by Pamela Yaye
“I think you do,” she shot back. “I’m onto you, Ms. Brooks. I know what you’re after.”
Perspiration drenched Jariah’s skin, and a cold shiver ripped through her body. She couldn’t think and the room was spinning on its head. The walls were closing in, and the office suddenly felt smaller than an airplane bathroom. Jariah struggled to kept her composure. Lashing out would get her nowhere, and she had no intention of losing her job on the first day.
“I don’t believe in beating around the bush, so I’m going to get straight to the point.”
The HR director’s icy tone put her on edge. Jariah wanted to storm out of the office and slam the door so hard the windows shattered, but she didn’t want Mrs. Reddick to know she’d gotten under her skin.
“Mr. Morretti hired you for one reason, and one reason only, and that’s to get you into bed.”
Jariah swallowed a gasp. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears like a jackhammer. At the thought of making love to Nicco—a man she shared amazing chemistry with—blood rushed straight to her core. Her breasts swelled, and her nipples hardened under her dress.
Flustered, Jariah wet her lips with her tongue, and breathed deeply through her nose. Her thoughts cleared, but her burning desire for her new boss remained.
“It’s obvious you’re taken with Mr. Morretti, and he with you, so I thought it was important to have an honest talk with you.”
“I’m not taken with anyone, Mrs. Reddick.”
Her oval-shaped eyes were pools of blue, and filled with skepticism. “As I was saying, I hired you to assist Mr. Morretti in his day-to-day affairs, not to seduce him, and I won’t tolerate any hanky-panky at this company.”
Hanky panky? You’ve got to be kidding me! Jariah bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing out loud. Her legs stopped shaking, and for the first time since arriving at Mrs. Reddick’s office Jariah felt herself relax and her confidence return.
“Mr. Morretti is a smooth talker who loves female attention,” she explained with the air and expertise of a trained psychologist. “He flirts with everyone, so don’t think you’re special. You’re simply one of many. Furthermore, he’s never been a one-woman man and is dead-set against ever getting married.”
Annoyed, Jariah struggled to control her temper. Does she warn every new female employee about Nicco? Or did she tailor-make this speech just for me?
“I know a lot of people in the financial sector, and if I find out in the future you had an inappropriate relationship with Mr. Morretti, you’ll never work in this town again.”
Jariah gripped the arms of her chair. She didn’t want to get into a screaming match with Mrs. Reddick, but she had to make it clear where she stood on office romances. “I have years of work experience under my belt, and a résumé I’m incredibly proud of,” she began, though her tone was free of pride. “I have never been inappropriate with a colleague, and I have no intention of having an affair with anyone at this company.”
Mrs. Reddick raised her eyebrows in a questioning slant, but didn’t speak. The phone rang, but she ignored it and continued staring Jariah down as if she were a common criminal.
“Mr. Morretti and I will have an employer-employee relationship and nothing more. I’m not here to find a husband, Mrs. Reddick. I’m here to advance my career.”
“I won’t let you or anyone else bring shame to this fine company again, and if...”
Again? The word rattled around Jariah’s head, rousing her curiosity. What had Nicco done? she wondered. And more importantly, what the hell have I gotten myself into?
“Don’t indulge Mr. Morretti,” Mrs. Reddick continued, raising her voice above the noise and animated conversations streaming through the office walls. “Do your work and remain professional at all times. Have I made myself clear?”
“Like crystal,” Jariah said tightly, her jaw stiff and her teeth clenched.
“I’ll be watching you.” Mrs. Reddick opened her bottom drawer, pulled out a large manila envelope and slammed the drawer shut. “Read through the employee handbook and don’t forget to date and sign your contract. Make yourself a copy and put the original in my mailbox.”
“What about my employee orientation?”
Mrs. Reddick pushed the envelope across the desk. “We just had it.”
“But I have questions about the benefits package and the upcoming training sessions.”
“Then read the employee handbook. It covers everything, but if you still have—”
A female voice floated over the intercom, causing the HR director to trail off.
“Sorry to interrupt but Mr. Morretti Sr. is on line one,” she said in an urgent tone. “I told him you were in a meeting, but he demanded I put his call through.”
Sweat glistened on Mrs. Reddick’s forehead, and panic filled her eyes. “That’s all for now.” She made a shooing motion with one hand and snatched up the phone receiver with the other. “Please close the door on your way out.”
Standing, Jariah scooped up the envelope and thanked Mrs. Reddick for her time. As she exited the office, she overhead the HR director say, “You have nothing to worry about, Arturo. I just spoke to Ms. Brooks. Trust me, she isn’t going to be a problem...”
Outside in the hallway, Jariah slumped against the wall. She needed a moment to make sense of what just happened. The HR director was a know-it-all, the type of woman who liked throwing her weight around, in essence, a bully in a Chanel suit. Jariah wondered what Nicco would think about the disparaging things Mrs. Reddick had said about him. Her brain was hazy, but she remembered every detail of her conversation with Mrs. Reddick.
I see the way you look at him, and more importantly how he looks at you... Mr. Morretti hired you for one reason, and one reason only and that’s to get you into bed.
