by Nana Malone
Simon’s lips pinched tight.
“I’ll up the offer,” he said and scribbled a new total on the piece of paper. “How about that? That’s more than a bit of dosh for passing along bits of information my sister is planning. You don’t have to do much. Product suggestions here, upcoming meeting plans there.”
A knot of tension squeezed Nick’s stomach. Fuck. That would mean he could give up the bar and help his mum. Shit.
Again, his sensible side kicked in. The plan, Nick. Think of the plan. You need to graduate. Some dodgy undercover job is never going to help you. And you’ve been waiting for this chance to work for one of the Day businesses. Don’t mess this up.
“Thanks, mate. I’m flattered. But no. It’s not something I can do right now.”
Simon snatched the piece of paper, pocketed it, and returned to his seat.
Later on, when the gin gang had clip-clopped their way clumsily out the double doors, their stilettos wobbling ever so slightly under their tipsy owners, and the finance nerds had sipped their bubbly and called it a day, Nick made his way for the staff room to grab his bag, desperate for pizza, beer, and bed.
Chelsea called after him. “Nick. Some tosser gave me this card for you. He said you’ll be needing it when you come to your senses.”
He shook his head. “Nah, I won’t be needing that, thanks. Just chuck it out with the soggy beer mats. Where it belongs.”
“Come on girl, launch this day, fight that flab. Get the hell out of that pit.”
It was six AM. Selena Day was in no bloody mood to launch this day. “I hate you,” she grumbled as the slammed her face deep into her springy pillow.
Gus, her personal trainer, was like a wind-up bunny, ready for action whatever the goddamn hour. He turned on the lights in her room, flooding it with light. He’d learned early on he’d have to come wake her for workouts.
“You’re not going to tighten that ass by lying on it, Selena. It’s only going to get bigger.”
He was relentless.
“I’m coming.” she yelled, rubbing her stinging eyes. “Just to spite you I’m having chocolate today,” she whispered. To say Selena was not a morning person would be the understatement of the century. The millennium even.
After five minutes of fumbling about in her room to clumsily step into her workout gear, she emerged into the kitchen frowning.
“Ah, she lives.” Gus shouted with a level of joy painful to Selena’s tired senses. “I was about to send in a search party.”
Selena forced a laugh. “Let’s get this over with.” She followed him into her gym.
“You know you love it when you get started, honey,” said Gus as he pulled his leg loosely upwards towards his spine. “Get stretching. Chop chop.”
Thirty minutes of crunches, sit-ups and running later, Selena was sharp as a pin. She smiled, under a mask of glistening hot-pink skin.
“Good one, girl. You’ve earned yourself a mojito tonight.” Gus enthused. “No pleasures without pain, remember?”
“Believe me, I remember,” she replied, rolling her eyes and taking a huge gulp of mineral water.
An hour later, after showering and downing a green smoothie prepared by her housekeeper Mena, who had cooked for her since childhood, she picked out a fitted grey dress and black heels. It wasn’t a hard choice. Most of the outfits in her work wardrobe were simply variations of this in slightly different shades. Smart, yet unremarkable.
She smoothed her blond hair back into a bun and examined her face in the mirror, then applied her company’s newly developed make-up primer and nodded in approval. It absorbed like a dream. Her fingers halted at the raised scar that ran the length of one side of her jaw. A shiver flickered through her. The words “Eat your dog food, you fat dog” would never leave her. Every touch of her scar brought her right back to when she was eight and her older brother Simon had shoved her crying face into an open can, the jagged edge tearing her perfect skin apart. It took fifty stitches to hold the horrifying gash together. All Simon got was grounded. Selena was left to deal with the visible memento for the rest of her life. When she’d turned twenty-two, she’d had a plastic surgeon work on it, and he was able to decrease the texture and scar tissue, but the scar remained.
Don’t think about that asshole today. She closed her eyes and forced a deep soothing breath. You’ve got bigger things to deal with today.
Make-up done, she made her way down in the elevator of her condo. The view of the South Bank of the Thames was visible from the glass walls of the elevator. Outside, she stepped into the sleek private Mercedes SUV.
