s sure to keep you on your toes. Flashing a black Amex won’t impress Angie in the slightest. She’ll make you work for every smile. I think this might be the making of you yet, son.”
He stands up, rounds the table, and claps me on the shoulder. “And when this vacation is over, you make sure you don’t hurt her, or you’ll answer to me.”
He leaves the room, and I sit, staring at the table. A little shell-shocked, if I’m being honest with myself. On the one hand, I’m thankful I don’t have to sneak around with Angie anymore, and her job isn’t on the line because I couldn’t rein in my attraction to her. On the other hand, I think about how fucking pissed I was when Ryan slighted her…. I’m a little worried I might be getting in over my head here. Uncle Bill is right. Angie is the first woman of substance that I’ve ever romanced. I’ve stayed away from women like her for a reason.
My whole life has been mapped out for me. I was told where to go to school, what to study, where to work, where to live. Hell, I was told what my life and career were going to be like from the moment I was twelve. My love life is the only place I have ever had control over myself, and I’ve made sure I’ve never lost it. But Angie…. I blow out a breath. Angie came out of nowhere and I’m teetering on the precipice.
On one side, there’s every other relationship I’ve ever had. I’ve known the score on them. They see a good-looking,richguy, and I see arm candy and an easy lay. They’ve never once tried to look below the surface, and I’ve never wanted to share anything but my bed with them.
On the other side is Angie. Who can read me like a fucking book. Who could tell just bylookingthat I wanted to hit Ryan. Who could tell by justlookingthat I was attracted to her professional side.
Angie represents everything I’ve ever shied away from because I could actually fall in love with her. And then I wouldn’t be in control anymore. And that scares the ever-loving shit out of me.
Chapter Twelve
Timothy
I’m not entirely sure how long I sit by myself in the dining room, turning Uncle Bill’s words over in my head. No one else comes back, so eventually, I head off in search of the others. They’re easy to find, all in the small den, where the X-Box is, though they’re not playing it. The conversation cuts out abruptly when I wander into the room and it’s David who finally breaks it, as I drop into an armchair.
“How bad was it?” he asks quietly. Ah, they’re assuming the worst. Well, I can’t blame them. So was I. I shrug, tapping my fingers against the fabric underneath my hand.
“Not that bad.” I stare at the fire flickering in the grate. “He thinks Angie will be good for me. And vice versa.”
There’s silence in the room, so I glance over to be met with four incredulous stares.
“Well, I can see how you would be good for her,” David snorts. “But Uncle Bill thinksshewould be good foryou?”
“Lose the snarky attitude,” I snap at him. He blinks at me. Yeah, I rarely lose it at my brother, but whatever he’s implying about Angie, I don’t fucking like it. “For your information, he thinks that I’d be good at teaching Angie how torelax.”
