Take Me Now

by Nancy Jardine

  Aela, he was gratified to see, gaped at both of them.

  He blasted his father to hell and damnation along with a few curses well-aimed at himself as he acknowledged what must be done to salvage the mess he appeared to have made. Wheeling himself out of the kitchen, he snapped, “Miss Cameron. Come to the office, please.”

  Aela didn’t immediately follow him. He could hear her tight voice speaking with Ruaridh as he bowled along the corridor.

  “We’ll have to discuss the details again, the salary quoted and such,” he grunted when she entered the office.

  Her face was stormy as she clumped in, looking ready to do battle. He felt just as wild. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t documented anything useful on the file he’d opened for the interview the day before. He was usually meticulous about details. Apart from some poorly spelled comments that he’d listed on her flying and boating experience, there was an all too revealing sentence stating she could drive any transport he had, but first those pink lips could learn to drive him.

  Unable to believe he’d written it, he deleted it.

  “Mr. Malcolm.” Aela stomped up to his desk forcing him to raise his head. “Before we go any further, may I just make clear what happened here yesterday afternoon?”

  He heard the resolute tone and noted her grim determination. Was she going to lord it over him that he’d been, to all intents and purposes, insensible – like a drunk – during the interview? Were demands starting? Had he also made verbal sexual overtures like the written comment, even though she’d given no indications of it in the kitchen?

  After a momentary closing of his eyes, he braced himself for the retribution it seemed he’d merited before waving her into the seat, wincing when she didn’t take up his offer. She forced his eye contact, her gaze spitting fire. Balled fists bracketed her hips. Her words zapped out like pinging little pellets.

  “Mr. Malcolm. We didn’t get to the point where we discussed terms. I’m not even sure you were able to process any of my experience in my uncle’s Head Office. You were, to be frank, incapable of making any friggin’ decisions.”

  Nairn was confused. She was so damned snappy she had to be telling the truth. He watched her take a couple of deep breaths, her eyes flicking closed then opening to reveal sepia haloed pupils. Then her unwavering resolute tone and steadfast gaze didn’t falter at all, her voice calming a little as she clarified.

  “Mr. Malcolm, you did not get around to offering me a job. None of your jobs for that matter, regardless of what your father says. I don’t know what the hell Ruaridh is up to, but I won’t be party to it. I can’t stand here and pretend otherwise.”

  He waited for her to continue. He hadn’t given her a job? What the hell was Ruaridh up to? Waving her into the seat again, he braced himself. Momentary relief flooded when she plopped into the chair, since her towering stance had been too much for his poor head to contend with. Concussion disorientation hadn’t returned: it was bad conscience that currently plagued him. It was twisted, he knew it, but seeing that Aela Cameron was discomfited pleased him, though he guessed it shouldn’t. Those fabulous eyes of hers were now distressed. Sort of resigned.

  “My experience in flying similar planes to yours, and driving the other vehicles you use, appeared favourable but…”

  Aela’s voice almost dried up before she continued, her gaze unwavering, her mouth whiffing as though making a momentous decision. He liked her more for it, though he was unsure why.

  She resumed. “I haven’t been a PA before, although I was my uncle’s main secretary, when I wasn’t out flying.”

  “Your uncle?” He regretted his slight hesitation. It let her know he didn’t have a clue what she was talking about.

  One side of her mouth turned up. “Harris Cameron. Cameron Airways? I told you about him yesterday.”

  “Harris?” After a moment he nodded back. Nairn studied the woman opposite who was clearly uncomfortable with the current situation. Her face was uptight with what could either be blazing anger, or complete frustration. He couldn’t decide which. “Yes. I do remember. I can recall some of your office experience now, Miss Cameron, even though you think I heard nothing.”

