“Just because you’ve been picked for this job doesn’t mean the others won’t have other opportunities as well, Ms. Ryder. It just means you shined brighter than the rest, and on the first day, that means something.”
“What does that mean?” She bites her bottom lip, and it does something to me. It brings up an urge I haven’t felt in a very long time.
I push it away as I lean forward and level my eyes on her. “It means you don’t let fear and nervousness get to you. The others aren’t ready for this. You are. Now, what do you say?”
Her eyes bounce from one thing to the next as she thinks it over. Finally, a small smile spreads across her face. “I’d love to, Mr. Karlsson.” She stands and holds out her hand to shake.
Seeing her smile brings out a smile of my own, and I stand to shake her hand. “Please, call me Griffin.”
“Only if you’ll call me El.” She tilts her head to the side as if to challenge me.
I laugh. “Well, we will be working together very closely over the next several weeks. Might as well make this as easy as possible.”
“Thank you, Griffin. You won’t regret your decision,” she says as we walk across the office.
“I know I won’t.” I open the door and she flashes me one last smile before stepping out.
I peek around the door to watch her finish her walk to the elevator. The pencil skirt she’s wearing hugs her firm ass nicely. And I know her long legs would look beautiful wrapped around my hips.
When she steps inside the elevator, her eyes find me, still standing here watching her. I clear my throat to snap myself out of this daze, then wave before stepping back into my office and shutting the door between us. Now that she’s gone, I can breathe easily again. Something about her literally sucks the air from my lungs. Keeping my distance makes every muscle in my body harden, like I have to physically restrain myself from reaching out and touching her. It’s only now that it occurs to me that I may have made a mistake by inviting her to work more closely with me. Having her alone, all to myself, is only going to make things harder on me.
Fuck. I guess Cameron was right. She’s going to be the one to bring me to my knees—either I’ll fall in love or I’ll refuse to give myself what I already so desperately crave.
I go to pour myself a drink to take the edge off, but realize I’m not in my office—just in a generic office that anyone can use. I shake my head, wondering what the hell has gotten into me. Finally, I open the door and exit the office, heading to mine.
Chapter Five
Janelle
“Hey, what was that about?” Chase asks when I step outside the hotel.
I turn to find him leaning against the building, like he’s been waiting for me.
“Oh. Umm, as it turns out, it seems today’s assignment was given so they could find one person in each group to participate in the magazine project, and I got it! Can you believe it?” I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m rubbing his face in it, because I’m not, but I am excited and proud of myself. This morning, I was sure I was going to make an ass out of myself and ruin the whole thing on the first day.
“Oh, congratulations,” Chase says.
“Don’t worry,” I add on. “He said there are still plenty of opportunities for everyone else in the group. Everyone will be involved in the magazine; I’ve just been awarded a special project working alongside him.”
He waves his hand through the air, dismissing his reaction. “Yeah, I’m sure everything will work out. But listen, I waited because we’re all meeting up at the Joker Club tonight to get to know each other. I was wondering if you wanted to go with me.”
“Oh.” My face blushes as I think it over. “Yeah, I’d love to. What time?”
“Everyone is meeting up for drinks at seven, but we could go a little early—maybe stop and get dinner first?” He flashes his cute smile, his eyes dropping slowly down my body and then back up.
“Like a date?”
He shrugs. “If that’s what you want to call it.” He slides his hands into his pockets. “I had a lot of fun with you the other night, and was planning on asking you out. It’s just that this, the internship, may complicate things. So maybe we just hang out for now—get to know each other better until this is over. Then we can see where things go.”
I smile and agree. “Sounds good to me.”
He tears his eyes away as pink starts creeping up his cheeks. “Okay, great. I’ll pick you up around five?”
“See you then,” I agree.
“Great. See ya.” He turns and walks down the sidewalk, and I stand back and watch him go.
“Oh, El,” Griffin says, coming to a stop in front of me as he leaves the building.
