“Alana. I assumed that you wouldn't mind if I changed things up a little,” he says, almost daring me to question his authority. “I figured that my assistant should have her own space, away from those she’s supposed to be in charge of,” he adds.
Like Jade did?
“Of course, it’s fine. It makes sense,” I say, forcing myself to smile.
He nods. “Good. I’ll be in my office if you need anything.”
He disappears back into his office, leaving me alone to gather my thoughts. Sitting down, I take a deep breath. This isn’t such a big deal. If anything, it’s a good way to ease myself into things changing. Two weeks. I just need to push through and do this for two weeks.
I’m all psyched up to start my work, but when I glance at my empty desk, I realize that I have no idea what I need to get done. Even though Jade worked in the same room as me, I never really paid much attention to what she did. Probably because I spent all my time trying to forget she was there. Hell, I don’t even know how this intercom works.
I give it a few minutes before I walk over to his door and knock.
“Yes?” he calls out. He looks up at smiles at me as I walk in. “Struggling with something already?”
I frown at him. “I just want to know what you’d like me to do,” I say in what I hope is a friendly voice.
“I didn’t think you’d need that much direction,” he muses. He leans back in his chair and studies me. “I mean, it’s not like you didn’t work in the same room as my last assistant for two years. Too busy polishing your nails to notice anything that she was doing?”
“Too busy fetching your coffee you mean,” I respond, my voice frosty. I take a deep breath to calm myself down and then I try a different approach. “Look, I need you to understand that this is my first day in a new role and tell me what you expect of me,” I say firmly. “This will be painful for the both of us if you don’t meet me halfway.” I’m holding my ground and it feels good.
He stares at me for a moment and then nods.
“I need my meetings booked for next week. I need my dictation typed up and emailed to me so that I can open it on my computer.” He stands up and walks over to the filing cabinet near the window, retrieving a stack of folders on top of it. “And I need to go through these and pick one that stands out for you.”
“What are these?” I ask, grunting as he tosses the folders into my arms. “Proposals. They’re companies that are close to going under.”
“Okay,” I say.
A surge of excitement hits me. I don’t remember Jade doing this kind of thing. He picks up his phone and looks at me, as if wondering why I’m still here. I flush and walk over to the door, struggling to close it after me. He looks up at me and smiles.
“Oh, Alana?” he says.
“Yes?” I ask, looking up at him.
“There is a job description in the top drawer of your desk, complete with a detailed list of what I expect from you on a daily basis,” he says, his eyes locking on mine.
I glare at him. Why the hell didn’t he just tell me that in the first place?
“Thanks,” I say stiffly as I close the door with a thud.
I’m still fuming when I sit back down at my desk. I pull out the description, almost scared to see what it entails, but as I read through it, my nerves subside. Everything on his list I’m confident I can handle. Oh well. At least I have a plan now.
I don't see Chase for the rest of the day, because he’s out of one meeting and into the next. The few times I do see him, he still manages to make me feel flustered and nervous, even though he’s being nothing but professional.
By the end of the day I'm exhausted and glad to be going home. Maybe it’s just the fact that I’ve been awake since five this morning, but I don’t remember being this tired when I was just a junior assistant. I walk outside the building, nearly colliding with Peyton as I walk round the corner. She smiles at me.
“Finally,” she says. “I’ve been waiting for you. How did it go?” she asks impatiently.
“It was fine, I guess,” I say, shrugging.
“Just fine? Did he fuck you on his desk?” she giggles.
“No. He was completely professional,” I say, making a face. “I enjoyed it, but I think it's going to take me a few days to get used to the change. Want to go and get a coffee or something?” I ask her.
She shakes her head, her eyes sparkling. “I would, but I have a date.”
“Ooh, lucky you,” I grin. “Who is he?”
“Just a guy I’ve been talking to. My cousin gave him my number and we’ve been chatting on the phone and online. He’s a vet. He has three dogs.”
I giggle. “You’re allergic to dogs.”
She waves her hand dismissively. “Minor complication.”
“Well, have fun and call me with the details,” I say.
I give her a hug and then walk across the road to flag down a cab, secretly glad she’s busy tonight. All I want to do is go home and relax.
Even though my thoughts are all over the place and I’m still adjusting to the changes at work, I’m pretty proud of myself. So much has happened in the last week, and while it hasn’t all been good, I’m at least putting self out there and trying new things. Instead of hiding in my shell, I’m pushing myself for once and standing up for what I want. I’m taking risks and some of them are even paying off.
#
It’s nearing the end of my first week, and working directly for Chase is nothing like I thought it would be. He’s been nothing but professional and courteous the entire time.
To top it off, I'm really enjoying the extra responsibilities that come with my new arrangement. The only bad thing about this new role is that I don't get to see Peyton nearly as much and I’m worried it’s going to change our relationship.