“Morning ma’am,” said Jacek, her driver.
Jacek had been driving her to work every day for the last three years. Was he really the only guy she saw regularly? She was beginning to realize she had spent too long on her own. She was twenty-six. Wasn’t she supposed to be dating disposable guys? Hell, where would she even begin to look for a man who could handle someone with such a mapped-out daily routine and not feel threatened?
2
“Everyone, this is Nick. He’s our new intern,” said Nancy. “He’ll be Selena’s PA.”
Nick smiled and gave the marketing and development team a simple nod.
“So, this is your desk,” she said gesturing behind him. Nancy was stern and foreboding, in a headmistress sort of way. “At first, you’ll be inputting notes and data that the team give you. In essence, you record everything that goes on. At all times.” Her eyes widened, as if warning him to take those words as a life motto from this day forward. “Once you master that, I’ll pass off the other responsibilities of looking after Selena.”
“Gotcha,” he said with a smile. Nancy pursed her lips. Nick tried again, more formally this time, “Certainly.”
“Okay,” she said, eyeing his white shirt and dark jeans. “Get your iPad and papers ready for the meeting at eleven.”
Nick sighed as he sat at his new station. The place might look like a girly magazine blew up in here, but it was all very serious. Not like whipping up a few gin cocktails. But this job would pay a lot more than bar work and give him corporate experience. Besides, he could fit his studies around this. It was a win-win set up.
The first two hours zoomed by as Nick was handed all sorts of files from ideas to notes from meetings and he plowed through the paper with ease. Eleven arrived and the team rose from their seats and chattered excitedly as they made their way towards the conference room.
Everyone took their places at an enormous rectangular table. The bright room had wall-to-ceiling windows showcasing London’s skyscrapers.
He sat stiffly in an end seat. He didn’t want to be at an end, but it was the only space left, other than the most obvious grand leather chair at the opposite end of the table, which was clearly for the boss. Way to draw attention to yourself, as if you didn’t stand out enough as the newbie. Now you’re heading up one end of the table. He tried to relax.
The door opened and Nancy entered first, holding a black leather folio and a glass of water. She placed those at the head of the table for Selena, who followed after. Before sitting in the executive seat, Selena greeted everyone with a smile.
Nick glanced up and then started in surprise. Her blond hair was pulled neatly back into a bun. Wide blue eyes. Little trim body. She wasn’t like most women he dated, who were obvious in their beauty. Her make-up was minimal, but her skin was smooth, clear, vibrant. She didn’t need the war paint. It was her simple understated sexiness that rendered him mute. She wasn’t classically beautiful, but the intelligence in her eyes held him rapt. Fuck. His dick twitched as if to say, “Yeah, tosser. Good luck keeping me in your pants.”
“Thanks for coming everyone. We’ve got some exciting things to discuss today.” She took her seat, opened her file and stopped short as her eyes met Nick’s at the opposite end of the table.
“Oh, hello,” she said abruptly. “New faces today?” She eyed Nancy.
Nancy muttered, almost apologetically, “Th
is is your new intern Miss Day. I didn’t get time to tell you yesterday. This is Nick. He’ll be acting as your PA for the foreseeable.”
“Well then, welcome,” said Selena, her lips tipping into a small smile. “Although, you may have to find another seat,” she added gently, as Nancy marched her way down the length of the room to her seat, where he sat.
“Oh,” he muttered, stiffening. “Is this your seat?”
“Usually, yes,” Nancy said dryly.
Someone darted out the door and returned a moment later, dragging in an extra seat and offering it to Nick with a smile.
“Thanks.”
Selena began the meeting at breakneck speed, and Nick attempted to stay on top of it. The acronyms were going to kill him, but he’d figure it out. This was what he’d worked for. He belonged here. All he had to do was not stare at his new boss. Easy right?
