Up The Ladder

Antonia Leighton

"I quit. I'll send my resignation letter before the end of my shift." There was no way she would work under the same room for this man. He was toxic to her peace of mind. Literally and figuratively.

His hold on her hand tightened and he invaded her personal space. Hot and intimating. Some unknown emotion flashed in his dark gaze but he covered them with his half-lidded eyes and thick eyelashes. His defined jaw was ticking while his body filled with tension. 

She couldn't meet his gaze this time, averting her face, she searched the room and found everyone's attention on them. Waiting for the drama to unfold. "Why?"

Just one soft word and he had her full regard. "Sir, if you recall, a few months ago you didn't want me anywhere near you. You hated me, insulted me, and belittled me every chance you got. So, what's the point? I quit."

Tagging to free her hands from his hold, so she could gather her things and make a grand exit worthy of an Oscar, instead of releasing her, he pulled her closer until her front was crushed to his unyielding muscles, her flushed face on his chest. Shit, he smelled so good. Like fresh green apples and a clean minty masculine scent. She felt him exhale heavily. "I am not going to accept your resignation. You have a contract and you will have to pay the bond if you terminate it."

Shit! So much for a grand exit. She forgot to use God's given brain sometimes. Of course, she was aware of the contract. "How much is the bond?" She looked up at him sullenly. A contract bond plus lawsuit. She lost even before the battle of wills began.

"$20,000. Stay." He said once more. Almost pleading. He was just as determined to keep her here. For his amusement. And what about this touchy-feely he had going on since he arrived? This had to stop.

"As if I have a choice. Let go of me and I'll stay." She waited until he allowed her to separate their bodies. Defeated, her shoulders sagged. She had no access to the figure he stated and whatever savings she had were for her mother's treatment. Plus, she loved her job and colleagues here.

"As my PA." He reiterated.

Antonia rolled her eyes. "As you wish, Your Highness. Anything else?"

"You know, love, not a lot of people could sass and roll their eyes at me and get away with it. You are the exception." His lips curve. Her soft brown eyes immediately went to his luscious kissable pair. "You start today, Antonia. Come with me."

Again, he held out his hand and for some reason she accepted it. I am doomed. "What about my things?" He started to walk towards the lift with her in tow. Her colleagues were smiling at her broadly as they passed. Even Rick gave her a thumbs up. She blushed furiously.

"Frederick will get them for you." It was then she noticed his secretary trailing behind them. 

"How are you doing, Mr. Marshall?" She smiled. The man holding her hand walking beside her growled. Surprised, she glanced up at him. "What? I was just being pleasant."

"Frederick is doing fine. And I am also doing fine. Thank you for asking, love." Her heart fluttered at his endearment. But then suspicion reared its head.

"It's good to know, sir," Antonia answered with a hint of sarcasm. They entered the elevator and his secretary pressed the button for the top floor. She waited for a minute to gain courage before she asked, "Why are you being nice to me all of a sudden?"

Frederick, standing in front of them coughed. More like to smother his laughter.

"We will talk when we reach our office." Logan East answered. His gaze was occupied with the highlighted numbers on the panel in front of him.

"It feels weird." She continued.

Again, Frederick snorted.

"Why is the big boss acting weird, Mr. Marshall?" She had to know.

"It is not my place to say, Ms. Leighton." He answered with an amused tone.

"Wait. This is a prank, right? Oh, God. I fell for it." She began to panic. Mr. East will act cold towards her again. Insult her until she...

"Antonia," he looked down at her. She met his dark eyes, he was serious, and he willed for her to listen to him. "I will explain everything when we are private. Please."

Could she trust him? She had no fucking choice. And he said please. Shutting her eyes. She nodded. A ping from inside the lift alerted her and the electronic panels opened revealing an over-the-top office galore. His secretary nodded and step back, leaving them alone. She paid him no mind, busy scanning her surroundings.

