Page 14 of Dante
She had been there a week when it happened.
The morning had been crazy as usual and by the afternoon, she was swamped with returning emails, and fielding calls for her boss. She had become accustomed to him calling her into the office and shooting off some emails or dictating letters or handing him reports from a meeting. He was demanding and brusque, but she did not mind one bit. They had gotten into a kind of routine that suited her.
Devon had taken to swinging by the office to bring a sandwich or just to have a conversation. But only when the 'field was clear'.
She was in the middle of finishing up a report when she glided in. And that was the most appropriate term she could think of. The woman came walking in, the swirl of flowery perfume and sex appeal following in her wake. Courtney recognized her instantly. Magda Deloitte's face was splashed across enough magazines for her to be anonymous.
Courtney could not help the twinge of envy as she glanced at the woman's obvious beauty and the ease at which she wore the stunning designer dress and shoes. Her thick dark hair was a waterfall down her back, and she was fully made up. A cashmere wrap was draped over her left shoulder.
Courtney started to offer a polite smile, when the woman gave her a slightly puzzled and disapproving look. "Where's Mrs. Carstairs?" She demanded, husky bedroom voice unpleasant. That did it.
"May I help you?" Her coolly professional voice did not sit well with a woman who was used to getting a lot of attention.
"I'm here to see Dante."
"Do you have an appointment, Ms.--" Deliberately, Courtney glanced down at the schedule she had in front of her.
"It's Magda and I do not need one. Where's Ms. Carstairs?" The tone was cold and superior, the woman's stance militant.
"Ms. Carstairs is no longer here. And you do need an appointment."
"Now look here--"
"Mr. Livingston is currently pressed for time. If you would care to leave a message--"
"You--"
Courtney had no idea what would have happened if the man in question had not come striding out as if he had heard the commotion.
"Darling!" It was fascinating to see the woman's expression change from one of fury to sexy and inviting in the space of a few seconds. She really was a very good actress, Courtney mused.
"I was in the neighborhood and this, this--" She waved a beringed hand in Courtney's direction as she placed the other on his chest intimately. "Your secretary--"
"Admin."
The couple turned to look at her and the woman blinked. "Excuse me?"
Looking up from the notes she was making on a document, Courtney offered a polite smile. "I was just correcting you. We're no longer called secretaries, but admin assistants." Turning to the silent Dante, she continued. "I was explaining to Ms. Deloitte that since she does not have an appointment, she could not be admitted. One of those pesky little rules."
Dante stared at her for a moment and had to bite down the urge to grin. He also realized that his admiration for her had gone up another notch. She had spunk and was decidedly fearless. Knowing it would not do for Magda to see his humor, he nodded briskly.
"I have a few minutes. Please hold my calls."
"Of course."
Courtney returned the woman's baleful glance with a mild one and went back to her work.
"You should fire her." Magda hissed as soon as he closed the doors.
"Why?" Pecking her on the cheek, he released her and went behind his desk. "She's only doing what she's paid to do."
"She was being a bitch." Magda was so furious, she could barely contain herself. "And why didn't you tell me you had changed assistants?"
He glanced up at her, his expression coolly amused. "Why would I tell you any such thing?"
Tamping down the hurt and the insecurity she was feeling, Magda glided towards the desk and sat on the edge of it, one shapely leg swinging. "Darling, she was completely rude."
"She was merely doing her job." He sat and turned the chair to avoid bumping legs with her. "You cannot just pop up when you feel like it. I happen to be a very busy man. In another few minutes you would have missed me."
