Chapter 17: In James's Office.

Laura seriously went through the contract offer and would occasionally peek at James, who was holding another document in his hand. The contract offer was quite impressive, the terms were generous and she would be treated like an A-lister.

“I’m going to sign under one more condition,” Laura said, drawing James’s attention to her. He put down the papers he was holding to give her his attention.

“What is it?” James asked her. He wondered whether his team of lawyers rushed the job and forgot something.

“My manager has to be you,” Laura said, and smiled at the subtle expression on James’s face. James was already managing his younger brother on top of managing the company. The only reason he took on the job by himself was because Jason would go overboard with his managers.

It had taken him years to find staff that could understand and tolerate Jason’s antics, but the manager position was one that only he could fill, seeing as Jason was also on the board of directors. Now, on top of all his workload, he had to add another one? James looked at Laura as his thoughts raced.

“Okay,” James said, and Laura, who was observing his conflicting emotions through the subtle expressions on his face, gave a sigh of relief.

“But you will have a road manager,” James said and Laura became visibly deflated.

“I can’t accompany you everywhere, but I'll be there whenever I can,” James comforted helplessly. He could only make this promise, but he still couldn’t guarantee if he will even be able to accompany her at all.

“I’ll be happy with that,” Laura said and wrote down the last clause on the contract herself. James read it and stood up to go behind his desk. After revising and printing it, they both signed it before James called Derek in to take it to the department, concerned.

“How is he so polite?” Laura asked once the door closed behind Derek, and James laughed mysteriously in response.

“Hm? Why are you laughing?” Laura asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.

“Our partners love him,” James said as he went back to sit behind his desk.

“You’re getting back to work?” Laura asked him when she saw him get ready to continue with his job.

“Mmmh, I have to deal with something before noon,” James said to her as he put on his gold-rimmed glasses. Laura cleared her throat when she saw his sudden change and looked away. She didn’t need a mirror to know that her face had reddened.

“I thought we could have lunch together,” Laura said while still looking away from him. James thought that she was feeling upset when he saw her like this, and his expression softened.

“Give me thirty minutes then, I’ll be done by then,” he promised and got to work. He had roped such a beautiful woman into his life. It would be very irresponsible if he neglected her so early in their relationship.

Laura, who had no idea that James had guilted himself into saying this, was now happy hearing that she could go out and have lunch. As she thought this way, she figured that maybe she could convince him to join her for dinner as well.

Just as James had promised her, he was done in half an hour and Derek had come in to take the documents. Laura watched as James shrugged on his suit jacket after turning off his computer.

She also stood up and walked towards him, naturally fixing the lapels before looking up at him. Although she was quite tall at 178cm, she still looked up at him even with the heels she was wearing.

“What is it?” James asked her when he noticed that she had fallen into a daze.

“How tall are you?” she asked, as she found it hard to guess his height.

“203cm,” James answered simply, and an amused smile played on his lips when she almost choked on her spit.

“You are more than two meters tall?” she asked incredulously and James had to do everything not to laugh. He still needed to maintain his dignity as her boss!

“Mmmh, is that a problem?” James asked her, and Laura shook her head vigorously. She met a man that allowed her the fashion freedom she had always enjoyed. Why would it be a problem? Unless she wore 30cm heels, she had no hope of standing at the same height as him!

“Of course not,” Laura reiterated, but also didn’t stop staring at him.

“Is there something else?” James asked, since it looked like she wanted him to ask.

“Well, can you kiss me again?” Laura asked, trying to sound confident, but some hesitation was still heard in her voice.

“Again?” James asked her, his grey eyes boring into hers.

“Well, I really enjoyed it before,” Laura started to say, as if trying to excuse herself, and James smiled helplessly at the sight. He was clearly teasing her, but she took it so seriously he felt a bit bad.

“Laura,” James called her and she focussed her gaze on him once more. He then took a step forward, and the two were plastered against each other. When he took another step, Laura was forced to take a step back to maintain her balance. This continued until she felt the desk behind her and when she leaned back against it, James leaned forward, placing his hands on either side of her body, trapping her in place.

“Open your mouth,” James said, and Laura felt tingles go up and down her spine. She didn’t know what it was she was feeling, but she wanted to listen to his order and she liked it.