Page 39 of By His Rule

Did she really think I wouldn’t personally welcome her to the organization this morning?

I really thought she was smarter than that.

It’s been a week since I delivered her home from Tate and King’s apartment.

A week since I’ve seen her.

Clearly, I haven’t been on her mind as much as she’s been on mine, if that’s her reaction.

After rolling her shoulders back, she spins toward me.

Her eyes find mine instantly and she holds my gaze firm, daring me to be the one to step down.

I almost outwardly laugh at the thought alone.

You’re going to need to try harder than that, Lorelei. We’re in my territory now.

A wicked smirk plays on her lips. One that I’d love to make better use of.

“Mr. Callahan. What a surprise,” she says, refusing to cower under my heated stare.

“Really?” I ask. “I would have thought you’d have expected to see me today, seeing as I’m your new boss.”

My pulse continues to race as an army of butterflies threatens to erupt from my stomach.

“Hmm,” she says letting her eyes drop from mine in favor of my body. She’s doing it on purpose, trying to put me on edge, but she’s going to learn very soon that it takes more than one suggestive glance to knock me off kilter. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, sir,” she says, putting a little more emphasis than necessary into the final word. “But I believe that you’re actually my boss’s boss. Hopefully, that means that our paths won’t cross all that often.”

Both Melissa and Rebecca’s eyes widen in surprise.

“Right, well,” I say, moving closer. “That security pass in your hand...did anyone explain what it gives you access to?”

She swallows nervously. She knows the answer. I made it very clear that I wanted her to know the second it was handed over.

“Th-the whole building,” she stutters, a little of her initial confidence beginning to wane.

“Correct,” I confirm, coming to a stop right in front of her.

Melissa and Rebecca are watching our exchange with more than a little interest, but I don’t so much as glance in their direction. My entire focus is on the woman before me.

“But here’s the thing, Miss Tempest,” I say, lowering my voice a few octaves. “No other finance assistant has ever been granted permission to step foot on the top floor of this building, at least not without a very specific invitation.”

A frown mars her face, and her chest begins to move faster as her pulse rate increases.

“I have no interest in having access up here, Mr. Callahan.”

“Well, that’s a real shame, Miss Tempest, because without access to this floor, you’re going to fail at your new role before you’ve even started.”

“But the finance floor is?—”

“Follow me, please,” I demand before abruptly turning around and marching toward my office. “Back to work, please, ladies,” I shoot over my shoulder.

She hesitates behind me, but Lorelei obviously makes the right choice, because a couple of seconds later, the tapping of her sexy purple heels sound against the tiled floor.

The hair on the back of my neck stands on end as accomplishment floods my veins.

Oh, this is going to be so much fun.

I hold my office door open and watch her closely as she walks inside before closing and locking it behind her.

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