Jariah banished the thought from her mind, straightened and strode purposefully down the wide, bright corridor. No one was going to intimidate her, or push her around. She was going to prove her ingenuity, and by the time she found an account manager job and quit Morretti Incorporated, Nicco would be singing her praises. And not because she’d slept with him but because she’d worked her ass off.
Sleeping with him to advance her career was a ludicrous notion, one she would never consider. It wasn’t going to happen. Ever. No way.
Jariah spotted Nicco exiting the staff room surrounded by a bevy of young, wide-eyed interns, and felt her gaze slide down his broad, sinfully sexy physique. Their eyes met, and her world stopped. His face brightened, and a devilish grin curled his full, juicy lips.
Jariah clutched the envelope tightly to her chest. To her surprise, he turned away from his adoring group and headed straight toward her. Her heart fluttered with nervous anticipation. His footsteps pounded on the floor, and his expensive cologne wafted through the air, seizing every woman’s attention on the ninth floor.
Butterflies swarmed her belly, danced and fluttered earnestly. In her mind, she imagined herself kissing and caressing Nicco’s lean, chiseled face, and quickly deleted the thought. Advancing her career was all that mattered. Tonight she was going to educate herself about the company, and come Monday morning she’d be up to speed.
“How did your employee orientation go?”
Trust me, you don’t want to know. “It was great,” she lied, glancing over her shoulder to ensure Mrs. Reddick wasn’t spying on them. Jariah wouldn’t put anything past the HR director, and as she followed him to the elevators, she made a mental note to keep Nicco’s office door open at all times. Being alone with him was too risky; there was too much temptation. The last thing Jariah wanted was to give her colleagues—especially the female staff—the wrong impression. “Mrs. Reddick is a wealth of useful information, and I learned a lot from her.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
Inside the elevator, they discussed his sche
dule, his upcoming business trip to Los Angeles, and the anniversary party he was throwing for his parents next month. He spoke about his parents with love and affection, and Jariah found herself overcome with sadness and longing. She wanted to make things right with her mom and dad, but didn’t know how. They’d been estranged for months, and she missed them dearly.
When they reached tenth floor, Jariah noticed it was dead quiet and that all of the offices were empty. “Where is everyone?” she asked as they approached the reception area. “This place looks like a ghost town.”
“On Fridays, employees only work half days,” he explained, cocking an eyebrow. “Didn’t Mrs. Reddick mention that during your employee orientation?”
“I, um, must have forgotten.”
“No worries, Jariah. It’s you’re first day, and you’ve been bombarded with information.”
He pulled back the sleeve of his dress shirt and checked his gold wristwatch. “It’s already three o’clock. You better get going or you’ll get stuck in rush hour on your way home.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind sticking around a little longer.”
“There’s no point. I’ll be heading out shortly, and everyone else is gone for the day.”
“You must have a hot date tonight.” Jariah heard the question spring out of her loose lips, and wished she could stuff them back inside her big, fat mouth. What is the matter with you? Do you want Mrs. Reddick to march in here and bitch slap you?
“What I meant to say was, you must have a busy weekend planned with your friends.”
“Yeah, tonight I’m hanging out with my godson, and on Sunday my boys and I will be at Gulfstream Park.” Nicco wore a curious expression. “Do you like thoroughbred racing?”
“The sport of kings is a little too rich for my blood. I’m more of a fly-fishing girl.”
Amusement lit his eyes. “Fly-fishing, huh?”
“My dad taught me everything there is to know about the sport.”
“I’ve always wanted to learn. Maybe you can teach me one day.”
And earn Mrs. Reddick’s wrath? No way!
“Why don’t you bring some of your girlfriends and join me in my luxury box?” Nicco proposed. “The food is outstanding, the view is spectacular, and the park will be crawling with celebs. It’s a guaranteed good time.”
“Thanks for the invitation, but I have plans with my daughter.” Eating junk food and watching Disney movies is hardly exciting, but I’m a homebody at heart, and I love the idea of spending quality time with my baby girl.
Rap music filled the air. “That’s my personal cell,” Nicco said, glancing inside his office. “Have a good weekend, Jariah. See you on, Monday.”
“Thanks, you, too. Good luck on the race track.”
Jariah scooped up her handbag and walked down the hallway, feeling better than she had in weeks. Finally, things were going her way, and if she kept her attraction to Nicco quiet and found a way to avoid Mrs. Reddick, life would be perfect.
Chapter 9
Noise, laughter and squeals of delight filled the Chuck E. Cheese’s on Biscayne Boulevard, and as Jariah entered the family-friendly restaurant with Ava, she noticed every booth in the seating area was occupied. The center was crowded, and children raced around bumping into each other and everything that got in their way.
The scent of corn dogs and cheese pizza stirred Jariah’s hunger, making her mouth water and her stomach grumble. Walking around Aventura mall for hours, trying on shoes and clothes with a temperamental six-year-old was exhausting, and all Jariah wanted now was a cold drink and a place to rest her aching feet. Inside her tote bag was the employee package, the Morretti Incorporated summer report and a copy of Nicco’s August schedule. Her plan was to read while Ava played, and when Jariah spotted a family of three vacate their booth, she rushed across the room and dumped her things on the table.
