5 Nights (Sinful Delights Romance - Boxed Set) (93 page)

“I don’t know how to say this nicely but I wouldn’t feel right taking money from you.” I hoped I was explaining this right. 

“So if you won’t take money, what about a position in my company?”  Was he gritting his teeth?  I understood
he wanted to fulfill Lenny’s promises but what I didn’t get was why he seemed so infuriated about it.  I was offering him a way out.

“Um, I’ve only worked at the coffee shop.  I’m sure I don’t have the experience to work for you.” I knew that Lenny was involved with something that bought and sold companies.  I really didn’t understand how that worked.

“We have positions that you can train in while you work.  Of course you’d be making a better salary than the one you currently have.  If you won’t let me pay for your education, the ‘least’ I can do is offer you a chance to obtain your goals faster.”

I didn’t know what to say.  A job making more money would help me out and if he was willing to let me start at the bottom should I refuse?  The man didn’t seem like he knew how to take no for answer. “I guess that would be okay.”  He seemed determined to do something and this wasn’t really a handout, was it?  I mean I would be working.

I watched as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet.  He offered me a business card.  “I’m sure we can make this situation work out for both of us.” 

Taking the card, I slid it into the pocket on my uniform shirt.  “Are you sure this is something you want to do?  You really don’t know enough about me to offer a job.”

“Trust me Miss Burns, this will be beneficial for both of us.”  The smirk on his face confused me.  “Come to my office Monday morning at eight and we’ll take care of all the paperwork.”

“I’ll need to give the coffee shop notice.” I hoped this wasn’t a bad idea.  Making more money would help me out, but working for a man not knowing what was involved with the job description was daunting.

“Understandable.  I believe your shop opens at ten, so you should still be able to get the paperwork started Monday?”

“Um.  Okay.”  I looked down at the card again and noted the address for the company was downtown.  I had Monday off so the time wasn’t a problem.  “I guess we can talk about everything then.”  He’d relaxed and I got the feeling he was the type of man accustomed to getting what he wanted.

He rolled down the driver’s window and gave instructions to return to the mall.  We didn’t speak on the way back and the entire ride left me feeling very uncomfortable.  I thanked him as we pulled back in the parking lot.  With a brief nod of his head, he pulled away and left me walking towards the bus stop.

Chapter two

Determined

The house was being sold.  I don’t know why I was shocked.   My mother seemed determined to ruin my life.  Not a phone call or even a letter from her, instead I get a call from the bank telling me I have less than a month to vacate the premises.  How could life get much worse?

Two thousand dollars is what I had saved up to start college next year.  Now that money would be used on a new apartment.  I had no credit line yet so getting a decent place to rent wasn’t going to be easy.  Shaking my head I thought about the wedding invitation I’d received in the mail. Amazing how she could send out an invite for that but not a warning I was about to be out in the streets.

For her it was all about appearances.  She was moving on to husband number five.  While she would enjoy her new life and all the perks that came with it until she bankrupted the new man, I was once again left to deal
with what she left behind.  It wasn’t like I was a stranger to any of this.  I’d been nothing but an afterthought after she destroyed my father, the first man she’d married.

Fighting back tears, I refused to cry over her treachery again instead I took a deep breath.  All I wanted was to put her and the insane past behind me for good.  If only every time I attempted to do that my feet weren’t kicked out from under me I might have a shot at normalcy.

Positives.  That’s what I kept telling myself to look toward.  I was going to work with Ross Industries.  After the offer I’d researched the company and was amazed at the legacy Lenny had left behind.  A fortune 500 company worth billions.  Obviously the driver Mr. Ross employed was not working for a rental company.

I hadn’t heard from him since I visited the human resources department for his company last week.   I’d finished all the necessary paperwork and pre-employment screenings that day and worried the entire time that I was in over my head.  The building was huge and if it hadn’t been for the personal escort by one of the staff I’d have easily gotten lost. 

Discovering I would be working as his personal assistant almost made me reconsider taking the job.  I couldn’t imagine working in that building at all much less in a position that I assumed was sought after.  I was a server at a coffee shop, and felt I didn’t have the experience that working for him required.

If I wanted a way out from the mess my life was becoming, his offer was the best chance I could get.  The salary listed on my paperwork was mind blowing.  Three
times the minimum wage I was earning at the coffee shop.  It didn’t matter that I had no idea how to be a personal assistant, for the wages he was paying I’d learn.

I was meeting him today to go over my duties and then I’d start looking for a new place to live.  I could only pray this would be the positive change I needed to get my life headed in the right direction.  Staring back at my reflection in the mirror, I hoped the church dress I was wearing was appropriate for the position.

Refusing to allow my mind to dwell on the negatives, I pulled my shoulders back and stood up to my full five foot four inch height.  Giving my reflection a pep talk for confidence, I smoothed a stray curl away from my face and secured the wayward blonde strands back into a clip.

I wasn’t big on makeup but I needed to look mature enough to play the role of Taylor Ross’s personal assistant.  Without the cover up I looked like a girl still in high school.  Refreshing the bright red lipstick I thought the dark hues made me appear older.   Fighting back
a wave of nerves I quickly turned away from my image and retrieved my purse.  I was going to make this work. 

