by Aleka Nakis
Her foot bobbed in a nervous motion that he found hypnotic. Cute ankles. He could envision her toes curling on his lap. Where they painted red, or did they match the pale shade on her fingernails?
Damn! He was thinking about nail polish.
Real professional, Demo. A deal maker for sure.
“I could supply recommendations from professors I’ve worked with,” she offered.
“No.” He shook his head. “Your supervisor at Gyro King has written great things about you, Ms. Mallone, including that you were head cashier and helped with the paperwork. From your resume, I see you’re familiar with a variety of word processing systems, including the one we use.”
Standing to pace the room, he paused and stared out the twenty-fifth story window, down at the lights illuminating the paths in Central Park. A moment to collect his thoughts—that’s what he needed. He didn’t have time to play games. If she wasn’t in direct sight, perhaps he could think logically, rationally—as a successful businessman should.
“I used the same system when I worked for the assistant dean as a student employee. Actually, I’m proficient in all of the popular word processing and business spreadsheet systems. I must admit: I’m a computer geek.”
Demo turned in time to see a smile cross her lips as the room filled with a warm glow.
The woman was a computer geek? He couldn’t suppress a chuckle. She looked like a nymph, or better yet a pixie, that could intoxicate a man. All he wanted to do was tangle his fingers in her coppery hair, bury his face against her creamy neck, and do things to her that would guarantee a sexual harassment lawsuit.
“I am proficient in all of the systems on the market.”
“Very good.” He captured her gaze. “However, the requirements for the position are extremely difficult and demand a great deal of initiative and excellent self-motivation.”
Returning to sit behind his desk, he propped his elbows on either side of her resume. “The assistant who has been working with me for years has had unexpected personal issues and is not available to help train for any period of time. I will personally oversee her replacement for approximately twenty days, and then will leave for an overseas trip.”
“Mr. Lakis, I’m a quick learner. You will not be disappointed in my performance if you decide to give me a chance.”
Disappointment would not be an issue. But hiring Samantha Mallone was crazy. A former restaurant worker and computer geek was to assist him in running an international firm? He’d have to work twice as hard once she began.
“When are you available to start, Ms. Mallone?”
“Tomorrow, if you’d like.”
What was wrong with him? He was turning into those men he despised: men who abused their power to seduce beautiful women into their beds. But he couldn’t seem to help himself. He couldn’t stop grinning.
Shrugging, he offered his hand. “Monday morning at nine will be fine. Welcome to Lakis International, Samantha.”
“Thank you, sir.”
She extended her hand, and he accepted it with great pleasure. His gaze settled on her full lips and he stared, mesmerized by their temptation.
“This is exactly the job I want. I won’t make you regret it...”
Her full pink mouth moved, but once again, he heard no words. He wondered if she tasted as sweet as she looked.
“I can’t wait to tell my fiancé,” Samantha finished.
Lightning struck, freezing the grin on his face, and causing him to regret the first business decision made with his hormones. What had she said? Was it something about a fiancé?
Krima! This sunshine belonged to another man.
Running his fingers through his hair, Demo decided to think before he responded. He bit his lip and attempted an empathetic smile.
Professional. Be professional. This is not a personal relationship.
“That is good to know, Ms. Mallone. We have found when members of our team enjoy their job, and the circumstances fit their personal preferences, it is indeed an added bonus to their employment. I believe you will find the position challenging, but gratifying.”
She nodded and eagerly added, “I’m sure it will be the perfect job. Thank you for the opportunity, sir. The hands-on experience before taking the bar exam will be great. And as I mentioned earlier, I am familiar with international law and it is a course of study I excel in.”
“Fantastic. The packet the personnel director gave you during the first interview outlines the position’s requirements. Please review it, and feel free to ask me any questions before you begin.” He handed her his card. “Both the office and my personal phone numbers are there. You can reach me at any time on the second number.”
She smiled and placed the card into a neat, leather dossier. “I’ll be sure to complete the necessary documentation and leave it with the personnel department.” She smiled and collected her things. “Thank you very much. I’ll see you Monday morning.”
Performing on autopilot, he walked his new employee to the door. Telling the receptionist to shut down the office and call it a night, he watched Samantha’s curvy bottom step into the elevator.
“Samantha?”
“Yes, Mr. Lakis?”
“If needed, will you remain past the expected ten month term?” He hesitated, but added, “Until my assistant is ready to return to work?”
“Absolutely, sir.” She smiled and raised her hand.
He nodded, and the elevator door closed.
Sighing, he stormed back into his office, shut the door, sat at his desk, and dropped his head into his hands. “What got into you?”
Demo had never made such a decision in his life. He hadn’t built a multi-billion dollar firm on impulse or bad judgment. He had no idea what had possessed him with the cute redhead or why he’d let his hormones rule his brain. This was out of character for him. Perhaps a simple diversion would rectify the situation?
He leaned back from his desk and opened the top left drawer. Glancing through his personal agenda, he picked up the phone and dialed.
“Katrina, how are you? ...Yes, I know it’s been a while. Work has kept me busier than I care to admit... But I have some time for myself tonight, and I want to ask if you will join me for dinner?”
Tapping his fingers on his desk, he swiveled his chair and patiently listened as his date explained how hard it would be to rearrange her schedule, but she would do it for him.
“Great. I’ll be by at eight.”
Additional Titles by Aleka Nakis
Eyes of the Dead
What would you endure to find the cure for the disease that killed your mother? Exposure to venomous snakes? Raging rapids without a life jacket? Drug lords who dab in sex trafficking? Would you relinquish control and trust your life in a dead man's hands? Tiffany Jensen, a young breast cancer researcher, confronts her greatest fear and flies on a plane to a foreign country alone. Venturing into the dangerous terrain of the Mayan jungle, she is willing to do just about anything for the cure. Antonio Francisco Fernandez, aka Agent AFFCROC, is open to only one possibility: getting Tiffany out of his territory and safely back to the States. Will his insistence deny her success, or struggling to find her way, will she come face to face with the eyes of the dead?
Dante’s Deal
Two months before her twenty-third birthday, Sapphyra Morelli pumps herself up with confidence and corporate bravado and storms into her husband’s conference room a changed woman. In spite of all her preparations, pride blinds her to the truth about the relationship she shares with Dante Morelli, and she cannot recognize that the life she craves is already her own. Dante headquarters his business in the shady alleys of Naples, lives in the picturesque seaside of Positano, and keeps his wife on the busy avenues of New York City. Sapphyra is the young wife who he has been responsible for and whom he’s held at arm’s length, waiting for her to mature into a woman who knows her own mind and heart. As obligated by the contract, Dante accepts her in the boardroom as an equal. Battling
between the carnal need for his wife and the promise he’d made to her dying father to take care of her like he would his own sister, he decides he’s entitled to Sapphy—at least for the two months remaining in their marriage contract. Because of his insistence that Sapphy stand beside him as his wife, the plan to be a real business partner expands to winning her husband’s heart and body.
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
About the Author
Excerpt fromBook Two of The Greek Series