: Chapter 53

“I see now why you keep this here,” I say to Nathan as I stare at Mom’s painting of the beach.

He steps up beside me. “It’s calming, right?”

I nod. “Mindful.”

“Are you nervous? About today, I mean?” he asks, concern in his voice.

I shake my head. “Nope. I’m eager to get everything out in the open, actually. And more than a little ecstatic about having my secretary back.” I don’t add that I’ve already fucked her on my desk once this morning. I swear she wears those sexy little outfits just to fuck with me.

He clears his throat. “How’s she doing?”

Obviously, he knows what happened to Amelia two weeks ago and that the Ryans were involved in the aftermath, but for legal reasons, I haven’t told him the details of what went down. Plausible deniability is our friend when shit gets shady.

“She’s doing well. Better than well. She’s fucking incredible, Nathan.”

He offers me a knowing smile. I’ve got that same sappy, pussy-whipped tone to my voice that he has when he’s talking about Mel.

“And you’re sure she’s okay to come back to work? Because she can take all the time she needs. Helen can even help you out if you don’t want another temp.”

“I’m sure. Her face has healed enough for her to cover the fading bruises with makeup, and she really wants to be back in the office. She said she’s going crazy being stuck at home. I might go crazy too. She’s already organized the loft to within an inch of its life.”

“Yeah, your decorating plans have given my wife ideas about our penthouse. She and Amelia were on the phone for an hour last night talking color swatches. I am now painfully aware that there are infinite shades of blue, and I can name at least twenty of them.” He rolls his eyes, but there’s nothing but affection in his tone. Mel and Amelia have become fast friends these past few weeks.

“I believe only ten minutes of that conversation were actually about color swatches, though, and the other fifty were spent talking about us all going on vacation to the Bahamas next spring.”

“Huh. I must have missed that part.”

“You’re picturing your wife in a bikini now, aren’t you?” I nudge him in the arm.

“Fuck yeah, I am.” We both laugh.

“Anyway, listening to their color swatch chatter is the least you can do, seeing as how we’re watching Luke for you this weekend,” I remind him.

He grins wickedly. “Yeah. Thanks for that, bro.”

We stare at the painting for a few more minutes before he speaks up again. “So, no last-minute doubts about the meeting this afternoon?”

“Nope. I’ve had it with the sneaking-around bullshit. This isn’t some fling with my secretary. This is being in love with a woman who also happens to be my secretary.”

He arches an eyebrow at me, and his lips quirk up with amusement. “Did I hear that correctly? Drake James is in love?”

“Yeah, well,” I say, grinning at him. “It happens to the best of us, right? But are you sure you’re okay with this? I mean, I never asked.”

He meets my eyes, and something flashes between us. “You don’t need to ask my permission, Drake. We started this firm together, and we run it together. We’re equals.”

“Just equals? Need I remind you that I scored three points higher than you on the bar exam?”

“Don’t push your luck, numbnuts. I’ll see you in the meeting. And yeah, before you ask, I’ve got your back.”

An hour later, the great and the good of James and James are gathered in the boardroom, along with key executives from HR, office services, and even the fucking catering department. I don’t want to have to do this twice or for us to be the subject of gossip. If we tell them all at once, it will be done.

Personally, I don’t give a rat’s ass what any of them think. But I know she does. She generally gives several rats’ asses about other people in general. Her gaze flickers over the assembled group and she nervously licks her lips. Fuck, I wish I could lick her lips. She’s wearing that wrap dress again, and even with Linda watching us, I’d like to bend her over the massive conference table and sink my dick into her. I meet her eyes and look at her sternly. Like I’m her boss and she’s done something to piss me off. Once I have her attention, I mouth, I love you, and her face is suddenly suffused with a smile. It’s like the sun’s come out.

I wipe the stupid grin off my own face and turn to the room. The chatter stops as I stand before them.

“I’m sure you’re all curious about why I’ve called you here today,” I say, studying each of their faces. “And I won’t take up too much of your time. I know we’re all busy.” I pause for just a moment and give them the opportunity to murmur their agreement. “Most of you know Miss Amelia Ryder, my secretary.”

A few people nod, some give her a little finger wave, and others look nonplussed. Amelia looks petrified.

“Amelia and I are now officially a couple. To clarify, we are romantic partners. We are boyfriend and girlfriend. She is my bae, my boo, my old lady.”

There are a couple shocked looks, some amused surprise, and quite a lot of smiles. “Is she your LOML?” pipes up Drew, the guy in charge of catering.

“Maybe,” I reply. “But I’m not sure what that is.”

Amelia stands up beside me, her hand creeping into mine, a shy smile on her gorgeous face. “It stands for love of my life,” she explains.

I nod and lock eyes with her. It feels like we’re the only two people in this crowded room. “In that case, yeah, she is very much the LOML. Now, I know there are policies in place and that technically, I’m her boss. So, Linda—and everyone else—please take this as my official notice that I am in a relationship with Miss Ryder. And if any of you object to that, I refer you to a policy that I’ve just decided to add. It’s called ‘My name is on the door and I can do what I like.’ Does anyone have any questions?”

Nathan is standing at the back of the room, arms crossed over his chest. He shakes his head in mock despair, but I can tell he’s amused.

“Yes, Mr. James.” Linda stands up, and I can’t tell if she’s actually scowling or if it’s just her normal expression. “Could I get a copy of that new policy in writing please?”

Amelia giggles, and I make the most unprofessional choice I’ve probably ever made in my life—at least with witnesses—and pull her into my arms. I seal my lips over hers to a chorus of wolf whistles and cheers.

“Put that in your policy packet, Linda,” someone pipes up from the back, and that has my girl laughing against my lips.

“Love you,” I murmur.

She pulls back, leaving me breathless and wanting more. “You’d better get to work, sir. Looks like you have a new policy to write.”

I press my lips to her ear so nobody will hear. “I’ll need you to take dictation, Miss Ryder.”

Her cheeks flush pink. “Of course, Mr. James.”