  She’d soundly berated him for continuing to interview when he was so ill. Did she really say some of the things he now recalled? Ribald comments that would have been in keeping with the company in an airport hangar. Locations she’d said she was well used to. She was proving to be a woman who neither shilly-shallied, nor beat about the bush regarding her principles. A woman of courage to be telling him how it had been, and not Ruaridh’s devious version. As she waited for him to continue he enjoyed recall of more inspired comments, suppressing the grin that wanted to escape. “The events of the day are filtering back in, Miss Cameron. The real version. Thank you for that.”

  Aela’s taut expression lifted, a grateful smile making her appear happier at not being party to what he now realized was solely Ruaridh’s machinations.

  Could he employ her?

  He needed her skills; he’d no-one else to interview, and procrastination wasn’t viable. He had to be on the move to sort out the mess his life was in. Brian’s replacement was past critical, too. One finger typing with his weaker hand was useless.

  He’d more than a niggling feeling he’d overstepped the boundaries of employer-employee liaison the previous day, which could have resulted in a sexual harassment case, but Aela hadn’t hinted at anything. Nothing at all. In some ways the woman seemed perfect, a paragon, yet…maybe too perfect? Could she have another agenda for ignoring infringements he’d made?

  Was she interested in getting the job to remain in Ruaridh’s orbit?

  No way was his father engaging in a flirtation with this woman. He’d deal with Ruaridh because it was evident there’d been no scruples over foisting Aela on him by deceitful means. If it was because Ruaridh wanted to keep Aela close to get to know her better, his father would soon find out that wasn’t going to happen. His father was as much a company member as he was. He would engage Aela as his temporary employee, but he’d make sure neither he, nor his father, had any personal dealings with the woman.

  “I’ll just confirm some particulars with you, Miss Cameron.”

  For the next hour, he asked questions about her flying experience, her boat handling and the office duties she’d experience of. Aela was confident with the answers he needed: succinct and knowledgeable. It was the interview that should have happened the day before and showed, without doubt, Aela Cameron did have the experience her paperwork indicated. Her answers demonstrated a spirited degree of gumption. Nairn hesitated no longer. Squashing down misgivings about possible danger he cleared his throat.

  “Miss Cameron. I’d like to offer you the position, on a temporary basis.”

  Chapter Five

  “Which job, and how temporary are you talking, Mr. Malcolm?”

  Aela looked for positive signs in his offer because he didn’t look particularly pleased. No frowns, but there had been something tentative about his throat-clearing and his use of the word position that had put her on guard. The awkwardness of it didn’t match well with the thorough interview techniques he’d just used – techniques she’d admired a lot. The man was such a conundrum now. He seemed like a totally different guy from the day before. The difference in his focus was remarkable but then, Ruaridh had warned her that Nairn was like that. She wanted the job even more now that she’d seen Nairn the businessman, rather than the comatose idiot. But she was no pushover; she needed to be sure about what he was offering.

  After a moment Nairn nodded. “Four weeks for the jobs of PA and chauffeur of all vehicles I might require to travel in, with an additional clause of any other help required due to my mobility problems.”

  Down to business. His deadpan expression was annoying but she made her manner brisk, her nod of agreement efficient. “Four weeks of being your PA and driver of your vehicles shouldn’t be a problem.”

  The remuneration package was
staggering. Blithely quoting an amount for the PA job, commensurate with her business degree, he added substantial amounts for the other tasks, taking into account her expertise with vehicles beyond the typical chauffeur.

  “I might spend a few days here, on Lanera, at first, but you do realize I’ll want you on call twenty-four-seven?”

  That was quite a concept.

  His gaze dropped to his monitor, ignoring her, as he completed the details. “Live-in of course, food provided, with some time off – but that will be dictated by circumstances.”

  Aela readily agreed. Live-in status meant she’d bank the bulk of the earnings to use in her first student year. Her smile widened. “That won’t be a problem either, Mr. Malcolm. I’ve no specific plans for the coming weeks, and no personal demands on my leisure time.”

  Nairn’s jaw tightened as he nodded, but the tiniest twitch at the edge of his mouth gave her pause for thought. Was he still doubtful of her expertise…or was it something else? For some weird reason she already felt tuned in sufficiently to know there was something about his decision that made him uncomfortable.

