Chapter 4

Lisa got out of her car and handed over the keys to the valet. She was driving a CRV, nothing fancy; she just needed to get somewhere, and she despised having to wait for a driver.  

She was in front of Remington Atlantic and couldn’t help but appreciate the positively gorgeous weather. The wind ruffled her hair, hinting that the little chill was inevitable. The days were getting cooler than usual.

She hurried into the high-rise building and dug out her security pass. To get by the turnstile leading to the elevators. She was given the pass when given a tour of the offices when it opened a few years earlier, but she hadn’t had to use it very often since she was usually with Chris when she visited.

She checked her watch when she got on the elevator. It was five minutes to eleven, and she was one of those people who was always early. Being late made her anxious, especially with being unsure of the outcome of the encounter she was about to have. She figured, at least, to make a good first impression by arriving on time.

She would be seeing Mason any minute now; something in his voice had made her wary, and if she were honest, she was eager to know why he’d summoned her.

She had hoped she looked OK. She picked out a Cami top and an oversized, cut-off T-shirt that bared one shoulder. It was short at the waist and bared the tiniest portion of her midriff, especially when she moved just right. Her long hair was curled, and some layers were left out, resulting in a messier and wilder look.

At precisely one minute to eleven, she escaped the elevator and hurried into his office floor sitting area. Abigail, his receptionist, smiled and greeted Lisa as she approached.

“I’m supposed to see Mason at eleven,” she said breathlessly.

“I’ll let him know you’re here,” Abigail said as she picked up the phone.

Lisa was unsure of whether he would come to get her or if she would walk in. Whenever she came with Chris, she always just walked in. There was no waiting as if she had an appointment.

“You can go in,” Abigail said when she put the phone down.

Lisa quickly turned and then nodded, taking a deep breath and heading down the hallway to the end, where Mason’s spacious corner office was situated. She paused at the doorway and stared down at her polished toes that peeked from the sexy heels she wore.

She suddenly felt like the world’s biggest idiot. Whatever had come over Mason at last night’s party was probably hugely misinterpreted by her. And she’d come dressed way too sexily. She should turn, run, and walk away from all this. She was just about to turn around and return to the elevator as fast as those heels would take her when the door swung open, and Mason Remington stood there staring intently at her.

“I was wondering if you had probably changed your mind,” he said.

“I’m here,” she said bravely, notching up her chin to stare back at him. He took a step back and swept his arm past him.

“Come in.”

She sucked in her breath and entered the room. She’d seen his office years ago when Chris came here. Then he had taken her on a floor tour, and now it was all a blur. This time she studied the interior of Mason’s office with keen interest.

It screamed posh and pricey. The look is completed with rich mahogany wood, a polished marble floor, and an attractive oriental rug. The furniture was unmistakably vintage. The walls were covered in paintings, and the last wall was entirely made up of built-in bookcases crammed with volumes.

Mason was a huge bookworm. She admired that in him, and she’d given him a signed first edition of a Sidney Sheldon novel for his birthday that same year, while he’d given her the necklace and earrings, she’d worn to the party the night before.

“You look nervous,” Mason said, breaking her thoughts. “I won’t bite, not yet at least.”

Her brows raised as he drew a chair out and urged her into it with his palm on her back. He let his hand linger a bit after she’d taken her seat, and she shivered at his touch. He then circled back around his desk and sat across from her. He stared at her for a long time until heat crawled up her neck and cheeks. He locked his gaze on her making her feel like his stare was devouring her.

“You wanted to see me,” she said in a low voice. The corner of his mouth crooked upward.

 “I want to do more than see you. If I had only wanted to see you, I would have spent more time with you last night.”

Her breath stuttered a bit. She then licked and ran her tongue over her bottom lip in agitation.

“For God’s sake, Lisa, don’t lick your lips that way in front of me!”

“What?” Her eyes widened.

His hands curled into fists on top of his desk, and he closed his eyes as if trying to compose himself. “I want you to come to work for me.”

That was one of the things she had expected him to say, but she looked at him in disbelief, trying to grasp the idea that he’d just offered her a job. So that’s all he ever wanted, and she’d been well on her way to humiliating herself.

“You know, I don’t need a job.” She spoke with a louder voice.

He smirked a bit, putting his head down and up again to look into her eyes.

“It’s not a job that requires your capabilities and education, and you know it.” She flushed and dropped her gaze briefly. Why in the hell couldn’t she speak?

“So, I will give you three days, think, prepare and come to work for me.” He leaned back, staring intently at her as he awaited her response.

“What exactly is the job you’re offering me?”

“I’d hire you as my personal assistant.” Her spine shivered at the way he pronounced the words.

“So, you don’t already have a personal assistant?” she asked.

“It’s true. I do have one. Abigail does a great job, but I mean my personal personal assistant. I trust that you’d prove a competent employee. It was her turn to study him.

“Why?” she asked bluntly. “What is it you want, Mason? What in the hell is a personal personal assistant? And while you’re at it, explain last night. Because I honestly don’t understand.”

His smile was slow and deliciously arrogant. “You will in time, love.”

Love?   She didn’t miss the significance of that little word. “Don’t toy with me. Something else is going on here. Why do you want me to come to work for you?”

“Because I fucking want you, Lisa.”

Silence descended, enveloping the space, and she stared at him wide-eyed. The room was silent for a minute, and you’d definitely hear a pin drop at that moment. They were now staring at one other intently.

“I d-don’t understand.” He smiled then, a predatory smile that seemed to affect all of her body in an instant.

“Oh, I think you do.”

“What you suggest isn’t possible,” she said. “If I work for you…we can’t….” Her stomach flipped; this wasn’t happening. It had to be a dream.

 “And why the hell not?” he asked mockingly. He leaned farther back into his chair, confident as he sat back fully in his chair.  

“The purpose of your working for me is so you’d be at my side at all times. And I’d have you when I want and how I want.” Heat infused her entire body. She fidgeted in her chair, her hands twisting together. She was utterly speechless. She knew there was more to and it was all slowly beginning to unfold.

“Come here, Lisa.”