Getting Dirty with the CEO

by Mia Sosa

  “Fine,” Jason said. “I’ll e-mail her this afternoon to follow up. Let’s authorize her to come up with a proposal, and then we can hire her.”

  Daniel gnashed his teeth. Mimi had delivered an excellent presentation, but the possibility that they were thinking with their dicks pissed him off. “Does your enthusiasm for hiring her have anything to do with the fact that she’s gorgeous?”

  Amar leaned forward. “Are you serious?”

  “I am.”

  His lips twitched. “Yeah, she’s gorgeous—”

  “She’s got that repressed librarian thing down pat,” Spencer added.

  Daniel wanted to snarl at them, but he kept his temper in check.

  Amar scanned his face. “Are you suggesting that we shouldn’t hire her because she’s gorgeous? Because that would be ludicrous. She’s smart as hell, and she can take us to the next level. We know fuck all about branding ourselves.”

  Spencer stood, ambled to Daniel’s seat, and placed his hands on Daniel’s shoulders. Leaning over, he asked, “Does your lack of enthusiasm for hiring her have anything to do with the fact that she looks at you like you’re a wad of gum stuck to the bottom of her shoe?”

  Daniel shook Spencer’s hands off him. “No.”

  He could mention that he’d almost had sex with Mimi. Not a blow-by-blow account, but a factual statement that would hint at the cause for his resistance. Except that wasn’t the real reason he didn’t want to hire her. No, he worried that if they did hire her, she’d shut him down forever, and that possibility didn’t sit well with him. Plus, telling the guys his and Mimi’s personal business would have been a dick move, and she didn’t deserve to have her professional image affected by what she did in her private life.

  They waited. He seethed. Lacking any good ideas for derailing their desire to hire Mimi, he relented—for the time being. “Fine. We’ll have her present her proposal.”

  “Excellent,” Jason said as he rose from his chair. “I have a client meeting in ten minutes. Later, gentlemen.”

  The others followed suit, leaving Daniel alone with a million and one thoughts.

  Amar knocked on the conference door and stuck his head back into the room. “So how’d that expensive joke work out for you?”

  Daniel gritted his teeth. “Very funny, asshole.”

  Amar laughed and tipped an imaginary hat. “That’s what I thought.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  After her meeting with the Cambridge Group, Mimi floated to work. Other than Daniel, the firm’s principals expressed enthusiasm about hiring her, and if they did, she’d be one step closer to demonstrating her readiness for partnership.

  Once back in her office, she rested her head against her chair and stared out the window. Though it was too early to tell for sure, she suspected Daniel would pose a problem. He didn’t seem keen on having her around, probably because he had trouble adjusting to the idea that she was anything other than an empty head with big boobs. Her toned-down appearance at today’s meeting wouldn’t immediately change his opinion of her, not after their encounter in Puerto Rico and the silly antics since. But maybe over time, she could convince him to think of her as a professional and nothing more.

  First, though, she needed to make some adjustments herself. When she’d first walked into the conference room that morning, she’d set her sights on sitting as far away from Daniel as she could. But after considering the possibility that he’d stare at her from across the table—probably remembering her breathy voice as she’d all but begged him to have sex with her—she’d convinced herself that sitting next to him would lessen the potential for eye contact. Big mistake. The chemistry between them threatened to set the room on fire, and she’d tried to deflect it by going into über-professional mode. So yes, her brain had no problem resisting Daniel, but her body was a different story. Even now, her brain and body warred with each other, tugging on the sensual images that kept replaying in her head.

  Mimi squeezed her eyes shut and let out an undignified groan.

  When she heard a throat clear, she snapped her eyes open.

  Nina was peeking into her office. “I heard a moan,” she whispered from the door. “Damn, woman, are you masturbating in here?”

  Mimi scrambled to straighten herself in the chair and waved her hands frantically. “Shut the door, Nina.”

