CHAPTER 10: A Man Like Him

Roxy’s POV

Confidence—I have learnt, is not how much you have but how much you can do with what you have.

I took a deep breath, getting a good handle of my confidence before I strode elegantly towards his office. I knocked softly on the door and entered upon hearing a crisp. “Come in.”

“Good day Mr West.”

He did not look up from his desk, his face was buried in the paper in his hand. It was him. It was really him. The man in the elevator, the entire room oozed of dominance. And just like that, the sparks started flying again.

“Sit,” He said, still not looking up at me but I was distracted by his finger nails, they were clean-cut and framed, his fingers looked delicate but thorough.

Thorough? Thorough?

And suddenly the memory of the first night we met and his voice—

“You deserve a good spanking,”

Broke into my head and I couldn’t stop myself from imagining what it would feel like if he spanked me.

Roxette Bennett. Get your head straight.

“What’s your name again?” He asked, almost looking but not looking at me.

“Roxette. Roxette Bennett.” I said, tweaking my tiny voice to sound bold as I sat in the brown leather sofa.

Finally, he laid down the paper and met my gaze. And shit! his eyes, a piercing shade of steel gray, compelling, beautiful eyes.

His face shifted from neutral to intrigue as he saw me—

Did he remember me from that night? I mean that was four months ago and we barely spoke for up to a minute but I like to think I am not easily forgettable.

I examined him more thoroughly now—his charcoal-gray suit that seemed to swallow the light around him, he exuded an air of authority. His deep blue Tie, hung with precision was a harsh contrast against the dark suit. He had dark hair with hints of grey styled backwards in a way that suggested it had been given quite the attention.

His face was chiseled and defined, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline. His eyes held a cold, detached gaze that made it clear he was not easily impressed.

He leaned back, his eyes running over me quickly as if he was simply cataloguing me.

I trembled, masking my fear with a warm smile as I straightened up in the comfortable sofa.

“Roxette Bennett?” He said with a small twitch of his thin pink-ish lips.

“Yes sir, Professor McLain said you’d be expecting me.”

There was something unbelievably compelling about his eyes—compelling and dominating.

“I was not expecting you.” He clipped. “Sarah failed to mention it.” There was a bit of frustration in his tone. I couldn’t tell if it was directed towards me or Professor McLain.

He clearly didn’t remember me at all or at least he didn’t give any hint that he did.

Why would he though?

Men like him probably have more important details to remember, other than a half drunk, mentally depressed girl walking in the street.

“Oh, I’m sorry for the unexpected visit.” I managed to keep my voice clear and locked gazes with him, forcing my eyes to stay on his despite my nerves. His gray eyes digging into mine.

“What can I do for you? And please go straight to the point. I have a lot of work and I only have about two minutes for this.” His voice was crisp but there was something deliciously enticing about it, husky and strong and the way his lips moved. I swallowed, forcing down my riling nerves.

This is definitely harder than I thought.

Thinking it—doing it. Two different things.

“I uhhm….I needed a job and Professor McLain said you lost an assistant. A research assistant.” His eyes were steady on me, almost investigative.

“You are a student, are you not?” He asked, his eyes quickly running through me again almost as if he wasn’t pleased with what he was looking at.

The last thing I wanted was to look like a school girl. I guess letting down my hair didn’t do much.

“Yes,” I admitted, a bit shyly.

“So how is this supposed to work?” He asked.

Every time he spoke, I swear something shifted in me. I could not explain it but I was coming undone under his strict scrutiny.

“I believe I can offer valuable assistance to your firm….and to you Mr. West.” I added the last bit of the sentence with a suggestive tone.

His eyebrows raised, clearly interested despite his initial surprise. “Really? How so?”

“I have a deep passion for legal research and analysis, and I excel at drafting legal documents. I can help streamline case preparations and contribute to strategic planning. I’m dedicated and passionate about legal work.”

He held his stoic expression as if he wasn’t the least bit impressed. “And how do you intend on joggling it with school. How will you manage both?”

