Page 5 of Billion Dollar Mistake

I drain my glass before lowering it to his desk. Holding his gaze firmly, I ask, “When are we docking?”

“We aren’t due to arrive back for an hour.”

I suck in a breath. Fucking hell. I’m literally stuck here.

He stands and I ease back into the chair, remaining silent. “Help yourself if you change your mind about a drink. And say goodbye before you leave, Mr. Lincoln.”

I won’t change my mind, I want to say, but I don’t.

He leaves the room, closing the door behind him. I’m grateful to be alone. I let out a deep audible breath and lower my leg so I can pull my phone out of my pocket. I may as well work a little while I’m stuck here.

The captain announces we’re ten minutes away from docking, so I leave the room and search for Bentley. I could sneak off, but I need to close the deal first. Therefore, I suck it up and give a quick farewell.

His loud voice booms above the music so I follow it.

“I meet them online.”

I know he’s talking about the women he was with. My skin crawls. He should come with a warning that says, sleazebag.

“Look at them all,” he says, flicking pictures on his phone.

I internally groan and walk away calling, “Send me the details, Mr. Spencer, and I’ll visit your office to sign it. Be prepared this time.”

“Alright, Lincoln,” he mumbles, not bothering to lift his slimy head away from the phone.

Chapter 3

Nova

I plaster a smile even though my skin is crawling. If I wasn’t desperate for a good-paying job to help my parents, I wouldn’t be sitting here at this job interview. But all the other interviewers ended up passing on me for a more experienced person. So this interview is very important. I need to get this last job.

Scratch that…I have to get this job.

Being able to work for a company that is within the health industry was important to me. So when this job opportunity came up, I felt a strong connection to their goals and my dad.

Bentley isn’t interested in what I have to say as much as he enjoys running his gaze over me. I shuffle in my seat, trying to get comfortable even though I can’t. Not in his presence. Not with his heavy gaze admiring me. Could I work like this?

I wouldn’t be working directly under him. I’d just be working for his company. And right now, with the medical bills my parents are racking up, we are desperate for this kind of break.

So, no matter how slowly his eyes slide over my body, I picture my dad and mom. Imagining their happy faces helps.

“I’m still in shock, Miss Lee,” he says with a slight drool.

“Why’s that?”

“Beautiful and smart. I’m surprised you haven’t been snatched up already.”

By the tone of his voice, I know he means in a relationship, but I want to keep this talk strictly business related. There’ll be no other relationship between us.

“To be honest. Your company is the best in New York. And it’s offering the best package.”

He leans forward in his office chair, his hand running over his chin. “I think I should be worried you’re only here for the money, but I'm not. If that’s how I get you here then I’ll take it.”

I lace my fingers together, wondering how much longer I’ll have to be here. It’s already been a long twenty minutes.

“Are you saying I’ve got the job?”

Please say yes.

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