  If she hadn’t been so concerned about someone overhearing Nina’s question, Mimi would have doubled over in laughter. Nina’s brain matched hers. In fact, Nina had once described them as personality twins. Which was the very reason Nina complained when Mimi didn’t stand up for herself in the workplace.

  Nina stepped into the office and swung the door closed. “You’re flushed. What have you been doing in here?”

  “Nothing. Jesus. Listen, this doesn’t leave this room.”

  “Oooo. Juicy gossip.” Eyes wide, Nina strode to one of the chairs facing Mimi’s desk and dropped into it.

  Mimi loved this woman. The minute Nina had walked into the firm, Mimi could tell she’d found her partner in crime. “Okay, that account I’m supposed to land, the one with the guy I don’t get along with?”

  Nina jiggled her foot as she listened. “The one you mentioned at the Monday meeting last week?”

  “Yeah. That one.”

  Nina gave her a knowing grin. “He’s hot, isn’t he? I could tell something was going on with you. I saw the way you practically slid under the table to avoid talking about him with Ian.”

  “Yes, he’s hot. He’s a bit of a jerk, too. Well, maybe not so much a jerk. Maybe just a bit full of himself.”

  “Goodness, I’ve never seen you this flustered about anything. So what’s the problem? You’re so attracted to him that you want to jump his bones.”

  “More like I don’t want to be attracted to him, but I almost jumped his bones anyway.”

  Nina’s lips moved as she worked out what Mimi had told her. Then she jerked forward, her eyes bulging. “Shut. Up. You made a move on the guy already?”

  Mimi fell back against her chair and stared at the ceiling. “Yes.”

  “Where and when?”

  She kept her eye trained on the ceiling fixture. “Not important. It was a one-time thing. Several months ago. And it didn’t end with us in bed, thanks to him. But now I have to try to get the guy’s business.”

  “Wait. He turned you down?”

  “Yep.”

  “Did he give you a reason?”

  Mimi pursed her lips. “Yeah. Some bullshit about not wanting to be another notch on my belt. Said he’d only pursue me when I was ready to give him a real chance.”

  “And now you’ve got to work with him. Any possibility you’d give him the chance he wants?”

  Mimi lowered her chin and glared at Nina. “Hell no. My personal and professional lives do not belong in the same room together.”

  “Um, I hate to tell you this, but your personal and professional lives are so in the same room together they’re practically shacking up. Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase debriefing your client.”

  “You plan to take that bit on the road?”

  “Hmmm. Let me think about it. I’m sure there’s more. Oooh, I know. You should make it your job to unlock your client’s fullest potential.”

  Against her will, the corners of Mimi’s mouth quirked up. “Get out of my office.”

  “Oh, c’mon. You know I’m just kidding. Seriously, what’s your plan?”

  “My plan is simple. I’m going to forget that I ever fondled his dick and treat him like I’d treat any other client of the firm.”

  “You almost had sex with him?”

  “Yes, I just told you that.”

  “And he’s a tad arrogant, you say?”

  “Yes.”

  “And he wants you?”

  “He claims to be interested, yes.”

  Nina shook her head in disbelief. “Right. Okay then. Can I help you with this account, because I really need a front row seat to the
hilarity that’s about to ensue?”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

  Nina stood. “Oh, sweetie. Don’t get me wrong. I have the utmost confidence in you. It’s this guy who’s going to be the problem.”

  Mimi hung her head. Nina was right. But she had no clue how to control Daniel.

  “Lunch?” Nina asked from the door.

  “Can’t. I’m meeting my realtor. Checking out a new space in Penn Quarter.”

  “Have fun with that,” Nina said before she walked out the door.

  Mimi’s cell phone buzzed in her purse, cutting off any further thoughts about Daniel and what trouble he might make for her. She fished through her bag for her phone and stared at her mother’s image. With a sigh, she accepted the call. “Hi, Mother.”

  “Hi, Mimi. How are you?”