Upscale and modern, wall-to-wall thick tinted glass. Customized lighting and chandeliers gave the whole area natural elegance. Giving no doubt the place belonged to a young billionaire who values beauty and rich simplicity. From deep brown leather couches to expensive paintings on the walls, customized tables, and chairs, a symphony of style to titillate the senses, she was suddenly enamored of his domain. Everything was tastefully extravagant.

"Do you like it, love?" She jumped in surprise. He breathed the words on her temple. His hand on the small of her back. Antonia stepped away but he held her firmly by wrapping his arm around her tiny waist.

"Yes. Your floor is stunning." She admitted.

"I'm glad you like it, Antonia." Her name coming out of his lips sounded so different. Like a seduction. But it was impossible. She was reading too much from his actions. He was distracting her and she needed to get out of his hold.

"Um. We are going to talk, right?"

"Yes. Come." He led her to double-doors to his right at the end of a hallway. He scanned his palm to a pad and pressed a series of numbers. Damn! He was taking his security to new heights. "We will take your biometric later so you can come and go as you please, love."

"Is it necessary, sir?" She asked. Unsure.

"Yes, it is." His voice firmed. 

Fuck! And she thought the lobby was extravagantly elegant. His office put it to shame. High ceilinged, a round chandelier made of crystals twinkling in from the morning light streaming from the thick glass windows, deep large couches with pillows and throws, and divans artfully scattered all in muted colors, more art pieces on the walls, books on shelves behind his deep coated mahogany desk, an admiral chair for him and two more in front. The floor area was easily ten times bigger than her condo unit. "Wow." She was speechless.

"I am glad you approved. You will be comfortable here. We also have a pantry, toilet and bath, and other amenities. We will set up your desk later. For now, we need to talk." He gestured to the nearest sofa which felt like a cloud when she settled her tense body on it. 

He sat beside her, her hand on his, refusing to let her go. The anticipation was killing her. "Okay. Shoot." His lips twitched. Is he going to smile? She hoped not. He will give her a heart attack for sure.

"First, I want to apologize for acting the way I did on several occasions. It was uncouth of me and I regret my actions." Though his voice was dark and deep, she could detect the sincerity from his words.

"You were really rude." She pointed out.

He nodded. "I know. I'm sorry, Antonia."

She sighed. "I understand. Maybe you had your reasons."

"I did. But it was no excuse." His voice gentled even more and she tried not to squirm on her seat.

"Okay. Let's forget about it. I forgive you." She was too soft for her own good.

The happiness in his eyes made her looked away. Be still my heart, please.

"Second, I need you with me. I know this was sudden but I would be able to work productively if you are here. As my PA of course." Of course. What else would she expect? A declaration of love from her only crush? Fat chance of that happening. "Antonia, did you hear me?"

"What? Oh, yes. Just woolgathering. I accept but I have conditions." He frowned.

"As long as it's within reason." He answered.

"I can't work on weekends."

"Why?" His eyes grew dark.

"Family reasons." She refused to tell him. She doesn't fully trust him yet.

"Are you in a relationship?" Now, he was pissed again.

"What? No. Although it's not of your business. No. I don't have a boyfriend."

"So, there's no reason we can't see each other on weekends. As I have mentioned I will need you all the time."

"Even on a Sunday?" He nodded. God. Logan East was a workaholic.

She needed to tell him. "My mother is sick. I need to be at the hospice on Saturday or Sunday. So please, can I have a day off?"

He frowned again. This wouldn't work. "What's wrong with your mother?"

She looked away not comfortable with the topic. "Cancer. Stage 3." She mumbled.

"I see. Don't worry, love. We will visit her every weekend or anytime she needs us." He said reassuringly. His hands squeezed hers for comfort.

"Wait. What?" Shocked. She could only gape at him.

"We are a team now, love. Where you go, I go." His finger tucked a wayward red hair behind her ear as he spoke.

What the hell. Her boss, the CEO was crazy.

Maybe she had signed up more than she had bargained for.

_________________