Page 14 of Unleashed

“I work for Abbott Associates,” I said, watching his smile fade.

“Ah, the competition,” he said, the light in his eyes dimming slightly.

“Sorry about that,” I said, shrugging.

He waved it off. “No need to apologize. What’s a little competition? Besides, I’m starving. Care to join me at a table?”

Erika perked up. “As long as you’re buying.”

Michael chuckled. “Of course. I wouldn’t invite you otherwise.”

He signaled the host, and soon we were seated in a plush, semi-circular booth. Erika slid in first, then me, and Michael took the seat next to me, his arm casually resting along the backof the booth. As we scanned the menus, he turned to me. “So, what do you do at Abbott?”

Before I could answer, the waiter arrived to take our drink orders. I went for a chocolate martini, Erika did the same, and Michael, still nursing his scotch, ordered another.

“I work on structural engineering projects for commercial buildings,” I said once the waiter left, listing off a few high-profile ones I’d been involved in.

Michael looked impressed. “That’s quite the portfolio. Not many women go into your field.”

I shrugged. “I’ve always been good at math, and I like building things. Dated a contractor and a carpenter, so it kind of fits.”

“Boyfriend now?” His eyes held a spark of curiosity, and Erika nudged my knee under the table.

“No,” I said, forcing a smile. “Work keeps me busy.”

“That’s too bad,” he said, leaning in slightly. “Driven women are my kind of people. Maybe I should try to lure you away from Abbott.”

I laughed softly. “I like my job. Though working in a department full of men can be... challenging.”

“We’ve got three women at Elliot,” he said, clearly proud. “I made sure to create an open environment. No closed doors. My office is even part of the open floor.”

I couldn’t help but be intrigued. An open office? No boys’ club? Maybe this conversation wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

I leaned in, intrigued, as Michael's smooth, self-assured voice washed over me.

"What about private calls?" I asked.

“I take them in the conference room. All glass, but there’s a feature that blocks out prying eyes when needed,” he replied with a grin, his confidence making everything sound effortless.

“I like the idea of an open workspace,” I said, swirling my chocolate martini, trying to appear more casual than I felt.

Michael’s eyes sharpened. “Do you deal with hostility from the men?”

I bit my lip, hesitating. “Not so much hostility as being the butt of their jokes. It’s not easy when there are so few women in the company, even in support roles.”

His jaw tightened. “That’s illegal.”

I shrugged. “I’m used to it.”

Michael’s eyes darkened as he leaned forward, voice low and rough. “You shouldn’t have to get used to it.”

The intensity of his tone sent a shiver down my spine, and I watched him take a slow, deliberate drink of his scotch, his eyes never leaving mine. "Now I just have to convince you to come work for me," he said with a smirk.

Erika kept her mouth shut but nudged my knee to give me silent encouragement.

“Are we negotiating now?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

His smirk deepened. “What would you like?”

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