As I walk over to my old office to collect a file from Peyton, I stop at the door and listen to the sound of giggling and laughter coming from inside. My new replacement started yesterday, and it seems she and Peyton get on just great. I wish I didn’t feel jealous, but I do. I can’t help but feel like while I’m moving up on the career ladder, I’m going to be losing my best friend in the process.
Taking a deep breath, I push open the door and walk in. Just like that, whispers stop. I stare at Peyton and then at the new girl. Both of them are sitting at their desks, heads down, engrossed in their work. I frown and march over to Peyton, mumbling something about the Christenson file. She smiles and hands it to me, then goes back to her work. I wait for a second, before I turn around and walk out, pretending that I don’t care, even though I do. I’m hurt and blinking back tears. I’ve never seen Peyton that into her work in the two years I’ve known her.
Am I the new Jade. Is that what this is?
I sit back down at my desk, not sure what to do. Maybe I’m imagining it, but what if I’m not? I never considered that we were only friends because we worked together. It never entered my mind that our relationship would change if we no longer had that connection in common. I hate the thought of losing my best friend.
I force myself to focus on my work and forget about Peyton. It’s hard to concentrate at first, but by the time lunch rolls around, I'm in my groove. I’m halfway through my current task and feeling much more optimistic, so I push that aside and reach for the stack of proposals he wants me to go through. He’s not expecting this until next week, but I’m determined to get it done early. Yes, I’m trying to impress him, but it has nothing to do with wanting him to like me. I just want him to appreciate what I can do.
Chase walks out of his office and over to me, resting his hands on the edge of my desk, so he’s facing me. I tense, because no matter what I do, I can’t seem to shake the attraction I have for him.
“I just thought I’d check in on how you’re doing?” he says.
He’s almost close enough for me to kiss. I study his lips for a moment, wondering how they’d feel, pressed up against mine. Would he be rough? Or gentle?
&nb
sp; “Alana?”
I blush as he jolts me out of my daydream and stare at him. I scold myself for even letting my mind wander there, while he raises his eyebrows, waiting for an answer.
Shit.
“Sorry,” I say, my tone way too upbeat. “I guess I was so into my work that I didn’t even hear you coming.”
“Funny,” he grins. “Most women complain I’m too loud.” I flush at his joke, cursing myself for my choice of words. “And I’m glad to hear things are going well.” He glances at his watch. “Although, you do realize that you’re five minutes into your lunch break already?”
I nod and hold up a soggy cheese and tomato sandwich that looks anything but appetizing.
“I brought a lunch from home,” I explain, embarrassed. “Who knew that tomato makes bread go soggy? Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I was going to get a head start on that dictation you wanted typed up, anyway.”
He chuckles and reaches into his back pocket to pull out his wallet. He flicks it open and hands me his credit card.
“Go over to Watson's and get me a sandwich. They know me, and they know what I like. Order one for yourself, too,” he says. I shrug and stand up, my stomach demanding that I accept his kind offer. “And please don’t work through lunch again, Alana. I don't want you to sacrifice your own time for me,” he says with a frown.
I stare at him with raised eyebrows.
“Then why did you have me drop a file off to you at ten o'clock at night?” I ask sweetly. I smirk at him and walk out the door before he can answer.
I use the short walk over there to catch up on my personal emails—not that I have many to go through. The one that stands out is from my father. It instantly makes me frown, because he’s so technologically challenged. I click on it, expecting it to be spam, but I’m impressed when I realize that it is from him.
Hey Lanni I hope you're okay I was worried when you didn't turn up I tried calling but I couldn't get through to you how about dinner next week maybe Friday? Dad
Shit.
I’d totally forgotten about dinner. I glance at the email again and burst out laughing. Not only does my father apparently not understand the importance of grammar, but he sent the email to every single person in his contact list.
I’m still chuckling as I tap out a reply.
Hey Dad,
Friday sounds good, but you’d better book a big table, considering you invited fifty-seven people. Sorry about missing dinner; I completely forgot about it. See you soon.
Love Lanni.
I shove my phone back in my pocket just as I reach the café. I walk inside, pleased to see that it’s quieter than I was expecting it to be. I wander up to the counter and order without having to wait.
As I wait for my order, I stifle a yawn. I'm so tired. The late nights and early mornings are really starting to mess with my head, but I'm determined to do whatever I have to, in order to impress Chase, because I’m getting this internship, one way or another. I hoped I’d be getting more than just a promotion,
God, I confuse myself sometimes. One minute, I’m upset because I think he’s only promoting me for sex, and the next, I’m upset because nothing has happened. I had this idea in my head about us working closely together, side by side, with the sexual tension rising by the second. He’d look at me and my heart would race, and then he’d lean in and kiss me.
But that just isn’t how it’s happening, and I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m disappointed. Do I like him? God, I think I do. I think the disappointment that I’m feeling is because I’m worried that maybe he’s not that attracted to me after all.
By the time I get back to the office and give Chase his lunch, I’m feeling very deflated. I sit at my desk, picking at my sandwich while I get back to working on the proposals. I’m not certain, but I think this is just a test. I don’t think he is considering any of these companies for a takeover bid. Either way, I’m determined to show him that I can handle this.
