Page 9 of Steel

“You’ve got this, Vi,” Mark assured me.

I squeezed his shoulder before leaving the room and heading to Eric’s office. Once outside his door, I was at the point of passing out. Instead, I threw my head back and knocked with gusto.

“Come in.”

It was now or never to show off my stuff. Another deep breath and I twisted the knob. I found it interesting that as soon as I walked in, Eric checked his watch. I almost barked at him, accusing him of taking bets on whether my team would make it in time.

At least I managed to control my caustic mouth.

This time.

“Did you come to ask for more time?” The certainty in his voice, the arrogance was as irritating as every other aspect regarding the pompous man.

I decided to take a page from my mother’s playbook. The terms ‘kill them with kindness’ or ‘butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth’ were perfect representations of the smile I offered him, complete with a gleam in my eye.

Just as I slapped the folder on his desk, gingerly placing a jump drive smack in the middle afterward. Just for kicks and giggles.

He stared at the offering, perhaps expecting it to blow up in his face. To his credit, he touched the jump drive, moving the small cylinder around in a circle. Then he turned his attention to whatever magazine he was flipping through.

“I’ll look at it in the morning.”

His deep voice resonated with me, but not in a good way. I was widely known for maintaining a professional cool through thick and thin, but right now, I was at the point of losing my shit.

I took a single step closer to his desk, which was all that was needed. As I’d seen him do a hundred times before, I planted my hands on the surface and leaned over, only this time so he couldn’t miss me.

“Unacceptable,Mr. Dannon. You asked for the impossible and my team provided. Not only in the timeframe allotted but early. You will extend us the courtesy of looking over the proposal. Now, won’t you?” There was that butter, slick and hot and tasty.

Only mine was laced with acid and seeing a flick of his eyes, I sensed he knew it.

The shock on his face was delicious and something I would remember for weeks to come.

Perhaps in the unemployment line.

He lifted his gaze, locking eyes with mine, which he held for an entire twenty seconds. I knew that because I counted.

One… two… three…

“Very well,Ms. Livingston.Let me see what you managed to come up with.”

I don’t know if I was expecting a solid no, but when he gave in, a tiny shock prevented me from reacting quickly enough. Which prompted a slight smile to cross his face, but I remained unfettered. Taking a solid step away, I held my arms, even cocking one hip.

He started flipping through the pages then once again lifted his gaze. “You can go back to your office.”

“I don’t have an office. I have space. Wide open space as deemed appropriate by some HR person who deserves to be fired. So I think I’ll wait.”

He was clearly amused. Or maybe impressed. I wasn’t entirely certain. “Very well.”

With a deep breath held in my lungs, I maintained as much professionalism and patience as I had left. I’d tossed out everything and if he didn’t like this campaign, I’d be locked out of my email before I made it back to my desk.

At first, he moved through the proposal as if prepared to laugh. Then he shifted in his seat, taking a little bit more time turning page after page. When he actually slipped the jump drive into his massive Mac computer, I was lightheaded.

Eric was silent as his eyes flickered seeing the artistry Brenda had managed to cook up on such short notice. If this worked, the girl deserved a raise. She had hidden talents.

After another five full minutes, moisture developed on the back of my neck. I would not show fear.

He sat back, running his index finger back and forth across his lips as he stared off into space. Now the utter silence was killing me. But I kept that smile, very proud of myself for being able to do so.

When he jerked forward, clasping his hands together, I was prepared for the lecture. “You know, Violet, very few people in my life ever challenge me. Not my wife. Not my pain in the ass brother-in-law. Not a single employee. But you. I find that…curious. Tell me why you’re so passionate about this particular project.”