Christina Benjamin [Benjamin - Cooper: A Clean Billionaire Romance (The Billionaire Boyfriend Series Book 2)

Cooper

H ow about here, sir? Suzette holds the frame against the white painted wall in a spot where the fading summer sun shines in through the open window behind my desk. Look at how handsome you are in this magazine cover. I cant get over it!

The thirty-year-old mother of two giggles and winks at me when I roll my eyes. Shes talking to me like she would one of her little boys, despite the fact that Im only younger than her by two years.

I dismiss her enthusiasm with a wave of the hand. You know how much they touch those things up. The picture barely looks like me. My tie wasnt even red when I did that photoshoot, it was black.

Suzette just shakes her head, ignoring me as she inches the frame a little to the right. Maybe here would be better? In the evening light like this, you look quite scholarly. Like a professor or something.

Im not a professor, Suzette, Im a CEO, I grumble. Leave it there and Ill hang it later. I wave my hand, dismissing her constant fussing.

Shes been trying to find the perfect spot for the frame for a good forty-five minutes. Theres no need to spend so much time on office dcor, despite the fact that its office dcor with my face on it. We had more important matters to focus our energy on.

Suzette nods, hiding a smirk. With a pencil, my assistant lightly marks the wall where the corners of the heavy wooden frame should be placed then sets it down on the floor with a quiet thud. Stepping back, her eyes trail over the walls of my office, perched high up on the thirtieth floor of my very own skyscraper. An abundance of certificates, magazine covers and awards are already hung proudly, as well as quite a few framed photos of Rosco, my silver-furred Husky.

Suzette smiles when she focuses on a photo of him, tongue lolling from the corner of his mouth and large snout tilted happily toward the sky. Your dog is so cute. My boys have been begging for one but we just dont have the time. I think I would go insane if I had to walk a dog and keep the kids alive. Parenting is hard enough. She turns toward me, grinning in a tired but gratified way. I just keep telling myself if I work hard enough, theyll end up like you, successful and smart.

Thats nice of you to say, I offer uncomfortably, unsure how to react to being a role model to children Ive never met. Especially when I didnt have very good role models myself as a child.

Unfortunately, my parents arent where I got my famous drive and ambition. If anything, the only thing I inherited from them was a fear of commitment. Their toxic marriage ended in divorce when I was sixteen, but it seems I still havent healed from being used as a bargaining tool to inflict pain against each other. It led to my early emancipation and continued aversion to personal relationshipssomething Suzette endlessly tries to remedy by setting me up with hordes of her just-so-happens-to-be-single friends.

The woman cant take a hint. If she wasnt the best damn assistant Id ever had I wouldnt put up with her pushy personality. Currently, shes laughing at my expense, taking in my stiffness with delight, before gesturing back to the framed magazine cover.

It really is a remarkable photo, Suzette purrs. You should let me show it to some of my girlfriends.

I roll my eyes and stare at the massive frame now leaning against my wall.

30 Billionaires Under 30! the headline reads, my face proudly smirking out from the glossy cover. I inspect my photographed tie, trying to pick out any fine black stitches that mightve been missed in photo-shopping it red, but its flawlessly edited. Its perfect enough to make me almost doubt that Id been wearing a black one tie, despite the fact that Id never owned a red tie in my life.

I read your interview yesterday, Cooper. I cant believe Ive been working here for two years and I never knew the whole story. I knew you built Townsend Tech from the ground up but I didnt know your family had nothing to do with it. I always assumed... She trails off abruptly, clearing her throat. Well, you know, she settles on saying uncertainly.

I appraise her, noting the anxious twitch of her lips. That I had a trust fund to fall back on if I failed? I reply, suppressing a smile of my own as I complete her thought.

She sheepishly nods and offers an apologetic shrug. I had no idea that you started this tech firm with nothing more than your own grit and determination. Its so impressive, especially with how young you are.

Thanks, I offer with a smile.

She sidles toward the door, her face clouding. I can tell when she has something to saysomething Im probably not going to like. She clears her throat, hands finding her hips before she slowly winds her way back toward me.

Yes, Suzette?

Its just, well I had lunch with an old college girlfriend last week. Shes sweet as can be. Went to Yale to get her masters. Shes a lawyer and super successful. Shes sought after by every divorcee looking to stick it to their cheating husbands.

And why does this concern me? I ask without emotion, trying not to let it strike a nerve.

Suzette may have read the article, but she doesnt know how nasty my parents divorce was and that dating a divorce lawyer is the absolute last thing Id ever want. So I do what I always dopretend not to know where my personal assistant is headed with her calculated banter. Its the same tedious direction every non-business conversation goesmy personal life.

Or lack there of...

Suzette clears her throat. Well, I was just thinking... it confuses the heck out of me that shes singlea clever, ambitious lady like her. And as she was telling me that she just hasnt been able to find the right guy, you popped up in the back of my head. Like fate. Like it was meant to be

Im sorry, Suzette, but you know Im not dating right now. I have too much on my plate. I havent had a weekend off in... I dont even know how long. I havent celebrated my birthday or even Christmas in just as long. This company needs my constant attention, and the little bits of leftover time that I have go straight to Rosco.

Yes, but youve been saying that for the past two years. You dont have to work so hard, Cooper. Not anymore. Dont you see that? Youve made a hugely successful tech firm that doesnt need your constant supervision. You have the best managers and accountants and personal assistant, she pauses to wink and point a thumb at herself before continuing, that money can buy to help you carry the load now. You need to take some time for yourself.

Again I shake my head, folding my hands firmly on the desk in front of me. When my mouth forms a hard line, she holds up her palms in surrender.