A Man Who Knows What He Wants Box Set 5

by Flora Ferrari

  I remember to bend my knees so I don’t get wobbly or even worse pass out.

  In college when a boy walked up to me, which wasn’t very often, his attempts to communicate were clumsy, sloppy, unprepared or usually all of the above.

  Not his. Not here. Not now.

  “Mina,” he says as he extends his hand. “Jacob Stone. Nice to meet you.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. Stone,” I say as I take my right hand from the folder and extend it in his direction. But my nerves give me away as the folder fumbles in my hand and I pull my hand back trying to catch it but it’s too late. Papers fly everywhere and I can feel the heat in my cheeks.

  I try my best to bend down in a ladylike manner but skirts and heels are not my forte. I do some sort of maneuver that looks like the reverse of a baby deer trying to stand up and as my body nears the floor I realize my balance is quickly nearing nonexistent.

  I feel my weight move back into my butt and my body is about to tip backward which would cause my legs to come flying open right in-front of me giving him a straight on shot right up my skirt!

  I do the only thing I can think of and throw all of my weight forward instead and throw out my hands bracing for impact.

  It never comes.

  It’s like one of those amusement park rides where you’re facing forward and free falling straight down right before the ride curves at the bottom and pulls you back up to safety. The ones where you’re upper body is literally horizontal so you can’t even say your stomach is in your throat. It’s more like you’re entire being is just throwing itself out the back of your body.

  But just like the curve at the bottom of those rides saves you at the last fraction of a second, the curve of his big hands lock onto my shoulder and he brings me right back up to my feet.

  As he steadies me I feel my head spin and quickly take a deep breath trying to get myself straightened out again. So much from starting a negotiation from a strong position, both literally and figuratively.

  “I got you. You’re okay,” he says.

  I may be okay in the sense that I’m no longer in imminent danger of needing to take a week off work while I recover from the nose job I was nearly in need of if my face had made contact with the floor, but I am in a very different kind of imminent danger when I look up into those sparkling blue eyes of his.

  He keeps his hands on my shoulders and carefully guides me over to a chair next to his desk, where he helps me sit down in a way that lets me keep my dignity, or as much of it as I have left.

  Which isn’t much as I see that across the floor the top paper in the mess I’ve just made is the hand drawn flow chart with boxes and arrows detailing how I was going to negotiate with him based on his responses to my requests.

  He scoops up the papers and doesn’t mention what’s written on them, but surely he must have seen.

  And what I’m seeing right now for myself is a man who’s as gentle and caring as he is powerful. I expected the corporate executive to be more a type of shark than a teddy bear. It seems he can be both depending on the situation. No wonder he’s so good at his job.

  He’s adaptable.

  But I still haven’t adapted to him. To pick up the papers he’s had to squat down and lean forward. As he leans I can see the width of his back and the power in his arms. I’m not good with heights and weights but he’s clearly very tall and very built. I can only imagine what he looks like out of that suit, not that I’ll ever get to see it.

  As he stands my eyes drift to his shoes. Is there any attention to detail this guy’s missed? The dark brown calfskin also appears to be Italian, I can tell by the quality and the sleek design. And the rich brown hues are the perfect compliment to his navy blue suit.

  Wow, is this man ever put together well.

  “Sorry about that,” he says. “This floor was just mopped and it’s too slick. I’m really sorry.”

  I rise up from my chair to hastily take the things I dropped. I quickly shove the papers into the manila folder.

  He’s doing his best not to make me look like the nervous wreck that I am.

  He saved me from falling flat on my face.

  He showed me to a very nice and comfortable chair so I could catch my breath and right myself.

  And he blamed the floor for my own clumsiness.

  I never had any doubts that taking my first position out of college at Stone Solutions would be a good fit, but his actions have done something that transcends business. He’s made me proud of my decision to work here…to work for a company led by a man like this. I say like this, but from all the research I did before I took the job, and what I’m seeing now, I’m not really sure like is the right word. Like would imply there could be others and I’m quickly becoming aware that that’s just not the case. Not. At. All.

  This man is one of a kind. An icon. And here I am in his office taking up his time.

  “What can I help you with?” he asks in a tone that is comforting almost like a father would say and not what one of the most powerful men in the world would say to a low-level employee who he’s never met. He’s actually giving me confidence.

  “I wanted to ask you about taking on more responsibility,” I say. Then I realize how ridiculous and contradictory my words must appear to him.

  Hey, here’s a girl who literally can’t stand up on her own two feet, but she’s ready to stack more work on her shoulders so she can tumble even harder next time. And next time you won’t be there to catch her.

  “I think that’s a great idea,” he says.

  “You do?” I ask. Pull yourself together, Mina. I straighten my back. “Great,” I say trying to appear like I’m not nearly as overly surprised, make that shocked, as I am.

