“Don’t worry, sugar. We can work around whatever we need to do. I won’t be on any extended trips until next summer. Is that everything?”
“Almost.” She grabbed their beers off the nightstand, handing his back to him before she took a swig of hers. “I only have one more stipulation, and it’s the most important.”
“Lay it on me.”
“No matter what we encounter together, I’ll do my job. But never let that go to your head. I’m here to be your assistant, Jesse, not your latest fling. Don’t think for one minute that I’ll ever sleep with you.”
She’d embarrassed him with her last request. He averted his gaze and glanced down at his beer. “Don’t worry, Cori. I’ll never lay a finger on you . . .” He met her eyes once more. “Unless it’s what you want.”
By the time she realized what he’d said, he clinked his bottle against hers, as if he were making a toast. As he tipped his back and chugged the liquid, Cori did the same. Guess it meant their agreement was sealed. The next few months, she’d be at Jesse’s beck and call. It would be an easy job.
All she had to do was keep her dirty thoughts under control.
Chapter 10
Cori faced the glass partition that separated the hallway and the room where Jesse and the radio show host were talking. An ON AIR sign glowed above her, but she hadn’t paid attention to it since the first ten minutes she’d stood in the hall.
While she’d been his assistant for a few days, this was only the second assignment he’d given her. Her first day on the job felt like she and Jesse were catching up on things that had happened since he moved away. He’d also taken his time to give her a breakdown of some of the meetings, interviews, and events he had to attend in the next few months.
His schedule wasn’t as bad as she feared it would be, and none of his appointments involved seeing Theo until the New Year. Hopefully, she would have the courage to call her sister before then. Of course, Cassie could be angry with her for refusing to make amends with their father.
The way Christmas was shaping up, she would be spending it alone. Jesse would keep her somewhat busy until her college classes resumed, but he would want to spend time with his family. He’d most likely want to see Theo at some point.
Brushing off the thoughts, she opened up the planner Jesse had given her to record the dates and times of his appointments. She scanned the entries she’d made when she noticed one he’d scribbled in at some point. He had a cocktail party to attend in two days. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day had a large x over them.
Jesse didn’t have any commitments on those days for a reason. It confirmed her assumption. He would be spending the holiday with his family.
It was just as well. She didn’t need to be around people on either day. Besides, Mariah had already invited her to her house. Cori knew if she didn’t want to be alone, she didn’t have to be. Still, it wouldn’t be the same as being with her family.
The distinct sound of a guitar chord drew her attention back to Jesse. He’d come to the part of his interview where he was supposed to play a sample of one of Southern Scandal’s new songs. Being their bass player, he had a few songs that highlighted his skills.
The piece he was playing had a funky rhythm, but the melody was built on his chords. She’d only heard the song a couple of times because Cassie shared it. Her sister always shared new music with her before it hit the airwaves. It was a perk Cassie had by working at a recording studio.
As the last chord held out, the muscles in Jesse’s arms flexed. The definition was perfect. How strong was he? Could he suspend her body above his, maybe hold her against the wall effortlessly as he plowed his cock deep?
Damn it. She wasn’t supposed to have these thoughts. She hadn’t succumbed to them since they began working together. It was only a matter of time before it happened. Her mind lived in the gutter.
Once Jesse finished the piece, he stood from his seat. He slung his guitar over his shoulder and shook hands with the radio show host. The ON AIR sign dimmed, further indication that the interview was over.
It wasn’t long before Jesse came out of the room. The radio show host waved to her then slipped across the hall to the break room. She was alone with Jesse for the first time since the ride over to the station. At that point, she hadn’t given it a second thought, but that was before images of fucking him against the wall came to mind. It made her body heat, especially her face.
“Mind holding this for me?”
She took his guitar by its strap as Jesse bent over and opened the case he’d left with her. As she lowered it to him, he lifted the guitar by the neck and slid it in place, securing the case before he stood. She didn’t realize she’d inched closer to him until that point. The space between them decreased so much, all she had to do was stand on her tiptoes and her lips would touch his.
“Ready to go?”
All she could do was nod. It made him chuckle, then he motioned her to walk down the hall before him. “Ladies first.”
Cori didn’t respond. She took the opportunity to lead them back to the lobby. Good thing he hadn’t led the way. Following him meant having the perfect view of his ass. That would certainly get her into trouble.
“I’m sorry it took so long.”
His voice sounded as if he were right on her tail. Instead of confirming it, she made quick strides to the elevator. “It’s okay. My dance class doesn’t start for a couple more hours. We have plenty of time.”
“Good. I’m starved. I’ll tell the driver to take us somewhere. What are you in the mood to eat?”
Was he kidding? She hadn’t met any food she didn’t like. Everything sounded yummy. Still, she didn’t want him buying her meals. She wanted to pay her own way, and Jesse was making it difficult.
Once the elevator doors opened, she entered. By the time she pressed the button for the lobby, Jesse was safely inside. Thank God they only had a couple of floors to descend. Being in such a small space with him only made her hyperaware of his sexy voice, his tempting lips, and his sinfully seductive body.
