Read with BonusRead with Bonus

2

“Ah, Emma, here you are.” Margo meets me as I pull open the heavy wooden door and slide in, suddenly conscious of how short I am, next to her swan-like body, even in my spike heels. She is tall for a woman, and I’m around five-foot-four.

“Jake, this is Emma Anderson. She’s your new assistant in training, your new number two.” She smiles fondly at me and gestures for me to come to her. I move beside her and get the gentle, familiar pat on my shoulder as she tries to put me at ease.

I blink a few times, pausing at the use of the name Jake. Am I missing something here?

My brain clicks with memories from my research, and it dawns on me . He prefers the name, Jake. He corrected many interviewers, and I remember he likes informality, so he encourages using his nickname.

All my thoughts slip away to nothing, and I’m held captive to the floor, unable to speak as the object of my nerves gets out of his seat. This is what I’ve been afraid of, my reaction when faced with someone I find attractive, and it is entirely new to me.

I don’t even notice the others in the room as he effortlessly glides toward me. It’s mesmerizing in a way but also disconcerting. He has the walk of someone who’s never doubted his own confidence or abilities, someone who knew early in life that he was devastatingly attractive and had the best kind of reaction from all women.

He towers above me as he approaches, easily putting him over the six-foot mark. Wearing all black, suit minus tie, and shirt with top buttons open, the overall effect makes me breathless. He’s beyond underwear-model hot; he’s like some female fantasy come to life.

Jeeze.

“Miss Anderson.” He extends his arm, and all I can do is reach out and shake the neatly manicured yet masculine hand. I’m painfully aware of how my heart quickens, and my breath is slightly labored at the tingling sensation of his skin on mine. I immediately feel betrayed by my own body.

“Mr. Car—” my voice is feeble. I’m so pathetic and obvious.

“Jake! Please,” he cuts in, those green eyes taking me in, leaving me no clue to anything going on behind them. “Margo informs me she’s happy with you so far and will be training you a little more extensively to step in fully when she retires. I guess that means we should get better acquainted and on a first-name basis.”

He throws me a charming soft smile, and I’m not immune to the effect. It’s a gesture that hints that he knows exactly what he’s doing with it.

So, this is how you win over women, Carrero? Melting them with seductive smiles. Ughhh.

Be still, Emma. Stay cool. Stop drooling.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity.” I sound normal enough with only a slight waver in my voice this time, relieved.

He subtly looks over me. I guess he’s used to women going all weak-kneed and pie-eyed at his presence, and it interests him that I don’t appear to be. I’m glad he can’t see my internal reactions as they are behaving disgustingly right about now.

“May I get you a drink, Emma? You look flushed.” His voice pours over me like honey, and my mouth dries up fully. He removes his hand and walks away from me with a confident swagger toward his desk.

“Thank you.” I catch Margo watching me with a strange look in her eye, and I realize it’s a touch of uncertainty. Mr. Carrero moves off to a bar at the rear of the room near the side of his desk; with his back to us, he fixes me a drink.

Shit!

Margo’s thinking I’m just another receptionist with the hots for Mr. Carrero. Another woman fell at the hurdle of meeting him.

I pull myself together as I smooth invisible wrinkles in my clothes and straighten my body up, trying to regain my professional air and grace. I hate that I’ve shown signs of being rattled, that's unprofessional.

I see Margo's expression ease, and I relax. Perhaps I’m overthinking this.

“Here you go.” Jake’s voice cuts into my thoughts, bringing my attention back to him as he hands me a tall glass of something bubbly with ice.

It’s a cold, transparent liquid that tastes sweetly tropical with an unexpected hint of alcohol. I take a sip and give him a grateful smile, expecting flavored water. However, it’s a cocktail, and I try not to show my surprise, but a tiny frown hits my brow before I can correct it, inwardly startled.

Surprising. He did this himself. Booze at work, though?

“Thank you, Mr. … Jake,” I correct, and he gives me a soft smile again. With minor annoyance, I ignore the butterflies rising from my stomach. Stop behaving like a fourteen-year-old!

“So, Emma, Margo tells me you’ve worked here for just over five years?” He sits back perched on his desk, body relaxed, and eyes fixed on me. Margo stands close by, listening. He is distractingly good-looking, especially when he lounges all casual and charming, very un-boss-like.

“Yes. I’ve worked on various floors but mainly the tenth.” I place my glass on the table so my fingers don’t toy with the rim, showing my nervous habits.

“It was Miss Keith who recommended you for this position, I believe?” He questions as his eyebrows dip in an unusually cute way, and he studies me non-intrusively.

Easily distracted by his appearance, I home in on his beautiful teeth, white and perfectly lined up, just as a billionaire’s mouth should be. I wonder how much he spends on dental work every year to be Carrero model material.

Get a grip, Emma!

“Yes. I loved working for her while her assistant was on leave; I learned a lot from her.” A surge of satisfaction at how relaxed and calm I sound again rushes through my body.

“She spoke highly of your efficiency and professionalism. It’s rare for Kay to make an internal recommendation for a position like this.” He smiles briefly, and the butterflies swoop back in.

“Thank you.” I smile genuinely, inner pride glowing.

I have sacrificed so much in my life to get here. It’s not an easy thing to move from a lowly admin assistant up through a company like this in just five years, especially with my meager qualifications.

Margo beams at me with an odd twinkle in her eye and adds, “Well, I’ve found her to be a joy so far. Efficient and capable, with a good understanding of business. I don’t think it will take long to get her up to speed with her requirements.”

“Glad to hear it. So, Emma, how has it been so far? Learning the ropes of life on the sixty-fifth floor?” There is slight humor in his expression, a hint of that Carrero charm he’s famed for.

“A breeze,” I answer coolly, avoiding that penetrative gaze he has going on now. “Nothing I can’t handle so far.” I allow a half-smile of confidence.

“Has Margo warned you about the frequent traveling you will have to undertake or the unsociable hours we sometimes keep? This job can be full-on, Miss Anderson. It’s not for the faint-hearted.” He’s frowning now, still watching me closely; it’s a little unnerving.

“Yes, I’m aware that this is not a nine-to-five job, Mr. Carrero. I’m 100% committed to my career, so it will not be an issue,” I reply without emotion, lifting my chin a little to show my determination.

“You’re young; what about a social life?” He still frowns at me, still tries to scrape away at my surface and figure me out. I would never give a man like him that chance.

“I haven’t much interest in many social activities. I left my hometown to come to New York, and I don’t know many people outside of work.” My voice sounds a bit unsteady, but I doubt he has noticed. He glances at me contemplatively.

“Career-oriented? Can be lonely.” He tilts his head to the side and lightly hunches his shoulders in a devastating move to my hormones and makes my body tingle and my temperature soar without warning.

I gaze down to the floor for a second and take a breath to combat these strange feelings.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter