Just before I open my email my phone buzzes. Must be my new boss. “Hello, Marissa speaking.”
“Can you come into my office, please?” Click.
“Good morning to you, too.” I hang up the phone then slowly rise from my chair. What a way to greet your new employee. I straighten out my heather gray suit jacket before walking to Mr. White’s office. His door is closed. Austin White now replaces Harold’s name on the door. I knock lightly.
“It’s open,” a sexy voice responds.
His voice didn’t sound so sexy on the phone just now. I can’t believe I just called my boss’ voice sexy. I open the door. He looks up from his computer screen then motions for me to enter. I swallow the lemon size lump in my throat. Not only is his voice sexy, but this man is unbelievably handsome. And he looks younger than twenty-seven. He runs his strong looking hands through his dark brown hair that’s layered into a short cut. “Good morning, sir.” I walk over to his desk. He looks up at me with his dark eyes framed by a chiseled face. He has such a commanding presence. A presence that demands obedience.
“Good morning, Marissa.” He stands then extends his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
I place my hand into his. Strong grip. I manage to pull my lips into a smile. I think my nervousness has gone up ten notches from his touch. I hope he tells me to take a seat soon. I don’t know how much longer my trembling legs can support my body.
“Be seated.”
My body drops into the waiting chair. I let out a silent air of relief.
“I want to officially introduce myself. I’m Austin White. I’m not sure how much you have heard about me.”
“I know that you are the nephew of the CEO.”
His lips stretch over his strikingly white teeth. “Well, do you also know that I’m one of the top promoters on the East coast? I promote a lot of celebrity parties from New York to Atlanta to Miami and I have a few well-known connections in Los Angeles. I’ve been working ever since I was fourteen-years-old. I’ve never worked for anyone but myself. I agreed to come to work with my uncle because I have a lot of connections in the nightlife entertainment industry and we need to increase our portfolio in that area. We are aiming to be the best in venue and events management and we need only the best on our team. That’s where I come in and hopefully that’s where you come in.”
He opens a manila folder. “I know that this is your first day in this position and that you came highly recommended by the previous director, Harold. I’ve looked over your file and I’m not quite sure why you’re so highly recommended.”
Oh no.
“I see here that you were in school for two years before you started working here. And you majored in marketing.”
I clear my throat. “Yes, sir.”
“But you don’t have your degree. There were others that have years of executive administrative experience and a degree but you got the position. So we can all cut through the bullshit here. You are less than qualified for this position…on paper, so we can assume that Harold pulled some strings to get you here.”
I wet my lips. “I can do the job, Mr. White.”
“Have you ever heard the term, mover-n-shaker?”
I nod.
“I am known for making moves and getting the job done. I need someone that can keep up. I’m no hand holder. I’m no babysitter. I’m not your friend. I am your boss. I give orders and I expect those orders to be executed with perfection.” He looks down at my file again. “I see here that you have a desire to be an events coordinator.”
“Yes, sir. That’s my career goal.”
“Good. Our job is to get Trentini & White out in the nightlife world as the go-to company for high-end events. When anyone asks who can guarantee me the best party in Atlanta? I need the first answer on everyone’s tongue to be Trentini & White. I have a great reputation in this industry. Trentini & White has a great reputation as well but so far it’s only been in the corporate industry. I’m here to change that and I need someone to help me execute that flawlessly.”
“I understand.” I clear my throat. I need a drink of water.
“One thing you must remember, Miss Riley, this business has no room for crybabies. You can’t be easily rattled. Expect the unexpected. In this position you will come across many people with different personalities and not everyone is going to be nice and pleasant. Not everyone is going to hold your hand and give you a pat on the back for a job well done. You will come in contact with a lot of arrogant assholes that will take one look at you and try to get over on you just because you are young, pretty and a woman. Then again," —he grins— “being young, pretty and a woman may come in handy for you as well. Our focus is nightlife. You get that?”
My head bounces up and down.
He leans forward, places his elbows on top of his desk as he whirls his pen between his fingers. “This is a fast paced industry, Miss Riley. Sometimes you only have weeks to prepare for certain events and I need to know that I have someone who can handle any task thrown at them. This is a demanding position because I’m a demanding person. I need someone who can think two steps ahead. A person that is great at crisis management. Our main job in all of this is to make sure our clients have the most memorable experience when they decide to get our company to host and coordinate their events. Got it?”
I nod. For some reason my words have decided to desert me.
“Something that you should know about me besides the fact that I’m Jeffrey White’s nephew is that I’m the best at what I do and expect the best from my team. Especially you. You are a direct reflection of my leadership. Sometimes you may be needed to represent me at a meeting with a client. I need 110% from you at all times. No matter what task I give to you. When I say do something it gets done. No questions asked.” He stares at me waiting for an acknowledgment that I understand. I nod my head for him to continue. “I have my way of doing things and I expect it to be done to my standards. I have a few rules. I don’t tolerate lateness. I expect you to go with me to my business meetings to take necessary notes, if needed. All projects that I assign to you must be completed on the deadline given or preferably beforehand. A lot of what we do is of a time sensitive nature. You should be here no later than nine o’clock every morning. If you are going to be late I expect a text, email or phone call to notify me of that. My emails should be checked. My voice messages should be checked. Any emails that need my direct response should be left marked unread and any voice mails that need me to call them directly should be left on a message pad waiting for me when I get into the office. We clear?”