“Hi, Mr. Karl…I mean, Griffin.” Getting caught using his full name causes heat to creep up my face.
He chuckles. “I figured you’d be gone by now.”
I point down the sidewalk. “I was talking with Chase. I guess all the interns are going to the Joker Club tonight to hang out and get to know each other. He invited me.”
“Ah, I see.” He nods, his eyes flashing across the street and then back. “You have a moment?”
“Oh, um, yeah. What’s up?”
“I was just heading across the street to our corporate office. It’s where my office is, and where you’d work if you were hired at the end of these ten weeks. Would you like a tour?”
My eyebrows pull upward. “Yeah, I’d love one.”
A smile stretches across his face. “Come on.” He nods toward the building as he begins walking.
“So, if the corporate office is here, then why are we meeting in the hotel?”
“Well, the floor we usually use for our internships is being remodeled at the moment. We thought it’d be done in time, but they’re putting on the finishing touches now. We should be over here next week. We didn’t want to push the internship back, and we thought it would give everyone a chance to get familiar with the hotel.” He stops and opens the door, allowing me to walk in ahead of him.
Griffin shows me around the corporate office and he walks me though a normal day of working for the hotel. He shows me the offices and the board rooms, and introduces me to a few of the employees. The whole tour doesn’t take any longer than an hour, but it does get me a little more familiar with the hotel, its employees, and how things are done. It also gives me better insight into my new boss.
Watching him as he walks me though everything makes me think back on what Chase was saying this morning about him being a hard-ass. In the conference room, he was a take-charge kind of guy, but seeing him here, his guard is down and he seems younger and more carefree. If anything, I can see a new friendship growing between us, and being friends with your boss is never a bad idea.
After the tour, I head home to take a quick shower and get ready for my date with Chase. I wash off quickly and shave before pulling on a tight pair of jeans and a cute loose-fitting top. I pair the look with knee-high boots. I stand back and look myself over in the mirror. My blonde hair is down and styled in loose curls. My makeup is heavier than I wore today: dark eyeliner, mascara, and pink lip gloss adorn my face.
“El, Chase is here!” Sam yells from down the hall. I quickly grab my coat and purse and rush to the door.
“Hey,” I say, coming to a stop in front of him, taking in his loose-fitting jeans, white t-shirt, and leather jacket. His dark hair is styled, standing neatly in every direction, and his dark blue eyes sparkle.
“Hey, you look nice.” He gives me that grin that makes his dimples form.
“Thank you. So do you,” I reply.
“Ready?” he asks, opening the door for me.
I nod. “Yep.” I take a few steps out before turning and yelling at Sam. “Be home later!”
“Thanks for the warning!” she yells back.
Chase leads me downstairs and out to the curb, where he flags down a taxi. We both climb into the back seat and he tells the driver the address.
“You don’t hav
e a car either, huh?”
He laughs. “No, college student. Well, recently-graduated college student, to be exact. I keep forgetting that we’re done.”
“I do too. It seems crazy that four years went by this quickly. I’m still waiting for grad school though. Are you going?”
“To grad school?” he questions with a lift of his brow.
I nod.
“No, I can’t afford it. I really shouldn’t be doing this internship. I need to start making money, but I couldn’t pass it up. Did you know the Castille Hotel Group hires at least one intern every year? If I can get that, I’m set.”
“I did know that. Griffin actually took me across the street to their corporate office today and showed me around. It would be a great job, that’s for sure.”
His back straightens and his jaw flexes. “You got a tour of the corporate office?” His tone sounds off. I wonder if I’ve somehow offended him. I didn’t mean to gloat…again. Maybe I should just stop talking about this internship.
“Uh, yeah. We’ll all be there next week. It’s usually where they hold their internships, but it’s been remodeled and they’re just finishing it up. So, where are we going for dinner?” I ask to change the subject.
