Page 36 of One Taste
A skinny man with short, jet-black hair and two awkwardly shaped eyes stands in front of me with file folders in his hands.This definitely can’t be Sebastian Brooks.
“Hello.”
“And you are?”
“Devin Miller.” I stick my hand out to shake his, but he rejects my offer by turning toward the side.
“Devin Miller,” he grumbles under his breath. “What can I help you with Devin Miller? Are you lost?”
Wow. Dick.
I don’t say that aloud though. Instead, I take a deep breath and square my shoulders. “I’m not lost.” I use the same tone he spoke in. “I’m heading to Mr. Brooks’ office.”
He scoffs under his breath as he looks me up and down in a filthy manner that makes my skin crawl. “It’s a little early, isn’t it? Is he expecting you?”
I stare blankly. “Of course he is.”
His eyes roll as if my presence annoys him. I can already tell this guy and I will have problems. “I’m sure they all think that, but this is a place of business. How did you even get access to the elevators?”
Holding up my employee ID, I give him a smirk, realizing he must think I’m a groupie of his boss showing up looking for something more. “Well, Iaman employee.”
His eyes narrow. “Since when?”
“Today.” I try to keep my voice even and not yell at this asshole. “I’m the new interim CEO.”
The man’s beady eyes bug out of his head and his voice drips with disdain. "You’re the new CEO? No way. How old are you?”
“Excuse me?” My tone comes off a tad harsh. “You never ask a woman her age.”
The dick scoffs at me again before walking away, muttering to himself about this being bullshit. I have to figure out who he is and deal with his lack of respect for his boss later.
When I reach the end of the hallway, my nerves rev up again and replace the anger that dick stirred up. An ajar wooden door that reads “Sebastian Brooks, CEO” stands in front of me.
Fuck.Here goes nothing.
I knock on the semi-closed door so I’m not intruding, and Madison’s voice rings out. “Come in.”
I oblige, entering the office. As I stand in the doorway, I watch as two heads swing towardthe door where I stand.
Sebastian
Despite the week I’ve hadto get used to the idea of someone coming in today to help me run my company, I still haven’t warmed up to the idea. It doesn’t sit right with me. It makes me feel as if I’m a child who is being punished for acting up. I know sometimes I may act like a child, but I’m a grown man, who has a hobby of collecting notches on my bedpost. What’s the harm if no one is getting pregnant?
I glance down at my watch.Eight thirty.I wonder how much time I have until he arrives. Even though I’m against it, I still want to meet this guy. I want to see who I’ll be dealing with.
Chances are he’s going to be a stuck-up asshole who thinks he’s better than everyone else. There seems to be a lot of those in this industry, at least most of the ones I’ve ran into. Then again, I’m sure some people would say that about me too. I’ve had my moments.
A soft knock on my office door snaps me from my thoughts. “Hi.”
Madison walks into the office, stopping in front of me. “You look off today. Are you okay?”
I shrug. “I’m fine. I just want to get this over with.”
I act collected for my sister, but on the inside, I’m the smallest bit nervous. I can’t help the doubt running through my mind. What if this douchebag is actually better than me atmyjob? What if Midtown Advertising realizes they’re better off without the playboy media clown who causes them nothing but bad press? I’m not sure what I’d be without this company.
Madison seems to sense my unease. “It’s going to be okay, Sebastian. You just need to relax and keep an open mind.”
I clear my head, shoving away the self-doubt. “What time is he due to arrive?”
