The Billionaire’s Desire (His Submissive #9)(12)
Author: Ava Claire

"I thought we could go down to the Kent meeting together."

His brow furrowed before he gave me a sheepish look. "Mia Kent…that’s right, it’s happening in–" He glanced at his Rolex. "–Fifteen minutes."

I gave him an understanding smile. I knew all too well that Jacob was behind. Before us, a forty hour work week was rare. He burned the midnight oil, the very definition of a hands-on CEO. I hated that my conversation with Missy popped in my head. Tales of another Whitmore who lived for this company and gave it everything. It was just a reminder of all the ways Carlton fell short. Jacob made time for me and still managed to run a profitable enterprise.

"If you need to finish some things up, I’ll just see you downstairs."

"Actually, I’m gonna sit this one out."

I knew stranger things happened. The boss sitting in on the preliminary meeting for new clients was more a courtesy than anything else, but my eyes still rounded in surprise. "Are you swamped? Maybe I can help."

He studied me for a moment then beckoned me with a finger. The smallest gesture and I already felt a stirring inside of me. Images of that same finger sinking.

Thrusting.

But when I perched on the desk beside him, he kept his gaze in G-rated territory.

"I appreciate the offer, but I know you’ve been looking forward to this case. Watching old Carolina, California reruns."

Carolina, California was the TV show that put Mia on the map. She played a small town girl who was discovered humming in the grocery store and signed on the spot and whisked to California to sing in a rock band.

"It was just research," I said unconvincingly.

"Right," he winked. "That’s why I caught you singing along? Strictly research and all of that?"

"That’s right." I said, blushing with embarrassment. The lyrics were slightly cutesy and rhyme-y because of the intended audience, but catchy nonetheless. And there was just something about Mia. She had this pull. Charisma. That spark dimmed lately with all of her hijinks, clothing malfunctions, and the choice of company she kept, but she still had it–and we’d make sure she didn’t become another example of why child stars were destined to be adult disasters.

"It’s about more than helping a client that desperately needs it," I said, looking at the folders Jacob had accumulated. "And sure, I like her music a little more than I probably should. I can’t put my finger on why I’m so invested, but I really want her to turn things around."

Jacob gave me a curious look. “Maybe you see her as a little sister?”

I was an only child. My mother smothered me with every ounce of attention and love she could spare and while my father wasn’t as affectionate, I knew that it was more his own rearing, being the quiet, strong, emotionally under wraps man of the house, than a lack of love.

I didn’t know anything about a sibling bond. I knew how close Megan was with her sister and how crazy they drove one another, but they had a connection that put drama on pause if one was in need. It seemed bizarre that I already felt tied to Mia, responsible for helping her when we hadn’t even met.

I was probably the last person that needed to be working on her case. She needed someone that was all business and wouldn’t let the mushy gushy cloud their judgment. I hated to admit it, but Missy seemed perfectly suited to run things.

"What if I helped you?" I pointed at his mountain of projects. "We could put our heads together and put a dent in this."

He didn’t even consider it. "It looks serious, but I thrive under this kind of pressure. Just like you thrive when you’re hands-on, working with the client. You’ll work the Kent case." His eyes narrowed. "I need someone in there to balance Missy out. Someone that’s driven but doesn’t lose sight that we’re working to help rebuild personal and professional lives. And that someone is you."

Nerves knotted my throat. I knew Jacob thought I was capable. And I believed it myself. But there were still the whispers of doubt that scratched beneath the surface. "I’m just your personal assistant, Jacob."

"We both know you’re more than that. You said you want to earn your place at the table and prove that you belong here. That’s why you’re gonna march that hot behind back the way you came, go to that meeting and show them that you’re the person to watch at Whitmore and Creighton."

I looked into those blue eyes that I knew so well and I saw more than love. I saw a leader. A man who knew what to say to make me charge into battle for him. Maybe he didn’t ask about his employees’ children or have a stack of invites to holiday dinners and graduations, but he saw the big picture. How much did all of Carlton’s words mean anyway if he chunked a teetering company on his son as soon as he graduated from college?

"What’s going on, Leila?" His hands gripped mine, bringing my attention back to him. "I can tell there’s something else bothering you besides this meeting."

I blinked at him, only entertaining the thought of saying ‘nothing’ for a millisecond. No more secrets. No more half-truths. I didn’t know how bringing up his father would affect him, but I would give him the respect of letting him deal with it and not try to handle him.

"It was just something Missy said." When he scowled, I quickly added, "Not anything negative. She just talked about her time at Whitmore and Creighton. Working for your father."

Jacob tensed, his features turning downright predatory. This was what Carlton Whitmore did to him, a life of disappointment turning the word ‘father’ into profanity.

"I’m sure she talked of how he walked on water, swooped in with his red cape, doing the impossible, handing out jobs like candy. His story conveniently leaves out the fact that he ignored incompetence because he was too busy drinking or screwing."

I didn’t know what to say to that, but I had a feeling he wasn’t expecting a response. He needed to vent.

"Whitmore and Creighton was just another business headed toward bankruptcy or better off being chopped up and sold off to someone that actually knew what the hell they were doing. It was nothing before I stepped into this office."

He was clenching and unclenching his fists, back in that place before us. But he didn’t have to go alone.

"I never really asked you what it was like taking the reins when you were twenty-one."

I knew I was ready for more responsibility when I got my degree, ready to take on cases instead of just getting coffee and being seen and not heard. But taking on an entire company, and a failing one at that? Heck no.

He tugged at his tie, the lines on his face those of someone with the weight of the world on their shoulders.