Page 21 of Tempting Him

My lips pull up slightly as I study him. “I guess you could say that.”

“Then maybe we can get away with a little more.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“I’d say persistent.”

A knock on my door breaks up our banter. “Come in.”

It’s Linda Thompson, my secretary. “Sorry, Mr. Drakos. I’m heading out, but Mr. Lewis called and had to change your meeting from two to three tomorrow. Is that okay?”

“That’s fine. Thank you.”

“Hey, Linda,” Jay says, walking toward her. “Let me walk you to your car. You never know what kind of people might be lurking around.”

“Ms. Thompson is how you should address her,” I admonish.

“It’s fine,” she says with a grin, pushing her blond hair behind her shoulder. “I don’t think I have anything to worry about, Mr. Brooks, but you can join me.”

“Oh, you gonna protect me? Do you work out?” he flirts, knowing damn well he’s the size of a professional football player and doesn't need any protection. Linda is five foot six at best and fairly slim.

“Have a good night, Mr. Drakos,” she says before stepping back through the door.

“Yes, goodnight, Mr. Drakos,” Jay offers. “See you tomorrow.”

“Oh, sir?” Linda adds, popping next to Jay. “I meant to give you this.”

“Let me,” Jay says, taking the card. “Rest your feet. Those heels look killer.”

Linda shakes her head, but hands the card to Jay. He glances at it before handing it to me. “Oh yeah, I wanted to ask. What does MGD stand for?”

“Oh, you don’t know?” Linda muses from the doorway. “M and G are his parents initials. D is, well, his last name.”

I take the card and study his face. He glances back at Linda. “Whose?”

She laughs, a little disbelieving. “Mr. Drakos, of course. This is his company.”

His dark eyes find mine, his lips parting slightly.

I smirk. “Have a good evening, you two.”

8

On Wednesday and Thursday,I don’t see much of Jay. He’s been with Luther and a couple other team members, learning the ropes, and working on this new campaign. When we’ve passed each other in the hall, he’s given me his usual grin. The one that looks like he’s always thinking something filthy, and who knows? Maybe he is.

I’ve stopped in Luther’s office, observing his progress. Do I need to do that? No. Luther will tell me everything I need to know. I’d rather not get into why I feel the need to check on him, but I’ve also watched him interact with not only the seasoned employees, but the other interns. He’s clearly well-liked by almost everybody he comes in contact with. He always has them laughing or smiling, and during the breaks, he’s the center of attention, always with a story at the ready that will entrance everybody in the vicinity.

Today, an hour before the interns are set to leave, I enter the break room and linger near the doorway. The permanent employees are used to me, but I’ve noticed the interns tense up when I’m around, all of them aware of my position. So, I keep back and listen to Jay tell them a story.

“No, I’ll tell you an embarrassing story. I was maybe ten or eleven, I don’t remember, but my class took this field trip to some ranch. I was excited, not because I really cared about cows or pigs, but because it was a bit of a drive and we spent most of the day on the bus and not in class. Anyway, it’s not the best day. It had been raining, so it was muddy, and we’re all trekking through this filth while smelling the scent of cow shit. Honestly, I don’t know why we took this trip. So, we’re in the barn where the cows are in their stalls, just chillin’. I’m at the end of the line. Thank God. I’m just looking around at these massive animals that you never think you’ll see up close, and this fucking cow. This bitch ass cow has her ass to me, and shoots shit at me! It wasn’t a massive amount, but enough that it got on me. On my face! I’m pretty sure she was annoyed with all the kids ahead of me being loud and annoying, and she took it out on me. It felt personal, not gonna lie.” Everybody laughs. “Like, it was a warning shot. She was telling me to get out. So, I freak out but don’t want anybody to know because I’ll becow shit boyfor the rest of my life, and my friends will never let me live it down, so I wipe it off.” He pauses, looking at everyone. “I. Wiped. It. Off. With my hand. Again, it wasn’t a lot, but now I got shit on my hand and nowhere to wipe it, so I bend down and try to wipe it off in the mud.” He shakes his head, chuckling. “This girl in front of me turned around and gave me a weird look, and all I said was, ‘mud.’” He laughs some more. “It was so dumb. I used the sleeve of my jacket to wipe my face again to make sure it was gone, but I felt so embarrassed and annoyed. Which is why I’ll never be a vegetarian. Fuck them cows.”

I laugh louder than I meant to, and everyone spins around to see who’s eavesdropping. When Jay realizes it’s me, his smile grows. “Hey, boss. We’re just shootin’ the shit,” he jokes, making people laugh again.

I nod, a small smile still on my lips before I turn and head back to my office. Ten minutes to six, I hear Linda laugh outside my door before my phone buzzes.

“Sir, Mr. Brooks is wondering if he can talk to you.”

Jay says something in the background that I can’t quite hear, but through the door, I hear Linda giggle again.