Jeb took the papers and smiled, pushing his thick glasses higher up onto his nose with a finger. “Yeah, no problem. I can run a search and send whatever I find to your email.”
Linda walked by at that point, the woman’s expensive gold jewelry flashing in the overhead lights and clinking loudly.
“Can’t figure out how to use the database on your own?” she asked cattily.
Naya ignored her and smiled. “Thanks Jeb. I appreciate your help.” She headed towards the art room to talk to the illustrators. She could do the work herself, but she was trying to pull in others on the team to help her. Campaigns were group efforts, with each member of the team having specialized skills that worked together to develop an idea. Otherwise, she’d never meet the deadlines Pierce had set.
Linda snickered again as the moving people started toting her drawing board out of her office. “I guess you were fired and didn’t bother to mention it?” she sneered.
Naya spun around, frowning at the taller woman, wondering what she meant. She followed Linda’s gaze and gasped. “Wait! What are you doing?” Naya demanded, rushing over to her office, trying to stop the guys from carrying out her desk and chair.
“Lady, we’re just doing our jobs.”
She was frantic now and didn’t have time for this. “But I told you I’d talk to Mr. Danilov! I’m not moving upstairs. There’s no need for me to be anywhere but here in the marketing department.”
Linda sniggered, a malicious sound that carried through the department. “So, the big guy wants you close by! Now I understand how you earned the right to take on the whole campaign. Looks like someone made a powerful friend. Moving up in the world?” she asked, maliciously. “Apparently, you’ve decided to lay down on the job. Interesting. I wouldn’t have thought that of you. Either way,” she shrugged, “I guess we now know how you got your impressive promotion, don’t we?”
Naya’s features paled at the implication. “You’re wrong!” she snapped vehemently. But Naya could only pray that she was incorrect in her assumption. Naya suddenly realized that the rest of the department was blatantly eavesdropping.
Turning back to Linda, Naya lifted her chin in the air, determined to not become the office punch line. “You can assume all you like, Linda. But until you have proof, keep your snide insinuations to yourself.” With that, she spun around, determined to get away. Naya felt dirty just reacting to that insult, especially since, in a way, it might be true!
She was halfway to the door when she discovered Pierce standing there, his sharp, silver eyes moving over everyone. How she could have missed the daunting shadow his enormous frame created was a mystery, but obviously she had.
Her eyes widened as she took in his fury. Was he angry with her? Had she done something wrong? She’d only defended her honor and her work ethic! He had absolutely no right to be angry with her!
Linda didn’t notice Pierce as he walked down the hallway. Instead, she turned to Jeb who was glancing worriedly from Naya to Linda who was, technically, next in line now that Mark had been laid off. Her eyes narrowed as she said, “Jeb! Aren’t you supposed to be pulling up research for Anthony? If Ms. Banks can’t figure it out on her own, she shouldn’t be dumping the task on someone else.” Linda glanced over at Naya, but there was no reaction. “Do your own work, Naya.”
Only then did Linda turn around and come to a standstill, finally understanding why the whole room had gone silent. Staring at her was the man himself. She glanced at Naya who was also standing transfixed.
Pierce couldn’t believe what he had just heard. From what he could discern from the conversation, Naya was doing the whole campaign on her own. He’d checked with the security personnel earlier today and knew that Naya had stayed late, until after midnight, the previous two days in order to pull her ideas together. He’d suspected that she’d worked alone. Apparently, his instruction to this department that she was in charge of the entire campaign had been ignored. He was astute enough to understand what had happened though.
“Do you know how to pull up that research Ms. Banks asked for?” he asked of the woman standing in front of him, her gaudy gold jewelry clanking loudly. His voice was smooth as silk as he walked slowly towards her. She wore too much makeup and he wondered what she was hiding underneath that mask. Most likely a bitch, he thought.
The woman straightened her shoulders, obviously thinking that she was about to score a point. “Of course I do. Everyone should know how to work that computer system. It’s a good resource to grab previously used images and ideas.”
Pierce’s eyes narrowed down at her. “I’ve heard that the computer is a bit glitchy.”
Linda didn’t back down. “It has moments when it is difficult to work with, but still–”
He lifted a hand, silencing her. “Since you know how to work the system so well, then I will task you with finding the information Ms. Banks requested.” Turning to Naya, he said, “If this woman doesn’t give you adequate information, you need to come directly to me and I’ll ensure that she receives the remedial training she clearly needs on how to provide adequate research assistance.”
Linda’s mouth fell open. “But I’m not a research assistant! I’m the marketing director.”
Pierce’s eyebrow went up. “I was under the impression that I fired the marketing director several days ago.”
Linda’s mouth opened then closed, her eyes darting around the department as she tried to regroup. “Well, yes, but I was second in line, so I just assumed that you would shift me into that role.”
Pierce tilted his head as if to acknowledge her point. Naya swallowed a laugh when Linda’s shoulders relaxed ever so slightly. Unfortunately for Linda, Naya knew that Pierce was luring her into a trap.
“I can see how one could make that assumption. If you were next in line after Mark, then you must be the most experienced marketing person on the team, is that right?”