“I’m really not that hungry.”
“Bullshit.”
She met his gaze. Humor played in his eyes. “Girls your age are so concerned with their figure. Trust me. A cheeseburger isn’t going to hurt you. You’re definitely in shape.”
Did that mean he’d noticed? It wasn’t the first comment he’d made about her body. She wasn’t sure how to feel about it then, but now she liked his attention.
“I’m not afraid to eat a cheeseburger or a big helping of fries for that matter.”
“Then what is it?”
Shrugging, she focused on the mirrored wall at the back of the elevator. “I don’t want you paying my way. I want to take care of myself.”
He didn’t say anything until the elevator came to a stop. The doors opened a moment later, and he motioned for her to go first. He was only a step behind her as they made their way across the lobby of the building. She saw him in her peripheral just before he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
“Listen, part of your job is to accompany me wherever I go. If that means going to a five-star restaurant or some fast-food joint, you’re still on the job. Your expenses are paid, Cori.”
It was hard enough to admit that she didn’t want to be his charity case. Now she felt even more stupid for saying anything. When it came to Jesse’s personality and lifestyle, he was way out of her league.
Instead of putting her foot further into her mouth, she decided to keep silent. They would be outside shortly and inside the car. Then she could stare out the window while Jesse made a few phone calls like he normally did.
As soon as she stepped out of the building and into the lukewarm air, she inhaled a deep breath. The heat in her face subsided as she searched for the car that brought them downtown. What she saw instead didn’t register in her mind until it was too late.
Everything became a blur. A dozen or more faces were closing in on hers. Flashing lights follo
wed, along with shouting and tugging. Her body swayed side to side as if she were being pulled in multiple directions. By the time she realized she was standing before a mob of fans, Jesse curled his arm around her waist and pulled her back inside the building.
There was enough time to see him block the door with his foot before security approached. He rushed her away as soon as they took over. When they stopped near the elevators, he spun her around to face him and gripped the sides of her face.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
She didn’t realize how hard she was breathing until that point. Her voice sounded shaky, which stood to reason. The rest of her felt the same. Was she trembling too? It would explain why Jesse was examining every inch of her like he was worried that she’d been hurt.
“I am so sorry, Cori. I shouldn’t have let you go outside first. If I’d known that crowd was out there, I wouldn’t have placed you in danger.”
“It’s okay, Jesse. I’m not hurt—a little startled—but physically okay.”
His lips thinned. He glanced at the front door of the building then took his phone out of his pocket. After tapping the screen a few times, he placed it to his ear.
“Yeah, this is Mr. Woods. I need you to meet us at the back entrance. There’s a mob at the front door . . . How many . . . ? Okay. We’ll be there in less than a minute . . . Thank you.”
Once he slipped his phone into his pocket, he wrapped his arm around her and led her in a different direction. “The driver was already on the back street. He’s waiting for us.”
“So no one’s blocking the back door?”
“He said there are a few people outside, but he wasn’t sure if it was anyone waiting for us. Either way, he’s ready to open the door for us. Let’s get out of here before the crowd out front goes to the back.”
She didn’t argue with him, no matter how much it worried her that another crowd was waiting to maul them. The more they talked, the slower they walked, so it was best to remain quiet.
By the time she saw the back door, they only had a few more feet to reach it. It opened a second later. Relief engulfed her when she noticed a couple of businessmen walking in. They didn’t seem to acknowledge her or Jesse, as both were in a deep conversation about something she couldn’t care less about. She wanted to be in the car on her way back to her dorm room.
When she and Jesse exited the building, he kept her body close to his, as if he was preparing to be bombarded. Aside from a few people outside smoking, no one else was in the alley. No women were rushing toward them with crazed looks in their eyes.
The driver stood at the back door like he promised. As soon as he saw them, he opened it and waited for them to enter. Cori never enjoyed the sound of a car door shutting like she did at that moment. Somehow, they made it out the back unscathed.
While she’d been to her share of concerts, she’d never been subjected to something as out of control as the group of women outside the radio station building. How did Jesse deal with it? Did they do the same thing to him, or were they upset to see him with a woman?
Jesse was an available bachelor, a musician, and one sexy ass man. Of course women would want him, and they were willing to fight whatever stood in their way.
Today, it had been her.
This was one time Jesse wished he hadn’t taken the advice of his manager and agent when it involved a woman. Once bitten, twice shy. He should have learned the first time around.
Joel and Josh’s insistent requests for Jesse to find a girlfriend subjected Cori to the traumatic event she experienced. As much as he’d like to blame all of this on his two advisors, he had to bite off a chunk of the blame himself.
He should have been honest with Cori from day one.
From the moment he told her about the job opportunity, he regretted the fact that he covered up what his manager and agent suggested—for him to find a temporary girlfriend or a girl who would pretend to be. Even though he hadn’t hired her for that reason, the mob that greeted them proved Josh and Joel’s theory wouldn’t work. Seeing him with another woman did nothing to improve their safety. It didn’t decongest the crowds.
