Romantic Promises (Alluring Promises Series, #2)

by Baker, Janice

  The next morning, I took Kara shopping and made sure she bought some tasteful shirts and skirts that were of respectable lengths that covered up what she needed to cover. I also suggested she pull her hair back and pretend she was doing the librarian thing at the strip joint. Minus the glasses, although she’s hotter than hell when she wears those and rips them off. She’s got a great routine and really knows how to work the pole. I’m really going to miss watching her on stage.

  She had some things to take care of in the afternoon, so we decided to meet back up later at the hotel. I decided to check on a couple places Clark told me about. I found one place to rent that would be perfect for both of us, right in the heart of downtown and not too far from Allure and the rest of the bars. It may not be my place in Atlanta, but it would definitely work out nicely.

  The place was a newer apartment in a high rise building that Flynn told us about. Since he’s an architect at his dad’s firm, he gets inside information on all the new buildings. He insisted this one would be perfect for Clark and me. Two master bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, a huge kitchen with bar area, nice-sized living room and a view of the downtown skyline. There was even a gym and a small bar downstairs. Needless to say, I was pretty impressed. It was the ideal place for two bachelors. I signed a lease agreement immediately and was thrilled to know we could move in anytime we wanted. I set up all the utilities and finalized my moving arrangements. I love when a plan comes together so quickly.

  My move to Atlanta was not like this at all. It was actually the total opposite and the most frustrating process I’ve ever been through. I was in shock a little after everything was arranged to move into my new place and I kept feeling like I had something else that needed to be done.

  I arrived back at the hotel and was waiting for the elevator when I turned around and saw a gorgeous businesswoman striding confidently toward me. Her hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, her white button up blouse and navy knee-length skirt created the perfect, respectable look needed to ace an interview. I smiled at Kara who was trying to give me a serious, thoughtful look. She finally broke into a smile as she neared me, giggling happily.

  “You look amazing, Kara,” I told her with total honesty.

  “Really? This is okay? This is what I should wear?” She asked with a bright smile and her eyes lit up from excitement.

  “Yeah, baby. You look like you’re there for the job and I don’t want to fuck you right off the bat.” She gave me a small pout, so I wrapped my arms around her and told her, “I still want to fuck you, but I’ll interview you first this time.” She gave me a soft laugh and pulled back. I glanced down and noticed she had that damn yellow flower ring on. “Hey, you need to take that off for the interview. You don’t want them to look at that during the interview instead of what you’re saying. It’s too distracting.”

  “Really? But it’s an heirloom. It was my grandmother’s and she gave it to me before she passed away.”

  “Just for the interview. Take it off for the interview and then after you get the job, you can wear it again.” She nodded in agreement with a slight pout.

  We got back up to my penthouse and ran through some tough interview questions. I corrected her responses and made her repeat the answers until she knew them cold. I could tell she was less nervous now and had the confidence she needed to really smoke the interview.

  After running through a fluid interview, she showed me how thankful she really was that I helped her out. Fuck, I’m really glad I’m moving up here now. I’m going to make sure I see Kara weekly…or more.

  Since my moving plans were arranged, I decided to head to the office and get a jump-start on my work plans. I sent Kara a quick text wishing her luck on her interview. Perry stopped me before I reached my office and asked me if I had time to go over some numbers and projection plans with him.

  After our meeting I decided to run out and grab something to eat. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to being in an office. Working from home allowed me to wake up whenever I wanted to and set my own schedule. Running on someone else’s time was going to be tough to get used to.

  I reached the lobby and saw Kara sitting there. She looked beautiful in her navy knee length skirt and white blouse with blazer. Her hair was tied back in a simple ponytail that still showed her soft curls down her back. She was seated with perfect posture and her legs in that elegant simple cross at her ankles. My heart picked up just seeing her sitting there and I watched her eyes light up when she saw me. I was so glad that she stopped by my office for a pep talk, not to mention that I was the one she came to see.

  “Baby, what are you doing here?” I asked, trying to keep my voice lowered, although I know I couldn’t keep the excitement of seeing her out of it.

  “Matty, how did you know I have my interview here?” She asked in a hushed tone, barely audible.

  I know I looked stunned for a moment as I tried to process what she just asked me. I couldn’t contain my surprise that I never thought to ask her what companies she had interviews with; I just made sure she knew the responses to questions relating to certain positions which she was applying for. “You’re…you’re interviewing here?”

  “Yes, Matty. Just sending a text to wish me good luck was fine. You didn’t need to come wish me luck in person.” Her eyes were wide and beautiful and she touched my arm, giving me a small squeeze. She was so excited and I felt bad that she thought I came here to wish her luck in person.

  I gave a small hand gesture, waving to the office. “Baby, I work here. This is my company.”

  Her jaw dropped open and a look of complete and utter shock swept over her face. I started to realize this could be a really good thing and I could help her out, making sure she got the job.

  Her smile dropped and her disposition changed completely. She squared off her shoulders and held her head high. In a voice that was full of conviction as if she could read my mind, she stated, “Matty, I want to get this job on my own. Please. Please don’t try to help out. I can do this interview. I know I can.” There was a slight panic to her voice as if I were going to ruin her chances or something.