Yep, easy, as long as he didn’t fucking look at her. Mate, sort yourself, or you will cock up your new gig. He watched her pink, glossy lips as they spilled forth important facts at high speed. Her smooth, tanned skin was all Nick could focus on for a moment as she reached her slender arm forward to pass around some papers. Her fitted dress gave more than a hint of her rounded breasts. Focus Nick. You’re not a horny twat. She’s your boss. Yeah, she’s pretty, but not worth losing your shit over.
There was also something aloof about her, except he got the impression she wasn’t. She was focused. In command. Even in that simple dress she was striking. Her honey-coloured hair pulled back only emphasised those huge blue eyes, hiding behind sooty black lashes.
“Nick?” Selena said. The papers had reached him and halted. The person to his left nudged him, waiting for them to be passed over.
“Sorry,” he mumbled.
“It’s okay. You’ll get up to speed,” she offered with a warm smile. She turned her attention to the room. “I need a really strong team on this one. No room for errors. Pierre Berest, owner of Mada Department Stores in France, wants us to develop a bespoke range for their flagship store in Paris.”
A flutter of chatter erupted. This was clearly big stuff.
“In two weeks, I will be heading over there to launch discussions. I’ll need ideas to take with me, samples and a projection of what we can roll out. I need a team.”
“I’ve always wanted to go to Paris,” one of the staff said, before clasping her hands over her mouth.
Nick looked between the brunette and Selena. That’s cute, sweetheart, but I’ll be the one going to Paris. Yeah, cocky maybe, but he actually had a few things going for him. For starters, he spoke fluent French. He might not have grown up on a housing estate, but one of his best mate’s mothers had been French and he’d taken it in school. And when he’d gotten the scholarship to boarding school, he’d found he had an aptitude for languages. His German wasn’t half bad and he could manage in Italian. He always remembered what his headmaster had said, “It’s not where you’ve been, but where you’re going.” And he was getting the fuck away from his past.
Selena laughed. “Don’t get too excited yet. This first meeting will just be with a skeleton team, to get things off the ground. If things go well, I may well take you all over for the launch. But there is a lot of work to be done first.”
The meeting came to a close and Nick went to stand, but the perky brunette gave him a warning shake of the head. Everyone stayed seated as Selena rose from her chair, bid a polite goodbye and left the room. Nancy waddled after her.
Heart hammering, Selena swallowed hard. What the hell was wrong with her? As she approached her office, she turned to Nancy. “Get me Nick’s file, please. I like to know who’s on my staff.” Especially when he looks like that.
The whole meeting, she’d struggled to concentrate on what she was saying. She could practically feel him watching her. She wasn’t used to someone paying such close attention to her. Especially not someone like him. She knew the type. Good looking. Cocky as hell. Used to getting by on their looks. Guys like that expected women to fawn all over them. Isn’t that what you’re doing? No. She was merely noticing his attractiveness. Hell, she wasn’t dead. Besides, she knew better. If he was going to distract her, maybe it would be a good idea to transfer him.
His file landed on her desk moments later. She read his college grades with raised eyebrows. Damn. The man had brains to go with that face. And he was her age, twenty-six. With grades like that, why had it taken him so long to get through his master’s? What was the catch? Usually that spelled trouble somewhere.
She leaned forward to buzz Nancy. “Nance, can you get Nick in here, please?”
Moments later, Nick’s lean frame appeared in her doorway. He carried himself with all the quiet confidence of a jaguar in the wild. His jeans hung low on his hips and his button-down was cut slim to frame his chest and abs. He looked like one of the bloody models they used for their campaigns. This guy could easily sell one of their perfume lines. Hell, she’d line right up to buy it.
She saw a flash of tattooed skin under his shirt cuff and wondered how far up his body the ink went. His designer stubble framed his jaw perfectly. His piercing green eyes met hers.
“You wanted to see me?”
Yeah, stop ogling your employee. Problem was, given his hint of a smirk, she was pretty sure he’d noticed her openly staring. She cleared her throat. Get it together. “Yes, take a seat.”
When they were face to face, Selena’s stomach fluttered. What the hell was that? Why was she nervous? She was the one in charge.
