by Jessica Loft
“You’re lucky you arrived before anything started. Anyway I’ve been sitting here for half an hour, and so far, everyone has been ignoring me.” The only thing of importance that took place since she got here was running into Zachary Salvatore. Literally. Even now she blushed, remembering the way she had walked right into him.
“He must think I’m a total dork,” she murmured.
“What was that?” Jake swung around to look at her.
“Uh, I’m glad you finally showed up.”
He grinned and finally took a good look at her.
“Holy shit, are you wearing a dress? And heels? Oh my, God, you’re wearing makeup too. ”
Embarrassed, Zoe crossed her legs and pulled down the hem of her dress.
“What’s the big deal?”
Jake shrugged.
“I have known you for years, and this is the first time I’m seeing you in anything other than jeans and a t-shirt.” He let out a laugh and shook his head, utterly amused. He stopped when she gave him a hateful glare.
“I’m not laughing at you, Zoe. Hell, you look great. Like an actual girl.”
Zoe elbowed him in the side.
“Shut up. You know, sometimes I wish I had a female best friend.”
Feigning hurt, Jake clutched his chest.
“Awe, you don’t mean that, do you?”
He didn’t receive an answer. Instead, Zoe was staring straight ahead, wide-eyed and flushed. Jake frowned, turning to see what had captured her attention.
Zoe’s mouth suddenly dried. Zachary Salvatore sauntered thought he door. He exuded confidence and masculinity. She blinked and finally sucked in a breath. The effect he had on her was both confusing and somewhat exhilarating. In all her twenty-two years, she had never reacted in such a way to a male. She had begun to wonder if she was normal. Now her stomach flipped, her heart fluttered, and her body temperature rose. Is this even healthy? She wondered. She wiped her sweaty palms on her dress as he approached.
Stopping in front of her chair, he looked down at her and smiled, revealing perfect white teeth.
“Zoe, we meet again.”
All she could do was force out a nervous smile and nod. What is he doing here? Oh, wait he owns the place, idiot. Fearing that she might actually come off as an idiot, she forced herself to speak.
“I must say this is a much better way to meet, with me seated and unable to cause you bodily harm.”
Zach laughed, amused by her referral to their first meeting in the elevator.
“You didn’t hear me complaining, did you?” In fact, he wouldn’t mind getting even closer and more personal with her.
Before she could respond, a stocky young man appeared.
“M-Mr. Salvatore, what brings you to this floor?” The man asked, sounding nervous.
“The intern, uh interns.” Zach peered at the man’s name tag, “Gary.”
Gary frowned.
“Er okay, sir.”
“I have decided that I need to show more interest in our future information technology workers. They could very well end up working here in the near future, after all.”
“Um, you’re totally right, sir. So I assume you will be joining us for orientation then.”
Zach turned to Gary.
“I sure will. I would like to participate as much as possible in their training.”His gaze drifted back to Zoe, to subtly rake over her small form. He would have Zoe in his bed before the end of her internship for sure.
Chapter Three
Zoe eyed Jake as they walked side by side to the parking lot.
“Are you okay, Jake?”
“Huh?”
She frowned. He had been solemn and seemed distracted all day.
“What’s up with you? You have barely spoken to me all day. And you haven’t even laughed at any of my corny jokes. You usually do to make me feel good.”
Jake’s lips twitched.
“Sorry, kid. Just not in a good mood that’s all.”
Zoe rolled her eyes. She was tired of reprimanding Jake about calling her ‘kid’ because they were the same age. But he insisted that she looked like one due to her inferior height.
When they stopped at her car, she turned to him.
“Tell me what’s wrong. You were fine when you arrived this morning.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. How could he tell her that he had been annoyed and jealous of the attention Mr. Salvatore gave her for most of the morning? The man had virtually been undressing her with his eyes. He wasn’t obvious with it of course, but Jake knew his type because he was just like him, always after a pretty girl. What bothered him, even more, was the way Zoe looked at Zachary Salvatore. He sighed.
“It’s nothing important. So, it seemed like you and Mr. Salvatore had already met before he crashed our orientation this morning.”
“Oh yeah. I walked right into him on the elevator. God, how embarrassing. Anyway, he was pretty gracious about the whole thing.”
“I bet,” Jake muttered under his breath.
“I heard that.” Zoe scowled.
“I’m going to get going, Zo. Bye.”
Zoe watched Jake walk to his car. She frowned. No see you later or call you later? No, drive safely? Nothing? Scratching her head, Zoe opened her door and slid into her car. She knew something was wrong with Jake. She made a silent note to drag it out of him later. Her mouth dropped open when Jake’s tires screeched as he sped out of the lot.
“Is he trying to kill himself?”
She attempted to start her car, her shoulders sagging when it didn’t respond. Taking a deep breath, she tried again, to no avail. With a growl, she dropped her forehead to the steering wheel and counted to ten.
“Okay, let’s try this again.” When the engine flared to life, her hope soared but died just as quickly as the engine.