“Yes, Mr. White.”
“You don’t leave until I give you permission to do so. In this business things come up at the last minute and I may need you after work hours therefore you will have a company cell phone starting tomorrow. You get an hour for lunch. Just make sure you let me know when you are taking your lunch. If you go over that hour, expect to make up that time by staying later.” He points to his windows. “Speak to whoever you need to speak with about these blinds. I would prefer black instead of white. I think it goes better with the décor. Oh, and I would like to have coffee when I get into the office in the mornings.” He cocks his perfectly groomed brow. “You sure you’re up for this, Miss Riley?”
Am I up for this? I take a breath as I stare into his arrogant chocolate eyes. If he weren’t so distractingly handsome I would be so turned off by his arrogance. I’ve never met someone so cocky before. I guess it’s a first time for everything. I need this job more than anything. I bite down on my lower lip. I don’t know if I can handle this. I’m not even experienced being an assistant let alone planning events. But I can’t back down now. I can’t let his arrogance and his gazillion rules intimidate me. Besides, Harold would be disappointed if I quit. I can’t let him down. I can do this. If I’ve learned anything this past year it’s that I’m a lot stronger than I ever thought. It’s time I stop letting people take my meekness for weakness. If I can get up the courage to go in
to a sex club with the intention of having sex with a man that I don’t know then I can definitely take on Austin White’s demands.
I straighten my back and hold my head up high. “Mr. White, I didn’t get this position just because Harold Chase pulled strings for me. I got this position because I am driven, passionate, and tenacious. I am a hard worker, a fast learner and I know how to handle anything that life throws at me. I’m definitely up for the challenge because I know that I can do it. I didn’t want this position I needed this position, and I am determined to be the best at it.”
He sits back in his chair.
I keep a straight face while my insides go insane. “Now, how do you like your coffee, sir?”
His face wears a pleased grin. He nods slowly then licks his lips. “Strong and black.”
Satin & Lace
Moments later I enter Mr. White’s office and hand him the porcelain mug filled almost to the brim with scolding hot coffee.
“Thanks.”
I turn to leave.
“One more thing before you go back to your desk, Miss Riley.”
“Yes, sir?”
"I have over 1500 contacts in the entertainment industry and I need you to have access to those contacts. I'm going to order you a Mac computer today since that's what I use."
"A Mac? I'm not that familiar with Macs."
"Didn't you tell me you're a fast learner?"
I smile to myself then nod. "I did."
"Then I guess we don't have anything to worry about then now do we?"
"No, sir, I suppose we don't."
"Good. I need for everything to be seamless so that's why I need you to work on a Mac. Until we get you set up with your new computer you will need to copy my contacts into your address book. You can use Gmail for that. Once you have them downloaded, organize them by state."
"Okay."
"I have new vendor contracts that need to be created, and either emailed or faxed over to the companies. You will need to contact each one to see how they would prefer the contract sent to them. I will email the list of vendors to you."
"Okay."
“This is for you.” He takes a white flash drive from his iMac computer and hands it to me.
My thumb brushes against his as I take the flash drive from his hand. I gasp as a spark of static electricity passes between us. Instantaneously, an undeniable surge of lustful energy move through my entire body. Desire begins to pulsate between my thighs. My pulse quickens and I immediately pull my hand back. I look into his eyes. His deep brown eyes seem a little darker. I don’t know if it’s dark with arousal or confusion. Either way…I shouldn’t be having this reaction to my boss. “Is there anything else?” I ask in a small voice.
His gaze rests on my lips before moving back up to meet mine. “I have a lunch meeting tomorrow at noon and I need you to make me a reservation at Florentine’s. You can Google it. It’s about a block from here. Make the reservation for two people. When you make the reservation put it under Dr. White.”
“Dr. White?”
“Yes, doctor. I’ve learned that you get better service when they think you have an important job such as a doctor.”
“Got it.” I should’ve brought a pad. I hope I can remember all of this.
Mr. White picks up a manila folder from his desk. “The directors of the company are going to a conference in Los Angeles in a few months. I need you to register me for the conference. All the details are in this folder. I will need flight and hotel arrangements as well.” He extends the folder in my direction.
This time I don’t have to worry about our hands touching. I grab the folder.
He clears his throat then takes out his wallet. “Make a photocopy of this corporate card and use it for the registration fee and accommodations.” He places the card on the desk then slides it over to me.
I pick up the credit card from the desk.
“That’s all,” he says before I have a chance to ask.
“Okay.” I shut his office door behind me as I leave. I take my seat at my desk. Just then my cell phone vibrates. It’s Bianca.