  “What? Kara, I know you can do this on your own. I won’t do anything. Promise. This is all you, okay?” She nodded her head and relief washed over her expression. I looked down and noticed she was wearing that yellow flower ring.

  Just then, Vanessa Hargrave opened the door to the reception room. I tried to signal to Kara to remove the ring by wringing the same finger she was wearing the yellow ring. Vanessa quickly eyed me before turning her gaze to Kara and held out her hand introducing herself to Kara.

  In a bitchy tone, one I was sure could only be deemed as contempt, Vanessa said, “You must be Kara Leonard. I’m Vanessa Hargrave, Human Resources Director. Come with me, please.”

  I glanced at Kara and noticed fear glaze over her eyes from the witch’s tone. I’ll be pissed as hell if Vanessa takes away that proud determined look Kara had before. Vanessa has a fight on her hands if she fucks this up.

  Chapter 3

  Vanessa

  With every passing day my week became worse. My week started out with some jerk not realizing the “Reserved for” sign actually meant “do not park here.” Each day, I pulled up and that same darn blue SUV was parked there. I ordered a new sign with my name on it weeks ago, but the sign arrived with my name misspelled. That was Monday.

  Then, I was called into Mr. Buchanan’s office and informed that a Mr. Matthew Williams was hired as Vice President for Inside Sales – without my approval or even a chance to interview him for the position. I was also told that Mr. Williams would be given a huge budget (I’ve never seen such an impressive budget) and I was told, in not so many words, that Mr. Williams would be able to do anything he wants. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was someone at the top’s nephew or son, especially after I asked to see his résumé. He has no managerial experience and came from outside sales.

  After I reviewed his résumé, I we
nt right back into Mr. Buchanan’s office and made sure he was well aware of this problem. I was told to sign him up for classes and take him under my wing. That did not go as well as I had planned. I almost laughed in his face, but luckily refrained. Mr. Buchanan seemed to be nice, but I had heard from the other officers that he could be a jerk if you crossed him.

  I took this position two months ago knowing it would be a challenge. Joining this company was a great step up in my career. I had only been an assistant until now, so being able to run things the way I wanted was a dream come true for me. I had worked my way up the corporate ladder and hoped to continue. Being able to run this office site the way I wanted to, for the most part, was a thrill – at first.

  As soon as I came here I knew that I had a fight on my hands. The previous HR director let things fall aside and it was up to me to turn things around. I put many new policies in place and for the most part, Mr. Buchanan was agreeable. There were a couple things we disagreed on, but overall, I was in charge. Until now.

  For some reason, I felt as if Mr. Williams would be a threat to me. How can you come in without any managerial experience and just be given free reign? After speaking with him to go over his benefits and relocation package I understood his type. The type that’s with many women any time he wants and he has that smug salesperson attitude, thinking he could get anything he wants in the company and outside the company too.

  My discussion with Mr. Buchanan made my stomach sink knowing this guy was going to come in here and get away with anything he wanted. I wasn’t about to let that happen. I was just starting to have this office running the way I wanted it to. The previous sales manager had slept with one of his sales associates. Now the company had a possible lawsuit on their hands. Firing him was our best bet and I was glad I convinced Mr. Buchanan of that.

  Now all my work was probably going to go down the drain, all because of this smug asshole. Although Mr. Williams is a very good looking guy, he had that arrogant salesman better-than-thou attitude. It was all I could do not to tell Mr. Buchanan that I could find at least ten more competent candidates for his position. I really would love to know how he was offered the position with barely any qualifications. It had to be that some woman enjoyed his tall tanned, amazingly fit body and Greek god face.

  I had heard about how handsome he was through whispers in the office. I overheard the women chatting about him in the restroom and the break room, saying how amazingly “hot” he was. The rumors were about him being single and the things they would do to his body if they could have just one night with him.

  Even my own assistant, Renee, was chatting about him on the phone with another assistant about him having the most incredible ass she has ever seen in person. She had giggled about only seeing a body like his in pictures online. The whispers of him being single and the things they wanted to do to his body, reaffirmed the solidity of my no dating policy. None of the women at this company would be dating him with my policies in place.

  As hard as it was to admit, I had a difficult time keeping it together when I met him. He has eyes that are, well, sexy bedroom eyes. I felt as if he were undressing me as we spoke. I had to keep reminding myself that he’s just a cocky salesman who knows all too well how good looking he is.

  Now I’m sitting here interviewing this gorgeous young woman with a very well put together résumé, albeit absent of anything more than an internship and a sketchy current employer. As Ms. Leonard answered my latest question of what she believes her strengths to be, I made a notation on her résumé that I needed to call her current employer. I needed to find out what their line of business is since I did not recognize the name of her employer and her answer was much too vague for my liking.

  I continuously glanced down at her ring. She kept pulling on a tress that fell from her ponytail behind her ear and my eyes felt like they were drawn to that damn ring. While it was quite lovely, a pale yellow flower with several tiny diamonds on the petals, it was extremely distracting and I found myself gazing at it during the interview.