“Crap.” She had known that it was only a matter of time before the piece of metal gave up on her. It was too bad Jake had already left. She could have hitched a ride with him. Picking up her cell to call him, she thought better of it. He wouldn’t hesitate to turn back, but he had something going on, and she didn’t want to bother him. It was after four in the afternoon. She could easily catch a bus. She called for a tow truck instead.
“Great, something else that I have to pay for,” she said shoving her phone into her handbag. Seeing no point in staying in the hot car, she got out. Half an hour passed and the tow truck still hadn’t arrived.
“It’s a damn good thing I asked for the evening off from work.”
Glancing around, she slid her feet out of her shoes to stand on the asphalt with bare feet. Letting out a relieved sigh, she leaned against the car.
“I might as well read something.” Reaching into her bag, she retrieved her tablet and searched for reading material. Her finger hovered over the romance novel she had started.
“No, I should read something constructive.”
Twisting her lips wryly, she selected the romance novel. If Jake knew that she secretly read romance novels, he would never let her live it down. It was her one guilty pleasure.
“You okay, Zoe?”
She froze. Was that Zachary Salvatore? Glancing up, she gasped. He was sitting in his Porsche, window down.
“Uh, I’m fine. I’m waiting for a tow truck.”
Zach frowned and unfolded himself from his car. Oh my, God, he’s coming over. Zoe shoved her tablet back in her bag.
“What’s the problem?” He asked.
She was finding it hard to think straight with him so near. His eyes lowered, and his brows shot up, a smile hovering on his lips. She had forgotten to put her shoes back on. Nearly dying from embarrassment, she shoved her feet into them. It’s a good thing she had painted her toenails last night, so they looked half decent.
“It finally gave up the ghost. It won’t start. I knew it would happen eventually.”
“Mind if I have a look?”
Zoe cocked an eyebrow, surprised by the offer. Did he want to ge
t grease all over his expensive suit?
“If you want.” She moved to pop the hood and watch in fascination as he removed his suit jacket and threw it in his car. The muscles of his arms rippled with every move. She could watch him all day. He lifted the hood and fiddled around.
“Try it now,” he instructed.
She turned the key in the ignition. The car started and shut down after a few seconds.
“That’s what happened before,” she announced.
“Looks like you got yourself an electrical problem, Zoe.”
“Oh, so that’s what it is. I know squat about cars.”
Jake grinned.
“Looks like I’ll have to give you a ride.”
Zoe’s eyes widened.
“Oh, no you don’t have to do that. Once the tow truck gets here, I’ll take a bus or a taxi.”
“I insist, Zoe.”
“I don’t want you to go out of your way.” She was sure that ritzy neighborhood he no doubt resided in was a long way from her area.
“It won’t be a problem. It’s hot out here. Let’s wait in my car until the tow truck get’s here.” He walked around to open the passenger door before she could protest.
Zoe looked around cautiously, hoping that no one saw the new intern getting into the boss’s car. Getting into his car, she was instantly hit with a blast of cool air. She let out a content sigh, glad for the reprieve from the humidity outside. She could just imagine what her hair looked like. Suddenly self-conscious, she brushed at it with her fingers. Jake slid in and turned into the parking space next to her car.
“Doesn’t it feel much better in here?” he asked.
“It sure does. Thank you.”
“No problem. How was your first day at Salvatore Solutions, Zoe?”
“It was great.” Of course, she had only been able to relax once he had left and went back upstairs.
“Good. How long will you be here?”
“I go back to school in two months.” Zoe shot him a side glance. She couldn’t believe she was in Zachary Salvatore’s car, engaging in small chat. She remained cool, but in her mind, she was screaming and jumping up and down like an excited school girl.
“Where do you attend school?”
“NYU. Final year.”
Zach smiled, “That’s great. Do you see my company as a potential place to start your career?”
“Of course, it’s at the top of my list.” She averted her gaze, wondering if she sounded too eager or desperate.
“I hope to see you here in about a year then. The tow truck is here,” he said looking in his rearview mirror.
Zoe moved to get out.
“No, you stay. I’ll handle it,” Zach said, jumping out. Zoe craned her neck to watch him speak with the driver of the truck, still stunned that he was handling her business.
“This entire day has been freaking unreal,” she whispered. Her mouth dropped open when she saw him flip out a credit card and swipe it in credit terminal the driver held.
Zach returned to his car.
“All taken care of,” he said with a grin.
“I didn’t even give the driver any information as to where to take the car. Did you just pay him?”
“Yes. I also told him to take your car to a shop near here.”
“Um, how much did you just pay? I’ll reimburse you, of course.”
Zach grinned harder.
“That’s not necessary.” He reversed out of the parking space and drove off.
“I’m paying you back.”
“Forget it, Zoe. You should give me your phone number so I can call you and tell you when to pick up your car. The owner of the shop it’s being taken to is a close friend of mine. What’s your address by the way?”
She rattled off her address and gaped at him. How did he suddenly become in charge of her personal affairs? Why did he even care? She was a stranger to him.
