Page 36 of Tempting Him

“A long time. I came over with him from Chicago to get this branch started. He’s a good man, and though he’s pretty young, he knows what he’s doing.”

I almost laugh at Luther calling him young, when Alek has been acting like he’s ancient around me. “Seems like it,” I say.

“He can come off pretty aloof, but he’s been through a lot.”

“His parents?” I ask. Luther’s eyes flick to mine. “I Googled a little about the company before I started,” I say. It’s only sort of a lie. I didn’t do it before I started, but he doesn’t need to know why I was interested.

“That’s only the most recent thing. Don’t worry about it, kid. Just do your job, do it well, and you’ll be fine.” Luther runs a hand through his white hair and calls me over. “Now, let’s get started.”

The first two hours fly by. I’ve been in contact with customers and clients about sponsorships and cross promotion. Most of what I’ve done has been traditional marketing, and under Alek’s orders, Luther’s taken me to the digital marketing department to learn more about leveraging digital channels. I’ve also spent time with social media marketing, since I’ve needed to use all aspects to market this festival.

Thirty minutes before the end of my day, I’m in the break room chatting with the other interns while eating a glazed donut.

Joel knocks his arm into mine, lifting up a donut. “Heard you brought these in today.”

“I did. Feeling generous, I guess.”

“Heard it was because you were late and trying to kiss up to the boss,” he says with a grin.

“Is this middle school all over again?”

He laughs. “We never grow up. Everyone loves gossip.”

I shake my head. “Turns out the boss isn’t a fan of cookies and donuts. So, I failed.”

“But we win,” he says with another smile, his eyes dropping to my mouth briefly.

Joel is definitely attractive. The epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. He’s lean, and his hair is cut so short he’s nearly bald. He’s someone I’d spend some time with for sure.

“Got any plans this weekend?” he asks.

“Well, besides working on Saturday? I’m not sure. My friends are having a pool party, I think.”

“Oh, Mr. Drakos is making you work Saturday? That sucks.”

I shrug. “Guess I deserve it.”

“Well, let me know when you’re free. I’d love to hang out sometime. You know, outside these break room moments.” He flashes me his perfect white teeth.

Joel hands me his phone, and I put my name and number in there without thinking about it. “Definitely need to get some more socialization. I feel like I haven’t been out in forever and it’s probably only been a week.”

Once he has his phone back, he sends me a text. “That’s me. Text whenever.”

“Okay.”

When I turn around to grab a napkin from the table behind me, I find Alek in the corner of the break room talking to a couple of guys, but his eyes are trained on me.

I give him a friendly smile, but it isn’t returned.

After wiping my mouth and hands, I head for the door with the plan to go to Luther’s office for the next twenty minutes.

“Excuse me,” Alek tells the guy who’s speaking to him. “Mr. Brooks,” he says as I’m passing. “Meet me in my office, please.”

“Right now?”

“Right now.”

“Oh. Yes, sir.”

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