Acquire Your Touch

by Hadley Raydeen

  Savvon had no problem schmoozing new and potential clients. She’d nail this meeting with no problem. This new tech firm was as good as their next client, but she looked at the clock on the wall. She came in every day at nine o’clock. It was already a quarter after. “This meeting is at ten o’clock? Did we just learn about this account?”

  Mel raised a brow. “Yes, the meeting is in forty-five minutes, Savvon. This contract was in talks a few weeks back. The owner hadn’t decided on what he wanted to do. He was vetting a few firms to see what direction he wanted to go, but his office called out of the blue, first thing this morning, and asked if they could stop in. They wanted to talk again about what we could do for them, and they asked for you.” She knew shock and confusion must have registered on her face because Melanie addressed it. “It will be fine. They want to introduce themselves, meet you and the team. If they sign with us, they will be holding all their interviews here, so they might as well get familiar with the place.”

  Savvon was used to that. Several clients used DeKemper & Paulson's space to interview prospective employees. That way, if they weren’t interested in a candidate, they wouldn’t have to let that person know where the office was located. Savvon asked Melanie a few more questions and left with a better understanding of what she was dealing with and what she would have to pull from her bag of tricks for the meeting. However, Melanie made it clear, as part-business owner of the firm, she would be the one heading up the meeting and answering most of the questions. Savvon was okay with that. Let Mel worry about the paperwork. Her job was to recruit the talent and make clients happy after the contract was signed, and that is what she would do.

  Chapter 7

  She returned to her office with the plan to research the potential client's file over her morning coffee. No meeting would go well if she didn’t have her caffeine. She perused the names of the company founder and how the company began. Big Dog was started by a college student who had big dreams while sitting in his dorm room.

  Blah blah. Isn’t that how all these startups happen?

  Some techy nerd was sitting like a loner in his dorm room when boom, the heavens opened, and the next great thing descended like the second coming. Now, that guy was freaking rich with more money than he'd ever know what to do with. He grabs a few friends, they invest, and now, every one of them has a house in the freaking Hamptons where they summer with Biff and Muffy and their little dogs too… If only she could be that smart.

  Oh well.

  She’d land this client and get a hefty commission and buy herself a new pair of ridiculously expensive shoes.

  Good enough.

  She smiled at the thought as she continued reading the backstory on the startup and moved on to the information about the owner and the people she’d meet with today. She almost spit her coffee all over the file, coughing and nearly choking to death, she reread the name.

  “No, no, no,” she said out loud.

  Cara, her Acquisition Coordinator, stuck her head in the office. “You okay in here?”

  “Um, yea," she squeaked. "Coffee just went down the wrong way. I’m good.”

  Cara looked at her as if she’d lost her damn mind. “You sure?”

  “Yea, yep all good. Could you close that on your way out.” She pointed at the door. “Gotta make a phone call before this meeting at ten.”

  “Sure,” Cara complied, giving her an odd look as she backed out the office, pulling the door closed behind her.

  She looked at the file again, zeroing in on the owner's name. She’d heard that name only once last night, so maybe she was mistaken, but she knew who could clear up the confusion.

  She picked up her cell and hit the speed dial for Trish’s office.

  “Patricia Murphy, can I help—”

  “Trish!” Savvon cut her off, no time for the office pleasantries.

  “Savvon?”

  “Yes, it’s me,” she hissed, looking around her office as if someone could hear her.

  “What’s wrong; you sound kinda strange.”

  “That guy from the grocery store last night…what did you say his name is?”

  “Savvy, honey, we went over this a million times; he’ll call. Why are you still worrying about this? Have you had your coffee—”

  “His name, Trish?” she cut her friend off again.

  “Good grief, girl. His name is Nathan Phillips. Why...did he call?”

  Savvon read the name in her file again.

  Nathan Phillips, CEO and President of Development, Big Dog Technology.

  “Shit. Oh shit.” Savvon sat back in her chair and put a hand to her mouth.