I’d almost convinced myself of that on the bus ride downtown.  Chicago was insanely busy during rush hour and the crowd surrounding me forced me to focus on them instead of my own feelings of inadequacy.  The confidence lasted until I was waiting in his office for him to finish a phone conversation.

Everything about the man bespoke power.  Not just the physical kind, even though his towering presence definitely was proof of that.  It was more about the way he demanded things instead of asked for them.  Such confidence was overwhelming to witness and I could only hope someday I had that ability. 

The entire time he talked on the phone I reminded myself that he was my lifeline at the moment.  I’d given up my job at the coffee shop and if this didn’t work out I was screwed.  Wanting to please him wasn’t just a passing thought, it was a necessity.  I didn’t feel qualified to be here but I was going to do my best to not disappoint.

“Forgive me for the interruption.”  He hung up the receiver and sat back in his imposing office chair, his arms crossing over his wide chest. 

Not a hair was out of place, and I self-consciously lifted a hand to my own to make sure a curl hadn’t slipped loose.  I started second guessing everything about my appearance because he was just so perfect that I felt inferior.

His eyes were filled with some unfathomable emotion as he looked into mine and I wished I knew what he was thinking.  He continued to stare and I fidgeted nervously in my chair.  “So.  Um. We were going to discuss my duties?” 

A small smirk appeared on his face and he gave a brief nod of his head.  “Whatever shall I do with you, Miss Burns?” He leaned forward in his chair and large hands splayed over the desk.  “For now I will just have you at my beck at call.  If I need something I’ll explain it and if you have a problem you’ll let me know.”

His words confused me.  I wasn’t sure how to do a job that didn’t have guidelines.  “So I just sit here with you until you tell me what you need?” The idea of staring at him all day wasn’t a horrible one, but he was paying me a huge salary to do nothing?

“As intriguing as that idea is I’m sure you’d find it tedious.  For now we’ll start with getting you a wardrobe that is more befitting your position.  I’ll have my secretary give you an expense account and then we’ll discuss my travel agenda for the next month.”

I felt insecure when he commented on my appearance and hoped the embarrassment didn’t show on my face.  “So scheduling your travels will be part of my job?”  I wasn’t about to mention the clothing.  I had no idea how to dress or what he expected.

“I think we can begin there but you’ll be accompanying me on any trips I take.”  He rested his elbow on the table and placed a finger to his lips, seeming to contemplate.  “On second thought I believe I’ll take a personal interest in your wardrobe.”  He pushed a button on his intercom system and told his secretary to clear his schedule for the day.

I was floored.  He was taking me shopping?  I obviously didn’t know how to dress like a corporate executive but the thought of spending time alone with Mr. Ross as he made such intimate decisions?  That was nerve wracking.  “I’m sure you have much better things to do.”

“Your appearance will be a direct reflection on my company, so I am making this a priority.”  He stood and allowed his gaze to roam over me again. 

I bit my lip, stood up and wished the man didn’t make me feel so nervous.  Granted the dress I was wearing was two years old and came from a bargain store, but the idea of him taking a personal interest seemed a little, well too personal.  “If you’ll tell me where you shop I’m sure I can take care of this on my own.”

“Until you know more about what you’ll do here at Ross Industries, I’m afraid you can’t understand what is expected of you as an employee.  Most of the companies we take over don’t happen in a board room.  Social functions prove a much better venue in discovering the true nature of an owners’ interests.”

He expected me to help him social functions? Unless you counted a party on the local college campus, I had no experience in this area.    “What exactly does your personal assistant do at these functions?” 

“You’re a beautiful young woman and attending these events with me will distract my contacts from my true motives.”  He shrugged his shoulder and I fought not to allow my mouth to hang open.

I don’t know what I expected him say but I was floored by his response.  “So basically you think I’d be eye-candy?” The fact that he thought I was pretty enough shouldn’t have given me the thrill it did.  I should be mortified by what he was proposing. 

“I’m glad you understand reality Miss Burns.” The smirk on his face was condescending.  “With you by my side I will be given an edge and I’ll reward you nicely for any contracts acquired.”

Part of me wanted to throw his job back in his face, but the realistic side knew that I needed this job.  I could probably get the job back at the coffee house but I’d never earn the money I needed making minimum wage. I was going to work for him, but only if my terms were met.

“I’ll agree to this as long as you understand that it’s only for show.  When we leave these events, you and I are still employee and boss.”  I was stunned that he would hire someone for this position and also offended.  Offended didn’t pay my bills though.

“I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression but this is all business.  Rest assured your charms,” he paused for a moment to glance over me again, “while perfect for what I have in mind, will only be required for the job.”

My face heated at his comment and I understood perfectly.  I would do for the illusion he wanted to give for his clients, but he had no personal interest in me.  I told myself I was glad he didn’t find me attractive in that way.  “As long as we’re clear.” 

“Perfectly.  Now let’s go turn you into a woman that will turn heads when she enters the room.”  He motioned with his hand toward the door and I didn’t waste time in making my way to it.

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