“Oh, to Sonny’s Pizza. Have you ever eaten there? It’s my favorite.”
I force a smile, happy that he accepted my subject change, but also wondering if he is going to be more competitive now. “I haven’t, but I’ve heard good things.”
Over dinner, our conversation is strained, but we both work at keeping it going. I can tell how well I’ve done today is a problem for him, and I completely understand why. Here I am, planning on going to grad school, where I won’t have time for a full-time job, and I’m taking this internship anyway. He isn’t going to grad school and he needs this job. So, in his mind, all I’m doing is wasting this opportunity. But I need the experience to add to my resume. I want to work in a big publishing house, and they don’t take just anyone who walks in off the street. I need years of schooling, experience, and references out the ass. Hopefully, I’ll make a good impression on Griffin, and his recommendation will help me land the job I want. But I guess Chase doesn’t see it that way. To him, all I am now is competition. I guess there goes the thought I had about him being boyfriend material.
We meet up with the rest of the interns at the club and pack around one big table, drinks in hand. Right off the bat, Chase makes sure to let everyone know that I’ve been picked as Griffin’s favorite.
“I can’t believe you got picked for the magazine,” Hope says.
“Who got picked out of your group?” I ask, sipping my cocktail.
She frowns. “Nobody. We didn’t hear anything about it. In fact, all we did today was go over past legal cases so we know not to make the same mistakes.”
I press my lips together and wonder if Griffin was being honest with me. “What about you?” I ask, looking at Dominick. “Who was picked out of the artist group?”
He shrugs. “We didn’t hear anything about it either. But who knows, maybe someone will be picked tomorrow. Each group may move at a different pace.”
“Did you guys know we’ll be moving to the corporate office next week?” Chase asks them.
They all talk loudly over one another, while I sit back, sucking down my drink faster than I should. Annoyance fills my chest, then it’s replaced by anger. I have a feeling Chase is doing this on purpose. He’s trying to make me an outcast. If everyone feels like I’m being treated better, then they’ll make this internship a living hell.
Eventually, everyone starts getting drunk and they move on to different topics, leaving me to silently stew in the corner. Finally, I grab my purse and stand to leave, unhappy with how tonight has gone—all thanks to Chase, a guy I thought was my friend.
“Hey, where you going?” he asks, catching up to me at the door.
I cross my arms over my chest. “Home. Thanks for the wonderful night,” I say, sarcastically.
His brows pull together like he’s confused. “I’m guessing that means you didn’t have a good time?”
My mouth drops open. “How could you think I’ve had a good time? All you did was put me front and center and make sure everyone knew about today. Do you want them to hate me?”
He lets out a long breath, then takes my hand and leads me outside. “Look, El, I didn’t mean for that to happen. I was a little taken aback when you told me how well you did today, and I’m happy for you. But I’m also a little jealous. I mean, I really need this job, and I guess I just let myself get blindsided. I didn’t mean to ruin our date. Can you forgive me?” He looks at me from beneath his lashes, like he’s a child who’s in trouble.
I sigh. “I don’t know if this is going to work, Chase. I’m cool with being friends, and I thought I wanted to get to know you better, that there could be something between us, but—”
“There can be,” he cuts me off. “Please, don’t let tonight ruin that for us. I was upset, and drinking didn’t help matters any. I’m really sorry about the way I’ve been acting.” He raises his hands and places them on my biceps, rubbing them up and down. “Let’s start over, okay? Can we forget tonight happened? I don’t want to let this internship get between us. I did have a lot of fun with you, and I’d like to see where that goes.” He smiles. “Please?”
His cheesy smile makes me laugh and I shake my head clear of the anger it’s been filled with. “Okay,” I breathe out.
“Thank you. You won’t regret it. I promise.” He releases my arms only to pull me against him, where his lips find mine. He kisses me softly, but strongly. Holding me against his chest causes my body to come alive. His heat sinks into me, and the beer on his tongue mixes with my mixed drink, creating a delicious blend that makes my senses sing for more.