When I block out every other thought and force myself to focus only on what I’m working on, the time seems to fly. I’ve picked out my top choice, so now I’m just gathering the statistics to back up my decision.
“Alana?”
I look up and see Chase staring at me.
“I just asked you if you’re planning on going home tonight or not,” he repeats in a mocking tone. “It’s after six,” he adds.
I glance down at the stack of work in front of me and frown. I hate the idea of not getting this finished almost as much as I hate the idea of having a boss who won’t let me work overtime.
“What are you working on?” he asks, wandering over.
“You asked me to look over those proposals,” I say. “And I’ve done that.”
I hold up the file containing the company I consider the best gamble. He outstretches his hand and takes it from me, then he looks back at me.
“And this is what you’ve chosen as my next investment?” he asks with interest.
“Yes,” I say, anxious to hear his response.
I know it’s not the most obvious choice, but I put a lot of consideration into choosing it. He nods and then glances at his watch.
“Would you mind running through this with me now? I know I said that I didn't want you working into your own time, so I’ll pay you, of course.”
I nod. “Sure.”
We walk into his office. I sit down, my body tensing when he sits next to me, rather than behind his desk. I’m nervous that I’m about to make a fool of myself. He might hate my ideas. I thrust my handwritten notes in his face. He takes them from me and reads through them, his expression thoughtful.
“I thought Benson had the least potential for growth,” he frowns, examining the file. “It makes it a really hard sell when the buyer can’t see their investment paying off within a specific time frame,” he explains, glancing at me.
“I know. I was thinking the same, until I saw this,” I hand him another report. “These are the figures for the last twelve months for what is pretty much an identical product on the market, made by a competitor. The only difference is their product doesn’t do half the things that the other one can.”
“So what you’re saying is that even though they don't look like much of a threat right now, with the right marketing and the right match…”
His voice trails off as he looks at me. I nod, unable to contain my excitement.
“This is good,” he says. He nods slowly and then glances at me, the look in his eyes driving me crazy. I love impressing him almost as much as I love the thought of pleasing him. “But, it’s still a big risk.”
“With a big reward,” I argue. “Over a safer option that will net a buyer a much smaller return.”
“You’ve put a lot of work into this,” he murmurs. “I'm impressed you’ve done all of this in just a few hours. Still, I’m not sold on finding a buyer to agree to take this on.”
“Really? I thought you could talk anyone into anything,” I say, my heart racing.
He smiles and raises his eyebrows at me, as if my words have hit a spot. He stands up and runs his hand through his hair, tossing the file onto his desk, then he turns around and leans against it, so he’s facing me.
“Can you arrange a meeting with Benson for next week?” he asks.
“Of course,” I say, ecstatic that he’s actually considering my idea.
“Thanks. And can you type all of your notes up for me? I’ll add to them and then get you to prepare a formal report that I can present to the board. I don’t need it right away, by early next week is fine,” he adds.
I nod as he stares at me. I hold his gaze and then stand up.
“Was there anything else?” I ask, so close to him that I could reach out and touch him.
“Nothing I can think of off the top of my head,” he murmurs.
His eyes burn through me, but I hold his gaze, determined not to be the one to break contact. Self-doubt begins to creep in, but I push it away, because this moment is mine.
All I can think about is kissing him.
My heart pounds as I step forward. I put my hands against his chest and stand on my toes, so my mouth is almost on his. I swallow, feeling his warm breath on my lips. He doesn’t move, so I tilt forward until my mouth is on his.
That’s the only invitation he needs. With a growl, he lifts his hands to my face and presses his lips against mine, his lips roughly pressing against mine. I groan as his fingers rake my through hair, his mouth exploring mine.
He reaches behind me and untucks my shirt, slipping his hands underneath to explore my skin. My back arches at the feel of his touch, his lips still firmly against mine. He tastes amazing and I while can’t get enough of him, I pull back, my lips parted slightly as I stare at him.
He smiles at me and reaches up, cradling my face.
“Is this the part where you tell me you have to go?” he asks. I nod and take a deep breath, the touch of his fingers electric against my skin. He smiles and leans forward, planting a soft kiss on my lips. “That’s probably a wise idea.”
I turn around when I reach the door and look back. He smiles at me, still standing in the same spot that I left him. My heart races. I know I’ve started something that I might not be able to stop, but I don’t regret kissing him. Not even for a second.
But I am going to regret leaving. Hell, I already do.
“I'll see you tomorrow, Alana.”
#
If I wasn’t in charge of organizing his meetings, I’d think Chase was avoiding me. It’s three in the afternoon the day after we kissed, and I haven’t seen him one all day. I came into work feeling great, but as the day drags on, my mood is slowly unraveling. All I can think about is kissing him. How it felt, what it means and where we go to from here. Do I really want to get involved in something like this when I’m on the verge of breaking into something bigger than I’ve ever dreamed of?
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