Linda wasn’t sure what to say, but she stammered through, fully aware of the entire marketing department eavesdropping on the conversation. “Yes. I am the most experienced.”
He nodded and Naya knew that this was going to be bad. “Fine. Then I want you to pick six different products and come up with a marketing theme for each of them. Report to my office tomorrow with your ideas.” He waited while his words sunk in. Then went for the punch line. “And you will do it all on your own. Since you’re so experienced.”
Linda gasped, horrified. “But most marketing ideas take weeks to develop! It takes a lot of brainstorming.”
He had turned away, about to address the group. But, he turned back to her. “I understand that. Unfortunately for you, your co-worker, Ms. Banks, created a whole series of commercials in twenty-four hours. I thought her ideas were right on target for what I’m aiming to achieve with this company.” He smiled slightly as Linda realized what he was saying. “So if you’re the best, you can develop something better than she did, right?”
Dismissing the woman with a look of pure disgust, Pierce turned to the rest of the staff. He noticed several people were trying to contain their glee at Linda’s set-down and suspected that Linda would probably have to go. From experience, he knew that vicious staff members like Linda never transitioned into a good team–member. They were too self-centered and greedy for credit, deserved or not.
“Ms. Banks was given the opportunity to run a campaign because she was the only person on this team who spoke out against the previous campaign, which was a miserable failure. She offered options that might have helped to resuscitate a bad idea. Her ideas were insightful and innovative. And by the way, I didn’t give her the chance to work on new ideas. I demanded it of her. This is not a democracy. This is a business. You are a team. If anyone thinks they don’t need to work as a team, to help out others on the team when there is a problem, get the hell out of here now.”
He frowned at Linda who was still defiant. Obviously resentful. “I don’t have time for prima donnas. If Ms. Banks asks for assistance, t
hen I expect you to give it. I also expect Ms. Banks to return the favor.” He looked around, ensuring that everyone understood him. “Any questions? Or does someone else want to question my integrity by assuming Ms. Banks was given this opportunity for reasons other than her skill?”
Silence filled the room.
“Good!”
With a sharp glance at Naya, he looked at the movers, who had been frozen in place for the last several minutes. “If Ms. Banks doesn’t want to be moved to the executive floor, then she may stay here. It will mean a lot of walking up and down from the different floors to brief me,” he continued, speaking to her even though his words implied he was speaking to the group in general. “But I also understand that a move away from your co-workers means a lack of brainstorming power.” He turned back around, including everyone with his next words. “And brainstorming is the only way things get done with effectiveness and efficiency.”
With a sharp nod in Naya’s direction, he stalked out of the department. A moment later, the elevators absorbed his huge frame and there was an almost communal sigh of relief.
A fraction of a second later, the entire marketing team, minus Linda, moved closer to Naya, surrounding her to congratulate her on the marketing ideas she’d presented. Some were patting her back and others were eagerly offering assistance, suggesting ideas on how they could help. At the team’s prompting, Naya moved to one of the conference rooms and spread out her storyboards, explaining her idea.
Several hours later, Naya knew that she needed to go up and thank Pierce for what he’d done, but she had been procrastinating. She didn’t want to see him. Not after yesterday. Not after the way they’d ravished each other and then she’d fallen asleep on the man. Oh, and she couldn’t forget sneaking out of his penthouse suite, again! Yep, that had been a stellar decision!
Actually, she could just send him an e-mail, thanking him for interceding on her behalf before the rumors were more firmly entrenched in everyone’s mind. An e-mail would work, she told herself. In fact, an e-mail would probably be better. More efficient. More succinct.
Yep, another lie, she thought as she put down her pencil and rested her head in the palms of her hands.
“Just get it over with,” she scolded herself.
Naya looked around, for the first time realizing that the department had cleared out. The other offices and cubicles were dark and quiet. Glancing at her watch, she realized it was after eight o’clock!
She could go up there now, see if he was still there. He most likely wasn’t. But at least, if she tried to talk to him, her conscience would be appeased slightly.
Packing up her supplies, she thought about her little girl, her hand fluttering over her stomach. She hadn’t been eating very well lately. Nor had she gotten enough sleep. Yes, the past few days had been stressful, but her baby girl had to take priority. She couldn’t allow herself to maintain her normal hectic work schedule and be around stressful men. She definitely shouldn’t indulge in passionate, afternoon interludes. She needed to be careful, her priority needed to be taking care of her daughter.
She stuffed her work into her tote bag and pulled it up over her shoulder. Turning out the lights to her office, she walked down the strangely silent hallway with a smile on her face. She’d been so wrapped up in the concept of being pregnant and the worry of the financial aspects of having a child, she hadn’t really thought about the reality of having a baby. What was she going to name her?
Yes, she should probably come up with names for a boy too, just in case, but as she pressed the button for the elevator, she was sure the baby was going to be a girl. She laughed slightly, shaking her head as she thought to ask Cassy if she had thought along the same lines.
When the bell rang for the executive floor, Naya stepped out and looked around. This area was just as deserted as her floor. No sound, but there was a light shining out of an office further down the hallway.
Her stomach fluttered when she realized that the light was coming out of Pierce’s office. So he was still here as well, huh?