He breaks the kiss and steps back. “I’ll see you tomorrow, and I promise, I’ll be my normal self instead of the jealous guy you met today. Okay?” He dips his head forward to see my face.
I smile. “Okay. See you tomorrow.”
I stand and watch him head back inside the bar before I turn around to find a cab. I wave my hand in the air several times, but no one pulls over. I’m about to give up and walk when I hear someone say my name.
“El?”
I turn around to find Griffin walking closer. I’m mesmerized by the confidence he exudes from something as simple as walking. His back is straight, his shoulders are pushed back, and his head is held high. His blond hair is blowing softly in the breeze, and his icy blue eyes are drinking me in like he’s been on a desert island and I’m a tall glass of water.
A smile forms on its own. “Hey. What are you doing out here? Coming to hang with the interns?”
He laughs. “No, definitely not. They don’t sell what I drink in there.” He looks over his shoulder. “I was catching up with an old friend down the street.” He quickly looks at the busy road and back at me. “You trying to get a cab? You need a ride home?”
“Oh, yeah. That’d be great. Apparently, I’m invisible to cab drivers.”
He holds out his elbow. “Right this way.”
He leads me down the road a few more feet, then stops at a black Mercedes. He pulls out the keys and hits the fob to unlock the door, then opens it and motions for me to climb inside.
Chapter Six
Griffin
“Is this yours?” she asks when I climb in behind the wheel.
I nod. “I usually don’t drive, but I had already sent my driver home for the night when I got the call asking me to come out.”
“It’s nice.” Her delicate hand runs gently over the sparkling dash.
“You drive?”
She shakes her head. “No. I mean, I can drive, but I don’t have a car. I just got out of college and my only income is writing blog posts from home. It was nice while I was in school because it fit into my schedule, but now, I’m going to need a full-time job until I start grad school.”
“You’re going to grad school?”
I ask, quickly looking over at her as I pull out into traffic.
“Hopefully. I’ve been accepted to a couple already, but I’m holding out for Chicago. I love the city and don’t want to leave it just yet.”
“I hope you get it,” I say, not allowing myself to think about it further. A part of me hopes she leaves, because then I wouldn’t be tempted to fuck up everything by sinking deep inside her. On the other hand, I hope she stays, because I’ve only known this woman for one day, and already, I find myself needing to be around her.
I know she thinks I’m being nice to her because of her sister, but honestly, I’m being nice to her because I feel a connection to her. It’s a connection I never thought I’d feel again—a connection so fucking strong, I’m afraid to even touch her for fear I’d push her too far and scare her away. To her, I’m an old man. I’m her new boss—just a man she needs in order to achieve her dreams. Whatever I’m feeling is one-sided, and I need to remind myself to keep it in check.
Maybe I’m going about this all wrong. Maybe I shouldn’t be nice to her. Maybe I should avoid her to keep this body of mine in check.
“Here we are,” I say, pulling the car over to the curb.
“How’d you know where I live?” she asks with a smile.
“Your application,” I state flatly. I refuse to tell her that I’ve stared at that piece of paper all day and memorized all her info. Yeah, I admit, it’s a bit stalkerish.
“Oh,” she giggles, “I forgot about that.” She opens the door, places one foot on the road, then pauses to look at me. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Anytime.”
She offers up one last smile before climbing out and leaving me alone.
When I get home, I remove my tie and shirt and pour myself a strong drink before falling onto my white leather couch.
My phone is in my hand, and I’m looking at it, unsure.
I want to call her—tell her I have some work for us to do. Maybe she’ll come over and I’ll pour her a drink. Maybe we’ll get caught up and things will move forward between the two of us. I’d love to be buried deep inside her all night long. But then tomorrow, everything would be awkward and strained.
Baby Mistake: An Accidental Pregnancy Romance Page 4
