HOLY CRAP! DID HE JUST?

JENNA

I take his hand, and introduce myself. "I'm Jenna. Jenna Ross."

He smiles. "You're an intern?"

I nod eagerly. "Yes, I am. I major in marketing in the university and I applied here for my internship. I was so surprised to find out that I was accepted."

"Your grades must have been impeccable if you were selected. I'm impressed."

I blush at his words. "Thank you. I guess I do put in a lot of effort for school and stuff."

"Get back to work. Come to my office during lunch hour." He doesn't wait for me to say anything else before he turns around and walks away.

I get through the hours until lunch break feeling relatively worse than I had after I first met Eva. Almost everyone was giving me the stink eye. Apparently they blame me for Eva's being let off.

I try to shake off the feeling of dejection as I make my way up to the office of Mr. Evans. I can't help but wonder why he suddenly wants to meet with me during lunch hour.

By the time I make it to the door, it swings open before I even raise my hand to knock; almost as if he has been standing in wait.

"Come on in, Jenna."

I smile at him as I slip past the door into his office. "Mr. Evans. To what do I owe the honor?"

"Have a seat." He gestures to the seat opposite his huge desk and I take it.

My fingers are wrung together on my thighs, and I'm starting to feel a bit nervous. Mr. Evans looks like a kind person, with red hair and freckled cheeks he looks a lot like a model. He has this innocence about him, this boyish charm that tells nothing about his age; but something about him puts me on edge.

"Have you had lunch yet?" He asks as he takes his own place behind the desk.

I shake my head no. How was I supposed to have lunch when my boss was eating away my lunch time.

"I'd order something for us then. I need to talk to you about your work experience thus far." He studies my face. "HR likes to make these reviews following the new employments, because they don't yet have a sense of loyalty and are more susceptible to unclouded honesty."

I nod my head in understanding. I consider telling him about how rude my supervisor in the marketing department was, but I don't think anyone else losing their jobs today would look really good for me with the other employees. "I'm fine. Nothing has been odd. The employees are warm and welcoming and I'm really excited to learn stuff from them."

"And your supervisor?" He probs.

"Is just doing his job. I don't have anything to complain about where he's concerned either."

"Okay then. That would be all."

I thank him and leave, hoping that he bought my outright lies. I don't think anyone likes me after what happened with Eva already, and I don't want a repeat of more.

Work creeps by ridiculously slow, and I manage to make it through the tasks given to me by Mr. Jackson without incident.

By the end of the day, I'm just ready to be home and on my bed, and my phone buzzes in my pocket as I pack up to leave. I pull it out and look at the caller I.D. It's mom.

"Hey, Mom."

"Hello, sweetheart. How are you?"

"I'm fine. How are you doing?"

"Just great. Tell me, how'd your first day at work go?"

I sigh into the receiver. "I'm ready to be in bed already," I say and she laughs.

"Too bad rest is not in the cards for you tonight. Your Dad wants to introduce someone to us, and he asks that we have a family dinner for it."

I groan long and loud, then start walking in the direction of the door. "Can't it wait?"

"No, sweetie. It can't." She sighs softly. "You only have to sit down and eat, I'd take care of everything else."

"I don't think I have a choice. I'd be there soon."

"Ms. Ross."

I turn around just as I pocket the phone and see Mr. Evans walking in my direction.

"Mr. Evans, I didn't think you were still in the office. "

"Join me for a drink. There's something important I need to discuss with you."

*******

"How did your first day of work go?" He asks me with a studying gaze after we both place an order for drinks.

I'm perched on a stool beside his, but am sitting in a way that he has my attention entirely. "My work day was everything I would have hoped it would be. Carlson's Inc. didn't get to where it is by harnessing slackers."

"You're quite perceptive. I'm surprised by your dedication to work, however."

I raise my brow at him and he chuckles.

"How old are you?"

"I'm twenty two years old." I respond politely.

"That's awfully young. But it was expected, given your childish appearance."

My forehead folds in a frown. "I don't think I have a childish appearance. I look younger than my age, that's true, but I don’t give off childish energy."

He chuckles again, and runs a finger down my cheek in a gentle caress. "You don't give off childish energy, I wasn't insinuating that. You have the facial features of a young child, but your body is wholly woman."

The fuck?!

The bartender returns with our drinks and I snap away from his touch, turning to down my drink immediately. What the hell is he up to?

"So... tell me more about yourself, Jenna. Do you have any ambitions that exceed the workplace? I'm curious."

I take another sip of my margarita and lower the glass. "Not really, no. I just want to get my internship right and graduate with excellent grades."

"So it's all about work and school for you?" He drawls.

I cough slightly. "Yeah."

"And when do you have time to play?"

"Play?" I ask in a confused tone.

"Yes, play. Do things that are... you know, fun."

"I think this is not a conversation I should be having with my boss. It's personal."

He leans forward then. "You're a smart girl, Jenna. You have to understand that your merit alone wouldn't take you that far in the business world." He twirls a loc of my hair around his index finger. "How about I make you a proposition that benefits us both?"

He pauses for some sort of dramatic effect and then smiles. "I want you to see me as something a little more than just your boss. We could be... friends even."

I swallow, surprised to no end by the implication of what this man is asking of me. "I... I'd rather not. I don't think this is a good idea, whatever it is that you're proposing."

"Then let me give you something to change your mind."

Before I can ask what he means, or even decline the offer, his lips lock on mine and his tongue delves into my mouth that's opened in shock.