Alluring Promises Box Set (Books 1-3)

by Josie Bordeaux

  I continuously glanced down at her ring. She kept pulling on a tress that fell from her ponytail behind her ear and my eyes felt like they were drawn to that damn ring. While it was quite lovely, a pale yellow flower with several tiny diamonds on the petals, it was extremely distracting and I found myself gazing at it during the interview.

  Mr. Williams seemed quite taken with her when I walked into the lobby to retrieve Ms. Leonard. I watched his eyes graze over her body and his eyes were taken in by that same ring, too. It was definitely too distracting. I decided to wrap up the interview so I could make a few phone calls.

  Mr. Williams would be pleased, I’m sure, to have Ms. Leonard as his administrative assistant. I was trying hard to push away the odd feelings of jealousy I was having. It was the weirdest thing to have that feeling overcome me when I barely know him. He seems to be the type that could work his way around an office full of women. I continually reminded myself of our new “No Dating Policy” and the ban on dating subordinates, both policies I recently put in place. I smiled to myself as I imagined the smug look on his face drop when he learns this information.

  Thinking about that, I realized a small smile crept over my mouth. I believe Ms. Leonard mistook my smile as a sign she was getting the job. She actually was fairly well-spoken and her résumé did look presentable; however, the look on Mr. Williams’ face was enough to make me not want to bother interviewing her at all. Bitchy as it seems, I didn’t want to give him someone pretty to look at. He does need to focus on his new managerial role, after all.

  On the other hand, if I do hire her as his administrative assistant, he would surely go for her and I could have him terminated for dating a subordinate. Then I could hire someone more qualified for his position. That would alleviate the jealousy and competitive issue that I’m fighting in my head. I was angry with myself for thinking things like that.

  I’m in human resources and should be trying to make sure everyone gets along and the policies are adhered to, not try to dissuade things from happening due to the jealousy and competitive issue I’m having.

  The interview was finally over and I showed Ms. Leonard to the lobby. I let her know I would be in touch soon about the position. I scoffed to myself about the word ‘position’ knowing Mr. Williams would surely enjoy that word with her. Then I was even angrier with myself for thinking things like that.

  As I turned to walk back to my office, the smug salesman I was just thinking of came sauntering towards me. His light brown, almost blonde hair had that mussed look to it. It looked as if a woman had just had her hands thrusting through it.

  Where the hell did that thought come from?

  He was wearing dress slacks and a nice blue golf shirt that brought out a darker hue in his blue eyes. He had this smile that told me most women look him over like I was. I took a deep breath and tried to contain my hormone level from spiking. He definitely had that hard male quality that would make most women’s legs quiver.

  “Mr. Williams, can I help you?” I asked as I quickly looked down at the résumé, pretending to read it. I hated the fact that he was so good looking that it actually made my heart skip a beat. Stupid female hormones. I took another deep breath as I continued to glance at the file, determined not to be one of “those” types of females taken by his good looks. I thought about my fiancé, Charles. He’s good looking and women fall at his feet all the time too. The thought made me frown.

  “Hey, Vanessa. I was just wondering if the check was cut for my moving expenses.” He surprised me by asking. I thought for sure he was coming to ask about little Ms. Gorgeous. God, even his deep voice resonates sex.

  I took a deep breath before looking at him to make sure I could sound authoritative and responded, “You’ll have to visit Accounts Payable for that. I’ve submitted the paperwork to them.” I tried to look as annoyed as possible so he would head over there, but decided to add in one more thing — something that would be sure to remind him that I have the upper hand in this office. “And my name is Ms. Hargrave.” That came out slightly bitchier than I had planned, but at this point it was good to set the tone that I have more authority in this office.

  That stupid left eyebrow whipped up just like it had when we first met. It was annoyingly attractive and I decided to stick with the annoying description to make myself not feel anything for him. “Wow, even Perry lets me call him by his first name. I guess I assumed that everyone in this office called each other by their first names. I apologize,” he said dryly, yet it didn’t seem to really convey an apology.