“Hey Bee, what’s going on? You’re calling me bright and early.” I open my email from Mr. White with the list of vendors’ names and contact information.
“I’m just calling to check on you. So how is your first day going in your new role with your new boss?”
“Considering I’ve only been here a little under two hours, I can say that it’s going pretty well. I can tell you right now that he’s going to have me very busy. But I guess the busier I am the faster the time will go.”
“For the most part. So do you think you two will get along? Or is it too early to tell?”
My mind thought back to the way my body reacted when I accidently touched his hand. “It’s probably too early to say for sure. But so far so good. I will definitely keep you updated on that.” I print out the email.
“Okay, cool. I don’t want to keep you long. The last thing I would want would be for you to get in trouble for taking personal calls.”
“Thanks for calling to check on me.”
“For sure. Oh, do you want to go with me to Masquerade on Friday?”
“You’re going back so soon?”
“Yes,” she responded as if it was a no brainer. “We spent majority of the time we were there looking for each other. I don’t think we can really qualify that has a first time experience.”
“I don’t know.” I totally freaked out the last time I was there. I allowed my nerves to get the best of me. But the possibility of seeing the man in white again outweighs my nervousness. “I don’t have anything to wear. I don’t want to wear the same thing I had on last Friday.”
“Don’t worry about it. I got you.”
“You got me?”
“Don’t I always. So you down?”
I start to tingle between my legs at the thought of seeing, better yet kissing, the man in white. “Sure, why not.”
“Great. I’m going to send you a gift card for Victoria’s Secret to your cell phone. You can go by there on your lunch break or after work. It’s only two blocks from your job.”
“Aww, Bee, you don’t have to buy me lingerie. Really. You don’t have to do this.”
“Girl, what are friends for?”
“Love you, Bee.”
“Love you too, girl.”
My office phone beeps. “Gotta go, my boss is calling me.”
“Kay. Talk later.”
I end the call with Bianca and answer my office phone. “Hello.”
“I need you in my office please.” Click.
I shake my head then make my way to Mr. White’s office. I knock on the closed door.
“Enter.”
I walk into his office. “Yes, sir?” I move closer to his desk.
He looks up from his computer screen. “I just scheduled a business meeting on Friday night. I need you to accompany me to make a record of the conversation. Do you have a tape recorder?”
“Umm, I do. Did you say Friday night as in this Friday night?”
“Yes, this Friday night.”
“Umm, sir, I have a prior engagement on Friday night.”
“Either cancel your plans or do them before the meeting. This meeting is extremely important. Make sure you dress the part. I will pick you up at your house at 9 p.m. on the dot.”
I stand still. Before, I was a little hesitant to go to Masquerade but now that I’ve told Bianca that I would I’m actually looking forward to going. But there’s no way I can tell Mr. White that I can’t go to the meeting with him. It wouldn’t be the smartest thing to do especially if I want to impress him enough to hire me on full-time. “Okay, sir. Not a problem.”
“Good. That’s all.”
“Do you need for me to give you my address?”
He looks up from his computer screen. I can see the arrogance dance around in his eyes. “I can find you.” A smirk settles on his face as he turns his attention back to his computer.
>
But of course.
Tuesday…
“Miss Riley?”
I look up from the file in my hand. Mr. White is standing over me in his dark gray Armani suit with a burgundy shirt and silk tie with burgundy, white, black and pink stripes. Today I can really smell his cologne. He must be meeting with a female client.
“Yes, Mr. White.”
“I’m stepping out for my meeting. Take your lunch now so you will be available for me when I get back.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good girl. See you in an hour or so.”
I nod then he leaves my cubicle. I’m not really hungry now. It’s thirty minutes before I normally take my lunch. Although I can’t go to Masquerade with Bianca on Friday, I can still go to Victoria’s Secret and pick out some lingerie. At least I’ll have it for the next time. I lock my computer screen, grab my purse and my ID badge and head for the elevators.
“Hey ladies,” I say to the receptionists, Josie and Denise.
“Hey, Marissa,” they say in unison.
“I just saw your boss leave. Ohmygosh, how in the world can you stand to work with such a hunk? It would be too distracting for me.” Josie fans herself with her hand.
I smile. “A hunk? I have to say that I haven’t noticed,” I say jokingly.
“Are you picking up things quickly?” Denise asks.
“Honestly, so far so good. He hasn’t given me anything that I haven’t been able to do just yet, but it’s only day two.”
“You’ll do fine.” Denise says then smiles.
“Thanks. Well, I have to take my lunch early so let me get moving. See ya when I get back.”
“Enjoy,” they say in unison.
I exit the building and walk two blocks east to the Victoria’s Secret store. I’m a little ashamed to admit that this is actually my first time shopping at Victoria’s Secret. I’ve always just bought my bra and panties at Walmart or Target. Victoria’s Secret was just out of my price range for something that no one was going to see but me. Richard couldn't care less. He never made mention of my undies. If it weren’t for Bianca I probably wouldn’t be in here now.
Marissa & Mr. White: (Sexy Contemporary Romance) Page 5
