by Grafford, Jo
Now that she had his full attention, she plunged on. "My strengths are in behind-the-scenes marketing as well as personal presentations. As you are well aware, I cut my teeth on DRAW Corporation's drafting tables. I'm proficient in an exhaustive list of software programs and a whiz at compiling slides, notes, memes, video clips, animated graphics, and most types of printed materials. My family just this morning offered to return me to my former position in marketing."
"Why would they do that?"
"They hoped to crown me Vice President of Communications in the next year or two. I believe their exact words were it's my rightful place." As much as she tried to mask it, a hint of derision crept in her voice. There were plenty of employees on her family’s staff who were far more qualified and deserving of the promotion.
His lynx eyes narrowed to slits. "You speak in the past tense, Ms. Maddox. After recalling what a flight risk you are, I presume your family withdrew their offer?"
It was a slap at her elopement with his brother. She'd figured he'd work his way around to it, eventually. "No." She deliberately bit her lower lip, testing him with another ploy that rarely failed in her dealings with men. "I turned them down."
His gaze locked on her mouth once more. Male interest flashed across his face and was gone. "Why?"
He was primed for the kill. She spread her hands and went for the money shot. "To throw myself at your complete mercy, Mr. Calcagni." The beauty of it was the trembling in her voice wasn't faked, the request she was about to make utterly genuine. "As your sister by marriage, I am not here to debate my qualifications or lack of them. I am begging you to give me a job. I need the income. I need to be busy. I'll take whatever position you are willing to offer so long as it allows me to come to work in this particular building." She whipped her face aside, no longer able to meet his gaze. "Here," she reiterated fiercely. "Where he doesn't feel as far away as he does outside these walls."
Because of the number of moments it took to compose herself, she missed his initial reaction to her words. When she tipped her face up to his once more, his expression was unreadable.
"Assuming everything you say is true, Ms. Maddox, and you're not simply up to another one of your games..." He paused, his tone indicating he thought she was guilty of the latter. "We do not currently have any job openings."
"That's not what your publicist claims, and it’s certainly not what you have posted on your website." She dug through her memory to resurrect a segment of the Genesis creed. "Where innovation and vision collide. Where the world's most introspective minds are ever welcome—"
"Believe me, Ms. Maddox, I am familiar with our corporate creed. There is no need to repeat it. Especially since I have already made my decision concerning your employment."
Fear sliced through her. They were only five minutes into her interview, and he was shutting her down. "Mr. Calcagni, I—"
He stopped her with an upraised hand. "You may start your two-week trial in the morning. Eight o'clock sharp."
He was actually offering her a job? Or, in this case, a ticket to the next round? According to her inner points tally, she hadn't yet accumulated enough to win. It didn't feel like a victory either. She had either failed to read some of his cues, or he was better at hiding them than anyone else she'd ever encountered. She no longer had any idea where they stood with each other in their banter of words, who was winning and who was losing. It made her insides weaken to the consistency of jelly.
"Since we have no vacancies in the vice presidency category,” He infused an ocean-sized dose of sarcasm into his words. "You'll be serving as my personal assistant. Like every other position on our payroll, it amounts to long hours, hard work, and no coddling. You're under no obligation to accept my offer, of course."
"I accept." She couldn't contain her smile this time. She didn't understand his game, but she'd achieved what she'd come for. Employment. No matter how humble the position. Sometimes it was best not to over-think things. "Thank you, Mr. Calcagni."
There was no answering warmth in him. "You won't be thanking me tomorrow."
"A risk I will gladly take." She rose to seal her commitment with a handshake and immediately realized her mistake.
Standing brought her nearly flush with her new boss. Close enough to catch a whiff of his aftershave — a woodsy musk with a hint of cobra slithering her way. Every organ in her body suffered a tremor beneath the full blast of his scrutiny.
When his long fingers closed over hers, her insides radiated the same intrinsic awareness of him she’d experienced nine years ago — the day they first met.
It was a complication she hadn't counted on.
I hope you enjoyed the excerpt from
Her Billionaire Boss.
Available now on Amazon + FREE in KU!
Much love,
Jo
Read More Jo
I write — a lot! And I’m currently writing these series:
Mail Order Bride Rescue Series — a mad dash of gallant rescuers in a sweet series to fetch all the mail order brides from the mayhem that befalls them on their journey West!
Her Billionaire Series — a sweet contemporary romantic rivalry between two mega corporate dynasties in the Alaskan Gulf!
Lost Colony Series — a pre-colonial epic saga about the Lost Colonists of Roanoke Island. In the first book, a working class girl poses as a male clerk to gain passage on a ship bound for the New World. She encounters a deadly conspiracy, pirates, and a dreamy Native chief who offers his protection for a price. This title is free, by the way, on most online retailers!
Ornamental Match Maker Series — a fun and cozy, super sweet holiday multi-author series!
Other Multi-Author Series — Whispers In Wyoming, Sailors and Saints, Silverpines, The Lawkeepers, Bride Herders, Brides of Pelican Rapids, Belles of Wyoming, and Holliday Islands Resort. Many new titles coming soon!
You can find out more about each series by visiting my Amazon Author Page:
amazon.com/author/jografford
Or by liking me on Bookbub:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jo-grafford
Or by joining us to chat books, celebrate new releases, participate in games and giveaways, plan meet-ups at booklover conferences, and more at:
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Much love! — Jo