  “Mr. Buchanan lets you call him Perry?” I tried not to sound surprised and pathetic, but I’m sure it came out that way. I cursed myself for even asking that.

  Mr. Williams gave me a questioning look. “Yeah, of course. Everyone here goes by first names. I just met Tanner and Elaina awhile ago and they told me that.”

  I swallowed hard. No one had told me to call them by their first names and all of a sudden I felt like an outsider. I nodded and turned back toward my office, pretending to review the file again. My heart sank because this seemed to be the same type of thing that happened at my last job. I’ve always had trouble making friends and I thought choosing this profession would be an easy way to be the go-to person I always wanted to become. Instead I was feeling like an outsider.

  After returning to my office, I took it upon myself to make a few phone calls to verify references, previous and current employers for Ms. Leonard. Normally, I would have Renee handle this, but I wanted to make these inquiries myself. It wasn’t much of a surprise when I finally dragged out of Mr. Eddie Markum that she is in the ‘entertainment’ business. A stripper. Well, I must say she tried to hide that pretty well. Her college or previous internship must have assisted her with her résumé. I would have never known had I not interrogated Mr. Markum.

  I sent a quick text to Charles, my fiancé, asking if he would like to have lunch today. Although I had known him through my parent’s country club, we didn’t really date until my last year of college and have been together ever since. Charles finally asked me to marry him several months ago. We still haven’t set a date since we both keep hectic schedules.

  Well, his more so than mine. He is extremely busy since he is currently doing his residency in the emergency room. Charles is going to be the best cardiac surgeon in the country and will join my father’s practice after his residency. I’m very proud of him, as are my parents. They absolutely adore Charles.

  I received a text back saying he would have only about twenty minutes to grab a quick bite and to meet him at the café, just down the street from the hospital where he works. I normally don’t mind driving the fifteen minutes to get there just to see him. The traffic I encountered today tells a different story and I tried my best to keep calm as I maneuvered my car through it.

  I finally arrived five minutes late, but glad I would be able to see Charles. Sometimes there are weeks we don’t get to see each other because of his hectic schedule. I walked in and spotted his chestnut wavy hair and dazzling smile. He was already eating lunch… next to Amanda. Amanda, the amazingly skinny doctor who is also doing her residency with Charles.

  Amanda is sort of a hot button in our relationship. She started the same time as Charles and he spoke very highly of her. A lot. So much that jealousy got the better of me and I started several fights about how he works with her all the time and eats with her all the time. I continually felt foolish as he reminded me that they have a lot in common and so much to talk about since they are both interns and both have their specialty in the same field. Charles made sure to try to tell me that just because they are together all the time doesn’t mean anything beyond a professional relationship.

  He also tries to tell me that he prefers my curvy womanly body instead of her stick thin boyish body. Being a woman, that didn’t really make me feel any better since I know she doesn’t have to work out to fit into cute clothes, whereas I feel like I gain ten pounds, just by looking at ice cream. />
  I took a deep breath and smiled in an attempt to fight my jealous thoughts and at least appear confident. I walked over and gave him a kiss and said a friendly hello to Amanda before going up to the counter to order my sandwich. I came back to the table and sat as close as I could next to Charles. They had already ordered their food and were eating. Side by side. My stomach dropped with that dreaded jealous feeling. I pushed it aside, not wanting another fight with Charles about this.

  I smiled pleasantly at her. “How are things going, Amanda?” I asked as politely as possible.

  “Great, they are going great. How are things in the human resources field?” I wasn’t sure if my mind was trying to pick up anything annoying or if her tone in that question really did have a sarcastic undertone to it.

  “Great. Very good, thank you.” I found myself at a loss for words as I tried not to stare at her dark brown hair, which was pulled back haphazardly into a ponytail today. Normally, she looks more put together and I straightened my posture feeling a little better about myself that my hair looked perfect today.