I deepened our eye contact, straightening up again in the seat. “I have always been a straight A student Mr. West. I am highly organized, very good at multitasking, and I can be very determined. When I want something, absolutely nothing gets in my way.” Including you Aaron West, I want you and nothing will get in my way. Not even your dominating and intimidating aura.

His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer than necessary. I wondered what he was thinking. Was I getting to him? Was he falling for the Roxette Bennett charm?

Cool it Roxy, this is a very important man, he is not going to fall that easy.

After a moment of contemplative silence, he spoke. “You say Sarah sent you?”

“Yes Mr. West. You can give her a call to find out,”

His index finger tapped on his upper lip, debating in silence.

And then he said, “Well if Sarah thinks you are good enough, then I guess I’ll give it a try.”

But it sounded like, I am very desperate at the moment, I would try a kitten.

But, focus on the victory Roxy.

You are in. You are in.

Step 3–secure the job with Aaron—accomplished.

I was doing a dance in my head although I muster every ounce of composure to remain in the chair.

“Thank you so much Mr. West. I promise I will not disappoint you. You will be so glad you hired me.”

His lips twitched but it didn’t make a smile.

God, could this man ever smile?

I bet he would look even more beautiful if he gave his face a little break.

“Okay Ms. Benette. Work out a schedule with my secretary and we’ll take it from there.” He commanded dismissively.

“Sure.”As I stand, I summon all the flirtatious bone in my body and mentally release my feminine prowess.

Slightly, just slightly, I bite on the edge of my bottom lip, my fingers smoothing my body snatched black skirt.

For a moment, he had forgotten his eyes on me and boy did I love it. How his compelling gray eyes lingered on me. The engagement that dripped from them. The curiosity, the intrigue, the fascination. I loved it all.

“Miss Bennett,”

“Yes Mr West,”

“You have a….” His fingers moved over his chest gesturing at my cleavage. “Button lose….”

My eyes drop, and I summon my Roxy Bennett Oscar acting skills. “Oh, I’m sorry, wardrobe malfunction.” I said,

Roxy the liar, you did it on purpose. My inner voice poked me.

Well Mr. West does not know that and at least now I know I have his attention. I poked back.

“This is a professional environment. I expect you to dress appropriately at all times.” He had this instructive edge in his tone and his eyes were oh so commanding.

I fumble with the button, a little longer than I should have. I felt his stare heavy on me and I loved it.

Could he be falling for the Roxy charm?

Or am I being too optimistic?

“Ofcourse Mr. West,” I flashed a smile at his captivated glance, feeling very satisfied with myself. “Thank you once again,” I stretched out my hand. “I’ll be seeing you Mr. West” I added, His hand moved to take mine but his eyes stayed locked, as his hand slid into mine.

Instantly, a thrill radiated through me from his grip. It was firm but warm, almost misty, sparky even and everything changed. With just that touch, it was so like the first night we met— when he touched me—all over again. I lost control, my eyes fixed on his, it seemed like I saw our lives flash before my eyes. I froze, I could feel a magnetic surge, my heart quickening under my chest, my breaths dripping from my gaping mouth.

“Ms. Bennett?” He called but I did not move almost as if I could not. “Ms. Bennett.” He called again, more forcefully this time.

“Yeah?” I said but it sounded like a breath.

“You have to let my hand go.” He gestured with his eyes, making my eyes fell to the clasp of our hands, my hand clearly holding onto his.

“Shit!” I cursed under my breath, snapping my hand away. His brows lifted slightly, then his eyes narrowed slightly at me.

I was flustered, my cheeks burned immediately. “I mean, I’m sorry. Thank you for your time Mr. West.” I said, avoided looking at him one more time and all but ran out of his office, feeling his eyes follow me out his door.

So I am going to work with that MAN?

Why couldn’t he just be a pumpkin? And not…not a Porcupine.

How do I make a MAN like him fall for a girl like me?