Riding with the Bad Boy (A Dark Motorcycle Club Romance) (9 page)

W
hen I was finally ready
, I let out a howl of excitement and bounded through the woods. I had approximately four hours before I needed to be back for another meeting, and I was willing to make the most out of it. Nothing like a run in the woods.

M
y mind was more stubborn
than I gave it credit for as it continued to pull me back to Ava. She was like me, I just knew it. Struggling to make something of herself, alone. Like me.

I
’d never connected instantly
with a person like that. And known so much about them. All just from a look.

S
ome people might
of mistaken that for “love at first sight” but I knew better.

I
t was more
like the recognition of similar souls.

S
he was working for me
, but now I had to do the hardest part.

C
onvince
her to get to know me.

A
va

“
D
o I look good
?”

“
I
love it
. Not couture by any means, but for working in an office, I doubt anyone will notice.” Madison was always right there with the kind of compliment that stung. Just a little.

I
swallowed
. All I had was what I could afford, and somehow it didn’t feel like it was going to be enough to impress Mr. Gilmore, or any of the people I was suddenly working for.

“
L
ook
, your job isn’t to be the one talking, right? You’re an assistant. That’s all, so it isn’t like they are going to expect you to be walking around in high quality clothing. You look hot, and professional all at the same time.”

I
nodded
, she was right. I was just being nervous. First day butterflies getting to me.

“
G
et going
, you fucking rock this girl. Look, I’m sorry what I said before. It’s just, it’s been a hard road for me lately, I’ve been pissed at my luck. You, you totally deserve this. You are great.”

S
hit
, Madison had been struggling to find work for a year and half, and I could totally understand her anger, her pessimism. It kept her from really getting mad, and it gave her a reason to fight. I was more than just a name and a checkmark in a box, and she gave me the perspective to fight for that.

“
M
aybe I can put
in a good word for you, D.”

“
P
lease
, Hun, don’t tease me.” She smiles and ushered me out the door and on to my fate.

***

L
uckily
, this time, I didn’t break any heels. Rather than walking into the building with bloody palms, I walked back into it with my head held high and my confidence soaring. It was hard to make it in a man’s world, especially as a strong, independent woman. I was doing just that. And kicking ass.

B
ut as soon as
I entered the building all the confidence I had eroded, replaced with nerves.

W
hat if he
didn’t like me?

W
hy does he want me
?

W
hat if I mess up
?

I
swallowed
my fear and walked up to the front desk secretary. “Hi there, I’m here for my first day of work.”

“
N
ame
?” The woman didn’t even look up at me, talk about intimidating.

“
A
va Jacobs
.”

“
A
ve
?” She kept typing.

T
his wasn’t
the first time she heard the mistake, but Ava fought the urge to roll her eyes.

“
A
va
. With an A at the end.”

S
uddenly the woman looked up
, a flash of something in her eyes.

“
M
s. Jacobs
, you are working with Mr. Gilmore. Here is your keycard. Normally, intake would handle you, but he wants to do this himself. Take it, go to the elevator, swipe it, and it will take you to your floor.”

I
nodded
and she looked back down at her computer, then looked up, like she thought of something. Then closed her mouth. Finally, she opened it.

“
M
s. Jacobs
, be careful. A lot of women here wanted that job, hell, a lot of men wanted it too, and they know he only hires women for it. You are going to have to really watch yourself.” I could tell that she meant the advice in a friendly way, but it was intimidating.

S
hit
, just what I wanted to hear.

S
o I gathered
up all my courage and thanked her, walking for the elevator she motioned to.

T
he one that
went to the executive level.

T
hose steel doors
slid open and I stepped in, along with another woman, one I recognized.

T
he angry looking
one from the interview. Shit.

I
slid
my card and looked at her, and smiled. “Morning.”

S
he just stared on ahead
. So I let it go.

F
inally we made
it to her floor, but not before she turned and looked at me with the coldest eyes I have ever seen. Damn, she was one cold ass businesswoman.

“
L
ook
, I wasn’t in favor of you getting hired. I don’t think you are experienced enough, and I certainly do not think you have the decorum it takes to work at a company like this. Let alone to jet promoted for a job that most people want. So, stay out of my way, don’t talk to me, and we won’t have a problem.”

“
T
hat seems reasonable
, so long as you stay out of my way.”

I
t took all
I had to keep from gong ham right there at her, but instead I just kept my breath and stared on ahead, giving her the same exact treatment she gave me. I could feel the anger heating up my cheeks, but I needed to prove her wrong. That I could work with a sense of decorum.