  Mr. Williams seemed quite taken with her when I walked into the lobby to retrieve Ms. Leonard. I watched his eyes graze over her body and his eyes were taken in by that same ring, too. It was definitely too distracting. I decided to wrap up the interview so I could make a few phone calls.

  Mr. Williams would be pleased, I’m sure, to have Ms. Leonard as his administrative assistant. I was trying hard to push away the odd feelings of jealousy I was having. It was the weirdest thing to have that feeling overcome me when I barely know him. He seems to be the type that could work his way around an office full of women. I continually reminded myself of our new “No Dating Policy” and the ban on dating subordinates, both policies I recently put in place. I smiled to myself as I imagined the smug look on his face drop when he learns this information.

  Thinking about that, I realized a small smile crept over my mouth. I believe Ms. Leonard mistook my smile as a sign she was getting the job. She actually was fairly well-spoken and her résumé did look presentable; however, the look on Mr. Williams’ face was enough to make me not want to bother interviewing her at all. Bitchy as it seems, I didn’t want to give him someone pretty to look at. He does need to focus on his new managerial role, after all.

  On the other hand, if I do hire her as his administrative assistant, he would surely go for her and I could have him terminated for dating a subordinate. Then I could hire someone more qualified for his position. That would alleviate the jealousy and competitive issue that I’m fighting in my head. I was angry with myself for thinking things like that.

  I’m in human resources and should be trying to make sure everyone gets along and the policies are adhered to, not try to dissuade things from happening due to the jealousy and competitive issue I’m having.

  The interview was finally over and I showed Ms. Leonard to the lobby. I let her know I would be in touch soon about the position. I scoffed to myself about the word ‘position’ knowing Mr. Williams would surely enjoy that word with her. Then I was even angrier with myself for thinking things like that.

  As I turned to walk back to my office, the smug salesman I was just thinking of came sauntering towards me. His light brown, almost blonde hair had that mussed look to it. It looked as if a woman had just had her hands thrusting through it.

  Where the hell did that thought come from?

  He was wearing dress slacks and a nice blue golf shirt that brought out a darker hue in his blue eyes. He had this smile that told me most women look him over like I was. I took a deep breath and tried to contain my hormone level from spiking. He definitely had that hard male quality that would make most women’s legs quiver.

  “Mr. Williams, can I help you?” I asked as I quickly looked down at the résumé, pretending to read it. I hated the fact that he was so good looking that it actually made my heart skip a beat. Stupid female hormones. I took another deep breath as I continued to glance at the file, determined not to be one of “those” types of females taken by his good looks. I thought about my fiancé, Charles. He’s good looking and women fall at his feet all the time too. The thought made me frown.

  “Hey, Vanessa. I was just wondering if the check was cut for my moving expenses.” He surprised me by asking. I thought for sure he was coming to ask about little Ms. Gorgeous. God, even his deep voice resonates sex.

  I took a deep breath before looking at him to make sure I could sound authoritative and responded, “You’ll have to visit Accounts Payable for that. I’ve submitted the paperwork to them.” I tried to look as annoyed as possible so he would head over there, but decided to add in one more thing — something that would be sure to remind him that I have the upper hand in this office. “And my name is Ms. Hargrave.” That came out slightly bitchier than I had planned, but at this point it was good to set the tone that I have more authority in this office.

  That stupid left eyebrow whipped up just like it had when we first met. It was annoyingly attractive and I decided to
stick with the annoying description to make myself not feel anything for him. “Wow, even Perry lets me call him by his first name. I guess I assumed that everyone in this office called each other by their first names. I apologize,” he said dryly, yet it didn’t seem to really convey an apology.

  “Mr. Buchanan lets you call him Perry?” I tried not to sound surprised and pathetic, but I’m sure it came out that way. I cursed myself for even asking that.

  Mr. Williams gave me a questioning look. “Yeah, of course. Everyone here goes by first names. I just met Tanner and Elaina awhile ago and they told me that.”

  I swallowed hard. No one had told me to call them by their first names and all of a sudden I felt like an outsider. I nodded and turned back toward my office, pretending to review the file again. My heart sank because this seemed to be the same type of thing that happened at my last job. I’ve always had trouble making friends and I thought choosing this profession would be an easy way to be the go-to person I always wanted to become. Instead I was feeling like an outsider.

  After returning to my office, I took it upon myself to make a few phone calls to verify references, previous and current employers for Ms. Leonard. Normally, I would have Renee handle this, but I wanted to make these inquiries myself. It wasn’t much of a surprise when I finally dragged out of Mr. Eddie Markum that she is in the ‘entertainment’ business. A stripper. Well, I must say she tried to hide that pretty well. Her college or previous internship must have assisted her with her résumé. I would have never known had I not interrogated Mr. Markum.

  I sent a quick text to Charles, my fiancé, asking if he would like to have lunch today. Although I had known him through my parent’s country club, we didn’t really date until my last year of college and have been together ever since. Charles finally asked me to marry him several months ago. We still haven’t set a date since we both keep hectic schedules.