Page 11 of Bossed By the Orc

“I have a proposition,” he declared.

My brow furrowed at the words, but I held back the caustic remark that popped into my head. At the end of the day, this male was still my boss.

“There’s another job that I think you’ll be very interested in.” He released me, leaning back in his seat, but keeping me pinned with his gaze. “I’ve been watching you for the past few weeks and you’ll be the perfect candidate.”

My eyebrows swept up and my jaw dropped, but Dristan didn’t stop speaking.

“I like things a certain way,” he said, as if that wasn’t the most obvious thing in the world. “And I need someone to take some of the load off of Fionel before he murders me in my sleep.”

I hid a smile. I hadn’t met the male yet, but he was the one who usually took care of keeping Dristan’s space neat. He left me a note on his desk, thanking me for whatever magic I was working on the boss that meant he didn’t have to come in as early as he usually did.

I definitely wasn’t working any magic, but I could imagine how difficult it was to deal with this male all day every day. Searching his face for any hint that he was trying to trick me or get rid of me, I realized he seemed earnest.

“I need a Personal Assistant,” he asserted. “And you’re going to take the job.”

“I am?” I asked, not able to help the snarky tone. “Because I don’t even know anything about the position.”

He narrowed his eyes and I could tell he was getting worked up, but I watched as he carefully exhaled a slow breath. I hid my smile, knowing that I annoyed him as much as he did me. I didn’t want to admit to myself that I looked forward to seeing him every day so I could spar with him, but it was getting harder and harder to deny it.

“I’ll have the details of everything e-mailed to you,” he snapped and then stopped himself to inhale slow and deep again. “But the compensation will be much higher than what you’re paid now.”

My eyes widened to the size of saucers as I asked, “How much more?”

His gaze narrowed as he studied me and I knew that he’d sensed my weakness. “Much more. I’ll e-mail you the offer.”

I swallowed hard, struggling to not let my desperation show. If I could make a little more, I might be able to find an apartment I could afford where I didn’t feel threatened every time I stepped into the shared space. “I see.”

The urge to scream yes was almost overwhelming, but I held it back, knowing that there were other things to consider. “And what would the hours be like?”

“Full-time, twenty-four seven. If you haven’t noticed, I don’t take breaks,” he admitted.

My lips curled at his words. “Yeah, I noticed. But that’s fine. I can work as long as you need. I don’t live far from the office and—”

“It’s a live-in position,” he cut me off. “And I’m not bending on that.”

It was time for my impression of a carp. “Live-in?”

“Yes.” His eyes twinkled with some emotion I couldn’t decipher.

“With you?” I whispered, feeling every ounce of blood rush to my face. I didn’t know how well I would do being around him so much. I was already aroused enough just seeing him during my working hours. If I added every other hour of the day, how long would it be before I mauled him?

He grunted, typing on his phone—which was almost the size of a tablet. “You’ll get the e-mail in your inbox now.”

My phone chimed and I realized this male had my personal e-mail somehow. I picked up my phone and opened the first pdf. Dristan was the epitome of patience while I read. Chewing on a nail as I did, a nervous habit that I’d never been able to give up, I scrolled slowly through the pages until I got to the compensation package.

My gasp was loud in the silence of the SUV and I looked up at him right away, my impression of the carp firmly fixed on my face once again. “I—I—”

“I understand that this is something you might need to think about, however I’m going to need your answer immediately.”

“I—Immediately?” I stuttered, but my mind was whirling and I didn’t know how to react.

With a firm nod, he gestured toward my phone. “As you can tell, this is an important position to me and I need it filled right away. You’re the first person I’m offering it to because you seem competent. If you don’t think you can do it, I understand, but I’m going to have to start the search in the morning. So—”

“Wait!” I shouted, not meaning to, but everything was happening so quickly I needed to take a breath. I held my hands out in a placating gesture. “I totally understand that you can’t wait very long for me to decide, but I haven’t even read the entire document yet.”

“By all means,” he drawled, leaning back comfortably in his seat, a small smirk playing on his thick, delicious-looking lips.

I think I hate him a little.

---