  I started to twirl my engagement ring around my finger. I have a tendency to do that when I’m feeling inadequate or nervous. I used to do it with the ring my grandmother had given me on my right hand, but now that I have a huge engagement ring, my fingers found that ring more appealing to twirl. Charles sweetly covered his hand over mine, knowing my habit. I smiled over to him.

  “So, when is the date? Did you two set the wedding date yet?” Amanda asked as she took a bite of her salad. Her very healthy salad. Suddenly I cursed myself for ordering a sandwich. The Reuben sandwich looked so yummy when I ordered it, but all of a sudden I realized how fattening it would be. I was glad it hadn’t arrived yet.

  I looked over to Charles and smiled. “We still haven’t set the date. His schedule is so difficult with his residency, we might just wait until after.”

  Amanda nodded and continued to chew her bite. She swallowed and then quipped, “Well, you know what they say – don’t wait too long or you just won’t do it at all.” The smile I had on my face dropped quickly and Charles gave my hand another reassuring squeeze.

  I leaned forward, unsure of why she said that, “Who says that?” And then I realized I sounded desperate so I added with a small smile, “I mean, who are ‘they’?” I gave a fake chuckle, but really inside I was beginning to wonder what she was trying to insinuate. Not to mention, I noticed the quick eye glance between Charles and Amanda as she said that. Just then, my sandwich was brought over by the waitress.

  “Honey, you shouldn’t have ordered that. It always upsets your stomach. Remember the last time you ordered that?” He rolled his eyes and then glanced towards Amanda while he whispered, “She was in the bathroom most of the evening.” I glanced down at my engagement ring and started to twirl it. Now I really felt stupid for ordering the Reuben.

  I gave a weak smile, not looking up and meekly admitted, “Uhh, that’s right. I forgot. It just looked so good on the menu.”

  Charles gave me a small touch on my arm and then wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Well, I’m so sorry lunch was so short, but we have to get back already. Gotta make rounds,” He said as he stood up and kissed my forehead. Amanda stood up also and gave me a small smile.

  “It was great to see you again. Enjoy your Reuben.” She seemed to say it in a nice way, but I’m certain she didn’t mean it as such. All I could do was nod as I watched the two of them walk out of the café. As I sat there by myself. With my Reuben sandwich.

  My phone rang and I hoped it was my roommate and best friend, Aubrey. It wasn’t. It was Mom. My day just keeps getting better, I thought to myself as I answered, faking a cheerful voice, “Hi, Mom.”

  “Hello, Vanessa.” She greeted me with her condescending tone. “I was hoping you and Charles could meet at the club Sunday night for dinner. We are hoping to pin you both down on a date for the wedding.”

  “Mom, I already told you that we’re probably going to wait until after his residency. He’s much too busy right now.” I glanced down at my Reuben and my mouth watered instantly. I decided to take a small bite, making sure to chew quietly.

  Food always comforted me and right now, talking to my mom, I needed comfort food. Not to mention seeing Charles walk out with Amanda and being so happy to get back to work with her also added to my “need.”

  “That’s nonsense. Your father and I were married during his residency. Although we didn’t have a honeymoon until after, we still managed just fine.” My mom retorted, dismissive of my response.

  My father is a surgeon and she wanted me to marry a doctor or lawyer immediately after college. I completely embarrassed her at their country club by pursuing an HR career. I was told it was “beneath” them. She was in seventh heaven when Charles proposed to me. Dad was thrilled because he had watched Charles through his medical schooling and cannot wait to add him to their practice.

  “Yes, but you two didn’t have the huge wedding you’re planning for Charles and me,” I countered as I picked a small piece of crust off my sandwich and popped it in my mouth.

  “Well then, just let me do all the planning like I wanted to.” I shook my head as if she could see me through the phone.