  “What in the world is wrong with you? It is too early for all this. Did he call or what?” Trish scolded.

  “No No, he didn’t call,” Savvon answered.

  “Oh, well, I told you he would. I can’t believe we are having this conversation again after we went over this last night.”

  “Shut up, Trish. Listen to me. When I came in this morning there was a new file on my desk, a new client I will be working with. The CEO, and some of his people, are coming today to discuss their needs to staff their new office."

  “Sweetie, this is an everyday thing for you at work; what is the big deal?”

  “Trish, stop talking!” Savvon said again.

  “Okay, dammit it; I’m listening!”

  “I was just reading the names of the people that will be here today for this damned meeting, that is supposed to happen in thirty minutes.” She rolled her eyes to the ceiling.

  “Okay, and...” Trish probed.

  “Nathan freaking Phillips is listed as the CEO.”

  Trish burst out laughing. “No shit?”

  “It is not funny. You gave my number to a potential client, you nut case!”

  “How was I supposed to know that?”

  “He is going to come in here and think I’m some loose woman that picks up men at the grocery store.”

  “First of all, there is no way anyone would mistake you as ‘loose'. Who are you, my grandmother? Who even says that? And, maybe it isn’t him. It could be a sixty-year-old balding guy; you don’t know.”

  Savvon tried holding on to that false sense of hope, but as she loaded Linkedin on her work computer and typed in the necessary info to see if Nathan Phillips from Big Dog Technology was some middle-aged man or the hottie from last night, all hope was tossed right out the window when she confirmed it was indeed Mr. Sex on Legs from last night.

  “Ugh, it’s him.”

  “Well, damn,” came Trish’s reply.

  “Not helping, Trish! I can not sit across from this man knowing you told him I’m interested in him.”

  “Yes, you can. Just play a lil’ footsies with him under the table—”

  “Trish!”

  “What do you want me to say, Savvy? Just be your usual professional but charming self; you’ll be fine! Wait, did you say he is the CEO. of this startup? That’s the big bucks. Explains the nice ride he was driving last night. Landed yourself a big fish. Go, girl!”

  “Will you stop it! This is a cluster.”

  “Let me know how it goes!” The amusement was so evident in Trish’s tone; she wanted to reach through the phone and strangle her friend.

  “No, you are getting way too much joy out of this. I'm not telling you a damn thing.”

  She hung up before Trish’s smart mouth could say anything else.

  Chapter 8

  Veronica St. Clair, his temporary assistant, and Tristan's niece, looked at him like he’d gone crazy when he came buzzing into the office at seven-thirty in the morning on the dot, asking her to set up a meeting with one of the staffing firms he’d told her to put on the back burner just the week before. He didn’t know what direction he wanted to go in, but after doing some investigating last night, he made up his mind quick. Sports Center hadn’t gotten more than ten minutes of his time before he was firing up the old laptop on his couch to do some digging. He had her name, Savvon Step
hens. He wanted to know a little more about her. After checking out her social media account, and seeing she enjoyed traveling and being outdoors with family and friends, he'd checked out a few of her pictures where she was dressed up for more formal outings, and she cleaned up well. She was most definitely gorgeous, no more baggy clothes, but more dressed up in form-fitting outfits with ample cleavage showing. Either way, she looked like a drink of water in a steamy desert.

  Hot damn.

  He moved on before those thoughts went way south in the gutter. He already felt like a creeper for doing this, but then, he felt intrigued to see what she did for a living and promised himself it would be the last search he’d do for the evening. He would call this girl tomorrow. He wanted to know more. He searched for her on LinkedIn, and when he found her profile, his gaze landed on her smooth-mocha skin and bright white smile behind red lipstick. His eyes narrowed as he recognized the name of the firm where she worked, and what she did there.

  He straightened his tie in the lobby of the downtown building, and fidgeted with his suit jacket, his heart beating a mile a minute.

  Nerves, what a pain the ass.

  What would her reaction be when she saw him again?