“Mom, can I go to the kid’s zone?” Ava asked.
“You have an hour to play, and that’s it.” Jariah helped her daughter out of her purple raincoat and chucked it on the seat. “And no running. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Ava stuck out her hand and wiggled her fingers. “Mom, I need some money for tokens.”
Jariah reached inside her tote bag and gave Ava five dollars.
“That’s it? Dad usually gives me twenty bucks.”
“Is that before or after you throw a hissy fit?”
“I need more money.”
Reluctantly, Jariah opened her wallet. Ava snatched a ten-dollar bill, and took off like a rocket into the games and arcade section.
Jariah sat down in the booth, and got down to work. What she read in the employee package fascinated her. Morretti Incorporated was one of the leading players in the shipping industry, but it was their investment division, which was headed up by Nicco, that was growing in leaps and bounds. Since opening Dolce Vita in 2004, the charismatic CEO had used his charm and connections to shoot up the celebrity stratosphere. In ten short years, he’d built a multi-million-dollar empire comprised of five-star restaurants, trendy cafés and endorsement and sponsorship deals. But what impressed Jariah most of all about the family-owned company was their commitment to charity work and their employee-friendly work environment.
“Are you ready to go down, chump?”
“Bring it on, Uncle Nicco. I’m not scared of you!”
Frowning with her yellow highlighter suspended in midair, Jariah glanced around in search of the familiar voice. And there, at the arcade basketball game was Nicco and a small boy with glasses. Amused, Jariah watched them play, and laughed when Nicco threw his hands up in victory. Nicco did the moonwalk around the pinball machine, and the kid—and everyone standing nearby— cracked up.
Unable to resist teasing her boss, Jariah slid out of the booth and joined the pair at the arcade basketball game. “No one likes a show-off,” she said, shaking her head in disapproval. “I think you owe your opponent an apology and something from the concession stand.”
“Jariah, what are you doing here?” Nicco folded his arms as if he was upset, but a grin was playing on his lips. “Are you stalking me?”
“You wish!” she quipped, her tone full of sass.
“Now, is that anyway to talk to the man who’ll be signing your paychecks?”
Shame burned her cheeks. “You’re right. I am so sorry. I wasn’t thinking—”
“Relax, Jariah. I was only kidding.”
His touch to her forearm was warm and gentle. “This handsome kid with the killer jump shot is my godson,” he said, ruffling the kid’s hair. “Richie, say hello to Ms. Brooks.”
“You’re pretty,” the boy gushed, his eyes bright. “Do you have a man?”
Surprised by the question and the child’s obvious confidence, Jariah gave Nicco a pointed look. “You put him up to that, didn’t you?”
“I did no such thing.” Nicco raised his hands in the air, like a fugitive surrendering to the police. “He’s a smart kid. He knows a quality woman when he sees one.”
“So, now you’re his wingman?”
Nicco threw his head back and chuckled long and hard.
“Mom!” Ava ran over, her pigtails flapping in the air and her face covered with excitement. “I need more money. Can I have twenty bucks?”
“No, I just gave you ten dollars.”
Nicco took out his wallet and handed Ava a fifty-dollar bill. “Here you go, Ava. Knock yourself out.”
“Wow.” Her mouth agape, Ava stared intently at the bill, as if her big, brown eyes were deceiving her. “Thank you, mister!”
Jariah shook her head. “Nicco, that’s too much money. She’s only six-years-old.”
“Let her have some fun,” he said with a wink.
Ava danced around in circles. “Yippee! Now, I can
play ‘Western Wrangler’!”
“You like that game?” Richie wiggled his eyebrows. “But you’re a girl.”
“So, what?” Ava sassed. “I’m good at it. I bet I can beat you.”
“Bring it on!”
The children took off running and made a beeline for the “Western Wrangler” machine.
“Thanks a lot, Nicco. Now, I’ll never see my daughter again!”
“Or you can look at it as an opportunity to schmooze with your new boss.”
“I must admit,” Jariah said, dodging his heated gaze, “I’m surprised to see you here.”
“I don’t know why.” Mischief twinkled in his eyes and his mouth held a teasing smile. “I’ve been coming here since I was Richie’s age, and the only thing I like more than arcade games is playing ‘Dance Dance Revolution’ on my Wii.”
Jariah giggled. To her friends and family she was Ms. Independent—a serious, no-nonsense woman who didn’t have time to play. But deep down she longed to be with someone fun, lively and energetic, and found herself wishing Nicco was anyone but her boss.
“Let’s order some snacks,” Nicco said, gesturing to the concession stand. “The kids will be starving once their tokens run out, and I don’t want to feel your daughter’s wrath.”
“We can share a booth. There’s more than enough room at mine.”
“That’s great. I’ll go get the snacks and meet you there.”
Ten minutes later, Nicco returned carrying two trays filled with junk food.
“How much do I owe you?” Jariah asked, reaching for her purse.
“Put your money away. It’s my treat.”
“I’d like to pay my share.”
“Too bad,” he said, settling into the booth. “Your money’s no good here.”
