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)
Who made him like this? So jaded and sad.
I nod, wanting to erase that look from his face. Needing to get on solid ground where he’s my boss, one that I respect, and I’m his employee.
“Tell me your thoughts about the Diosa proposal.”
One corner of his mouth lifts. “I definitely like where you are going with this plan. We’ll need to meet with Paxton and the other agent soon. But I think we’re onto something good.”
“I didn’t say I would take the account manager position.”
He huffs. “You’re going to pass up the opportunity of a lifetime out of anger?”
My shoulders straighten. “Not anger. Self-preservation. I don’t take kindly to being harassed and then given an olive branch by way of a job. That would make your words true, and I refuse.”
How did we circle back to this? Oh, I know . . . he’s a stubborn ass. I’m meeting him head-on.
“Really?” he grates. “You think I’d give you a job just because we had a row?”
“A row?”
“A quarrel. Fight.”
I thought I’d done a good job, but I’ll be damned to give in so easily, considering his words and continued assholery.
I grunt. “It was a little more than a row. And for the record, I did nothing.”
“Well . . . I wouldn’t say nothing.”
I know what he’s referring to, and it has nothing to do with the slap.
“That will never happen again,” I say quietly, fearful that the walls have ears and someone will overhear.
“Agreed. Never.”
He nods, and then I nod. There’s a lot of nodding because what else do you do in a strange situation like the one I’m finding myself in?
“And you agree I earned this position, even if it’s temporary?”
“I do.”
I take several deep breaths, pretending to contemplate my answer, but the truth is, I was never giving this chance up. I simply needed his reassurance that this wasn’t his way of buying my silence for his actions.
“Fine. I’ll work with you on this.”
He offers me a smile. “We do, however, have one small problem. Well, it’s a big problem, really.”
My heart is racing, but I’m not sure why. Is he going to say something more about the kiss?
Oh, God, please don’t let him bring that up.
“A problem? What’s that?”
“Apparently, our biggest competitor, Bauer, is out to sink Diosa. Rumor has it they are looking for a way to steal them. They must know about the clause in the contract.They’ve already started their campaign for Rothburke, hired Summer Smith out from under us, and they’re sinking millions into their plan. The worst part is the men running the advertising company are crooks. They’ll be watching our every move, so we need to keep our plans under wraps.”
Did he just say Bauer? I knew we were competitors, but not the largest. That means.
Asher.
Oh, no.
The blood drains from my face as wicked thoughts invade my mind, poisoning me.
Just the other day, I’d had lunch with Asher and told him all about Summer. Surely this wasn’t because of him? He might be working on climbing that ladder at Bauer, but he’s my best friend. He’d never do that to me.
“Are you all right?” Charles asks, face pinched in concern.
“Fine. I’m just hungry and exhausted.” Neither is a lie.
“You should go home for the day. Rest. We can start tomorrow.”
“No. We’re already behind if what you’re saying is true. We can do this. We can beat them, but not if we don’t get the ball rolling.”
He smiles. “Very true. I’ve started putting some stuff together. Come around here so I can show me where you saved your mock-ups on the network.”
I get up and walk over to his computer. We’re so close that I can actually smell him, and the scent immediately takes me back to last night. I try desperately to concentrate on the screen in front of me, but all I can think about is how I felt with his hands moving up my leg.
The way his mouth felt against mine. I gulp and shake my head slightly.
Concentrate, Raven!
I reach over to move the mouse at the same time he does, and our hands briefly touch. I jump ever so slightly and notice that he flinches, too.
We are only at the computer for a few minutes as he clicks through several pictures of pieces that Diosa has suggested we use in our ads, but it’s enough to set me back on edge.
Can I do this? Can I work this closely with Charles Cavendish?
You have to. This is your dream job. If you impress him, maybe it can become a real promotion. Not just a temporary fill-in.
I stand tall, taking a step away from him. “I like them all, but it really depends on who we pick up to wear them.”
“I agree. I’ll call Paxton and Royal Talent to set up meetings for this week.”