Page 41 of Arrogant Heir
‘Don’t let grandfather boss you around,’ he adds.
That’s rich, I think, coming from the bossiest of bossy CEOs. We say goodbye. My eyes drift down to his running pants, and I can’t help noticing the big mound at his crotch. I avert my eyes as a wave of desire ripples through me and I throb with need.
He’s becoming an itch that I’m aching to scratch.
Arthur rises briefly as I enterthe library. ‘So good of you to come,’ he says, as if I don’t work for him and I’m just choosing to spend my Saturday morning visiting him. ‘Would you like some coffee or tea?’
I say I’d love some coffee and Alice darts out of the door.
It must be incredible to have someone to attend to your every need, I think. Well, perhaps noteveryneed. That takes my mind looping right back to Damian and his Chelsea escapade. That backfired on him, and I bet he regrets it now. I wonder why he doesn’t have a long-term girlfriend to keep him out of mischief. Underneath his arrogant exterior, there’s kindness and sensitivity, but judging by his reputation, maybe he struggles to be faithful to one girl.
A log fire blazes in the hearth, spitting and cracking, and the library is about as cosy a setting as you could dream of on this rainy spring Saturday morning when the sun refuses to shine.
Arthur reaches for a pile of newspapers. ‘Have you had the misfortune to read any of these yet?’ His tone is humorous but there’s an edge to it.
‘No, I haven’t. But Damian showed me some online articles when we arrived back yesterday.’
‘Ah, yes. When you were mobbed at the gates. I’m so sorry about that. We’ve got extra security on now. Somehow, they slipped into the estate.’
I nod sympathetically. ‘It must be awful knowing that any little thing you do could appear as front-page news at any time.’
Arthur’s expression is pained. ‘Unfortunately, the press adores Damian. Or should I say, they hate him but adore following him about. He makes it too easy for them, as I keep telling him.’
I leaf through the papers and read the headlines. There are the same photos of me and a few lines about me being his latest conquest. They accuse Damian of being a cheating playboy. I tut and shove the papers aside.
‘What can I do?’ I ask. ‘They’ll soon forget about me, so I’m not that worried about my reputation. Anyone with any brains will see it’s just sensational hearsay.’
‘I really applaud your common-sense,’ he says. ‘I saw that in you straight away, when Damian was throwing his toys out of the pram about hiring you.’
I laugh loudly. ‘Damian would scowl at you if he heard you say that.’
Now it’s Arthur’s turn to laugh. He throws his head back and says, ‘You really are a breath of fresh air, my dear. I told him you’re not intimidated by him, which is exactly why you work so well together.’
Smiling, I reach for my coffee and take a sip. ‘I’m glad we could make our arrangement work after such a rocky start. I must admit, I thought I might be heading back to London with my tail between my legs after that first meeting.’
‘Oh, you mustn’t mind, Damian. He’s had a difficult time the last few years. When my son died, it hit him even harder than most of us.’
‘Why is that if you don’t mind me asking? I’ve noticed he clams up when I ask about his father. Fortunately, Marian offered to do an interview with me for the book so I can find out more about your son’s role in the business.’
Arthur purses his lips and nurses his cup. ‘He blames himself for the accident.’ He’s dropped his voice as if sharing a state secret.
‘I see. The poor thing. That sucks. No wonder he doesn’t want to talk about it. It makes sense now.’
‘It does indeed suck, Ms Jackson. Jamie…’ he adds with a wide smile. ‘I think you are good for him.’
I blush and my chest flutters. ‘I’ve enjoyed writing the book, but it won’t be too long now until we’ll be ready to hand it over to the publishing house for editing.’
‘That’s a shame,’ he says. ‘I wonder if Damian might magic up another role for you in the media division.’ He looks at me with a conspiratorial twinkle in his wise old eyes. ‘I can’t stand seeing talent like yours slip through the family net. Old habits die hard, you see.’
I’m not sure what to make of his statement, but I know a compliment when I hear one, so I thank him. ‘It goes both ways. You’re easy to work for,’ I say.
‘That’s very kind of you to say, my dear, but I think we both know that Damian is far from the easiest person to work for. But you have penetrated his gloom, and he sings your praises, which I assure you is a rare phenomenon indeed.’
I reach for my coffee and frantically rifle through my brain for a suitable response. I come up empty, so I just drink and smile.
‘Listen to me waffling on and taking up your day. Let me get to the point about what I was hoping you’ll help us with.’
He points to the various headlines and says we need a considered response to put out the flames of this nonsense.