  But she wasn’t. She wanted all his jobs.

  “Right then, I’ll expect you to transport me in the…” He reeled off a list of his vehicles. “I’ve a yacht berthed on Corsica, but I doubt I’ll be using that soon. My charter service pilots any long haul flights since I don’t usually do the flying myself beyond western European destinations. I work with my PA on longer haul flights.”

  It was exhilarating listening, but she halted him mid-flow. “Whoa there! Please stop, Mr. Malcolm. Although I’ve flown in a two-seater helicopter, and have had some lessons, I don’t have a current licence for that.”

  “Miss Cameron, I’m not contemplating folding myself into my helicopter with two plaster casts.”

  Nairn’s voice sounded almost whimsical. It was the first flicker of humour that had broken through his deadpan expression for the last long while.

  “When would you be able to start?”

  “Right now.”

  His brows rose. He seemed unconvinced. “I expected you’d need to go back to Glasgow, or someplace, and collect some things.”

  “I really do mean immediately, Mr. Malcolm. All my current belongings are in my backpack that’s travelled with me these last five months. My possessions back in Vancouver aren’t relevant.”

  “Let’s get started then,” Nairn declared after some contract forms had been signed. “I’ve already lost too much time.”

  Looking down at her shorts and cotton shirt made Aela smile since it was not what she’d envisaged wearing to work. “Should I change into office gear?”

  “Your suit of yesterday? You can ask me that when I’m wearing this, Miss Cameron?” He pulled the edges of his short black robe together. “No need for formality here on Lanera, not even when we visit the boatyard, so casual clothes are fine.”

  There was a deliberate clearing of his throat. She noted his gaze was everywhere but on her. Short shorts and dressing gowns were a little on the too casual side – though the idea made her want to grin. She hoped she managed to suppress it, yet a sneaky little muscle kept twitching regardless. Fortunately Nairn’s focus was again out the window when he continued.

  “I never expected Brian, my ex-PA, to wear business clothing here so why should you be any different?”

  An hour and a half later Aela’s head was dancing a Highland Fling because she was by then conversant with how many small individual businesses Nairn owned, why he used so many vehicles, and why he needed a PA to co-ordinate his schedules.

  Lanwater Whitecap, the diving school on Lanera, started while he was still at university in Edinburgh, had quickly expanded to become a fully-equipped water sports centre offering a range of water-craft courses and experiences. The success of it led to his building other similar facilities around the globe.

  “That’s how Lanwater Whitecap became the name of the chain,” Nairn clarified.

  She hadn’t found references to Lanwater Whitecap while doing her quick internet research so her notes were copious. Nairn explained his first profits from Lanwater Whitecap had been invested in Ruaridh’s boatyard allowing them to diversify from traditional yachts and fishing vessels. Gale Breakers had metaphorically risen from the waves and had started to produce luxury craft, very marketable in the present climate.

  “Gale Breakers. Good name!” she muttered as she scribbled.

  Noting down what seemed most pertinent, she was unaware she was parroting him. She wasn’t just enjoying the necessary background particulars; she was also appreciating the dissipation of tension that had dominated their earlier interaction. Relaxed they weren’t, not quite; though Nairn seemed a lot less tense than at first. However, his occasional glances were a little worrying, she was pretty sure his thoughts were elsewhere before he wiped them clear.

  “I do initial consultations for the expensive yachts and vessels we produce, at venues of the client’s choice, hence the need to travel so much. Ruaridh handles other negotiations here on Lanera.”

  “Okay, got Gale Breakers.” Aela’s mumble came after the last details were rattled off by Nairn.

  Another of Nairn’s companies used worldwide locations for providing extreme sporting experiences. Water based ones: white water rafting; river tubing; canyoning and different kinds of bungee jumping.

  “Adrenalinn Adventuring?” she asked, remembering the name from her initial searches.

  Nairn nodded. An attempt to steeple his fingers failed and mild curses ensued when his arm cast slipped off the edge of the desk. His grumpy moans about ineptitude made her smile. It was gratifying to know that the guy could laugh at himself, and loosen up a bit.