“So, I’ve had a look at your CV. All very impressive.” She paused, trying to keep her expression neutral. “You’re clearly bright. What’s happening with the whole mature student thing? Why wait so long to complete your master’s?” She often took flack for being too blunt, but then she didn’t have time to waste. She was in charge of this place. Besides, no one would ever have accused her father of bluntness.
Nick’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly, then he shifted in his seat. “Family issues to take care of, but that’s all behind me,” he responded, meeting her gaze directly. “I’m only months away from completing now and I’m focused on my future. I have to say, I’ve always admired your father and his companies. I’ve looked forward to working for a place he built for a long time.”
She nodded. “I’m sure you’ll go far. But you could do better than interning, right?”
The corner of his lip turned upwards with a rueful smile. His eyes glinted like emeralds as he sat silently for a moment. Then he said, “Maybe I want a career in cosmetics. For all you know, I want to start my own men’s make-up line. I could make guy-liner huge.”
Despite herself, Selena laughed. “Fair enough. I get the distinct impression you would make it a best seller.”
“About Paris,” Nick added. “I know I’m the new one, but I would really like to bid to be part of that team. I’m fluent in French and it would be great for my dissertation. Add to that, I work hard. It’s my number one goal to make sure you’re satisfied.”
Oh shit. She didn’t doubt that. He’d likely satisfy in a slew of inventive ways. Heat bloomed low in her belly. Was it her or had his voice dropped an octave? Yes, it’s you. You’re lonely and horny and clearly needed the assist of a psychiatrist. She shifted in her seat and dragged her attention back to what he was saying. All the while, her lady parts kept thinking about just what he might do to…satisfy her.
“And I should be ramped up by then. Whatever it takes, Miss Day. I’m no quitter. I’ll do what’s needed and go above and beyond.”
In bed. She shook her head. She had to stop. She forced herself to take a deep calming breath. He was self-assured and she liked that. “I’ll take some time to get the team together,” she said, not giving anything away. “I probably do need an admin with me though. I’ll let you know. I’m sure you’ll prove yourself before then.”
Nick nodded. “Without a doubt. I appreciate the consideration,” he said, and rose from his seat, reaching out a hand to s
hake hers. She stood up and took his firm grip.
A flush of heat pulsed through her veins at his touch. Not appropriate. So, not appropriate. She planted her feet as she watched him leave the room, catching his eye momentarily as he smiled and leaned to pull the door shut.
The moment he was out of view she sagged and released a long exhale. She hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath. He was going to be a problem. Or rather, her reaction to him was. It had just been too long. That was it. Liar. She could do this. She wasn’t going to be reduced to a mooning schoolgirl by some bloke.
Selena slouched down in her seat and stared out the window at the city below. Maybe she could get a different assistant. She knew given the employee benefits, the position would be filled in no time. But could she really replace him just because she found him attractive. Hell forget attractive. He was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. That wouldn’t be fair.
He was smart. That was a plus. He was unbelievably good-looking, which on one hand was an advantage. In the end, clients were human. And they were all in the business of beauty. Shades of Chic would be remembered as the good-looking ones.
But was he too good-looking? Would he be a distraction? And what the hell happened with that tummy flip? And those eyes. Oh God, those eyes, and his broad shoulders in that shirt. Maybe it was finally time to get on a dating site like her friends had suggested. Shagging her new intern on her desk was probably frowned upon. And the kicker was they were the exact same age. If she was like him and in grad school, he’d be exactly the kind of guy her friends would dare her to go talk to. But you’re not in grad school. She ran the ship and she didn’t get to have fantasies.
The deep hunger knotted in her belly and she tried to ignore it. Yes, she was lonely, but her father made her his successor because she was tough. He knew she could handle it. And she wouldn’t let his billion-dollar legacy down.
Thinking about Nick was a bad idea. She just couldn’t afford any distractions. She made up her mind—she’d have to replace him. Then it dawned on her there were no other assistant options right now. He’d been brought in to replace her executive assistant, Genie, who was off on maternity leave. She couldn’t replace him.
