Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 48567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
“Thank you for this.”
She winks.
“All part of the job, boss.”
Swear if she ever said that naked, I would be on my knees in a heartbeat.
“Great,” I rasp, barely getting the word out.
Gabe snorts under his breath.
“So about that copier.”
“Oh yeah.” She grins.
“Let’s go check it out. Bye boss, thank you for the job. Again, I hope to really give you exactly what you need.”
I swear I can hear Gabe’s internal laughter as they leave the office. The door closes with a silent click and I’m ready to explode.
Don’t think about her.
It.
Any of it.
I stare at the perfect coffee and take a sip.
It truly is my perfect drink order.
And she’s perfect.
Not that she’s mine.
Employee, employee, employee.
If I say it enough, I’ll believe it and I won’t maul her like the animal I am.
I don’t know how long I sit at my desk and watch the door like she’s going to come back in, like I can’t smell her. Like I can’t feel my own need.
I need.
I want.
I dig my hands into my desk and finally sit, knowing full well that my entire body is on fire for the one person it should be ignoring.
I take a deep breath. The door cracks open and she pokes her head in, immediately I smell her.
I want her.
She smiles and I want to both fuck her and kill her.
“Yes?” I barely get out.
Her smile gets wider.
“What did you want me to order you for lunch? And also, I have the documents you need to sign from the overseas contracts in Germany. I’ll email you a DocuSign in a minute. Let me know if you want more coffee or anything else. I’m here at your disposal. I’m here.” I stop breathing.
“To serve you.”
Shit.
I clench my teeth.
I stare her down.
I try not to break.
But know, one day.
One. Day.
I will.
Chapter 6
The Red Dress
AVA
He seems tense and super focused. I know that’s kind of how he is, at least a little bit, but he’s been off today, it seems.
I grab him lunch.
He eats it, but doesn’t look at me for the next few hours. I bring in his paperwork; I ask if he needs water. I try to be the best assistant ever, and he’s still staring at his computer and grunting at me like I’m annoying him more than helping.
Frowning, I go back to my desk outside his office and sit.
It’s nice here.
I truly like it.
I have enough food to not starve and the rest of the employees seem to love the place and are all extremely happy and positive. Gabe checks in on me at least twice every hour to make sure that I’m okay, which I find kind of weird, but I think it’s because he’s the right-hand guy under Eli.
“Hey.” Speak of the devil. Gabe walks up in his navy suit and perfect white smile.
“You ate right?”
I grin back.
“I had food, yes, and I’m good. Did you eat?”
He licks his bottom lip then tugs it, why are both men so attractive? It’s not fair.
“Yeah, I ate something.”
“What did you have?”
He looks away, then down at his feet.
“Meat.”
“Good meat?” I ask.
His eyes lock on mine.
“It was great, so do you have any questions? Do you need anything?”
I open my mouth to answer when the door to Eli’s office is thrown open. I’ve never seen a man power walk in slow motion before, but that is literally what he’s doing. My brain accepts that he’s purposeful in his steps, but my stupid heart keeps going, damn.
Just. Damn.
He stops in front of my desk.
“Close your mouth?”
It was open?
I close it and stand.
“Do you need something?”
“Yes.” He squeezes his eyes shut, then opens them in a flash.
“I need a date.”
“Ummm.” Not what I expected.
“Okay, I can probably find someone to help you out with that on some dating website or maybe hire someone and—”
“—No.” He clips out.
“You’re coming. Wear something nice.” He turns to Gabe.
“I trust you’ll help her out?”
“Absolutely.” Gabe grins.
“That’s clearly my new job title, helper outer.”
“Don’t be cute. It’s exhausting.” Eli walks off.
And I’m left with Gabe staring at me, me staring at him.
“So…” Gabe nods slowly.
“He’s annoyed and slightly pissed, did not have that planned so early in the day. Let’s go grab a dress. I have no clue what he needs, but I’ll look at his calendar, probably a dinner he has to go to or an event, though I didn’t see anything on his schedule. We’ll figure it out. It’s best to just ask for forgiveness than permission with him.”
I shake my head.
“He just keeps getting better and better, he’s like a wolf.”
Gabe bursts out laughing.
“Yeah, exactly like that. Good eye.”
An hour later and I’m ready to punch Gabe, track down Eli, and then quit my job. I’ve never in my life tried on so many dresses.
Ever.
And you’d think that I’d be so thankful, but I’m tired, I’m hungry, and no dress seems to pass what Gabe says is the mark.