  Her mother could have been talking to one of her book club members for all the familiarity she demonstrated in that sterile greeting. Come to think of it, her own greeting hadn’t been overly affectionate, either. How sad. “I’m fine, Mother. Is everything okay? With you? Dad?”

  “Yes, yes, everything’s fine. I have news. Your dad’s receiving an award from the Austin Chamber of Commerce next month, and he’d like you to join us at the awards ceremony.”

  Mimi waited for her mother to say more.

  “It’s for his positive impact on family-style entertainment and tourism in the city,” she continued.

  Right. Before his death, Mimi’s grandfather had given her father the reins of several amusement centers in Central Texas. Wanting to expand the family business to fit Austin’s active lifestyle, Mimi’s father had opened three trampoline parks. She’d always found it odd that her father had spent his professional life working in the business of entertaining families when he couldn’t be bothered to spend much time with his own.

  “Let me guess. Having his daughter there plays into the ‘family man’ persona he’d like to convey.”

  “I suppose so, yes. But apart from that, I’d like to see you, Mimi. We don’t see each other often enough, and I’m getting on in years.”

  “Mother, you’re fifty-five. I think it’s a little too early to be writing your eulogy.”

  Mimi shook her head when she heard her mother’s lighthearted laughter; she hadn’t heard the sound in a long time.

  “Yes, dear, I know. But we haven’t seen you in months and…And I miss you.”

  “Well, when you put it that way, how can I refuse? I’ll make the time to be there.” She jotted the details in her planner. “Got it.”

  “Thanks for coming, dear.”

  “No problem. And thanks for calling, Mom.”

  “I think that’s the first time you’ve called me ‘Mom’ in years. I like it.”

  She pictured her mother’s elusive smile. Like her mother’s laughter, Mimi hadn’t seen that smile in a long time. “I like it, too.”

  She rarely spent time with her mother. If she could manage to be cordial to her father for the duration of the event, the trip would be a worth it. But from her experience, being cordial to her father would take a miracle.

  * * *

  “It’s a beautiful space,” Mimi said as she toured the condominium Beth, her realtor, had said “she just had to see.” The model boasted a large kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a wall of exposed brick in the living room. The juxtaposition of old and new had been one of the features she’d told her realtor she was looking for. “It’s over budget, though.”

  “I know,” Beth said. “But it ticks off all the must-haves on your list, and you won’t close on the property for another six months. You have enough for the earnest money deposit?”

  “I do, but I’d like to be sure I’m going to be able to close on the home six months from now.”

  “We can still look elsewhere. I just thought this place would be perfect for you, so I had to show it to you. There’s a community rooftop terrace, too.”

  “Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate it. And you’re right, a unit like this one would be perfect. But I don’t want to be impulsive about this.”

  “I understand,” Beth said.

  “Can I have a few minutes to walk around some more?”

  “Of course. I have some calls to return. I’ll wait for you in the dining room.”

  Mimi nodded, her mind already picturing the way she’d decorate the interior. An overstuffed couch would be the living room’s centerpiece. She’d fill the space with plants, her only nod to domesticity that didn’t end in disaster. And she’d need another large bookshelf for all the books she’d collected over the years.

  She was getting ahead of herself, of course. The deposit would sink her savings, and without a promotion, she’d be stuck with a property she couldn’t afford. Which meant if she wanted a place like this one, she’d have to secure a few new clients for the firm. So she’d bust her ass to get the Cambridge Group’s account, and if that didn’t work, she’d be disappointed but she’d be fine, too. Sure, Ian had suggested that getting the Cambridge Group’s business would be key, but he’d forget about that account if she brought in several other clients. With a renewed sense of purpose, she found Beth in the living room.

  “So what do you think?” Beth asked.

  “I’m going to crunch some numbers tonight. Assuming those numbers look decent, I’d like to make an offer.”

  “Excellent. I had a feeling you would say that.”

  Now she had to convince the Cambridge Group to hire her. Doable.

  And maintain a professional and platonic relationship with Daniel. Doable.

