Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 138526 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138526 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry,” Mr. C says the moment he takes the seat next to me. “I’ve been a jerk.”
I scan him through my thick lenses, wondering if the sincerity I see on his face is genuine or his wall practiced lie to appease people, such is his line of work.
“We’ve been working together for nine months,” he continues as I stir my latte and then take a sip to test if it’s sweet enough. “We’re bound to get a bit irate with each other from time to time, we see each other nearly every day. I’m surprised we haven’t fought sooner, but you’re usually so calm. You just brush my temper off your shoulder like it doesn’t bother you.”
“Should it bother me?”
“I don’t mean it. I don’t mean to be rude and upset you,” he explains, placing his hand on my wrist on the table. His hands are so large, his fingers calloused and thick. “And I will have a word with my wife, and myself about being nicer people.” When he smiles at me his sweetest smile, I feel my outer frost melt. “Can you forgive me? Can we move on from this?”
I nod, rubbing my wrist when he releases it to relieve myself of the lingering tingles. “I’m sorry for speaking to you like that in front of another employee. That was super unprofessional and it’s making me jittery just thinking about it.”
“I deserved it. I should have thanked you for lunch. But you shouldn’t be coming in on your days off.”
“I don’t mind it, I enjoy it, and I never want to give you reason to regret employing me.”
He laughs, throwing his head back and this time his hand closes over mine. “You’ve already surpassed any PA I have ever had.” He releases me as quick as he touched me. “Speaking of which… Wednesday to Friday we’ll be visiting WhyTech E in Houston. Can you handle it?”
“I’ll set up our rooms.”
“Thank you,” he makes it a point to say this to my eyes with a smile.
“You don’t have to thank me for doing my job.”
“No, but I’ll start making more of a point to,” he replies, grinning as he brings his drink to his lips. “I do appreciate all you do; I don’t want you to think I don’t.”
A coil of happiness tingles its way through my body, warming me.
“I can’t remember a time you’ve ever said no to me.”
“That’s because I’m not sure I ever could,” I reply and quickly look away, feeling my cheeks flush pink.
“Is that so? Maybe I’ll put that theory to the test,” he remarks boldly in jest and innocence.
Fortunately, our food arrives, breaking the awkwardness I felt at his and my words.
I’m being silly anyway. There’s an inuendo in everything if you’re dirty minded enough and I am not dirty minded.
Chapter Seven
He adores his daughter.
“Rose.” Pax’s voice startles me as he passes, rapping his knuckles on my solid wooden desk as he goes. “Sheathed your claws since Saturday?”
I nod, blushing as his eyes linger on me. “I apologize for that, it’s not an accurate portrayal of who I am or how I conduct myself.”
“Relax, it’s all good, you should hear some of the things I have spat at my bosses over the years.” He sits on the curved corner of my desk and beams down at me. “You’re both leaving for Houston soon, right?”
“We are. Wednesday.”
“I love Houston, it’s a great city. So many things to do and see. Don’t let the big man keep you all to himself.”
Smiling, I tap my fingers on my thighs where he can’t see, counting to twelve to calm my nerves. “He’s usually really cool like that, let’s me get my sightseeing in before we go.”
“He doesn’t join you?” he enquires politely, pushing his gorgeous honey blond hair back. Why is he so attractive?
I shake my head. “He’s too busy.”
“Who’s too busy to spend the day sightseeing with a gorgeous woman on his arm?”
I blink slowly. I can’t believe he just called me gorgeous. “He… well… he’s married and I just I guess it’s not really appropriate.”
“I’m not married,” Pax adds, his signature smile in place.
“Leave the poor girl alone, Pax,” Mrs. Conti declares as she passes. I hadn’t heard her arrive. “She wants to remain disease free.”
Pax pulls a face at her back as she strolls towards Mr. C’s office.
“Is he free?” she asks and then pushes the doors open when I nod.
“Good morning, Mrs. Conti,” I say.
“Morning,” she replies cheerily and then the door closes behind her.
“For the record, I don’t have any diseases,” Pax jests, leaning towards me.
“I’m not sleeping with you, so I don’t care,” I respond, looking at my laptop. Why did I say that? Why?
He’s not offended, instead he laughs so loud the eyes of those in the distance come our way. When he’s calmed down, he stands and stretches in his expensive suit. “See you when you get back then, I guess?”