Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
He grunts. “Unlikely.”
I take a deep breath and lean my elbows on top of his desk. “I earned this job and had it well before Wednesday evening. If I would’ve known who you were, I wouldn’t have gotten within an inch of you.”
He smirks as though what I’m saying is laughable. Like he has me all figured out.
Idiot.
“I’m sorry if you feel like I somehow cornered you, but that’s not what happened. It was a horrific case of wrong place, wrong time.” I take a breath, making sure I have his attention. “I want nothing more from you than to be left alone to do my job. A job that I’ll be damn good at.”
“Is that all?”
I nod. “When I leave this office, we’ll forget Wednesday ever happened. I’ll do my job, and you’ll do yours. Nobody in this place will know we’ve ever met. We’ll be professional because that’s what we are. Professionals.”
He considers me for several tense minutes, and I never once break his stare, determined for him to see that I’m serious.
“All right. We’re agreed,” he says. “I think we better move up finding Keller an assistant and remove you from his temporary help. Let’s be honest, if you work for him in any capacity, it’s going to end in disaster.”
My head bobs in confirmation.
“I actually happen to think that you’ll be an asset to this company. Not many people have the balls to speak up and tell a room of executives that their idea lacks foundation.”
A genuine smile spreads across my face at the compliment.
“I was just doing my job.”
He purses his lip. “No. Actually, you were doing the account manager’s job in their absence. That makes you far more valuable to the Diosa team, as it already shows your capability far surpasses what is on your CV.”
“Thank you,” I say, standing to make my way to the door.
“Going somewhere, Miss Bennett?” His voice is full of humor. “I think we have more to discuss, and I don’t recall dismissing you from this meeting.”
With my back turned to him, my eyes closed. Being this close to him isn’t fun for me. I meant what I said about forgetting Wednesday night, but it’s not easy to do. The man has a hold on me that I don’t understand.
Yes, he’s entirely too handsome for his own good, but it’s more than that. His magnetism, arrogant ego . . . him . . . all call to me. It’ll be a lesson in restraint to keep to my word, but I’m determined to do it.
I open my eyes, turn, and take a seat. “I apologize. I thought we were done.”
I have no idea where the conversation is headed. But at least it doesn’t sound like I’m going to get fired any time soon.
“You’re done with Keller. I need you completely entrenched in Diosa.”
“Have you hired the account manager yet?”
He shakes his head. “No. We’ve yet to find a suitable candidate.”
“What about Mr. Keller? He gave me some work to finish up. Am I supposed to tell him I can’t?”
“Leave Keller to me. I’ll find someone else. There are plenty of eager people out there looking for work. You deserve something a bit more stimulating.”
The heat in his eyes is unmistakable, and I can’t help the blush that stains my cheeks. He might not have meant that as innuendo, but it certainly sounded like it.
He clears his throat. “Anyway, I will need all the help I can get with this account. We can’t mess this up.”
“Give me the account. Let me manage it.” The words tumble out of my mouth.
“Surely not,” he says so nonchalantly that it hurts even worse. “You’re not qualified to lead Diosa. This client will open doors for Cavendish that weren’t available prior. I can’t take chances with previous losses still on the books.”
I know he’s right, but it still stings.
“You don’t have anyone else. At least let me help you with the interview process.”
A harsh breath rushes from his chest. “I mean no disrespect, Miss Bennett, but what makes you think you could find someone better than HR?”
“I know Diosa. Qualifications and résumés don’t always produce the right fit.”
“And you believe you could spot the perfect fit?”
“Yes.”
This is the most bizarre situation I’ve ever been in, and I can admit that I’m in over my head here. But this is my chance to shine. I have to prove that I’m more than somebody’s assistant.
“Well?” I prompt, sounding bossy as hell, even though I’m mortified inside.
His head bobs. “I’ll give you a chance to lead until we find someone, but if you mess this up even a slight, it’s on you.”
I don’t like his lack of confidence in me, but I can’t blame him. He’s taking a chance, and we both know it.
“Great. I’ll make a preliminary plan ASAP, and if you can get me with HR so I can begin sorting through applicants, that would be helpful.”