  And forget that she was desperately attracted to him.

  Impossible.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Daniel sailed into the office after lunch. Ms. Mimi Pennington would be visiting him this afternoon, and that alone was enough to make him whistle.

  “Someone have a good lunch?” asked Felicia from behind the reception desk.

  Daniel stopped at the desk and sifted through the day’s mail. “Yes.”

  “Your mail is in your in-box already,” Felicia noted.

  He dropped the stack and saluted her. “Efficient as usual. Thank you.”

  Felicia giggled. “You’re welcome.”

  He heard more giggling. Except it wasn’t coming from Felicia. He turned his head in the direction of the conference room and muttered under his breath at the scene playing out behind the glass wall. Jason and Mimi talking over a take-out lunch. “How long have they been in there?” he asked Felicia.

  “Oh, not long. Half hour maybe? She’s due to see you next.”

  From his perspective, they appeared to be getting along very well. Jason was demonstrating something with his hands and Mimi threw back her head and laughed in response. Jason joined in her laughter and then dug into the sandwich on his plate. As he chewed, he looked up and spotted Daniel. Of course, he waved.

  Daniel pulled open the conference door. “Hey, Mimi. I’m on a tight schedule. Do you think we might be able to move up our meeting? Maybe start in five minutes or so? Assuming you’re done here, that is.”

  Jason’s enthusiastic chewing slowed. “Yeah. We’re almost done.”

  Mimi looked between him and Jason and gathered the remains of her lunch. “Sure, not a problem.” Her professional smile reappeared. “I’ll stop by your office in five, okay?”

  “Thanks. I appreciate that.” He nodded at Jason. “See you later.”

  He lumbered to his office, unsure why he’d just made that power move. It had been juvenile, yes, but when it came to Mimi, he lost his ability to think clearly. Unfortunately, he’d accomplished nothing other than being a jerk to one of his closest friends.

  He raked a hand through his hair and collapsed into his chair. When Mimi knocked on his open office door minutes later, he straightened and beckoned her to come in.

  She glanced at him and dropped her gaze to the floor, slipping her oversized purse off her shoulder and taking a seat in silence. The bag w
as the size of his travel luggage. From it, she pulled out a pad and pen. “I’m just going to ask you a few questions, try to get a flavor for who you are as an individual and as a colleague.”

  He tapped a single finger on his desk, and her gaze followed the rhythmic movement. “Ask away,” he told her.

  “Okay, so tell me a little about yourself. Something that’s not on the website.”

  “I like taking long walks in the park, cuddling puppies—”

  She raised her head to the ceiling and huffed. “You know what, if you’re not going to give me a chance, I can just stick with the information on the website.” She rose to leave. “I’ll show myself out.”

  He stood and reached out to touch her forearm. When she drew back, his hand hovered awkwardly in the air. “I apologize.” He motioned for her to sit. “Please. I won’t waste any more of your time.”

  She sat back down, her big blue eyes wide and wary.

  “I’m a twin.”

  Her eyes grew even wider, a phenomenon he hadn’t thought possible. “There are two of you?” she asked.

  “Was.”

  “I’m sorry. That’s more than I need to know for my purposes. We can move on to something else.”

  He fiddled with his cuffs. “Yes, let’s move on to something else. I’m not sure why I brought it up anyway.”

  In fact, in the five years since his sister’s death, he’d never volunteered that information. But this was what Mimi did to him. Around her—because of her, really—he acted out of character, like it or not.

  “I went to Harvard for undergrad and grad school,” he continued.

  “Yes, I know that. I’m impressed. What else?”

  “Let me finish, Ms. Pennington.”

  She pretended to zip her mouth shut. “Sorry. Continue.”

  “I went to Harvard on a scholarship. My parents didn’t have much money, but I’d demonstrated proficiency in standardized tests early on, and I was given the chance to attend a grade school for academically gifted children. This was in the age when New York public schools still had money for special programs like that.”