Page 5 of Stick to the Plan
Son? Seriously?
I turn back to meet the calculating gleam and slight sneer of the man in front of me. Instantly I know I’m not going to like him. Don’t lose your temper, Colin, keep it professional. I stick my hand out for a firm shake as I introduce myself.
“Colin McLeary, VP Engineering from Innovative Solutions.”
“Richard Stone, Senior Director R&D. Let’s go to my office to discuss this joint venture.”
With that, Richard turns, and walks away. I fall in step beside him as he leads further into the building to a corner office. Two walls of windows back a giant desk with two chairs opposite. A large monitor hangs on the wall by a small table and four chairs. Shutting the door, he gestures to the chair in front of his desk, as he moves around the monstrous piece of furniture to the executive wingback chair behind it.
With effort, I hold in a sigh as I lower myself into the indicated seat. This guy has one hell of an ego and these mind games are tiring. So much for a warm welcome and friendly partnership.
Richard leans on his desk as he blatantly sizes me up over his steepled fingers. “Welcome to C.A.E. We hope you enjoy your time here. Since your visit is open ended - I have arranged for you to stay in the home of one of our staff. I have assigned one of our top project managers to handle this project for you.”
Nodding slowly, I run my tongue over my teeth and take a sharp intake of breath through my nose. There goes my hopes for hot tubs and room service.
If I wasn’t under strict instructions to play nice, I’d make it clear how much of an ass I think he is. Fuck me, I hate political games. I tap my finger on my knee twice before meeting his cold eyes with a firm look of my own.
“Thank you, but I wish to remain close to this project. Innovative Solutions has a keen interest in the success. I do not plan to release control until I am convinced C.A.E. will properly handle it.”
Jaw ticking slightly, Richard quickly covers the movement with a smile that doesn’t meet his eyes. “Of course. We hope to deepen our relationshipwith your company. I have cleared the office next door for you. I will take you on a tour of the facilities, and then you can settle in before your host collects you.” Stone stands abruptly and heads to the door, barring any further discussion.
My watch says it’s now 4:30 PM local time, and I am absolutely exhausted. I sit with my elbows propped on my temporary desk, pinching the bridge of my nose. All morning, Richard led me through the building. Prototype labs. Testing labs. Offices, interactive video-conferencing centers, and a sea of depressing cubicles that left me feeling vaguely claustrophobic.
I’ve shaken more hands than I can remember - the faces and names blurring together. A lunch meeting with the board, and then he dropped me in this office to settle in. No sooner had my butt finally hit a chair than an intern from IT arrived to set me up with a C.A.E. laptop and network credentials. I am finally alone and all I want is to get to wherever they have me staying, have a beer, and go to bed.
A knock on the door pulls me from my reverie. Standing in the doorway is a woman I haven’t yet met. Her hair is palest blond and curls around her shoulders, drawing the eye to a trim figure in a form-fitting white dress. An inviting smile is on her scarlet lips, and smokey makeup highlights her blue eyes that sparkle with interest.
“Mr McLeary, I’m Rachel - Mr. Stone asked me to make sure you have everything you need.” She walks closer with a clear swing of hips on highstrappy heels and boldly looks me up and down. Her smile widens and becomes wolfish as she blatantly eyes me.
I keep my smile polite but stay seated with the desk between us, hoping my message is clear. “Thank you, miss, but I think I’m all set.”
“I’m Mr. Stone’s assistant. If there is anything you need, just let me know.” Rachel leans over the desk, giving me a clear view of her generous cleavage which is held up by some marvel of engineering. “And I do meananything.”
Well that is blunt. I feel a muscle in my jaw spasm. As a red-blooded man, I usually enjoy the attention of a woman, but her frank and unprofessional perusal is making me uncomfortable. And more than a little pissed off. “All the same, I’m sure I’ll be just fine on my own. Good night.” I let the smile drop further, praying she finally gets the message.
She doesn’t.
Pulling out a business card from God knows where, she leans in even further and drops it on my desk. “Here’s my card. In case you change your mind. Sir.”
Her voice lowers to almost a caress, and she looks up at me through her eyelashes on thesir.
Rachel is arguably attractive. All the same, I find myself comparing her to the mystery brunette from this morning. Rachel’s eyes lack the same intensity of blue, her hair lacks the same richness, and she doesn’t captivate me. I never saw the mystery woman on that shite tour. I caught myself looking for her at each stop.
A throat clears at the door, saving me from having to be rude. We both turn towards the newcomer.
As if conjured from my mind, there stands the mystery woman. Her clothes are different now, jeans and a blouse with a long open sweater thing. Her hair is now down and falling to her mid back. She musthave been offsite most of the day and is just now returning to schmooze the new client.
Her eyebrow raises slightly as she stands in the doorway. With a last smile and a murmured goodbye, Rachel struts out of the room, flicking her hair over her shoulder as she passes the other woman.
“We haven’t met. Colin McLeary.”
I rise and walk around the desk, holding my hand out to her. Her palm is warm and smooth in mine, her clasp confident and firm.
Now a similar proposition from this woman would be hard to turn down. I shift slightly to relieve the growing pressure in my pants that thought inspires. Screw professionalism. Something in my gut tells me this would be one line worth crossing.
“Brianna Chance. Welcome to C.A. Engineering. I’ll be the project manager assigned to you.”
Maybe this won’t be as bad as I thought. The woman clearly has a spine, and if she’s half as good as Stone says, this will be easy. “Pleasure. Stone told me I’ll be working with his best. I’m looking forward to it.”
