Page 6 of Irresistible Temptation
I stepped onto the elevator and pressed the button, leaning back against the gold railing and taking a deep breath. I didn’t know why I felt so nervous. Maybe it was this insanely luxurious building that I felt like I had no right to be in after working at the tiny start-up nonprofits I had grown used to. Maybe it was because I didn’t feel like I was qualified enough to be here. Maybe it was because it felt like everyone had seen this morning’s video, including maybe that custodian downstairs. The thought made me squirm in my skirt suit, my fingers gripping the railing tightly as I closed my eyes just as tight.
“You’ve got this,” I whispered to myself just before the doors dinged and slid open. I stepped out onto the floor, and to no surprise, found it empty. The cubicles were unoccupied and the office doors lining the walls were closed, shades drawn. I followed the custodian’s directions and found the large accounting office with three desks spaced out inside. I settled in at one of them, unsure whether it was mine, but by the empty look of it, I assumed it was.
I set my purse down and eased into the leather chair, giving it a spin before turning on the large computer that sat on the light wood surface. I was met with a login screen. I tried logging in with a combination of my first and last name and initials, but had no luck. I knew there would be some sort of orientation today, but for now, I supposed I would just have to wait for the rest of the office and my new boss.
I was just about to pull out my phone to mindlessly scroll, hoping I wouldn’t see any screenshots or videos of myself on the explore page, when there was a loud knock at the door. Startled, I dropped my phone back in my purse and quickly looked to the door to see who else was crazy enough to be here this early. I didn’t have a chance to say “come in” before the door swung open as if the knock was merely a sound and not a request for an invitation.
I jerked my head back at this hasty intruder, only to be met with a full head of sandy brown hair and chocolate brown eyes set above a mouth pressed into a thin line, not quite a smile and not quite a frown. I suddenly had the urge to see what a smile would look like across those lips, and practically had to tear my eyes away from the handsome stranger’s mouth when he cleared his throat. He stood in the doorway, his arms crossed in an impeccably well-fitted suit. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t place where I had seen him before.
“H-hello,” I said, internally cursing myself for my nervousness as I waited for him to say something.
“Are you Juliet?” he asked, his voice firm as his eyes studied my face.
I suddenly felt self-conscious under his gaze, as if he was trying to put something together in his mind. I didn’t know what.
“Yes. I’m Juliet,” I said, standing up from my desk chair and walking toward him. He took two long strides toward me, closing the distance between us with ease, and held out his hand. I took it and shook it, trying to match his firm grip. This had to be Mike, my new boss at accounting, though he had yet to introduce himself in his abrupt entrance.
As he let go of my hand, I found myself wanting to continue to hold it, feeling the callouses of his palm against my skin. He looked down at me, a good head and a half taller than me, his eyes curious and roving over my face before landing on my lips. I shifted in my black patent leather shoes, my insides squirming under his gaze. This guy was my boss and here I was feeling flustered by how stupidly gorgeous he was. I didn’t expect him to be so young. Or so tall. Or so kissable.
I cleared my throat nervously and took a step backward, desperate to grow the space between us and catch my breath. I turned and walked back toward my desk, pretending to be busy with the computer that I still hadn’t figured out how to log in to. Without looking at him, though I felt his eyes on me, I pushed my hair over my shoulder as casually as I could.
“I hope it’s all right that I’m here so early. First day, you know? Just wanted to get comfortable in the new space,” I said.
“You seem pretty comfortable already,” he said, his voice low with a hint of amusement.
My eyes shot up to his in question. I wondered what he meant by that and why he said it in that tone. The purr of his voice sent a trill up my spine that I tried to ignore. I swallowed hard.
“So, what kind of software do you have running here?” I asked, changing the subject and looking back at the computer. “I’m having a hard time getting into the system.”
“Oh?” he asked.
“Yes. Unfortunately. I was hoping I could figure it out. Do you happen to have my login credentials?” I asked, looking back up at him and regretting it because now he was smiling and I was losing all train of thought, just like I knew I would. He laughed and ran a hand through his hair, and every strand seemed to fall back into its perfect place. I wondered why he found it so amusing, and raised a curious brow.
“That’s not really my department.”
“Oh,” I said, feeling more confused than ever, as I bit my lip and stared at the login screen teasing me as if to remind me I really shouldn’t be here.
“I would check with IT,” he said easily.
“Oh. Okay. I’m sorry. I thought I read in the email that the head of the department would have my login credentials…” I looked up at him expectantly.
“Yeah, he probably would…” He shrugged and I tried to ignore the broadness of his shoulders as he cocked his head to the side. He eyed me curiously, as if trying to make sense of something. It seemed as if we were both confused now.
“Aren’tyoumy boss?” I asked finally, feeling a tinge of impatience. I didn’t like the feeling of being confused, when I was already uncertain of my place here. And after the morning I had already had. Couldn’t one thing just go smoothly for me?
“I am your boss. But not just you,” he said, an amused understanding reaching his eyes that I was jealous of.
When I didn’t say anything, he continued. “Toeveryone,”he clarified with a nod.
My eyes grew wide as realization hit.
“Oh, my God. You’re Chester Brandfield!” I exclaimed, my voice jumping an octave.
He chuckled easily, and the sound of it trickled over my ears like a jazz song that I wanted to put on repeat. It also made me want to slug him on his perfect shoulders for putting me on like that.
“I am so sorry!” I exclaimed, putting my hand over my mouth as I looked up at him. “I had no idea. I thought you wereMike.”
This was not the sort of conversation I had played out in my head or rehearsed in the shower this morning. I felt like such anidiot. No wonder he had looked familiar. I had seen his photo briefly while skimming through the articles about the nonprofit. I wanted to smack myself upside the head for not realizing it the second he stepped into the office.
