Page 26 of Big Book Boss

I glance back at the building and see Janet standing front and center on the first floor, glaring at me. I slide into the luxurious soft black leather and marvel at the way it wraps around me. There is a center console between us, but the only identifying mark is on the steering wheel. An E is flipped to butt up against a B. Totally perplexed, I ask Bastian when he gets in. "This car is stunningly beautiful! What kind is it?"

He grins, "It's a Bugatti Veyron."

I take my company phone out of my bra and goggle it as he pulls into traffic. "DAMN!" I look at him. "It costs $3,000,000, and does 268 miles per hour? Have you pegged her out?"

He blinks his eyes, then chuckles, "It does, and of course, I havepeggedher out." He cuts his eyes at me, and my choice of words struck a sexual innuendo.

"Can we?"

He glances at me, "Peg her out? Certainly."

Our eyes lock for a split second before he looks back at the traffic, and my heart does a flip-flop.

I stare at his profile, enjoying the way the thick long hair on top of his head holds its place due to the natural body of each strand. His chiseled jawline has a heavy stubble of beard. He hasn't shaved in days. His nose is straight but not prominent. His eyes are focused and intense.

I look away, not wanting to feel what I'm feeling for him. Being this close again is having an effect on my erogenous zones.

He asks, "Elaborate on Janet being the worse kind of bully."

He looks at me again, and our connection is clearly not going to be strictly professional. Neither of us can deny the chemistry. The best I can hope for is a working relationship based on mutual respect and built on friendship. The worst will be if I can't resist him.

"I'm right, aren't I?" I challenge him.

We stop at a traffic light, and he turns in the seat to look me in the eye. "What made you surmise that? She's fooled everyone into believing she's the creme de la creme of Precious Kitty Publishing."

"Everyone but you."

He nods.

I hold my company phone. "There's a wealth of information on here. Everything I need to take over as your personal assistant without a hitch. So, once I scanned your calendar and contacts, I read Chad's text messages with Janet. They were disrespectful to you, and while I understand there is always some discord between a C.E.O. of a business and his or her underlings, theirs wasn't strictly about business. It was childish and vicious. She was playing Chad for information, then belittling him when he didn't do her bidding."

I pause and let that sink in. Then I continue, "Bastian, I'myourP. A. I work directly for you. You and your business are myonlyconcern. I will represent your truth on your behalf on any issue to whomever I come in contact with, whether or not it's business or personal."

He makes a turn around a corner, sees an empty spot, then pulls in. He shuts the car off, then turns to face me again. But before he speaks, I wrap up my duties as I see them to him. Staring into stone-cold eyes, I continue, "If you want to know my opinion, I will be honest with you. I will never stab you in the back. I am a professional.Myfeelings are irrelevant. But I'm your personal assistant. I understand wanting a liaison between you and your officers, but I know nothing about business."

His eyes bore into mine. "I'm glad you answered the ad."

I smirk, "You should be. It was jacked up! The ad you ran for Chad's replacement was modified by Janet. I know this because of the text between them. I'm sure he intended to delete them but didn't have time, the way my hiring unfolded."

"What did she add?"

"That you were mean and aggressive. She called you a dick. And it said to apply ONLY, in all caps, if you're tough-as-nails with THICK, all caps again, skin."

He looks out the windshield, and his eyes get steely cold. Then he looks back at me with a confused expression, "Why did you apply?"

"Because I need a job. You had me at 'superlative salary with substantial signing bonus.' The rest of it was noise."

He smiles, "What was your response?"

I laugh, "My name is Sam Mathieson. I'm not afraid of a Boss who's a dick or the boss's dick. I eat nails for breakfast and wear Kevlar under my suit. I’m OCD. Organization is my bitch! Immediate opening? I can start in ten minutes. Put up or shut up."

He closes his eyes, shakes his head, then throws his head back and dies laughing. "And Chad answered how?"

"Penthouse floor. You have nine minutes and counting…. Which is surprising after reading their texts because Janet was paying not to find someone. She had Barbie ready to take his place."

He frowns, "I told Chad fifteen minutes before you showed up that if he didn't find a replacement by the end of the day, he would lose his severance package."

He cranks the car, backs out, then resumes heading to Michael's Pizzeria. "I'm really glad you answered the ad."

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