  “I do and I also think it would be great. What did you have in mind?” He pauses raising a hand and then placing it on his chest. “I’m sorry. Where are my manners? Please have a seat. And can I get you something to drink?”

  “I’m okay,” I say.

  Right then Janice, his secretary, enters the room with two bottles of Fiji water which she quickly opens and pours into glasses. She comes to my chair and flips some hidden switch and a fancy wooden cup holder, which matches the arm of the chair, shoots out from the arm of the chair. She sets the drink down, and sets the other on Mr. Stone’s desk and is gone almost as quickly as she appeared.

  I take a drink and realize it was a good idea and that maybe I wasn’t okay.

  And I’m still nervous as heck, but I’m certainly feeling better. A crazy thought hits me. Being powerful doesn’t have to be about trying to dominate or domineer everything. Being powerful means giving others the freedom and comfort to be powerful too. To encourage and inspire confidence.

  I’m far from powerful right now, but Mr. Stone is doing everything in his considerable power, and does he ever have a lot, to encourage and inspire me.

  What an incredible man. And he does it all without bringing any attention to it.

  It only solidifies that I’m in the presence of a man unlike any other. One I want to know more about. Have to know more about.

  Google searches can only just scratch the surface of the multiple depth of his personality.

  I need to learn more about how he got this way. To learn from his wisdom.

  And if the feeling I’m getting underneath my skirt right now is correct, there is another kind of wisdom I’d really, really, really like for him to impart on me one day.

  One that happens not in the boardroom, but in the bedroom.

  Chapter Three

  Jacob

  Two hours later I shake Mina’s hand and escort her out of my office.

  Watching her bloom like a flower right there in front of my own eyes as the time passed was an absolutely beautiful thing.

  She arrived a little nervous, but quickly she got her bearings and by the time we were finished she was handling herself like a champ.

  My initial impression had been correct. She was special.

  But
it was my second impression, my first experience with her in person, that had sealed the deal. And in more ways that one.

  It was clear that she wasn’t being challenged and she wanted more. We talked through it and found a different role for her that would not only inspire her to do more challenging and interesting work, but would be better for the company.

  The transition to that role would start immediately. And it was a need I didn’t even realize the company had until she brought it to my attention. It certainly pays to listen to people who are in the thick of things day in and day out. They know more about the intricacies of my business than I could ever hope to.

  But I know I want her.

  And I know she must be treated as fairly as all our employees are. And the first action was to cut her a check, on the spot, for those overtime hours she wasn’t clocking. I was young and hungry once just like her and I know how far a somewhat unexpected windfall can go.

  And now I may not be as young as I once was, but I’m definitely still as hungry. Up until today my hunger had been for business deals and adding another comma to my bank account but now my hunger has completely changed.

  I’m hungry for her. And that hunger has reinvigorated my youth as well. I do everything I can to stay in excellent shape, and I am, but there’s a certain vigor and vitality her youth and exuberance give me. Something lifting tons of weight in the gym, or getting that lightheaded feeling from intense cardio just can’t bring.

  The thrill of such a beautiful, smart, and young woman who presents herself so well beyond her years can only provide.

  And by only I mean only her.

  I’ve met thousands of women over the years. In business, social events, charity fundraisers, athletics…you name it I’ve met every type of woman you could imagine.

  I was completely sure of it.

  Until her.

  And I was also completely sure marriage and family life weren’t for me. It just wasn’t going to work out for me in this lifetime. I’d long ago resigned myself to the thought.

  But one look at her. One word from the soft, plump lips of hers and that resignation was quickly off the table. I was ready to sign a different kind of contract with her right then and there.

  A life contract.

  She’s the one. There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind.

  I can’t control myself as my eyes gaze over the back of her skirt as I show her into the elevator. I’m walking with my body turned at an angle trying to conceal my raging erection that hasn’t stopped throbbing for over two hours now. Two hours!

  No one has ever stimulated me this much. She’s beautiful, intellectual, and hungry to do big things in business. God, she reminds me of myself.

  I just want to take her under my wing and teach her everything I know about business.

  But first I need her to be a teacher. A kind of teacher much more important than on a topic such as making money or business.

  The topic of life.

  And there’s no one I want my baby girl to grow up to be more like than her.

  Chapter Four

  Mina

  The next day

  The black limousine pulls up to the hedges and the security guard leaves the guardhouse. The window to the back of the car suddenly slides down without making a sound and I hand my ID to the security guard. He looks at it and looks at me. Then he hands it back to me and the window shuts just as quickly as it had opened.

  Though the tint I can see he motions for the driver to pull through as the gate pulls back.

  This is unlike any kind of treatment I’m used to, and totally out of place for an employee follow-up meeting.

  Not that I’m complaining one bit.

