Page 11 of Tempting All The Way

“No, I do not. Get out of here before I call that mafia boss to come and harvest your organs.”

“If only…” She sighs.

I look like shit. I spent all night tossing and turning, thoughts of the devil boss haunting my dreams. I need this job. I need to be able to put myself through university. I don’t have the luxury of falling back on anyone else for help. Lucy’s parents offered to pay for my tuition, which I quickly shut down. I’m not a leech. I will work my way through uni. I can do this on my own; it’s not like I’m the first orphan to try to make something out of myself.

I ensure I’m ten minutes early. Despite telling Lucy I had no plans of following Xavier’s ridiculous rules, I do not plan to give him a reason to fire me on my first week. I’ve changed my schedule at the grocery store. I’m thinking I can still work weekends there for a little bit of extra cash. I’ll be giving up any chance of a social life I had, but it’ll be worth it. There will be time to party and see my friends—well,friendbecause let’s face it, all I really have is Lucy—after I achieve my goals.

I knock on Xavier’s door before stepping into his open office. He’s already sitting at his desk, reading through a stack of files. “Good morning. Coffee: tall, black, one sugar as requested,” I say as I place the cup on his desk.

His eyes travel up and down my body before doing a double take and finally settling on my eyes. His jaw ticks. Great, I’ve already managed to piss him off and I’ve only been here three seconds.

“Oh, and I assume you haven’t eaten breakfast.” I deposit the paper bag, with a blueberry muffin inside, beside the coffee cup.

“What the hell are you wearing?” he asks me.

I stumble backwards. His tone, as well as the shock over his sudden question, has my brain and body freezing.

“Shardonnay, what the hell are you wearing?” he asks again.

“Ah, well, this… it’s called a skirt. And this old thing.” I gesture to each article of clothing as I explain. “Is a blouse.”

“I’m a criminal defence attorney, Shardonnay. That means I have criminals coming in and out of here all day. You can’t go strutting around looking like you’re about to mount a pole.”

Okay, the initial shock gives way to rage. Pure, red-hot rage. “First of all, I DO NOT look like I’m going to be dancing on a stage. Although I will consider finding a stripper job today, seeing as it’d probably be way more enjoyable than working for you. Second, there is absolutely nothing inappropriate with myclothes. My skirt touches my knees and my top is done all the way up—not even a hint of cleavage can be seen,” I hiss.

I don’t stick around to hear what else he has to say. Instead, I walk out, slam his door, and throw myself down in my chair.

Chapter Six

I’m glad my schedule has kept me busy all morning, because I cannot handle dealing with my new secretary. I’ve had to fog the glass over so I don’t have to look at her. She thinks there’s nothing wrong with what she’s wearing—she’swrong.

My cock was hard the second my eyes took her in. It didn’t help that her honey scent filled my office. I shouldn’t have said anything, but fuck, how am I meant to concentrate and get workdone when she’s strutting around in a tight skirt and a blouse that I know I could rip open without even trying.

“Xavier, don’t forget you have a lunch meeting in twenty,” her voice calls through the intercom.

I defog the windows, immediately wishing I hadn’t. Jeremy, a young second-year who works under Nathan, is standing in front of her desk. Fucking hell, I thought I had to worry about the goddamn criminals coming in and out of here. Now it seems even my staff can’t help themselves.

Pushing to my feet, I storm over to my door before throwing it open. “Jeremy, is there a reason you’re interrupting my secretary, stopping her from doing her job?” I ask him.

“Ah, no, sir. I was just… ah, I was welcoming Shar to the firm,” he stutters out.

“It’s Shardonnay. Her name is Shardonnay. I suggest you get back to work and let her do the same.”

“Sure, yeah, I was just leaving.” He nods before adding, “See you at lunch, Shar?” At my grunt, he corrects himself. “Shardonnay?”

“No, you won’t. She’s busy,” I cut in before Shardonnay can answer him.

“I am?” Her eyebrows scrunch down in confusion.

“Yes, you’re coming with me. Get your stuff together. We’re leaving.” I walk into my office and retrieve my wallet and phone from my desk. By the time I make it back, she’s standing with her umbrella and a huge bag hanging over her shoulder. “You won’t need that,” I nod to the umbrella.

“We’re in Melbourne. You never know when the weather will shift,” she says.

“I’m driving. You won’t need it. Follow me,” I grunt in reply.

“Ass,” she mumbles under her breath. Walking through the underground garage, she turns to me and asks, “Which one isyours?” I don’t get a chance to answer before she’s laughing. “Don’t worry, I already know.”

“No, you don’t.” I shake my head and halt my steps.

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