Page 36 of Boss with Benefits

The entire staff called him by his first name—if it was his first name—at his insistence. When asked his full name, he would change the subject. He signed his contracts and checks with the name Brady, so it was legal. Maybe his law team had worked it so he could do business simply as Brady.

“Close the door,” he said.

Katherine did as instructed.

Brady crossed the room to the couch and pulled Jessica to her feet. With his arm around her waist, he said, “We need you to keep this under your hat for a while, Katherine. The thing is, Jessica and I got married two weeks ago. Secretly.”

His secretary gasped. “Are you being serious right now?”

He lifted Jessica’s left hand to show off the wedding band. “I don’t joke about stuff like this.”

“Why keep it a secret?” Katherine asked as her eyes narrowed on them.

Jessica looked at him and waited in silence, hoping his story would be a good one. She stiffened beside him. His arm tightened around her waist. Maybe it was supposed to reassure her, but she couldn’t relax until she heard what he was planning to say to their secretary.

Brady turned on the charm on cue. His easy grin deepened the dimples in his cheeks. That and the hair falling over half his forehead made him look younger. Sexier. “We’re keeping it a secret, because being single works for us. Male clients flirt with Jess, and models do their best work when they think I desire them. We don’t want to rock the boat.”

Jessica pasted on a smile and nodded.

Katherine blinked behind her glasses. “O-kay. Guess that makes sense.”

“We’re trusting you with our secret,” Brady said. “Keep it to yourself.”

“You got it, boss. Anything else?”

He shook his head. “Nothing I can think of. Thank you.”

Katherine walked out.

The second the door clicked into place, Jessica turned on him, stunned by the performance. “Why did you ask her to keep it a secret? I thought you wanted everyone to know so we’ll look legit.”

Brady grinned. “There have been three great forms of communication. Telephone, telegraph, and tell Katherine. Trust me. By quitting time today, everyone here will know we’re secretly married.”

“I realize Katherine likes to talk, but do you really think she’ll break your confidence when you asked her specifically not to?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time.”

Jessica shook her head in open wonder. “Why do you keep her on then? Don’t you want employees you can trust?”

He shrugged. “I like working with predictable people. I know what she’ll do in any given moment. Makes my life easier.”

“What about partners?” Jessica asked. “What about me? Do you think you can predict what I’ll do?”

Laughter burst past his lips. “You? Are you kidding me? I’ll learn to predict when a natural disaster will hit before I figure you out.”

He was aiming for sarcasm, but his statement warmed her heart. Being unpredictable was a good thing in a relationship. Or so her mother had told her. Men enjoyed unraveling a mystery.

His hands went to her face and cupped it gently. He kissed her briefly on the mouth. A jolt of electricity zinged through her entire body. The fact he had such a compelling effect on her still amazed her. No other man had the power to turn her inside-out.

He took a step back, and they stared into each other’s eyes. Now what?

An awkward moment stretched between them until he headed for the door. He snapped back to professional mode. That was the best way to handle things between them at the office. Focus on work. “Those models you picked are coming in for a test shoot later, and the clients will be here to look them over. I’d like you to be there.”

Jessica nodded. “Good. I need work to take my mind off things for a while.”

“What things?”

Him, for one. She couldn’t stop thinking about how much she wanted to lock the door and rock his world on the couch. Knowing he would take advantage of the slightest wavering on her part, she lied. “Axl, of course. I need to get my mind off the upcoming court battle.”

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