All the other offices were silent. Naya moved down the hallway, but when she was about five feet from the open door, she reevaluated her plan to personally thank Pierce tonight. After yesterday afternoon, being alone with him in a dark, quiet office probably wasn’t the best idea. She really didn’t want to be alone with him again. Every time they were alone, clothes came off and she ended up begging him to make love to her.
Standing in front of his office doorway, she bit her lip, trying to decide. He really had stood up for her this morning. She should thank him. But tomorrow. She’d thank him for the words of defense tomorrow.
Turning around, she almost ran straight into his massive, muscular chest.
She would have fallen if Pierce hadn’t reached out to grab her waist and pull her closer.
“You’re still here,” she gasped.
He laughed softly and she could feel the vibrations through his chest. Whipping her hands away, she tried to step backwards, but his hands tightened on her waist. “Sounds like you were hoping otherwise.”
Naya grabbed his wrists and pulled his arms away, stepping back. “We can’t touch each other,” she said, and cleared her throat since her voice sounded odd. “It’s too dangerous.”
Pierce followed her. “Seemed pretty right for me yesterday.” He moved closer. “And it felt extremely right that first night too.” His head tilted slightly. “What was wrong about it? Is there something you’d like me to do more of? Less of?” he put a hand on either side of her head against the wall. “Or something differently? I’m an excellent student, Naya. Just ask. You’ll find that I’m very good at taking instruction.”
The idea of teaching him what she liked in bed...! The man already knew how to torment her to the point where she was almost insane with desire and need. “You’re good in the bedroom, and you know it.”
He laughed softly. “I hadn’t heard any complaints from you the two times we were together.” His head lowered and he started to nibble at her neck. “Why did you come up here?”
he asked softly, his warm breath tickling her ear.
Naya closed her eyes, sighing with the electrifying sensation of his lips against her neck. Right there. Yes! Just like that!
Why had she come up here? Why not? Why wouldn’t she? If this was what was waiting for her, she’d be up here all the time. Naya sighed, tilting her head slightly so that he could find that spot that he’d…yes! Oh yes!
“Talk to me, Naya. Tell me what you want,” he murmured in her ear.
She opened her mouth to tell him that she wanted him, but the words wouldn’t come. She couldn’t admit it. At least, not yet. She had so many other things she needed to tell him. But what those issues were, she couldn’t remember at this moment.
“Food,” she whispered, grasping onto the only thing that her mind could remember.
Pierce instantly lifted his head. “You came up here for food?” he asked.
Naya wanted to reach up and bring his head right back down to her neck. Why had he stopped? Damn it, why wasn’t he still doing that thing to her throat?
Then she remembered. She was hungry. Starving, actually. “No,” she finally said. “I didn’t come up for food,” she finally said. “I came up for…” she couldn’t remember. It was all just a blur.
That’s when she realized what was happening and, with a growl, stepped back, shaking her head. “How can you distract me so quickly?” she demanded, furious with herself and with him. “I’m like a marshmallow around you.”
He laughed at that description. “I’m glad I have that effect on you.” He took her hand and lifted her tote bag up, not releasing it when she tried to take it from him. “I’ve got this. Relax, Naya. I’m taking you out to dinner.”
Naya pulled back, shaking her head. “No. The last time we went out to dinner, things…”
He laughed softly again. “Got out of hand?” he supplied. He squeezed her hand as he led her into the ope
n elevator. “I liked how they got out of hand that time.”
Naya opened her mouth to argue, but he’d already pulled her into the elevator. “How about Italian?” he suggested.
Her stomach growled. “Italian?” she repeated, her mind blanking on why they shouldn’t have Italian. Pasta. Carbs. Lots of cheese! Her hand fluttered to her stomach, doing a little flip of delight at the thought.
“I think I should just go home and finish up the work that…”
“I think you should come out to dinner with me. I hate to eat alone.” He pressed the button on the elevator, and turned to smile down at her. “Relax, Naya. We’ll eat in a public restaurant. You’ll be perfectly safe.”
Naya stared up at him, seeing the dare in those dangerous silver eyes. “Somehow, I don’t think I’ll ever be perfectly safe around you, Pierce.”
He laughed, but the elevator opened up at that moment and he put a hand to the small of her back, leading her out to his car. “You’re probably right.”
He led her to a luxurious Mercedes that looked as if it could go faster than light. He opened the passenger side door and Naya hesitated, turning to look at him. “Pierce, I need to…” she started, thinking to tell him about her pregnancy. But he bent down lower, his lips brushing against hers.
“Nothing important tonight, Naya. I’m hungry and tired and you look like you’re about to fall over from exhaustion. I know that you’ve worked long hours the last two days. We’ll eat and relax. If there’s something important you need to discuss, hold off until tomorrow, okay?”
Naya considered arguing with him. But just as she opened her mouth to tell him that this couldn’t wait, that it shouldn’t wait, he touched her cheek. Those fingers were her undoing.
“Fine,” she whispered, blinking and trying to remember what it was that she needed to tell him. “I am hungry.”
Pregnant with the Tycoon's Heir (The Ladies of The Burling School Book 5) Page 10