  “Dude, what’s up with you? You haven’t stopped moving since we walked in here.” Tristan stood next to him, waiting for Melanie Paulson, part-owner of the firm, to meet them in the lobby.

  By all other accounts, they were just here for a brief meeting with the headhunters that would help staff the firm. The very thought of it bored him to tears because he had a business to take care of. But, it was a necessary evil to make that business run. But, Tristan didn’t know the real reason for his jitters. The truth is, her number was still burning a hole in his wallet; he’d jumped the gun and set up this meeting like a moron.

  “I thought you said you didn’t want to go this route? Staffing firms are expensive as shit, man. You know they are just going to charge us an extra twenty percent on top of the salary of whoever we hire,” Tristan complained. “And, why this firm? I thought you said that Melanie chick was annoying. She’s pushy and was trying ‘push up’ on us. I'm not even interested in that, man. My wife would have my balls in a vice. And, we know she isn’t your type.” Tristan chuckled.

  It was no secret; his friends knew Nathan was attracted to women of color. He wouldn’t apologize for it. Everyone likes what they like.

  "I would like to know the same thing," Eustace said, saddling up beside them. "I thought you said, just last evening, going with a staffing firm to help grow your business was a 'bullshit idea.' Why the sudden change of heart?" The man adjusted his tie and raised a brow at Nathan.

  What in the hell is this guy doing here?

  He eyed Tristan.

  He raised a brow in a 'don't look at me; I didn't call him' expression.

  Nathan switched his briefcase from the right to the left hand to check his watch.

  Quarter to ten.

  “I just wanted to meet with this company again to see if they could really do anything for us. We need people sooner rather than later; I agree with you there. Even if they can help get more of the lead roles filled, and then once they are on board, they can help build their teams, and we won’t have to use the firm.” He was rambling, though what he said must have made sense because Tristan nodded even though Eustace was giving him the side-eye.

  The truth was the reason he went ahead and scheduled this meeting was two-fold. He did need help with staffing. Now, that he requested Savvon Stephens work on the account and not the overly flirtatious and annoying Melanie Paulson, he’d been even more convinced to give the firm another try. The second reason is it would get him off the hook with making the initial awkward phone call to Savvon. After thinking about it, what would he say that wouldn’t make either one of them feel uncomfortable?

  "Hey, how ya doing... remember me from last night at the grocery store check out? You know your friend is kind of funny; she slipped me your number, so I thought I’d call and see how you are."

  No, that is stupid. He liked this plan better. He’d see her face to face. They wouldn’t have to necessarily talk about the awkwardness of her friend giving him her number because they would have other things to talk about, like his business and his staffing needs. Then, if the conversation went to both of their needs, who was he to stop it? He couldn't help the sly grin that slipped across his face. He felt like a teenager again just thinking about that.

  So crazy. You're a grown-ass man, Nathan. Get your shit together.

  He was so distracted by the inner monologue that he didn’t notice Melanie Paulson saunter up beside Tristan until she reached for Nathan’s hand.

  “Nate?” Tristan nudged him, shooting him a weird look.

  “Melanie, so sorry. My mind is on a hundred different things this morning.”

  Nope pretty much just Savvon right now.

  “No worries. I have to say how pleased we were to hear from you this morning. I was telling Eustace, just this morning, I’m not sure what changed your mind, but I do promise you, we are thankful for the opportunity to show you how DeKemper & Paulson can be the consulting firm to meet your hiring needs. Let’s head up and talk business, shall we, gentlemen?”

  He turned and gave Tristan a sideways glance.

  So, it was Melanie who told Eustace they were coming this morning for a meeting. Wonder if they were more than just business acquaintances? He'd have to figure that out later because that could prove to be problematic.

