Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Bethany finally deigns to look up, and now she does so with a shrewd sneer. I get the impression she’s not all that impressed with Ms. Seat’s Taken. “I think the operative word in that sentence was ‘likely’. Was it stated in your contract that you would be in her service?”
Kendra rears back. “N-no—”
“And did you speak with Amaya personally beforehand about this special assignment? Surely, if you had, she would have confirmed your placement with HR.”
Kendra stays silent, only offering up a slow shake of her head.
“Right. Then there will be no switching, under any circumstances.” She looks out over us all now, likely wanting us to learn this lesson once so she won’t have to repeat herself again when the next person starts grumbling with complaints. “The team I placed you on will be your team for your entire first year here at Elwood Hoyt, if not longer. We don’t play favorites—”
For a split second her eyes cut to me, and I all but cringe down into my seat. Hey! I wasn’t the one asking for a swap. I took my assignment in stride, thank you very much.
“Assignments are at random. End of discussion,” Bethany states quickly. “Now, in a moment a member of your team will arrive to escort you and your peers to your new desks. Beyond that, HR wants each of you to go down to the fiftieth floor sometime today so they can confirm your ID badges are in working order. There were a few issues this morning, as I understand it. Also, while you’re down there, it would be an opportune time to pick up your parking badge for those of you who are—”
Powerful knuckles suddenly pound on the door, breaking through her words. She huffs under her breath at the interruption.
When she pulls the door open and looks at the person on the other side, she stands just that much taller, shifting her weight and lifting her chin, affecting an entirely new countenance on behalf of our guest. Intriguing. I can’t help my curiosity. I lean over in my chair to try to get a better look at the person.
The man’s handsomeness takes absolutely no time to register. The moment I lay eyes on him, I realize he’s a male in rare form. A gift to us all. And I’m allowed to say that even if I’m in a relationship with Jasper. It can’t be wrong to appreciate beauty like this!
And so what if this beauty happens to be 6’3” and suited to perfection? Rich brown hair, of course. Alluring brown eyes, check-check. A side profile that’s chiseled and cut…well it’s no wonder I haven’t shifted back into my seat even though my side is starting to ache. I can’t move or blink to save my life.
“Mr. Rhodes. Hi.”
His name registers impossibly slowly, as if it had to travel around the entire world before it landed in my ears.
Mr. Rhodes.
What?
That’s him?! Talk about delivering the devil in a pretty package. Not fair. He’s handsome in the same way a venomous snake is beautiful, alluring…deadly.
Don’t you worry, Barrett. I have my wits about me. I shift back into my seat having fully come to my senses. Then, to add another barrier between us, I look down and mind my business. Whatever he’s doing here has nothing to do with me. I might as well be whistling and twiddling my thumbs.
“Are you here for your associates? I just finished announcing the assignments, actually.”
“Good then I’ll collect them,” he says with a sexy voice. It’s not too burly, not too high. That perfect cocky in-between. “I need Kendra Crane and Scarlett Elwood.”
My name on his lips is so shocking I go rigid in my chair. Surely he didn’t just list me. Scarlett. I heard wrong.
I’m even shaking my head, no. Bethany is too.
“I hesitate to contradict you…” She looks back down at her memo. “I have it here that you have Kendra Crane and Eli Little. Scarlett Elwood is part of Amaya’s team.”
Hudson’s gaze shifts past Bethany for the first time and his eyes rove over the room, searching impatiently until he spots me and stills. Laser beams would be less intense than his unwavering gaze. I’m melting into my seat. Soon, my trousers will be fused with the metal.
“Actually, she’s with me.”
Ugh, that voice. I’d shiver if I weren’t so damn focused on my impending doom!
I’m with him? Hudson Rhodes?
No, no, no. My brother gave me three directives, and this one seemed like the most important. I can’t screw it up.
“I think you’re wrong,” I say meekly.
Perfectly done; when talking to the devil, it’s best to seem scared shitless, that way he knows he can easily walk all over you. Follow me for more brilliant advice.
He looks me over—top to bottom—like he’s determining if I have all my body parts and a working brain, because why else would I have made such an absurd comment? Then his eyes crinkle at the edges as he narrows them, smiles a sadistic little smile, and shakes his head. “I’m not wrong. You’re with me.”