  “I’m impressed, Miss Cameron. How did you know that?”

  Her answer was nonchalant. “A little internet research before coming to Lanera yesterday. Your companies have nice names, and sell exciting merchandise.”

  Nairn’s tight smile acknowledged his appreciation of her compliment as she continued to jot.

  “Adrenalinn Adventuring also provide land based experiences like tank driving; dirt buggies; quad biking; sphereing; bogshoeing…”

  “Whoa! Hold on a minute.” The peremptory, pleading tone she used halted his flow. She’d devised her own system for note-taking, but his lecture was stretching it to the absolute limit. Smiling up at him, an apologetic grin broke free. “Got my notes in a tangle. Can you back track, please?”

  “Do you always take such thorough notes, Miss Cameron?”

  Aela looked to see if he was teasing her, since his infinitesimal change of tone implied it. He made proper eye contact with her. How disconcerting! There was just something there he wasn’t quite masking. It took a moment to rally her thoughts, enough to answer him, for the man unsettled her equilibrium.

  “Initially, till I’ve got the basics,” she said, changing her pencil during the lull. “Okay, so those last pursuits? Did you say sphereing?

  “Rolling down a hill in a large plastic ball like a hamster,” Nairn drolly supplied. A hint of a smile broke free, a marginal twinkle in…both of his eyes.

  The man was definitely thawing.

  “I know that as zorbing. Tried it in New Zealand. Fantastic fun.”

  “I expect you had lots of experiences on this world trip of yours, Miss Cameron.”

  Nairn’s husky tones rippled down her backbone.

  “Oh, I did, sir.” She decided she wasn’t going to rise to his cryptic bait. “On my trip I experienced things I wouldn’t have done at home, all equally exciting. But I’ve never heard of, or tried…bogshoeing?”

  Their gazes connected for a couple of edgy moments before Nairn’s throat cleared loudly. “Bogshoeing? Err…Bogshoeing is one of the activities customers can do at some of our subsidiary Northern European bases. Bogshoeing is like wearing snowshoes but on bogs. In countries like Estonia.”

  “Okay. I could maybe do that since I can snowshoe, but I’ve never been to any
of the Baltic countries. I guess they’re pretty beautiful? Huh?”

  “Very beautiful.”

  Nairn suddenly seemed fixated on the far side of the room.

  “Maybe you could explain about these subsidiary bases, Mr. Malcolm?”

  Nairn continued as though the conversation hadn’t faltered. “Some European destinations are not completely owned by me, but I hold the highest investment.”

  “Got that.” She scribbled, keeping her head down. “And? What else?”

  Nairn continued as though she’d not interrupted. “All my companies are based at my London headquarters.”

  Her well-worn pencil was changed for another super-sharp one before she asked her next tentative question. “So…sir. I’ve got notes now on all these companies.”

  “Yes?”

  “Is that it, then?”

  “Is what it?” Nairn sounded confused, as if he was losing track of the conversation.

  Aela’s little huff drew back his full attention. His good eye was clouding over, the other defocusing too – as far as she could tell – because it was struggling to open. The idiot was exhausted again.

  “Have you fingers in any other pies, Mr. Malcolm? Not that I think you need any more, you understand.”

  Nairn actually laughed at her enquiry. “Sorry to disappoint you, Miss Cameron, but I do have other current business concerns.”

  “Jeeze!” Nairn was not meant to hear her tiny undertone, but she knew he did for his laugh rumbled even more.

  “I’ve recently become a provider.”

  “A provider? What the friggin’ heck is that?” She wondered what she’d got herself into. She’d be out in a trice if she found anything underhand about it. Nairn’s full blown laugh at her less than professional question made her wary of his humour, but she was glad to find the banter between them blew any residual tension to the four winds.

  “That’s what I call it.”

  She waited patiently for more details, pencil poised over the paper…or maybe not so patient for she twirled it back and forth between her fingers.