  Chapter 9

  At ten o’clock, she found herself pacing her office. She smoothed a hand down her simple, black pants suit, glad she picked it out this morning. It showed off her figure while still making her look professional, which was the complete opposite of the bummy, home on the couch look he’d seen her in just the night before. Unlike her appearance at the grocery store, today, her hair was untied from the top messy bun and straightened, now hanging in soft waves past her shoulders. On her face, she wore makeup, sans the cat rim glasses, as she usually wore her contacts to the office. On her feet were strappy high heels, laced up her feet to her ankle, giving her an extra few inches and would put her closer to eye contact with Mr. Green Eyes. She sucked in a deep breath before pulling her compact from her purse and checking that her red lipstick was still in place and not smudged. She looked great.

  Be calm, be cool, be collected, Savvon. You got this. Win the client, charm the man.

  Calm, cool, collected.

  She chanted that mantra in her head until her coordinator stuck her head in the door. “The client is in the conference room. Melanie told me to come get you.”

  “Thanks, Cara.”

  Savvon took the file from her desk and headed down the hall. Margo DeKemper, another talent scout, and daughter of the firm's other part owner, stopped her in the hall right before she walked in the door.

  She wiggled her eyebrows and lowered her voice. “You have a rather attractive pair in there—two suits who are both sexy for days. Eustace is with them. If you need any help with all that manliness, please don’t hesitate to ask.” She winked before walking past Savvon in the opposite direction.

  She turned and watched her co-worker sashay around the corner. Margo and Melanie seemed to have a reputation for being 'overly friendly’ with attractive clients. If Margo had already taken the opportunity to make her presence known, she could only imagine what her boss was doing in there at the moment. She narrowed her eyes and focused on the conference room door. And, what the hell was Eustace's slimy ass doing here? She knew for a fact he'd slept with more than one person in this firm. She hoped like hell Nathan wasn't one of his clients. He had a reputation, and it wasn't a good one. She hoped he wasn't the 'friend' Melanie said referred her to Nathan. He was certainly more than a friend to her and someone Margo hoped to bed sometime soon, if she hadn’t already.

  She didn’t even have a chance to talk to Nathan, yet, and she’d be damned if she’d let one of these hussies get to him.
>
  I saw him first, damn it.

  She squared her shoulders, head held high, and entered the conference room.

  Upon entry, she saw him immediately. He wore a dark gray suit, light blue shirt and a silk tie. His hair was styled with product, his eyes much greener than she remembered from the night before. They sparkled with the mischief of a secrets others in the room did not know—because they didn’t. This was not the first time they’d met. But, no one needed to know. Her gaze lingered on him longer than needed. He looked exactly like a wet dream that could wake her hot and bothered. His lips turned into a smirk, hidden behind a five o’clock shadow that looked like he hadn't shaved this morning. She liked it. It made him even more becoming and would aid in that wet dream later this evening when she was alone in her bed, thinking about wicked, whisker burn on various sensitive areas of her skin between her legs.

  Melanie broke through the inappropriate, dirty thoughts playing through her mind. She’d have to work through that scene later, once she was home alone with her...B.O.B. (battery operated boo)

  For now, she would have to pick her jaw off the floor. She looked away from him and his handsome as sin face. She joined Melanie on their side of the table and waited for the introductions.

  “Savvon, this is part of the executive team from Big Dog Technologies. Tristan St. Clair is the Executive Director of Development—”

  “Of Operations,” he corrected, giving her a side-eye, and Savvon stifled a chuckle.

  The man clearly had a wedding band on that left hand and was not here for Melanie’s flirtation. Her boss better stand down for a change.

  “My apologies.” Mel nodded at him.

  “I’m Nathan Phillips, CEO of Big Dog,” Nathan cut in, grabbing her attention away from the amusement of the exchange between Tristan and Melanie. He tilted his head slightly to the side in a ‘fancy seeing you again’ type of way. Though, something about his overall expression didn’t come across as surprised to see her. Had he orchestrated this meeting? And, if so, she wondered how he came to find out she worked here. Melanie had mentioned a friend, but the only common denominator between the two of them was Eustace. But, he wouldn't have mentioned her. He was still unhappy by the many times she'd turn down his advances. She slid a glance in his direction as he narrowed his gaze at her and then Nathan. No, it couldn’t be him. That could only leave one person.