Of course, no one knew who Cori was. For the fans, it was their first time seeing them together. They had no time to figure out who she was. Maybe they didn’t even care.
For other people in the industry, it was a different reception. Since she’d accepted his job offer, he’d only had a couple of meetings, and before those began, he’d introduced her as his assistant. It got him some weird looks, but not because Cori hadn’t dressed the part. He assumed they thought he was fucking his assistant.
He’d like to be.
Sweeping the images of her naked body from his mind, he focused on the seat beside him. She hadn’t moved much since they entered the car, but she didn’t appear as tense. It still didn’t explain the half-eaten cheeseburger in her lap. Had the ordeal caused her to lose her appetite? Perhaps it was nerves.
Whatever the case, it made Jesse anxious. He hoped she wouldn’t reconsider working for him. It wasn’t just because he didn’t want her to go back to the escort service. It was the time they were spending together. He’d lose it if she quit.
Granted, they’d only been working together a few days, but it made things different. It made him different. Instead of dragging ass in the mornings, he was waking before his alarm, showering, eating, and starting his day. Most of all, he looked forward to it because he knew at some point, he’d get to see her.
Damn, he was becoming some sentimental old fool. Women were dropping at his feet each day. They were making promises to fulfill his every fantasy. Some had already tried. He swore one woman wouldn’t distract him, especially after his brief relationship with Maggie.
Yet there he was, ready to be Cori’s knight in shining armor at the first sign of distress.
Christ. He was turning into Theo. He was allowing a woman to get under his skin. At least Theo had an excuse. He’d been crazy about Cassie all of his life, but Jesse . . . Okay. Maybe he and Theo weren’t that different.
Neither he nor Cori were the same people they were in high school, not physically. He was still the rebel with the guitar, and she still had a heart of gold. Now she was this beautiful woman with a huge heart and an even bigger personality. He doubted he was the only man attracted to her.
“We’ll be at the dance studio in ten minutes. Aren’t you going to finish eating?”
Shrugging, Cori rewrapped the paper around the burger and placed it inside the bag. “I don’t like to dance on a full stomach. It makes me nauseous.”
“Oh, I see. That makes sense.”
He was an idiot. Here he’d thought she was traumatized over what happened at the radio station. Not. She was just eating light so she could dance. He should have known better. She wasn’t some frail damsel in distress. She was a strong, fiery woman who didn’t take shit from many people.
“Thank you.”
He glanced her way, feeling confused by her response. “For?”
“For what you did at the radio station. If you hadn’t pulled me back inside, I think I would have been trampled. Maybe I would have been torn apart. Either way, it was scary.”
So he hadn’t been completely wrong. Good. His instincts were still keen.
“I’m sorry I put you in the position to be ambushed by a crazy group of fans.”
“Is that who those women were? They’re fans?”
He hated admitting who they were, but she wasn’t an idiot. “Yeah. Some are fans of the group, but some are Allen’s fans and some are mine. I don’t mean that to sound egotistical, but it’s the truth.”
She didn’t seem turned off by his comment. Good. The last thing he wanted was for her to think he was some jerk on a power trip.
“I’m going to speak with my manager, Josh, and see if we can get some security. We haven’t hit the spotlight yet, not compared to some bands. If we’re already facing an issue with crowds, it’s only going to get
worse.”
Cori nodded in agreement. “You’re definitely going to need some type of protection. I’m surprised they haven’t hired bodyguards. Cassie told me how she and Theo were approached by a group of women while they were on their honeymoon. I would have been pissed.”
He chuckled. Cori was a little spitfire when she wanted to be. He could picture her going off on a group of women if they showed up on their honeymoon.
Wait. Did he just refer to it as his and Cori’s honeymoon? Yeah, right. He wasn’t getting married, at least not anytime soon. Guess he was just putting himself in the same situation to relate to how Theo and Cassie must have felt. That had to be the reason.
Yep. He was convinced . . .
“So, how long does your class last?
“It depends on the lesson. My instructor told us last week that class would be shorter tonight.” She shifted in her seat and opened the small gym bag she’d brought with her. “The younger girls have a recital and she has to be at the theater by six, so we’re running through our routine for thirty minutes. She said we could stay longer and work as a group, but I think everyone is anxious to prep for the holidays.”
Pulling out a pair of what looked like black ballet shoes, he watched in silence as Cori kicked off her heels and slid them on. “I won’t have much time to change when I get to the studio. I hope you don’t mind me doing it here.”
Was she kidding? He’d love to see her take off her clothes. Of course, he’d prefer it if she didn’t put any back on, but that was a bridge he would cross at a later point. Right now, he was too stunned to see Cori shimmying out of her skirt.
He had enough time to catch a glimpse of her black panties. Damn, he loved black panties. They stood out against her skin and held his attention until they disappeared behind a pair of form-fitting pants. He thought he’d regained control of his dirty mind, but Cori lifted her shirt and tossed it aside.
Turn away. That’s what his head was telling him. Too bad his other head had taken over. The thought of seeing her breasts, even inside of her bra, had his dick twitching again. All the blood in his body seemed to pool in his groin. Fuck, she was making him hard.