  There was a package on my desk when I arrived in the morning. It provided details for the car that would pick me up, at a time and place of my choosing this evening, and take me to Mr. Stone’s home to discuss the transition of the first day in addition to other opportunities that might be available.

  It definitely sounded strange, or should I say maybe out of the ordinary, but I wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity to meet with the man.

  And let’s be honest here. A chance to see this man in his own element? In his home. A private man and he was giving me access to his personal life, and so quickly to boot?

  I wasn’t about to turn that down.

  I’d laughed at myself just after I’d confirmed this morning. I gave an pick-up address about a mile from my house. I didn’t think it would be smart to just give out my home address, plus my neighborhood wasn’t the best. Then the laughter came when I realized they had my home address on file.

  And what was I trying to hide or protect anyways? What could he possibly want from me that he couldn’t just get with a snap of his fingers?

  As the car pulls down the long driveway. About half way down it hits a winding point and the car angles so I can see him standing there in front of his house. I thought he’d have someone there to do that for him? Maybe he wants to greet me personally?

  And he does look much more personable. Not that he’s not an absolute picture of perfection in his suit in and around the office, but now he’s wearing a simple white V-neck T-shirt and pants.

  Standing there like that in front of his home he looks like a cover shot for Town & Country magazine. Like he’s the monthly feature of a sneak peek into the home of a famous, wealthy, and powerful man.

  “Thanks for coming,” he says just after he opens the door and helps me out.

  I sure am glad I wore a nice dress here. Even though he’s in jeans and a T-shirt I would definitely feel underdressed for his home, or should I say mansion.

  “Let me show you inside,” he says.

  Chapter Five

  Jacob

  What a difference a day makes.

  Yesterday she was a nervous wreck and I was able to get her calmed down and get us moving in the right direction.

  Today I’m the nervous wreck and I need nothing more than her to calm me down and get us moving in the right direction.

  And by us I mean me and my baby.

  I’ve shown her around the house and now here we are in my study ready to have coffee and get down to business…and life.

  “How’s the transition so far?” I ask.

  “It’s great. It’s all happening so fast and is really seamless. Everyone’s really cooperative and supportive. I really like working at a place with such nice and encouraging people.”

  “Business is all about the right people…as is life. And speaking of life there’s another transition I’d like to speak with you about.”

  Here we go.

  The coffee cup is right at her lips, but just as she’s about to tip it back that last little bit she stops and blows on it instead. I know it’s not so hot that it needs to cool down, not hot enough for even the most sensitive of lips…and how I imagine just how sensitive her lips would be to touch…with mine. No, the reason she stopped is because my words threw her off. And I’ve been thrown off too by everything that’s happening as well, but when life throws you a challenge you have to rise to meet it. I’m glad I did, but now I realize I’m in over my head. Part of strength is admitting your weaknesses, and I’m here to admit mine.

  Because together I know we would have no weaknesses. She is strong in areas where I’m weak, and I could learn from her and even more importantly there’s someone who’s just getting started in life who could learn from her as well.

  “A transition? You’re not firing me now are you?” She smiles and finally does take that sip of coffee. The way her eyes look over the top of that cup. The way they’re peering out over the top at me. The cup is blocking out the rest of her beautiful face, and it’s definitely breathtakingly beautiful, but there’s just something about putting those hazel eyes with the gold specks in focus that melts me. That causes me to forget everything else in life temporarily and just become lost in her look.

  And I like that she’s becoming more comfortable with
me already. Now she’s even able to make a joke about my comment. Of course I’m not going to fire her and she knows that. As a matter of fact I’m ready for what we’re building together to go deeper…much deeper.

  I’m ready to bring her into my inner circle. A place where I’ve never let anyone. Years and years of keeping everything to myself and just a day with this young woman who’s all of twenty two years old and I’m ready to open up and let her in. Life sure is crazy sometimes. Crazy and beautiful, just like her.

  “Never. I couldn’t imagine you not being with our company,” I begin. “And more than that I think the skills you have and…” Suddenly I’m stuck. Do I just tell her how beautiful she is and risk the chance of scaring her away before I even say what I want to say? I’m not used to all this political correctness stuff, especially when it comes to paying a woman a compliment. And I have no idea what they’re teaching in schools these days and how younger people react to compliments. Suddenly I feel my age, which isn’t old, but just might be a bit older than I thought. I need to relate to her right now and build up bridges, not tear down walls.

  “…the kind of amazing person you are, tells me that you’re ready for even more challenges.”

  “Okay,” she says.

  “But I have a challenge for you that quite honestly is something I can’t solve by myself, and it’s not in the realm of the business world. It’s why I asked you to come here, to my home. And it’s why I didn’t put on my suit and tie and why we’re having coffee and getting to know each other a little better, not that I need the time to do that. As crazy as it might sound I feel like I already know you well enough. Well enough to know you’re someone I trust completely. And when I say completely please realize I don’t say it lightly.”