Page 1 of Dark Love

Find The Scariest Man

Dahlia

Why did I do this to myself?

Because everyone needs a job, and this one makes a difference in the world. You made it through the first week. You can do this.

Can I really? I place my headset down on my desk and log out of the system before I get another call.

Mindy leans back in her chair. “Wanna get drinks with us?”

Um. I don’t drink, but I don’t mind holding a pretty cup in my hand. Getting to know my coworkers would be a good thing. “Sure. I’d love to.”

“Good. We’re all meeting downstairs in fifteen minutes.” Mindy grabs her bag, which is almost as big as my suitcase, out of her desk and hurries away.

“Ms. Fleur, would you come to my office?” Mr. Drake stands in the doorway to his glass-walled space.

Why am I giddy about being called to his office? I hated going to the principal’s office when I was a kid, and it wasn’t like I was ever in trouble.

Because that man is sexy.

Adonis Drake’s parents picked an exceedingly fitting name for him. He’s tall, but not too tall with an athletic build, honey-brown hair, a chiseled jaw, and a lopsided smile that just emphasizes the sharp line of his jaw.

Why did I take a job where I have to work for a sexy single man that makes me want to stutter and drool? I’m skilled enough at embarrassing myself without adding those to my repertoire.

Like a gentleman, he steps back so that I can move into his office without feeling crowded by his size, and then he closes the door behind me. “Take a seat.”

I stumble into the chair across from his desk.

Does he take a seat like most bosses do? No… instead, he leans against the desk. “How are you settling in, Ms. Fleur?”

“Fine.” Brilliant answer. You’re such a wordsmith.

His laughter is deep but somehow gentle, which is probably a skill he developed during his time working here. Or is it innate? “Most people have a hard time settling into such a high-stress job, but you seem to be handling the stress well.”

“I can only do my best.”

“That’s a wonderful philosophy, but if work starts taking a toll on you, I want you to come to me before it burns you out. We want this job to be a solution, not a problem.”

“I will.” Not. There’s no way I could admit my problems to him. I’d die from embarrassment before I uttered the first word.

“Good. A bunch of us go out to dinner after shift on Fridays. We’d love it if you’d join us.”

Dinner sounds good. Way better than drinks, but I already said yes. “Mindy already invited me to join her and a few other girls to go for drinks.”

His smile fades a bit. “See, that’s great. You’re making friends already. You can join us another time.”

“I’d like that.” I smile at him and notice the clock on the wall. If I want to use the restroom before we go, I need to hurry. “Actually, we’re leaving soon…”

“Go have fun. And enjoy your weekend.” He shoos me out of his office, and I rush to get everything done so that I’m not late.

***

Being late wasn’t something I should have worried about. They aren’t here yet, and it’s ten minutes after the time we agreed on. In five minutes, I’m leaving.

Yeah right, you’ll probably sit here all night waiting for them.

The elevator dings and out steps two women in sparkly dresses that are better suited to Las Vegas than an office building.

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