Zach bit back a smile. He could feel Zoe staring at him. He could almost read her mind. He had pushed himself into her personal business, and she was wondering why. He would like to tell her it’s because he was naturally a nice and caring guy. But that would be a lie, not that he wasn’t generous; he just had ulterior motives where she was concerned.
“So, how about that phone number, Zoe?”
“Or you could just give me the body shop’s number, and I can call them.”
Zach’s lips twitched. It seemed he would just have to be direct.
“I could do that, but then I wouldn’t have your number and I want it.”
Zoe swallowed hard.
“W-why do you want my number?”
“I thought it was obvious. I’m interested in you.”
She turned to him, eyes narrowed.
“Is that why you hung around downstairs all morning?”
He grinned.
“You’re catching on.”
“And here I thought you were genuinely interested in teaching the interns.”
“I’m genuinely interested in you.”
Zoe exhaled. She had no idea how to handle such directness from a man, especially a man like him. Why in the world would he be interested in her? He was way out of her league. That fact didn’t stop her from being elated though because she was most certainly interested in him.
“Uh, I guess I can give you my number.”
“Good,” Jake said, pleased. He handed her his phone. For a minute there, he thought he would have to go through the company’s records to get it and seem like a stalker.
Zoe remained silent until they neared her block.
“Turn right here,” she instructed. “This building right here.”
“Can I call you later?”
Taken aback, Zoe stammered.
“Er, y-yes. If you wish.” Grasping the door handle, she said. “Thank you for the lift.”
“No problem. Let me walk you up.”
“N-no you don’t have to.”
“I want to.” He slid out and jogged around to open her door.
“You’re leaving your car? You might come out to find it gone.”
He let out a laugh.
“Well, then I guess I would have to buy another. Let’s go.”
Zoe glanced back at his car nervously as they entered her building.
“We’ll have to take the stairs. The elevator is broken… again.” What was she thinking allowing him to follow her inside? His place was no doubt a palace compared her dump. He followed her up the stairs to the third floor.
“This is me,” she said stopping in front of her door. “Thank you for everything, Mr. Salvatore.”
“Zach, call me Zach.”
“Zach,” she repeated, breathlessly.
Zach studied her carefully. Her slightly flushed skin and breathless tone indicated that she was just as affect by him as he was by her. She was interested, which meant she probably wouldn’t protest if he kissed her. Stepping closer to her, he gauged her reaction. She stared up at him wide-eyed. Her gaze dropped to his lips, and her own parted slightly. That was all the permission he needed. Doing what he had wanted to do all day, he lowered his head and covered her lips with his.
Zoe gasped just as their mouths connected. Closing her eyes, she allowed him to continue. He palmed her hips pulling her into him, and she went willingly. Her handbag slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor. She placed her hand against his chest and kissed him back with fervor.
Zach pulled away, breathing hard. He didn’t want to get too carried away. If he didn’t leave now, they would end up in her bedroom.
“Not before a first date,” he murmured.
Dazed and swaying on her feet, Zoe looked up at him, confused.
“Huh?”
“Will you have dinner with me, tomorrow?”
“I have to work.”
“You leave at four.”
“I have another job. I do a few hours at a diner some evenings and nights.”
He frowned.
“Oh. When will you be fre
e?”
“Saturday.”
Damn. He would have to wait four more days.
“Saturday it is.”
“I didn’t agree to go out with you,” Zoe said.
Zach grinned.
“I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“But you’re my boss. Well, temporarily. But still.”
“It makes no difference to me.” Planting a quick kiss on her lips, he backed away. “You and me, dinner on Saturday. I’ll call you later.”
Zoe stood in the hallway long after Zach disappeared, dumbfounded.
Chapter Four
Zoe stared at the computer screen, not able to focus. She jumped every time someone walked through the door, thinking that it was him. Zach stopped by each morning, and she always made sure she was out of sight. He had caught a glimpse of her briefly one morning, but he had been in the middle of a conversation with someone. She had quickly disappeared before he finished. She recalled the look on his face when he had spotted her. He had seemed pissed, and she knew why. She hadn’t answered any of his calls since Monday night.
She felt guilty. But what was a girl to do? She was trying to keep herself out of trouble. There was no way she was going to get involved with Zachary Salvatore. She was not going to set herself up for heartbreak. It was easy to foresee what would happen if she went down that road. She would get attached and would be heartbroken when he tired of her and was ready to move on to the next female. I’m being smart. But, oh how she wanted him. If the way he kissed her was anything to go by, he would probably cause her to combust in the bedroom.
Every night she went to sleep, Zach appeared in her dreams and did things to her that hadn’t been done in a long time. I’m really sex deprived, she mused. Two years was a long time to go without intimacy. After she had broken up with her sorry excuse for a boyfriend, she had thrown all of her focus into school.
“Earth to Zoe.” Jake’s voice penetrated her thoughts.
“What is it?”
“I should be asking you that. You’ve been staring at the computer screen all morning. We’re supposed to be working on our software.”
“Relax, we have a month and three weeks left.”
Jake’s brows shot up.
“Okay who the hell are you and what have you done with Zoe? She would never say something like that. That’s usually my line.”