  “No, no, Mom, I want to plan my own wedding.” I was going to try to dig my heels in on this matter for as long as possible.

  “You don’t know the first thing about planning a wedding, much less the guest list that needs to be compiled. I sent over my first draft of who needs to attend and you still haven’t responded.”

  “I didn’t respond because your list is over two hundred guests. That’s not even including Charles’ family or my guest list for that matter.” Not that I had a huge guest list, but I still needed to get my point across. I wanted a small wedding. It seemed that everyone else, including Charles’ family, wanted a huge one. His mother was constantly trying to plan the wedding as well. I was actually a little glad we were putting it off until after his residency, which might be another two years.

  “Regardless of the time frame, I still want to go ahead and book the venue. There is a waiting list, but if we plan ahead I’m sure we can get the country club on the perfect date.” I rolled my eyes because I cannot stand their country club. All their friends and acquaintances were always looking down at me because I wanted to pursue a career instead of getting married. When Charles proposed, I was actually “spoken” to again without the evil glances. The fact that we’re not married yet, still garners those glances. I was glad Charles was becoming a doctor so I could say I at least married someone with a more prestigious profession.

  I decided I needed to get off the phone with her before I said something I would probably regret. “Mom, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize the time. I really need to get back to the office. There’s so much traffic today.” I was glad she accepted that and I was able to hang up the phone without getting into any type of argument. No one in my family was happy that I have a career. I still don’t understand how I had the courage to go after a profession. My entire life, marrying either a doctor or lawyer was drilled into my head.

  I asked the waitress wrap up my Reuben so I could eat it back at the office. Sitting in the café by myself was too depressing anyway. At least at the office I could close my door and stuff my face while vacillating about my overbearing mom and my fiancé and his very pretty co-worker.

  I was pleased to finally be able to park in my own reserved parking space. I returned to my desk and closed the door, relieved to be alone with my own miserable thoughts. I unwrapped my sandwich and took a drink from my diet soda, needing some caffeine to get me through the rest of the day.

  I reviewed my schedule and the action items I needed to complete. I thought about calling Ms. Leonard to inform her that she would not be employed by our company. That might give me a little bit of satisfaction. Maybe my day would pick up after I make that call.

  I took a huge bite of my sandwich as I thought about Charles and Amanda. Annoyi
ngly, they actually made a very cute couple, I thought to myself as I tried to chew on the enormous bite I had taken. That bite took ‘stuffing my mouth’ to a whole new level as the dressing dripped down my chin. I held the sandwich, debating on going ahead and stuffing my mouth further or wiping the dressing that dripped down my chin, when my office door flew open. I dropped my sandwich and tried to chew faster as I grabbed a napkin and looked up to see who stormed into my office.

  Mr. Williams. Jerk. His expression of smug surprise and delight from seeing me in such a gluttonous state made my blood boil. And all I could do was try to chew the rest of my food as I wiped my mouth.

  His crude smirk showed exactly what he was thinking. “Now that’s what I call a sandwich. That looks really good, Ms. Hargrave. Is that a Reuben?” He actually seemed a little too delighted in my choice of sandwiches. Unfortunately, all I could do was nod as I continued to try to chew and swallow the huge amount of food in my mouth. I cursed myself for taking such a huge bite.

  He motioned to the corner of his mouth with his index finger, letting me know that I had not fully wiped away the dressing from my mouth. “I love Reubens, but I can’t eat them that often.” He leaned in and lowered his voice, “Gives me the runs.” He scrunched up his face as he said that, which reminded me of what Charles said earlier and just intensified how annoying Mr. Williams is to me.

  I finally swallowed the last of the food I had in my mouth and asked, “Is there a reason you came barging into my office without knocking, Mr. Williams?”

  “Yeah, actually, I wanted to see if you hired anyone yet as my admin.” Then he gave me a cool smile. God, I hate that he’s so good looking. My heart actually skipped a beat, which angered me even more that my own body reacted to him.