Page 62 of Steamy Ever After

I try to sit patiently, but that lasts about three minutes before I stand and move to one of the windows. The view is astounding. Something I could definitely get used to. I press my hand against the glass to lean forward, trying to see if I can catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty. I jump when someone behind me clears their throat. I spin around, embarrassment flaring in my cheeks (yet again), as my eyes land on a man in his mid-forties, an amused smirk dancing on his lips.

“It’s a nice view, yes?” He steps further into the room, shutting the door behind him as he does, and stops when he’s a foot shy of me. “Ms. Adams?”

“Mr. Peters?” I grip the hand he’s reached out to me and shake it. “I’m so sorry about that.”

“For enjoying the view?” He releases his hold to wave my apology away. “Don’t be silly.” He moves to sit at the table. “Please, take a seat, and please, call me Ross.”

I sit in the chair I claimed earlier, clasp my hands in front of me, and dive in. “It’s truly an honor to meet you, Ross. I’ve been an admirer of yours for many years. I appreciate the opportunity and consideration of this position.”

“It’s you who deserves admiration. I’ve been watching you the past year. You’re good. You’ve earned that seat you’re sitting in right now.” He slides a folder across the table to me and points to it. “We’re already prepared to make you an offer. Everything you need to know is in that folder, but let’s talk a little more about the role.”

My heart thunders in my chest at his words. They’re already making me an offer? I was not expecting the process to move at such a quick pace. I give myself a mental shake and concentrate on what Ross is saying. We spend the next hour talking about the position, how I’d integrate and work with him, and about the current media concerns of the company. It’s everything I want and more.

“So, if you don’t have any further questions, I think we’re done.” Ross concludes, rising to walk around the table to shake my hand. “I hope the next time I see you, it’s to show you to your new office here at Harrison, Harrison & Watkins. It’s truly been a pleasure.”

“Thank you again.” I shake his hand and smile warmly. “I promise I’ll be in touch with my decision quickly.”

“Mr. Harrison will stop by in just a minute to give you our official partner pitch.” He gives me a wink. “But make no mistake, the job is yours if you want it.” With that, he gives me a quick wave and exits the room.

I can’t help the grin that’s plastered to my face. This is really happening. I knew I was a good candidate for the position, but this seemed way too easy. I reach over with two fingers and pinch the skin on the back of my hand to make sure this isn’t some crazy dream I’m having. “Ouch!” I flinch at my own action.

“I was right.” A deep voice sounds in front of me, goosebumps bursting across my flesh at the familiar tone, my head snapping up. “You look like a million bucks in that outfit.”

“Fin?” I take a step back, blinking rapidly to make sure what, or who, I’m seeing in front of me is real. I watch, speechless, as the door shuts quietly behind him and he strides towards me. He looks even more handsome, as if that was even possible, in the dark suit he’s wearing, the crisp white of his shirt making his eyes look even brighter.

“I don’t think we ever formally introduced ourselves.” The corners of his lips twitch as he takes one of my hands into his, the heat that surrounds my fingers intimate as he grips them. “Griffin Harrison, Senior Partner at Harrison, Harrison & Watkins.”

My mouth falls open as I take another step back, my hand dragging out of his as realization dawns. “Holy shit. You knew who I was the entire time.”

“Well, the company did book your ticket,” he chides. “And, not coincidentally, mine too, making sure we were seated together.”

“So, what is this?” I cross my arms over my chest and lock them there in an effort to restrain myself from slapping him. “Some kind of scheme to embarrass me? Trick me into telling you something or showing you something about myself that you may not discover in an interview?”

He scratches the scruff lining his otherwise perfect face, a gleam in his eyes as he stares back at me. After what seems like moments, but in actuality is just a few seconds, he explains. “Not a trick. Just a unique way of getting to know what someone is really like in a more relaxed setting.” He paces back and forth then stands in front of me again. “We had already made the decision to hire you, sight unseen, given your reputation and all the different ways we could watch your work online. When we realized that I would be flying back to this office on the same flight as you, I asked them to book my seat next to yours. I wanted to make sure we were getting someone authentic and not someone who knew how to easily contrive herself, as well as the media.”

“Like the genuine way you represented yourself?” I stomp a foot then throw a hand up as I continue. “You completely misrepresented yourself! And took advantage of me in a situation I obviously wasn’t aware of!”

“How exactly did I take advantage of you, Chloe?” He takes a step forward, which I counter, flinching when I feel myself bump up against the window, trapped like a fly in a spider’s web. My eyes dart up to his as he continues. “By sharing a couple drinks? A meal? Watching a movie together.” He smirks. “Which you fell asleep to, by the way.” He steps a little closer. “Or was it when I held your hand through a patch of rough air?”

I stare back at him, my breathing shallow, his closeness only causing me to be more confused. Why does he have to smell so Goddamn delicious? I shake my head in an attempt to clear my thoughts, then make my appeal. “Because you knew who I was. And how much I wanted this job. And how attracted I was to you. And you invited me to dinner. You don’t do that to a possible colleague.” I raise my eyes to his. “How will I ever know if I got this job because I’m the best you could hire, or if it’s because my boss wants to sleep with me!”

“First, if I wanted to sleep with you, I could have done that last night.” His eyes bore into mine as he grits out his response. “Second, I’m not your boss. Ross Peters is. I’m just one of the partners who work here. Third, you’re getting this job based entirely on your own merits and because Ross loves your work.” He takes another step forward, his body now leaning into mine, his voice a growl as he finishes. “And let’s get one more thing clear. I don’t want to just sleep with you. I want to fuck you, long and hard, and then, I’m going to want to do it again.”

“Fin.” I gasp when his hips thrust against mine, making his intentions more than clear. “Don’t make this more difficult for me.” I look up into his eyes, almost giving in right there. “You know I’m attracted to you. How are we supposed to work together?”

He releases my arm, taking a step back as he runs a hand through his tousled hair. He tilts his head toward the ceiling, a long breath leaving his lips before he looks at me again and begins to speak. “I know. I’m sorry. It wasn’t meant to be sneaky, or even a trick. The last thing I ever expected was to be so attracted to you. Or you to me.”

I snort. “Really?” I wave my hand up and down the length of his body with a dramatic flair. “How could anyone not be attracted to that?”

“Not this again.” He bows his head, a small smile playing at his lips. “Listen, there is no one that is better for this job than you. It’s yours. On a silver platter.” He steps over to the table and leans against it. “Chloe, the bottom line is the company wants you. To be honest, your job and any direct interaction you’d have with me will be minimal at best. You deal with Ross. Ross deals with the partners and clients. If this were a conflict of interest for me, I wouldn’t even broach it.”

“It, being your attraction to me?” I wonder out loud.

“I think it’s pretty mutual, but yes,” he concedes.

“This doesn’t feel right. I feel like I’m getting the job for all the wrong reasons.” I move to stand in front of him.

He grips my shoulders with a gentle touch and stares down at me. “You’re getting this job because you are the best choice. Ross hired you, not me. I’m giving my partner approval. Sex free. No influence.”

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