Page 30 of Irresistible Temptation
“But I’m an accountant…” I said slowly, trying to process.
“I’m just doing as I’m told. Please understand that,” said Mike with a small shrug. “Now, as Mr. Brandfield’s personal assistant,you will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including some personal accounting. You’ll still get to use that number brain of yours.” Mike tapped his head before continuing. “From what Mr. Brandfield insinuated to me, it will also come with a hefty pay raise.”
I raised my brows slightly. I thought the pay raise I received from getting hired here was big. I couldn’t imagine it getting any better, but apparently it could. I had to take the job. It didn’t seem like I had much of a choice anyway. Maybe it was just temporary, I told myself.
“Okay,” I said with a single nod. “When do I start?”
“Today. Now actually.”
I sucked in a breath. I hadn’t really expected to see Chester after last night, let alone go work for him in such close proximity. I wondered if he was upset that I had snuck out of his place this morning without a word or a note. Even worse, I wondered if he even cared. He did say he knew a thing or two about “casual sex.” That’s all it was, right? The nerves in my stomach erupted like butterflies as my mind tested out different scenarios.
“Miss Martin…” said Mike hesitantly as he looked at me, probably wondering what I was still doing in his office.
“Sorry. Yes. I’ll head up there now.”
“Thank you.” He nodded, gesturing to the door behind me.
I quickly stood and walked across the hall toward the accounting offices where it seemed everyone was waiting to hear what happened, by the way they all looked at me expectantly. Some even perched on their desks, including Sarah.
“What happened?” she asked, pulling me toward her as I passed her desk.
“I’m getting transferred upstairs,” I said, keeping my voice low.
“What? Why?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. You’re looking at Mr. Brandfield’s new personal assistant.” I shrugged.
“He can’t get enough of you, can he?” whispered Sarah with a playful nudge.
“Shhh,” I said, knowing how many eyes were on us. It seemed no one heard, though.
“I’m going to miss you,” she said forlornly. “I’ve only known you for a day, but I really will.”
I laughed. “We can still do lunch and hang out outside of this place.”
She nodded eagerly. “Please.”
I did feel sad to be leaving Sarah and this job that I had only had for twenty-four hours. I packed up what few things I had into a small cardboard box from recycling, and logged out of my computer. I gave everyone a little wave. I wasn’t sad to leave Mia behind. As I walked out the door, I heard her sneer, “Maybe if I showed my kitty on the internet, I would get promoted too.” I ignored her and continued walking.
My nerves grew with each step and each floor as the elevator rose. Finally, the gold doors slid open to the executive floor and I stepped out. I was surprised to see it mostly empty, save for a few people who mostly seemed to be stress typing and unbothered by my presence. I clutched the small box in my hands and looked for where Chester’s office might be. It wasn’t hard to miss. It was the largest office on the floor and the only one with the door closed. I strode toward it, taking a deep breath as I read the nameChester Brandfieldon the gold plate on the wall just outside the door.
It felt like I was about to plummet down a rollercoaster as I rapped my knuckles against the door.
“Come in,” he said, his voice muffled through the closed door.
I opened the door and peeked my head inside, keeping the rest of my body awkwardly outside, as if I were afraid to get too close.
“Hi,” I said with a small wave, instantly regretting my casualness.
“Good morning. Please come in.Allthe way in.” He waved me in the rest of the way.
I stepped inside the large office and was struck by the floor-to-ceiling windows with one of the best views I had seen of Manhattan. Second to Chester’s penthouse apartment. His office was decorated similar to his apartment, with mid-century modern pieces and a deep color palette.
“Please, sit,” he said, gesturing to the wingback chair across from his large desk. There was a look in his eye that I couldn’t quite read. Was this entertaining for him? He did like to see me squirm.
I sat across from him, setting the small box of my items on the floor beside me.
“S-so, Mike says you need a personal assistant…” I said, straightening the front of my blazer. “I’ve never really done anything like that.”