S
he didn’t know me
; she just assumed I was someone who was weak, or that I was a stereotype, or whatever.

S
he didn’t deserve
my time.

I
gritted
my teeth and didn’t let the woman whose name I couldn’t remember rattle me.

D
amn
. I was always letting someone rattle me, but not this time. This time I let myself stay focuses.

A
t least she
played her cards early.

T
he elevator stopped
, my floor. The executive level. It was then that I realized my palms were sweating and my heart was racing. I was going to meet him. The boss. My boss.

I
bit
my lip and walked through the opening doors, right into a large lobby.

“
M
ay I help you
?” the secretary on the other side of the room asked, a sweet smile on her face. She was beautiful, almost too beautiful. Well, he liked to surround himself with women, after all.

“
I
’m Ava
, I’m new here.”

“
A
h
, yes. We’ve been expecting you. He’s in his office, Ms. Jacobs.”

“
T
hank you
.”

I
nodded
and walked to the doorway, my mouth wide open as I realized exactly who I was looking at.

D
ean
. The man who cleaned me up and talked me into interviewing.

“
W
hat are you doing here
?” The words popped out of my mouth before I realized what I was saying.

“
I
work here
?” he answered, his tone light.

“
Y
ou’re not
,” I paused, “D.T. Gilmore?”

“
D
ean Thomas
, at your service.” He paused then stopped, looking me over. “I’m not a picky man, but I do pay attention to detail, but a lot of my clients do. I’ve noticed you have the ability to pay very close attention to detail, I saw it in your previous work, and your academic career.”

“
Y
es
, sir. I try hard to be meticulous.” It was the truth, but now my nerves were in overdrive, and I couldn’t help but stumble over my words.

H
e was too
damn handsome to be the CEO of the company. I totally expected to be ordered around by a man twice his age with a whole lot less muscle and a whole lot more body fat.

“
G
ood
. Well, I’m going to work it out so that we can slip you right into the swing of things, I think our first order of business is going to get you acquainted with the company. I have a lot that I need done, and I’ve been without an assistant for weeks.”

H
e was so handsome
, it was hard to concentrate on his words.

“
A
fter that we
will get you some new clothing. Yours is nice, but not spectacular, and it really is going to matter. You and I are going to have to get a personal shopper for your wardrobe. This is not going to work. Especially if you are going to be on my right hand all the time.”

“
M
r. Gilmore
.”

“
D
ean
, please.”

“
D
ean
, thank you again, for the ride home.”

“
W
ell
, I stole your shoes, how else were you going to get home?”

I
blushed
. He was right, I was trapped, but it was still very gentlemanly to do.

“
A
nyways
, I am trying to land an account, one with Gambit Textiles, they need new technological components for their growing business, and they’ve asked a few of us to gather the information. I’m entering into the discovery stage of the process, and I could really use your help in sleuthing. Do you think you could put your assistant abilities to the test?”

I
nodded
and got to work immediately. Between the two of us we spent the entire day researching. It seemed like, even though we were doing a good bit of work, every ten minutes we were interrupted and Dean was pulled out for some reason. A meeting, an issue with upper management. Something.

H
e was forever busy
.

“
W
hy are
you doing this yourself, I mean you are the CEO,” I asked finally when I looked at the clock. It was well past seven and I was starting to get ravenous.

“
I
usually don’t
, honestly. But when there are companies like this, the really big ones, I give them that personal experience. It means a lot to them to have me come down and do all of this.”

“
T
hen why did
you involve yourself directly into hiring me?”

“
B
ecause you were special
. I like to scan over applicants resumes, and yours stuck out. So when you came crashing into my building I had to meet you. Get to know you. It wasn’t until then that I was sure I was going to hire you.”

H
eat rushed to my cheeks
, and I blushed. He may not have been able to see it through my complexion, but it was there all right. I was thankful for the camouflage.

“
I
think
we are about done here for tonight,” He looked at his watch and then back up at me. “Damn, it’s late. You want to order dinner in, or would you like me to take you out? My treat, first day and all.” He smiled at me with that damn sexy mouth.

U
gh
. It was making me crazy, just how sexy he was. And how close he was. Working in these quarters meant we got up close and personal throughout the day, and I just wasn’t sure how much of that I could really handle.

“
I
, uh, I should probably go home.” I hesitated.

“
Y
ou sure
? I’ll take you someplace nice. I’d, honestly, love to have the company.” There was something about the sadness in his eyes. The way they were mixed with the darkness. I knew he meant it, and I just couldn’t deny him.