Read The Billionaire Boss for Free Online Page A

Logis App’s court. She’d asked him if he was busy that morning and told him she could only meet that day. He had nothing on his schedule.
     
    Michelle tucked her blond hair behind her ear. A necklace with a diamond encrusted pendant hung around her neck. She was beautiful in an unconventional way, with a slight gap between her teeth and incredible legs, Ariel admitted to himself.
    But as she spoke, flashes of January kept popping into Ariel’s mind. No matter how he tried to fight it, the evening before kept barreling its way into his mind, how January's body responded to his touch. He’d enjoyed watching her reaction to him. Her skin was so soft, her shape beautiful.
    When she’d confessed to being a virgin, he’d backpedaled. It wasn't like him.
    It’s not like I’ve never slept with a virgin.
    But January was different. 
    Ariel needed to tread carefully. The vulnerability he’d seen in her eyes softened him.
    "I'm sorry, you seem distracted." Michelle tilted her head and inched forward.
    Ariel shook his head. "No, I’m listening carefully,” Ariel lied. “It's just that I have a lot of things to consider with negotiation."
    She eyed him closely and Ariel decided to try to stay focused.
    "Our company wants you to cut the requested percentage. A 5% decrease is more feasible."
    Ariel frowned and adjusted his tie. "But it’s not like Logis App brings nothing to the table. Our products are a hot commodity.”
    Michelle smiled tensely. An uncomfortable silence filled the room. “I have to leave now for another meeting, but how about we continue discussions over dinner tonight?”
    She blinked slowly. Her makeup was expertly done.
    You could get almost any man--hook, line, and sinker. But Ariel wasn’t interested in dinner. He hated late meetings because they always alluded to friendship . This was business. The last thing he needed was to muddy the water by sleeping with Michelle. It would only complicate the situation—a money no-no.
    Ariel chose his best route—deflection. He went back to his own point and explained to her the added value and benefits his company brought to the table. Ariel smiled at the end of his explanation. The last thing he wanted was for negotiations to halt, or worse, break.
    The only indication that Michelle knew she’d just been dissed was her shifting in the seat. She responded to Ariel's spiel.
    She was longwinded and once again his mind shifted to January. She’d proven to be a distraction and Ariel wondered if it was a good thing. Since he’d met her, Ariel had begun to question things in his life. A relationship with January would mean letting go of the past.
    And letting go of the past would mean he’d finally have to open his heart.

 
     
     
    Chapter Thirteen
     
    The next day January was called into Ariel's office.
    Heather was seated in a chair.
    "You wanted to see me, Mr. Cunningham." January made eye contact with Ariel briefly.
    More than twenty-four hours had passed since they were last in each other's presence and, despite the hurt she felt, January was determined to act professional. The last thing she needed was to appear weak. She’d chosen to wear a charcoal gray pantsuit and black heels that day. The suit made her feel put-together.
    "Come in, January."
    She stepped inside Ariel's office and closed the door behind her, then walked to the chair next to Heather and sat.
    "Heather told me you did a good job yesterday.” Ariel gave a small smile.
    January didn’t smile back. In fact, she tried not to make much eye contact with him.
    “She’ll be on maternity leave for six weeks in a matter of days.” Ariel cleared his throat.
    January guessed where Ariel was heading with the conversation. And though part of her wanted to get closer to him, she wasn't so sure she wanted to be his assistant anymore.
    “I’d like you to be my assistant.  Mary will be your supervisor though.”
    Do I have a choice? January felt if she didn’t accept the offer she could be